Are you planning to take a longer stay at a hotel? Perhaps you need to make an extension or simply want more time away from home. Whichever it is, we have a few tips to help you!
A month long hotel stay sounds like a long time, especially if you’re not a frequent traveler. But how do you make sure you stay comfortable throughout the time?
Here are six quick tips to consider to improve your experience.
1. Set a Clear Budget
Before you decide to stay at a hotel for a month or longer, you should have a clear budget. This way, you only consider options that you can comfortably pay for. So, you should also account for other expenses, including extra days at the hotel, additional facilities, and more.
If you need a place to start, you want to evaluate how much you’re willing to spend for a night. On average, you can expect to pay a rate of around $170. From there, you can decide how much more or less is a good amount for you.
2. Choose a Convenient Place
You want to be sure you pick a hotel at a convenient location, especially if there are fewer amenities. This way, you can have a good lifestyle during your stay.
As much as possible, choose a place that’s close to different commercial establishments and attractions. It includes malls, parks, restaurants, and the like.
3. Consider Hotel Amenities and Services
A hotel’s amenities and services can determine how comfortable your stay will be. At the same time, it can determine whether or not your pay was worth the cost.
When deciding on what to include, you should consider your needs. Do you need access to fast internet? A personal kitchen in your room? Laundry services? Make sure you pick a place that offers everything, if not most, of what you need without being too expensive.
4. Have Your Own Food Supply
A good way to save on overall costs is by bringing a food supply. It means you have to prepare the meals yourself, but it allows you to reduce the total expenses and allocate more funds towards different activities and needs.
You can also consider bringing pre-cooked meals and microwavable options. Otherwise, be sure you scout the area for your dining options to prevent overspending.
5. Pick the Perfect Room Size
6. Declutter Often
With National Camp Day just around the corner, you want to consider looking for great places for camping. If you’re headed to Chicago for it, you’ve come to the right place!
The city offers a diverse array of activities. Although you can’t exactly camp inside Chicago, there are lots of nearby locations to consider.
Keep reading to find out some of the best places to check out for camping near Chicago.
Indiana Dunes State Park
If you’re looking for a fairly nearby place, the Indiana Dunes State Park is the best place to start because it’s less than an hour away from Chicago. This way, you can easily head back to your Chicago hotel or explore the city afterward.
Lots of people tend to visit the park to enjoy the view and ambiance. But you can also set up your tent at specific campsites that sit close enough to the beach.
Big Foot Beach State Park
Kankakee River State Park
If you’re a fan of the water as much as the land, the Kankakee River State Park is the perfect place for camping near Chicago. Only an hour away, you can enjoy the wonders of nature in both ways, wet and dry.
They have over a hundred campsites, allowing you to choose between a place that’s electrically-equipped or more primitive. Either way, you still get to enjoy anything from kayaking and fishing to hiking and horseback riding.
Illinois Beach State Park
Camp Sullivan
Another nearby location made perfectly for campers is Camp Sullivan. Not only is it half an hour away, but it’s the ideal site for campers looking for a smaller space. You get access to an indoor climbing wall, bunkhouses and cabins, and other amenities.
Regardless of the size, it allows you to enjoy the typical camping experience, especially when you bring your own tent or RV!
Camp Aramoni
If you want something more modern, you can consider Camp Aramoni for its glamping style. You get your own tent with amenities that top a hotel stay while enjoying the outdoors. It may feel different from the typical camping experience, but it’s best for those who consider camping an unwinding time rather than an activity.
Consider Going Camping Near Chicago
The art scene in Chicago is one of the most diverse options you can find in the country. It’s because they aren’t limited to the art of the area, but even beyond it!
Moreover, it’s a great way to add color to your trip. Even so, you might wonder, where can you find them?
Here are a few places you can find the best art in Chicago!
Art Museums
The Art Institute of Chicago
Museum of Contemporary Art
National Museum of Mexican Art
The National Museum of Mexican Art is one of the largest collections of Mexican art in the country. Additionally, it’s a significant institution when it comes to voicing Mexican culture in the U.S. through art, highlighting Chicago’s cultural diversity.
Art Galleries
Hyde Park Art Center
River North
West Loop Art District
The West Loop is often known for its food options, but its art scene is just as diverse! Moreover, you can find the galleries tucking amid buildings, adding to its ambiance. Because of this, you can enjoy a hotel in the West Loop without worrying about being too far from art sites.
Public Art
Pilsen Murals
The Loop
Cloud Gate
Check Out Some of the Best Art in Chicago
The fall calls for the season of pumpkins. That means you want to consider looking up where to find pumpkin patches in Chicago if you want the perfect backdrop.
