[Concert] 13th May Chicago - Riviera

[Letter from Egypt]

a-ha.com have announced a Concert for Chicago being held at Riviera here.

Pre-sale ticket links available at the above link.

[hopesaha]

I'm planning to go to this instead of NYC. Anyone else going?

[BBphoto]

My kind of town Chicago is...

Sweet home Chicago...

Who's going to go with me????

[nohini]

My soon to be future home...not a bad way to transition into Chicago :)

[BBphoto]

My soon to be future home...not a bad way to transition into Chicago :)

will you have moved here in time for the concert?

[hopesaha]

Has anybody been to the Riviera? I've read reviews of the place and it doesn't look good. A lot of people say that it's kind of run down and in a bad part of town. Also, there's not a lot of hotels in the area and the ones that are there are dumpy. I'll probably be staying closer to the mag mile. I haven't figured out if I'll try to drive to the concert, take a cab, or brave the train. Suggestions?

[BBphoto]

Has anybody been to the Riviera? I've read reviews of the place and it doesn't look good. A lot of people say that it's kind of run down and in a bad part of town. Also, there's not a lot of hotels in the area and the ones that are there are dumpy. I'll probably be staying closer to the mag mile. I haven't figured out if I'll try to drive to the concert, take a cab, or brave the train. Suggestions?

All you have read is true... Uptown is less than glamorous and there are no reputable hotels in walking distance and yes, it is an old run down place- but all the top acts that don't do stadiums still play there... With that said, I would recommend you priceline a hotel in the loop/North Michigan ave. area and take a taxi.... probably about 20 minutes and $20 each way. I live here and that is what I will be doing :)

[nohini]

My soon to be future home...not a bad way to transition into Chicago :)

will you have moved here in time for the concert?

We will be partially moved out by then. My husband will be out there in the next two weeks, and my daughter and I will transition out there over the next few months. Starting to get excited, although so sad to leave San Francisco...

[BBphoto]

My soon to be future home...not a bad way to transition into Chicago :)

will you have moved here in time for the concert?

We will be partially moved out by then. My husband will be out there in the next two weeks, and my daughter and I will transition out there over the next few months. Starting to get excited, although so sad to leave San Francisco...

Chicago is a good place to be :) I hope you and your family transition well.

[hopesaha]

Has anybody been to the Riviera? I've read reviews of the place and it doesn't look good. A lot of people say that it's kind of run down and in a bad part of town. Also, there's not a lot of hotels in the area and the ones that are there are dumpy. I'll probably be staying closer to the mag mile. I haven't figured out if I'll try to drive to the concert, take a cab, or brave the train. Suggestions?

All you have read is true... Uptown is less than glamorous and there are no reputable hotels in walking distance and yes, it is an old run down place- but all the top acts that don't do stadiums still play there... With that said, I would recommend you priceline a hotel in the loop/North Michigan ave. area and take a taxi.... probably about 20 minutes and $20 each way. I live here and that is what I will be doing :)

Thanks for the suggestions. How easy do you think it will be to get a taxi back? Are there usually lots of taxis around or is that something you have to call ahead for. That's mainly what I'm worried about.

Right now I'm looking at the Embassy Suites Downtown/Lakefront (on Columbus, between Grand and Illinois). I think it will work since I need more room because my family will probably go with me since the drive to Chicago isn't too bad for the kids. We'll probably make it a mini-vacation. The hotel seems reasonably priced, offers amenities for families, and is close to the Navy Pier, shopping on the Mag Mile, and aquarium/museums. Last time we stayed downtown we took trollies to most of these places from our hotel and it was really nice. There is a trolley stop near the Embassy Suites and I love the fact that there's a Dominik's (grocery store) across the street from it too...that comes in handy with 3 kids!

[dragonfireflyte]

Yep, this is the one we waited for, drivable from the STL. Trying to round up my posse and see who's in. Won't be able to go for presale because I won't be around, but I notice this show isn't posted on their site yet anyway.

We always stay on the outskirts of Chicago, like Schaumburg or with friends who'll board us, because it's cheaper and/or free. I'd be interested to know where a fan party might be in this case, given, as has been noted, the section of town the venue's in.

[hopesaha]

Yep, this is the one we waited for, drivable from the STL. Trying to round up my posse and see who's in. Won't be able to go for presale because I won't be around, but I notice this show isn't posted on their site yet anyway.

We always stay on the outskirts of Chicago, like Schaumburg or with friends who'll board us, because it's cheaper and/or free. I'd be interested to know where a fan party might be in this case, given, as has been noted, the section of town the venue's in.

I agree that Schaumburg is a great place to stay if you don't mind staying outside the city. We've made several trips there when my hubby had training. I've stayed in both the SpringHill Suites and the Residence Inn by Marriott in Schaumburg and would recommend them both. IKEA is just down the street from these two hotels, in the other direction is a nice big strip mall (Woodfield Green Shopping Center), and the big mall (Woodfield Mall) is just a 2min drive. Also, there's a place called "Morton's Steakhouse" right next to SpringHill Suites. I've never been because I've always had kids with me who were really little...but it might be fun to go somewhere with the name Morton (even if it's spelled incorrectly), lol. In general, there's lot of nice and casual restaurants in this area, as well as good shopping and entertainment too.

[Luuuuva-ha]

Congrat Chicago!

[BBphoto]

Thanks for the suggestions. How easy do you think it will be to get a taxi back? Are there usually lots of taxis around or is that something you have to call ahead for. That's mainly what I'm worried about.

Right now I'm looking at the Embassy Suites Downtown/Lakefront (on Columbus, between Grand and Illinois). I think it will work since I need more room because my family will probably go with me since the drive to Chicago isn't too bad for the kids. We'll probably make it a mini-vacation. The hotel seems reasonably priced, offers amenities for families, and is close to the Navy Pier, shopping on the Mag Mile, and aquarium/museums. Last time we stayed downtown we took trollies to most of these places from our hotel and it was really nice. There is a trolley stop near the Embassy Suites and I love the fact that there's a Dominik's (grocery store) across the street from it too...that comes in handy with 3 kids!

Taxi are consistantly available. Right after the concert lets out thery will be filling quickly, but after a few minutes it shouldn't be a concern.

[gerda]

was able to get my tickets and will be driving down. Any suggestions on good parking close enough to the venue?