Comments on: I’m looking for advice from past BlogHer attendees and / or folks who know Chicago http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/ My life in California with my husband Craig and our sons Henry (6.75), Ed (6), and Charlie (4). Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:13:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Jill http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5451 Jill Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:03:10 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5451 The only airports you're going to want to fly into are Midway and O'Hare and I agree with all of Nina's comments, especially the one about Southwest, but if you're not familiar with the El system or transit systems in general, I'd skip the Orange line and just take a cab, it'll only cost you about $20... or maybe see if other bloggers are arriving at the same time and you can share a ride. Yes, you can walk to the Art Institute from the W -- it's probably about 1.5 miles and you'll get to see some great architecture along Michigan Ave along the way. speaking of architecture, if you're at all interested the Architecture tour that leaves from Navy Pier is a fantastic tour. And your hotel is walking distance from Navy Pier. I don't know if you'll have time since I've never been to BlogHer. Since it's in my backyard, I've been considering going, though.... have fun in my city!! :-) The only airports you’re going to want to fly into are Midway and O’Hare and I agree with all of Nina’s comments, especially the one about Southwest, but if you’re not familiar with the El system or transit systems in general, I’d skip the Orange line and just take a cab, it’ll only cost you about $20… or maybe see if other bloggers are arriving at the same time and you can share a ride.

Yes, you can walk to the Art Institute from the W — it’s probably about 1.5 miles and you’ll get to see some great architecture along Michigan Ave along the way.

speaking of architecture, if you’re at all interested the Architecture tour that leaves from Navy Pier is a fantastic tour. And your hotel is walking distance from Navy Pier.

I don’t know if you’ll have time since I’ve never been to BlogHer. Since it’s in my backyard, I’ve been considering going, though…. have fun in my city!! :-)

]]> By: Nina http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5449 Nina Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:28:49 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5449 I highly recommend flying into Midway, for three reasons: First, Midway is much closer to the Loop, so the train ride is half as long. Second, the orange line train from Midway is not under construction and is a quick route, whereas the blue line from O'Hare *is* under construction and has much heavier traffic. Third, Midway is a smaller airport and so has a better on-time record. (Also, Southwest flies into Midway. If you can fly Southwest, there's no reason to consider another airline, IMO.) I highly recommend flying into Midway, for three reasons: First, Midway is much closer to the Loop, so the train ride is half as long. Second, the orange line train from Midway is not under construction and is a quick route, whereas the blue line from O’Hare *is* under construction and has much heavier traffic. Third, Midway is a smaller airport and so has a better on-time record. (Also, Southwest flies into Midway. If you can fly Southwest, there’s no reason to consider another airline, IMO.)

]]> By: karrie http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5439 karrie Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:34:30 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5439 Can you fly out late on Sunday? I'm getting in a little early and not leaving until Sunday night because I also have a growing list of things I want to see and do. (Including some spa action at the W..hehe) I plan to harass Alison (above poster) for tips, but I also picked up a Moon guide for Chicago that seems pretty good. I've been to Chicago before, but basically just drove through with an infant in tow. Can you fly out late on Sunday? I’m getting in a little early and not leaving until Sunday night because I also have a growing list of things I want to see and do. (Including some spa action at the W..hehe)

I plan to harass Alison (above poster) for tips, but I also picked up a Moon guide for Chicago that seems pretty good. I’ve been to Chicago before, but basically just drove through with an infant in tow.

]]> By: alimum http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5433 alimum Fri, 13 Apr 2007 04:02:31 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5433 I concur with Liz that O'Hare and Midway are your only options airport-wise (and depending which airline you fly, they will make the decision of which airport you fly into because very few airlines have gates at both). The museums: The Art Institute is walking distance from the W if you really like to walk. (I would say it is approx. 2.5 miles). The Museum of Contemporary Art is closer to the W (about a mile). The Freedom Museum is also quite close to the W. The other museums are not really walking distance from the W. And from the sounds of it, Blogher will take up all your time. I concur with Liz that O’Hare and Midway are your only options airport-wise (and depending which airline you fly, they will make the decision of which airport you fly into because very few airlines have gates at both).

