Chicago Diabetes Expo Anyone?

JediSkipdogg · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 11:13 AM

I'm looking at attending the 2007 Diabetes Expo in Chicago Illinois on April 28 at Navy Pier.

My question is, where can I stay near Chicago that I won't get shot. Also, I want to be able to get from the hotel to Navy Pier in a cheap method. I understand driving my own vehicle would not be a wise method as they literally rape you on parking. I understand there's also the Metra which takes you into the city but I'm not sure how close that is to it.

So, is anyone familiar with Elk Grove Village just northwest of Chicago. It's actually about a mile from Chicago O'Hare. I'm looking at a Howard Johnson there with a great rate.

karen · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2007, 01:38 PM

Elk Grove Village is near O'hare, but no where near Navy Pier. I stayed at a hotel near Navy Pier, but right now I cannot remember the name of it but it was a bit pricey.

There is parking right at Navy Pier if you want to stay in Elk Grove, but you won't get the full experience of visiting Chicago, with all the other stuff to do. The museums are great also and all next to each other, plus the restaurants in the city, omg, to die for. Plus if you are flying in what about a play or going up Sears Tower!!

Stay in Chicago if you can and you won't get shot, geesh!!

I met up with David from Ohio at Navy Pier a fellow pumper and he is still alive. David if you see this post where did you stay?

Karen

karen · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2007, 01:44 PM

Chicago Navy Pier on the city lakefront from Chicago Traveler

Chicago Traveler -- global discount hotel reservations

Looking at the website in my previous post I stayed at the Swissotel, but there are tons of nice hotels, all in walking distance from Navy Pier

Keezheekoni · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2007, 03:03 PM

I don't know anything about Chicago, but a tip from just having been to the Portland Expo... take along a ton of address labels. There are so many companies that want your info before they'll give you that stupid free pen, that it makes it easier just to peel and stick a label and not get hand cramps.

Also, go early and get into the Safeway booth first (or whatever major grocery chain in your area is set in the center of the Expo center)...they are giving away OneTouch US, Freestyle Flashes, and Accu-chek Avivas. They are also giving away "sick day boxes" and various other goodies, along with a coupon to get a $20 gift card with a new or transferred prescription.

I usually only get my insulin and test strips from Safeway, but next time I need something, I'll get it there with that coupon. (And I know you're like me and do the coupon thing.

)

Lots of companies are doing free screenings there, so you can get your A1c, blood pressure, etc. checked too. The best freebie was a drawing done by the Exubra (sp?) people, who do 3 drawings for iPod Shuffles. You must be present to win. They are also giving away pedometers that are pretty cool, and digital.

Didn't mean to hijack your thread, Kev...I should have probably written up a review and put it somewhere else... My real point was to really just tell you about the labels! LOL

JediSkipdogg · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karen

Elk Grove Village is near O'hare, but no where near Navy Pier. I stayed at a hotel near Navy Pier, but right now I cannot remember the name of it but it was a bit pricey.

There is parking right at Navy Pier if you want to stay in Elk Grove, but you won't get the full experience of visiting Chicago, with all the other stuff to do. The museums are great also and all next to each other, plus the restaurants in the city, omg, to die for. Plus if you are flying in what about a play or going up Sears Tower!!

Stay in Chicago if you can and you won't get shot, geesh!!

I met up with David from Ohio at Navy Pier a fellow pumper and he is still alive. David if you see this post where did you stay?

Karen

Looking at a map they don't look close but also not far away. THe problem is with me doing the Vegas trip that's my big vacation. So I'm trying to save on any other trip and one is keeping this one as close to under $300 as possible. That's why I am staying out of the city. I might see a play and have looked at tickets for Wicked there. I'm tempted to see that, anyone else in the area wanna go and see the Jedi all dressed up?