Moreover, these are a great site for autumn activities and events, especially when you’re in the mood to see what the outdoors has to offer.
In that case, here are a few places you can find pumpkin patches in Chicago and what to expect from them.
Didier Farms
When you visit the Didier Farms, you might notice different autumn-related festivities. A few of them include pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and even a petting zoo.
If you catch the farm on a weekend, you can try out some of the farm hosts’ treats, including funnel cake, corn dogs, jams, jellies, and more fall delicacies. It’s great for sharing with friends and family or taking home for yourself!
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
One thing about Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is that it’s not exactly a farm. Instead, it’s a pop-up that features fall activities and food trucks serving some of the best fall snacks.
Here, you can choose a pumpkin from a selection of over 10,000 pre-picked options. At the same time, you can check out the corn maze and go through different fun activities, from ax throwing and carnival games to fortune telling and gem mining.
Lincoln Park Zoo
If you’re looking for a pumpkin patch that’s only a few minutes away from Downtown Chicago, you want to consider the Lincoln Park Zoo. Moreover, it makes a great place to see if you want a place close to your Chicago hotel.
They offer almost everything you want to see in a fall festival, such as live music, harvest mazes, and bounce houses.
Aside from fall festivities, you can also enjoy some of the park’s iconic features. This way, you get to discover Chicago in two different ways at once.
Sonny Acres
If you’re looking for a place for pumpkin farming, Sonny Acres is one of the top places to see, especially because they’ve been around since the 1880s. Next to having one of the oldest pumpkin patches, you can find different activities during the fall.
A few things you can expect to see include food trucks, giant slides, live music performances, and pumpkins that go acres long!
Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm
Bengtson’s is popular for lots of reasons. But when you visit during the fall, their pumpkin patch is a must-see if you’re nearby.
Although it requires you to trek to the farm, you can find more fun stuff waiting for you at your destination. Some of these include kiddie coasters, petting zoos, haunted barns, and more.
You can find lots of rides that make it feel like an amusement park, allowing you to enjoy the fall festival to its fullest.
Richardson Adventure Farm
Compared to other pumpkin patches in Chicago, you might wonder what makes an adventure farm so special. The key word is adventure, so you can find rides and activities that go beyond what most fall festivals offer.
This spot features one of the largest corn mazes, huge corn pits, a 50-foot-tall observation tower, and other sites. You can also enjoy anything from pig races and rolling inside huge balls to a giant trampoline and paintball shooting gallery.
Check Out Different Pumpkin Patches in Chicago
Visiting pumpkin patches in Chicago can offer you the perfect backdrop for the fall. But aside from photos and videos, it also lets you enjoy fall festivities like a local.
With this, you can make the most out of your autumn season trip while making sure you get to go around the Windy City as much as you can.
Halloween is one of the most festive times of the year. Lots of people go out of their way to prepare for different events and festivals.
So, parties are a common way to spend time with friends and family during this season. But if you’re hosting your own hotel Halloween party, where do you begin?
Here’s a quick guide on how to plan a party everyone is sure to remember!
Set Your Goals
To kick off your party, you want to start by identifying your goals. Is your Halloween party open to friends or only family? Are you celebrating a day or week before Halloween?
These act as your outline when setting the rest of the party, from the schedule to the activities. It helps to create a draft of everything you need, including the guest list, to picture the party.
Although you can proceed without plans, it’s one way to ensure you allocate your resources efficiently and take away the guesswork during the process.
Pick a Theme
Once you have your goals, you want to decide on a theme for the party. Halloween doesn’t always have to be about spookiness. It can also be about costumes of varying concepts.
Take your time when picking the theme to ensure everyone attendee would be comfortable with it. This way, you can ensure everyone has a good time during the party.
You also want to choose your Halloween party theme based on the creativity and cost, or even how family-friendly it is!
Consider the Budget
Whether you’re planning a small-scale or large party, it’s important to keep your budget in mind. It’s because this is the key factor in helping you achieve your prepared goals.
If you’re planning a hotel Halloween party, you should consider other rates that might incur during your stay. Doing so can help you set a proper budget and prevent hidden fees from adding up to your bill.
Send Invites
When everything is settled, you prepare and send your invitations. Make sure that these include the time, date, location, and theme of your party.
Try to keep your invites in theme to let your guests get an idea of what to expect even before reading the details of the party. You can also make it like the traditional cards or as an e-invite.
Prepare the Room
Give yourself time to prepare the room before the party starts. You can book the hotel room a day in advance to dedicate the day to preparations. But if you’re on a budget, consider going early to set it up.
As much as possible, try to get everything done before guests arrive to really bring the party to life. You can also ask for extra hands if it’s necessary!
