That toddlin' town, Chicago, is deep-dishing up incentives to get your tourist--and holiday--dollars with its sixth "Chicaglo" promotion.
Through December 27, 2002, the tourism office presents a series of Friday lunchtime concerts in the Water Works Visitors Center, on North Michigan Avenue at 163 E. Pearson Street. On December 6, it's Nan Mason, soloist; on December 13, Broadway show tunes by Robert Solone; on December 20, Classic Christmas with the Stanley Paul Orchestra; December 27, Judy Roberts and jazz.
Better yet, there are free showings of classic movies during Lunchtime Matinees from now all the way through March 21, 2003, at the tourism center (72 E. Randolph Street) from noon, Mondays through Fridays (except holidays). During the week of December 9 you should bring your own lunch to see Jezebel, Mildred Pierce, The Heiress, The Farmer's Daughter and Philadelphia Story. The week of December 16th features Casablanca, Anna Karenina, The Blue Angel, Sunset Boulevard and A Place in the Sun. If nothing else, it's a good enough reason to get out of the office for a couple hours.
A select group of hotels are reducing their rates for the holiday shopping season through January 1, 2003. After that date some rates will get even cheaper, so if you don't need to head to the Magnificent Mile for a frenzy of consumerism in December, you should consider a trip later in the winter. Weekday and weekend stays at the Essex Inn (800 S. Michigan Avenue) run $69 a night in December, with a million-dollar view of the lake and Chicago's Museum Campus. Next up the scale is the Best Western Inn of Chicago (162 E. Ohio Street), with weekday stays of $85, weekend rates of $99, and a special New Year's rate of $129. The inn is located just a block east of the Magnificent Mile, Chicago's shopping Valhalla.
For December rate specials involved with this promotion, go to www.877chicago.com/hotels_chicaglo.html. For post-New Year's specials go to www.877chicago.com/hotels_winter.html. To phone in a reservation, call 877/CHICAGO. Rooms are limited, subject to availability and blackout dates.
For a true budget-priced room, look no further than the two-year-old J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Hostel, (24 East Congress Parkway). Rooms run $20 to $25 per person per night for anyone holding a Hostelling International membership. Non-members add $3 per night. You can visit them online at www.hichicago.org, or call 800/909-4776, ext 244.
For more information on Chicago and its events, contact the Tourism Office at www.cityofchicago.org/Tourism, or www.877chicago.com or 877/CHICAGO (same as 877/244-2246).
