Travel Tips

Historic Gangster Sites in Chicago

Chicago has a rich history of gangsters.  Here at the Chicago Getaway Hostel, we know this and can recommend some really cool historic sites & tours….

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Blizzard Survival Tips

!! BRACE YOURSELF !!

Let us help you prepare . . .

As you know Chicago is gearing up for a severe weather storm.  24″ of snow are possible. . . and we urge you to follow a few tips to stay safe in this potentially hazardous snow storm

Stock up on beverages and food at the Lincoln Park Market

TIPS:

1. Stay away from drivers who cannot drive in the summer let alone a BLIZZARD!
2. Wear protective gear, IE: Jacket, Gloves, 180′s or ear muffs- perhaps some snow pants? (helmets don’t count)
3. Keep a shovel in your car, well that is if you have a car
4. Call all of your loved ones, let them know you’re in the ONE ALL, END ALL blizzard of Chicago!
5. Make a quick trip to the Lincoln Park Market to grab some staples.  Food that is.
6. Stock up on adult beverages, you’re going to be locked up for quite some time.

Jokes aside:

• Dress warmly
• Make sure you have food for the day
• Make sure your car isn’t parked in a “snow zone”
• Make necessary travel arrangements and modifications
• Extend your stay at the Chicago Getaway Hostel
• Stay away from Lake Michigan, waves in excess of 25 feet expected
• Take the CTA whenever possible

1967 Blizzard: Early in the storm a CTA bus is towed after getting stuck on Michigan Avenue
at Walton Street in Chicago.

Visit the CTA at www.transitchicago.com–for up to date travel delays and information

Visit the Department of Aviation- up to date travel information and delays

FlyChicago.com

How Does the storm measure up?!

Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2011 could rank as one of Chicago’s top 5 snowstorms

1) 23.0″   1967  January 26-27

2) 21.6″   1999  January 1-3

3) 19.2″   1930  March 25-26

4) 18.8″   1979  January 13-14

5) 16.2″    1931  March 7-8

?)             2011 February 1-2

Christmas- Chicago Getaway Style!

Christmas Day Recommendations- hostel/style

for

Christmas Day- December 25, 2010

Food, what could be more important?

• Select Cut Steakhouse- (773) 244-1500 – Open from Noon-10pm, see their MENU
  • Take #8 Halsted Bus from Halsted and Fullerton & exit at Halsted & Diversey- it’s on the west side of the street
    
• Rollapalooza (contemporary sushi)- (773) 281-6400 – Open from 2pm-Midnight, see their MENU
  • Take # 8 Halsted Bus from Halsted and Fullerton & exit at Halsted and Buckingham- it’s on the west side of the street
    
• Nori Sushi- (773) 904-1000- Open from 11am-1opm- see their MENU
  • Take the Brown Line at Fullerton towards Kimball to the Brown Line stop at Diversey, restaurant is right there!
• Chen’s Chinese and Sushi- (773) 549-9100 – Open from 4pm-Midnight- see their MENU
  • Take the #22 Clark bus north and exit at Cornelia, Chen’s is on the west side of the street
    
• Fiesta Mexicana- (773) 348-4144 – Open from 10 am to 1:30am – see their MENU
  • Walk 4 blocks- Arlington to Orchard- (LEFT), to Fullerton (Right)- Follow Lincoln to 2423 on the right side just past CVS Pharmacy.
• Four Farthings- (773) 935-2060- CALL FOR HOURS – see their MENU
  • Walk 5 blocks- Arlington to Geneva Terrace (Right), (Left) on Lincoln, (Right) on Cleveland

What to do when almost everything is closed:

• Snowball Party @ Spin- Dance party starting at 9pm at Spin a club in Boystown

• Ice Skating at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink- 10am – 4pm

• Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema- Diversey and Clark

Transit Schedules for the holiday:

Check CTA Holiday Schedules before venturing out

Holiday Schedule

Chicago Restaurant – Winter Reccomendations- hostel style!

Mat Meadows (General Manager):

* Mat picks Wilde.  This is an Irish bar/restaurant located in Chicago’s must-visit Lakeview neighborhood.  He recommends their signature Mac-n-Cheese( don’t forget the meatloaf too!), a very popular dish on their menu.  This place has a cool literary theme that even boasts a library and a fireplace you can dine next to, check this place out north on Broadway Ave.