Stay Festive with a Hotel Halloween Party
Did you know that nearly 3 in 4 Americans drink at least a cup of coffee each day? That counts for people who make it at home, purchase it, or drink it when they travel.
If you’re one of those people, you might want to know where you can get the best coffee when you go from place to place. But when you’re in the West Loop, where should you look?
Here are some of the best cafes in West Loop, Chicago you have to try yourself!
Sawada Coffee
Vietfive
Morgan Street Cafe
Osmium Coffee Bar
Cupitol Coffee & Eatery
Froth
La Colombe
Warm Up with These Cafes in West Loop, Chicago
The Windy City is one of the best places to visit all year round, knowing there’s always something special in store. But when the leaves turn golden and the weather gets chilly, it adds a unique touch to what Chicago has to offer.
With all the sites to see, you might wonder, what are the best things to do in Chicago in the fall? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Keep reading for a quick checklist of different ways you can enjoy the city during fall.
Visit Parks
Fall in Chicago usually runs from late September up until early November. So, October is the best time to visit if you’re interested in viewing the parks in the area.
Each park is great on a regular day, but during the fall, it showcases a color and vibe you don’t just see anywhere. It also makes a great place for strolling, taking photos, or sipping warm drinks.
Check Halloween Festivities
Halloween usually comes during the fall, so you will likely come across festivities within the city, especially in popular attractions. It’s also hard to miss, given how grand the locals celebrate it!
Halloween in Chicago means tons of artistic sites and displays, along with tours and festivals of different themes. You can also check out the zoos and await night-time activities on the streets.
See Pumpkin Patches
Chicago features pumpkin patches at the peak of the season. If you make it in time for the festivals, you’re sure to catch these in the area.
Aside from regular pumpkin patches, they also feature a Halloween-themed one, with carved jack-o-lanterns lighting the city after dark.
Go on a Boat Cruise
The fall is a great time to go on a boat cruise if you’re not fond of the hot weather and find the winter too chilly to be in the water. Not only do you get to see the city in awe as the colors shift to oranges and reds, but you also learn more about Chicago’s popular landmarks.
As you go around in the boat, you can also decide what other places to visit once you get off. You can choose what more you want to see as you go through glimpses of them from the water.
Attend a Culinary Festival
The cold weather is a great time to have food and drink to bring people together. It’s also one of the best times to experience the city’s signature events: the Chicago Gourmet.
Here, you can enjoy a plethora of activities centered around food, like a beer festival and burger competition. Moreover, they have other similar events that are just as fun, such as an apple festival and wine and beer tasting experiences.
Watch Theater and Films
Enjoy Chicago in the Fall with These Activities
Are you going on a trip as a working mom and taking your family with you? If so, you want to keep a few family travel tips in mind to maximize your experience.
The key is to have plans set beforehand. This way, your family can continue with the vacation even when you head out for work. But how do you begin?
Keep reading to learn ways to maintain work-life balance when you travel with your family!
Plan a Schedule of Activities
Before you leave for the trip, it’s good to plan a schedule of activities for your kids ahead of time. So, they can use it as a guide when you’re working. At the same time, it lets you ensure you get to spend the fun stuff with them.
Keep in mind that having a schedule also keeps your trip organized. While you can have a few spontaneous activities here and there, it helps to consider a plan to maximize your free time!
Pack All the Necessities
Make sure you pack all the necessities for your job and your family vacation. By having everything organized in place, your family won’t have to keep asking you for what they need.
You also want to create a physical packing list of what you bring to the trip. So, you can refer to it again before you go back home.
Consider packing them in different bags to ensure you don’t forget anything later. It can also set the mindset that work and your personal life stay separate.
Set Clear Boundaries
It’s important to set clear boundaries when you’re on a family trip but have to work in between. This is also a crucial part of maintaining work-life balance.
You want to communicate with your colleagues when you’re available. So, you can make sure that you’re fully engaged when it comes to family and vacation time.
Pick the Right Accommodations
The right accommodations can help you make sure you have everything you need to focus and relax when it’s needed. At the same time, it lets you and your family make the most out of your stay.
Try to look for a hotel that offers different fun facilities. A few examples include a gaming space, swimming pool, open garden, and more.
Book in Advance
If you’re going around the city with your family, you want to consider booking places in advance. Through this, you can stick to a clear schedule and ensure you don’t miss out on too many family activities.
As much as possible, only book places that you can fit your schedule best. You also want to consider those that allow refunds if you fail to show up.
Consider These Family Travel Tips as a Working Mom
Autumn is one of the best times to travel, especially because there are fewer crowds and better deals. In Chicago, it usually runs from September to November.
