Hotel and such (was Re: PF 2011 redux - ...)

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This posting is from: Charlese
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Annie I will be in /Chicago Wed and Thurs this week. Where might I stay
that is friendly and is there something to do while I am there. I am a
passable woman who loves wine and meeting others. Charlese

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(This posting was entered by Charlese, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> Annie I will be in /Chicago Wed and Thurs this week. Where might I stay
> that is friendly and is there something to do while I am there. I am a
> passable woman who loves wine and meeting others. Charlese

As far as where to stay, it depends on what part of the city you want to stay in and how much you want to spend. The places where I've stayed recently in Chicago are the Hilton Garden Inn at Grand and State, the Hampton Inn at Illinois and Dearborn, and the Holiday Inn Express just north of Ontario.

As far as what to do, most anything in the River North, main part of the downtown Loop area, and the Boystown/Lakeview area will be welcoming. A few places we enjoyed at Pinkfest are the Downtown Bar on State just south of Grand and the 3160 Lounge on Clark just south of Belmont.

If you'll be more specific about exactly what you're interested in doing, I and the others can surely give you more suggestions.

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This posting is from: bud leffler
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I will be at a conference at the O'hare intercontinental hotel. I have
not booked accommodations there. I like Marriott or Hilton. I was just
thinking of a nice evening, maybe watch something or dancing, etc.

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[annie]

> I will be at a conference at the O'hare intercontinental hotel. I have
> not booked accommodations there. I like Marriott or Hilton.

If that is the hotel I'm thinking of, it's actually well within walking distance to the Rosemont (River Road) El/subway station.

Big question here. Will you have a vehicle or will you be using public transit or taxi?

If you have a vehicle, you're much better off staying out in the 'burbs, since parking is usually not included with the downtown hotels and is very expensive.

It's about a 35-45 minute train ride from the O'Hare area to downtown and about an hour to the Boystown/Lakeview area. Most hotels in the O'Hare area have a free shuttle to/from the station.

If you don't have a vehicle, you can stay downtown and be closer to the action and take the train out to your conference in the morning.

> I was just thinking of a nice evening, maybe watch something or dancing, etc.

There are countless dance bars in the Lakeview/Boystown area. Most all of them should be welcoming.

You'll probably hear of Hunters Dance Club, which is not too far from O'Hare. It gets mixed reviews from the TG crowd. They "card hard" at the door and there are some reported hassles when the photo does not match the appearance. In all fairness, last time I was there I enjoyed it, but I really don't have any desire to go back until that lingering issue is settled.

If you haven't seen our Big List of recommended place, look here:

http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/pinkven/

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This posting is from: Jannas Studio
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Hey Annie, I been thinking and thinking of YOU! How are you?! Also would
like to check out your blog but not sure how to get there. Would you
please send me your email address or wherever your blog is located? I'd like
to keep in touch, sweetie. Nice to see you last month, Ginger too. Take
care

hugs and kisses, Janna

jannassstudio2010@aol.com

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This posting is from: Ginger
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I'm not able to give much specific advise like Annie and others as I
only go to Chicago for Pinkfest and sometimes for Be All. However, I
when traveling I have always noticed that in nice places one is treated
nicely by both staff and customers so stick to nice places and avoid
"red-neck places" as we call the low-life places here in the south
frequented by the good ole' boys and you should be safe. There is so
much to do in Chicago, shopping, the Art Institute of Chicago's museum,
the symphony, sports, and many others. My last trip to Chicago I spent
hours in the Hemingway Museum and Home in Oak Park and was fascinated by
what they had on exhibit so don't limit yourself to the LGBT scene and
the night life.

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(This posting was entered by Ginger, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> My last trip to Chicago I spent
> hours in the Hemingway Museum and Home in Oak Park and was fascinated by
> what they had on exhibit so don't limit yourself to the LGBT scene and
> the night life.

Ginger brings up something I totally spaced off ...

One of the more accepting communities in the Chicago area is Oak Park, which is roughly 10 miles directly west of the downtown area. Just about anything in that community will be accepting. For years we've dined at Winberies, a very nice Contemporary American restaurant in downtown Oak Park, and lately we've been going to Bar Louie, on Lake just east of Harlem, which is a fun place to hang out and have a few drinks.