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Great Chicago Neighborhoods

We are a city of neighborhoods, and this makes our town a diverse and beautiful playground for travel.  Here are just a few excellent locals to experience…

Lakeview, home of The Chicago Cubs, about a dozen vintage clothing shops, record stores, restaurants, an independent film theater, a myriad of bars, and the list goes on and on.  This neighborhood is within walking distance to the hostel (just make a left on Clark St.).  We recommend exploring this one.

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The Chicago CityPASS

Coming to the city? The Chicago Getaway Hostel has some great discounts for guests.   We just got an outstanding deal on CityPASS which we will be selling for $69.00 (adult ticket) and $59 (for children). This gives you access to 5 infamous attractions for a cheaper price. The original combined attraction price would be $134.62, so you are saving a remarkable 49%.  Let’s check out the attractions:

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Chicago’s Best Neighborhood

Dear Traveler, we will let you in on a little secret.  Part of why we are the best hostel in Chicago is because of our beautiful neighborhood, Lincoln Park.  In fact, our neighborhood is better than downtown in so many ways.  Come see why we were voted the 5th best hostel in the U.S. for the month of May!

Stimulate Your Fashion: Check out Chicago’s Hippest Shops

We will let you in on a few tips when it comes to shopping hip. Conveniently, these spots are located on the northside of our beautiful city, and most are close to our hostel.  Bring a few bucks and you’ll be looking as chic as a Wicker Park hipster…

This place is cool.  It sells an average of 1500 t-shirts a week.  They have a myriad of designs for customizable tees, with categories such as: bands, authors, sports, vintage, sex, and even poop.  They also have the largest selection of Converse All-Stars in the city.  Check out Strange Cargo and how to get there from our hostel.

Another spot you guys & gals have to check out is the Belmont Army,  and its within walking distance from our hostel.  They’ve got 4 floors of neat stuff ranging from vintage apparel to cool & colorful shoes.  This place has potential to be pricey, but they always some good sales that make them worth checking out.

I was just let in on a semi-hidden gem.  I think you should check this place out too, Clothes Optional really delivers when it comes to price and selection.   Did you ever wonder who was raiding thrift stores for all the coolest stuff before you got there?  This place has got all the hand-picked fashion from the 50′s to the 80′s. This place is also within walking distance from our hostel.

On the subject of thrift stores, you may as well check out Ragstock as well.  Its real close to the Belmont Army and there’s a bunch of cool places to eat, shop, and drink in the Belmont & Clark area.  They’ve got a ton of cool retro accessories and vintage clothing.  Personally, I find all my atrocious sweaters there…

Gangsters, Ghosts, and Boats: Take a Chicago Tour Today

You probably already know of Chicago’s rich legacy of gangsters.  However, if you’re interested in knowing more on the extensive subject of infamous criminals, hop on the tour bus and take a trip with Untouchable Tours!  You will gain knowledge of the 1920s and 30s Prohibition Era while visiting a vast array of landmarks including: the Biograph Theater, Holy Name Cathedral, as well as the site of the Valentine’s Day Massacre. Read more

Chicago Theatre All Around Us

The Chicago Theatre Movement took off in the 1970′s and 1980′s, and has continued to grow ever since. Today, the New York Times names Chicago as a city ”with a theatre scene as vibrant as New York’s.”  The adjacent Old Town neighborhood is home to many independent theatre companies who put on award winning drama and comedy productions. Some of your favorite comedians got their start just down the street at Second City, and our neighborhood is home to some of the oldest theatre companies in America.  From improv to political commentary, there is something for everyone on any of the stages in this diverse neighborhood.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

(312) 335-1650

1650 N. Halsted

Steppenwolf Theatre Company began in Chicago in 1976 with only nine actors. Today it is the longest running and most successful theatre company in the country, with forty nine artists including actors, directors, playwrites, and film makers.

Now through November 8, 2009 catch Fake, written and directed by Steppenwolf members Eric Simonson and Kate Arrington. This drama is set in 1914, and explores sentiments about truth, faith, science, and evolution. This production runs Tuesday through Sunday and tickets can be purchased for $40 by visiting their website or contacting the box office at 312-335-1650. Steppenwolf theatre is a short walk from the Chicago Getaway Hostel at 1650 N Halsted. Read more

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