But to really bring your trip together, you want to bring the right items for the season. The question is, what exactly should you take with you?
Here’s a quick packing checklist of the essentials of fall travel when you visit the Windy City.
Bring Different Layers
The weather is often chillier during the fall, but not so much that it could freeze your feet off. Still, the key to staying comfortable is having enough layers.
You won’t have to wear everything at the same time, but it helps to have a fair number of layers of different kinds. It benefits you for practical and fashion purposes!
Consider using different layers to add more personality to your outfits while keeping you warm throughout the day. For example, wear a jean jacket over a sweater or a layering shirt with a scarf.
Choose the Right Footwear
The right footwear can determine how comfortable you will be during the entire trip. So, make sure you bring the perfect shoes for your trip.
If you’re staying longer than usual or beyond a week, you may want to bring different footwear options. This way, you can participate in different activities while staying comfortable.
A few fall footwear staples include boots and loafers, but you can always bring sneakers with you. Be wary of taking sandals and other similar shoes since it might be too chilly to wear them for long.
Consider the Current Weather
You want to look into the weather conditions at the place you’re visiting. The daytime usually lasts shorter in Chicago but the weather can vary, going from chilly days to sometimes rain.
Either way, you want to have the right materials for the weather changes. Keep in mind that there’s less likely to be any sun, so you won’t have to worry too much about summer weather essentials.
Go for Versatile Items
As much as possible, you want to pack stuff that you can use at any moment, regardless of the weather or season. Doing so allows you to make the most out of your trip and ensure you don’t find yourself fumbling around because you forgot to bring something.
Since you’re bringing lots of layers, you might want to be smart with how you pack the rest of your stuff. This way, you can take everything you need without worrying about a lack of luggage room.
Look Into What Your Hotel Offers
One way to reduce the stuff you bring is by looking into what your hotel offers. It includes the amenities and facilities available.
By looking into this, you can determine what items you can leave at home and which ones are necessary to bring. For example, if you’re working remotely during your fall travel, you only need to bring your laptop if the hotel offers free Wi-Fi access.
Prepare the Ideal Fall Travel Packing List
When you visit Windy City, one of the things you shouldn’t miss out on is trying the famous Chicago deep dish pizza. According to most people, it’s a food experience like no other!
But one thing you might notice is that lots of places offer it. So, how do you find the best places to enjoy it?
Generally, it all depends on your preferences. Even so, here’s a list of the top places to eat the popular deep dish pizza.
Pequod’s Pizza
If you’re a natural foodie, Pequod’s Pizza is a must-try on your list. The reason is it’s popular for serving these pizzas with caramelized crusts!
The history of the famous Chicago deep dish pizza dates way back. So, you’re likely to find a few places that opened up in years you might not expect.
Ever since they opened in the 1970s, they have been consistently offering their pizza with a crispy edge and soft filling. Some say it’s the type of dish that tastes better freshly cooked to really enjoy the contrast between the crust and its filling and toppings.
Giordano’s
If you’re looking for West Loop restaurants, you want to try out Giordano’s for its innovative style. According to some people, it’s a whole new experience with the way they stuff it.
You can try their staple Chicago Classic, but if you want a bigger twist, consider their inventive options. It includes adding Greek-influenced ingredients, from spit-roasted gyro meat to feta cheese and herb blends.
Bartoli’s Pizzeria
Bartoli’s Pizzeria has received the “Best Pizza in Chicago” award and title a couple of years in a row. But aside from its mouth-watering presentation, the secret to their success is practically a family secret.
The family-run business has been in the competition for years and slowly worked its way to become one of the city’s icons. A specialty worth trying is the deep dish spinach & cheese, which combines those exact two ingredients in the best way possible.
Burt’s Place
If you watch Anthony Bourdain, you may be familiar with the restaurant Burt’s Place. Although it offers the classic like other places, the restaurant prepares it in a way that boosts the dining experience.
Once you have a bite, you will definitely find yourself wanting even more!
Pizzeria Uno
The Pizzeria Uno has been in business since 1943, making it one of the original deep dish pizza spots in the city. Even so, their classics remain one of the best options for the dish and are worth trying out yourself.
One thing you might notice is how they combine authentic Italian recipes and ingredients with the pizza, making it the perfect fusion of flavors.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Another popular family-owned pizzeria is Lou Malnati’s. That’s because they’re often credited for being the inventors of the typical Chicago-style pizza and have been sticking with their original recipes even to this day!
One of their trademarks includes their butter crust, allowing you to enjoy a thin pie that’s crips on the edges but strong enough to hold the overflowing filling and toppings.