It's still 2.5 months away so I have time to look at it some more. I have stayed in Chicago once and it looks like I stayed at what is now The Chicago City Centre Hotel & Sports Club. We went to Chicago for a senior class project/experience. However, now I'm on a budget. And keep it cheap is the name of this game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikki

Didn't mean to hijack your thread, Kev...I should have probably written up a review and put it somewhere else... My real point was to really just tell you about the labels! LOL

Not a problem and thanks. I'll print out a sheet of them and take them with me.

karen · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2007, 07:06 PM

I hope you get to see Wicked, it is great. If I decide to go to the Expo, perhaps we can say hey at one of the booths. If you decide to stay at Elkgrove Village, you will then have to pay for transportation to the City, right?

parrotletzoo · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2007, 07:35 PM

ooh ooh! lol if you stay near Ohare you can take the blue line train downtown. good times. I'm do going to be there! We usually take the train to CHI and stay downtown at one of the hotels near michigan and congress. or stay at the hostel. check out hostel international's website.

JediSkipdogg · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrotletzoo

ooh ooh! lol if you stay near Ohare you can take the blue line train downtown. good times. I'm do going to be there! We usually take the train to CHI and stay downtown at one of the hotels near michigan and congress. or stay at the hostel. check out hostel international's website.

Can one walk from the main trainstation to Navy Pier or is that a great distance and crazy?

karen · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 02:54 PM

There are free shuttles to Navy Pier but you would have to see where they pick up from within the city.

As far as walking, you also have to consider how you are going to get from your hotel back to O'hare to board this train, unless the hotel provides a shuttle back to O'hare.

cat_collector · #10 (**permalink**) 03-01-2007, 05:32 PM

Parking at Navy Pier was 20 bucks last year . I went last year not sure if I will make it this year .

Tracy

glucolog · #11 (**permalink**) 03-01-2007, 06:25 PM

I am planning to be there this year. I live in Indianapolis which is a good 3 and a half hour drive. I just visited Chicago last week to see Wicked which is a really fun show.

BTW. The parking at Navy Pier is now $25.

JediSkipdogg · #12 (**permalink**) 03-01-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glucolog

I am planning to be there this year. I live in Indianapolis which is a good 3 and a half hour drive. I just visited Chicago last week to see Wicked which is a really fun show.

BTW. The parking at Navy Pier is now $25.

If I do make it to Chicago that is one thing I hope to do. I just need someone familiar with Chicago and thier train system to go with me, lol.

ClaireZk · #13 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 05:47 PM

I will be in Indianapolis that weekend!!! I might have to stop by the convention

As for Chicago, its a great city (but I am from there, so I am biased).

If you are staying in Elk Grove it might be worth it to just take a cab to Navy Pier. It probably wouldn't cost more than parking!

And Karen is right- you won't get shot!!!

Chewy · #14 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 05:26 PM

Jedi,

I lived in Chicago for 5 years and it's a great town. Have you looked into the Days Inn? I don't know what your price ceiling is, but the one in Lincoln Park is near a lot of great shops and restaurants. I can't remember how far away the red or brown lines are from it. The red line is probably the closest, maybe a 10 minute walk at the most through a hip neighborhood. You can probably catch the 36 Broadway or the 22 Clark buses downtown too. They pick up right at the corner. The subway or the bus will cost you 2 bucks a ride. I highly recommend the bus. They're not dangerous and they might even get you closer to Navy Pier than the trains.

The simple matter of fact is that NP is not near any public transportation. It's on the other side of Lake Shore Drive where Oprah lives (the big roundish tower, apparently she has 2 floors all to herself). But if you use the CTA's trip manager thingie it should tell you the best way to get to NP.

A note on the Blue Line. It does get dodgy at night. IMHO, I prefer the Red and Brown lines.

If you're interested in cheaper theater, Chicago is the world epicenter of improv theater (not stand up, real improvisation when you make it up all on the spot). I used to perform at the Improv Olympic and the Playground Theatre. I highly recommend the Playground (www.the-playground.com). You'll laugh, and for cheap.

Ah, this has made me so nostalgic...