With baseball's opening day just days away, sports fans may be thinking about a Chicago vacation. Here are some tips about where to stay and what to do — whether you're a Cubs fan or a Sox fan.
Cubs
Where to stay: For die-hard fans who want to stay close to the Friendly Confines, there are several Chicago hotels in the Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.
- City Suites Hotel Chicago: Within easy walking distance of Wrigley Field and all the uproarious social activities that surround the game. City Suites also puts you near delightful Lakeview and Lincoln Park restaurants and shopping boutiques.
- Belden Stratford: A lovely hotel resting on a beautiful Lincoln Park street. The Belden Stratford puts you within walking distance of the park, the lake and the zoo, and a short walk or easy bus trip up Clark to Wrigley Field.
- Days Inn Chicago: Surrounded by neighborhood bars, shops and restaurants. Days Inn Chicago is an easy walk or bus ride to Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park and the lake.
Fan hangouts:
- Harry Caray's Tavern: With two locations — downtown in Near North, and across from Wrigley, the beloved announcer's namesake bars are now almost as much of a mecca for Cubs fans as the field itself.
- The Cubby Bear: Probably the most iconic of the Wrigleyville Cubs mega-bars (and there are many of them!), the Cubby Bear is conveniently located diagonally from the main Wrigley gate. And even if there's no home game, the bar also often hosts live music.
Other activities:
Don't miss some of the city's other highlights on your Chicago vacation. These spots are all an easy walk or cab ride from one of the above-mentioned Chicago hotels. The Lincoln Park Zoo is a great (and free) family destination. Play a round of golf at Waveland Golf Course right on the lake. Get your dose of Chicago Blues at Kingston Mines or B.L.U.E.S.
White Sox
Where to stay: While there aren't any Chicago hotels immediately surrounding U.S. Cellular Field, the Red Line "el" stops right next to the stadium. So fans can stay in the heart of downtown, and be an easy train ride from the action.
- The Palmer House Hilton: The official hotel of the White Sox. This historic hotel along State Street is just steps away from Millennium Park, the Art Institute and the flagship Macy's store. Plus, there's a Red Line "el" stop right outside the door.
- Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown: Walking distance to ESPN Zone, Rush Street bars and Michigan Avenue, this hotel also is a block from the Red Line.
- Hilton Chicago: Right on Michigan Avenue, this hotel overlooks Grant Park and the Museum Campus and is an easy walk to the "el."
Fan hangout:
- Schaller's Pump: It's a point of some contention and even pride among Sox fans that the Southside Bridgeport neighborhood around Cellular Field does not host the same non-stop wall-to-wall party atmosphere as Wrigleyville does. But that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of great bars and restaurants to be found. Schaller's is a stand-out, family-owned pub, renowned for its food and drink and for its hearty pro-Sox attitude.
Other activities:
When the game is over, take some time to appreciate the city's cultural offerings. You've got plenty of options — all close to your downtown Chicago hotel. Kids and adults will appreciate the exhibits at the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. Millennium Park is a treat for all the senses, with world-class public art, a restaurant and plenty of guided tours and concerts. Several companies offer boat tours along the Chicago River and the lake for a unique perspective of the city.
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