Essex motel area Chicago?

Travel Info
Is the neighborhood okay at the Essex Hotel? If we stay there, are we staying in a good part of town?

Travel Tips

The Essex Inn (800 South Michigan) is just south of downtown Chicago on The Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue). It is near EVERYTHING. It is a great part of town. You will be within walking distance of most places of interest, but there's also plenty of cabs, buses and free trolleys to help you get around. To get around easier ask your hotel concierge where you can get a Chicago CTA (bus) visitor pass (1 day - $5, 2 day - $9, 3 day - $12, 5 day - $18 or 7 day $20). That will give you UNLIMITED access to buses/subway trains.

From the Essex Inn, you are only minutes away from museums (Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Art Institute of Chicago). entertainment (Navy Pier, Rush Street), tourist attractions (Millennium Park (and the Bean), Sears Tower, John Hancock building, Lake Michigan beaches, Chicago River boat tours, the Water Tower), shopping (Water Tower Place, Chicago Place and State Street.) and lots of restaurants and bars. You can get a Chicago City pass for $49.50 that will let you visit 5 of Chicago's attractions (, John Hancock observatory, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Science and Industry Museum).

When you're in Chicago be sure and try some Chicago pizza at Uno's or Due's and definitely get some gourmet popcorn at Garrett's popcorn (Oprah's favorite).

I hope you enjoy your stay in Chicago. Source(s): I live in Chicago and work on Michigan Avenue
Other Travel Tips

The Essex is not a motel. It's a full blown hotel across from Grant Park. It is not in the heart of Michigan AV but on the outskirts. It has rec'd good recommendations on this site and seems to offer good pkgs.
Yes - that's the South Loop, one of the hot areas of Chicago. It's not quite as developed as the north side, but it's close to everything - right on the bus line that will bring you to the Magnificent Mile (or a nice walk if you feel like a stroll), across from Grant Park, walking distance to the Museum Campus, the Art Institute, and Millenium Park, a block or two from the L trains at Roosevelt and State, and right near two or three excellent restaurants (the sushi restaurant Oysy, the breakfast place Yolk, and the great lunch diner Eleven.) It's an excellent choice.