Particularly if you frequent Michigan Avenue, the Loop or the Gold Coast,
it may seem as if all of Chicago's hotels are steeped in opulence and
frequented only by travelers willing to plunk down their American Express
cards at the front desk. But if you'd rather spend your dollars on
attractions, dining and entertainment than a fancy hotel suite, you're not
without options.
You might reserve a bed in a Chicago-area hostel. But be sure to call
first - several of the city's hostels are seasonal, open only from May or
June through September. The International House of Chicago, located on the
University of Chicago campus (1414 E. 59th St.), is open all year, and
Hosteling-International plans to open a year-round 500-bed facility in the
downtown area no later than June 15, 2000. They're already accepting group
and individual reservations.
Another lower-cost option is a room at a hotel located in a Chicago
suburb. Unless you have a car, the most convenient option is Evanston,
located directly to the north of the city. It's accessible by "L" and boasts
some of the North Shore's best dining options. Evanston is home to
Northwestern University, and Big 10 parents book rooms months in advance of
move-in and graduation weekends.