The museums: The Art Institute is walking distance from the W if you really like to walk. (I would say it is approx. 2.5 miles). The Museum of Contemporary Art is closer to the W (about a mile). The Freedom Museum is also quite close to the W. The other museums are not really walking distance from the W.

And from the sounds of it, Blogher will take up all your time.

]]> By: Suzanne http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5432 Suzanne Fri, 13 Apr 2007 04:01:41 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5432 You are goning? Me too! We can meet! In person! I am from Chicago originally and I can show you all around!!! Oh, I am SOOOOOO excited. Yes, you can easily walk to the museum. You are goning? Me too! We can meet! In person!

I am from Chicago originally and I can show you all around!!! Oh, I am SOOOOOO excited.

Yes, you can easily walk to the museum.

]]> By: liz http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5429 liz Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:35:10 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5429 That's going to be quite a hike to the Art Institute from your hotel, but if you like to walk, it's definitely doable. Wear comfortable shoes and you can always grab a cab if you get tired. Don't try to fly into anywhere but Midway or O'Hare. That’s going to be quite a hike to the Art Institute from your hotel, but if you like to walk, it’s definitely doable. Wear comfortable shoes and you can always grab a cab if you get tired.

Don’t try to fly into anywhere but Midway or O’Hare.

]]> By: Beth http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5427 Beth Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:33:04 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5427 OMG! I just googled Mashed Potato Club and apparently IT'S CLOSED! I can't believe it. I'm channeling Nancy Kerrigan now as I yell Why/!!! WHY?!!!! OMG! I just googled Mashed Potato Club and apparently IT’S CLOSED!
I can’t believe it.
I’m channeling Nancy Kerrigan now as I yell Why/!!! WHY?!!!!

]]> By: Elizabeth http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5426 Elizabeth Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:20:11 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5426 Having been to BlogHer last year, I have to agree with Skye. Unless you plan to get to Chicago a day early or stay a day after, Friday and Saturday will be pretty jam-packed. There's breakfast, lunch, a snack, and the cocktail party every day, plus two sessions and probably another smaller "birds of a feather" get-together (at least there was last year). I can't wait to meet you there! Having been to BlogHer last year, I have to agree with Skye. Unless you plan to get to Chicago a day early or stay a day after, Friday and Saturday will be pretty jam-packed. There’s breakfast, lunch, a snack, and the cocktail party every day, plus two sessions and probably another smaller “birds of a feather” get-together (at least there was last year).

I can’t wait to meet you there!

]]> By: Beth http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5425 Beth Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:20:44 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5425 I lived in Chicago for four years and I still yearn to go back. The Art Institute is my favorite place in the world. But I don't get out much. Rose Angelis in Lincoln Park is a great affordable Italian place with nice relaxed atmosphere. Mashed Potato Club is Downtown and it's a lot of fun. Think mashed potato entrees with ANYTHING you like mixed in. Yum. I'll try to think of more but I almost started crying just thinking of all the mashed potatoes I've been missing all these years. :( I lived in Chicago for four years and I still yearn to go back. The Art Institute is my favorite place in the world. But I don’t get out much.
Rose Angelis in Lincoln Park is a great affordable Italian place with nice relaxed atmosphere.
Mashed Potato Club is Downtown and it’s a lot of fun. Think mashed potato entrees with ANYTHING you like mixed in. Yum.
I’ll try to think of more but I almost started crying just thinking of all the mashed potatoes I’ve been missing all these years. :(

]]> By: mel http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-5424 mel Thu, 12 Apr 2007 22:33:59 +0000 http://plainjanemom.com/2007/04/12/im-looking-for-advice-from-past-blogher-attendees-and-or-folks-who-know-chicago/#comment-5424 Dude,I have such Blogher envy. About a week ago I got this bug up my butt that I wanted to go. I can't...but oh, how I want to. And the art? Sigh. You are going to have so much fun. You must come directly home and blog allllll about it. Dude,I have such Blogher envy. About a week ago I got this bug up my butt that I wanted to go. I can’t…but oh, how I want to. And the art? Sigh. You are going to have so much fun. You must come directly home and blog allllll about it.

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