Howard Johnson Downtown

Howard Johnson Inn, 720 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60654  312-664-8100

Located in the Historic River North Gallery District, we are just blocks away from the Magnificent Mile Shopping area, Water Tower Mall, John Hancock Observatory and Navy Pier. Our hotel is convenient to both the Red and Brown line train stations and walking distance from a host of area attractions and famous restaurants that include Spago, Fogo Dc Chao and Iberico, Ed Debevics and Rainforest Cafe. We are also a short cab ride from Wrigley Field or Soldier Field, the Merchandise Mart and Financial District.

We are one of the only downtown hotels offering complimentary parking to our guests – Subject to Availability.

Cafe Luna located on our property is a popular neighborhood restaurant, offering affordable priced breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. The staff at Howard Johnson-Downtown Chicago eagerly anticipates the opportunity to welcome you or your group to our hotel and look forward to providing you with the highest level of service.

Howard Johnson Inn Chicago have Newly Renovate Rooms, New Beds, Paint, Sinks, Furniture, Carpets, TVs and Pay Movie Systems.

Registration is Now Open

We are pleased to announce the 1st Annual Chicago GB Birthday Bash to be held on Saturday, October 24th 2009.

Location: Elephant & Castle Restaurant
111 W. Adams Street
Chicago, IL

Time: 4pm-10pm

Cost: $80.00 per person to be paid through PayPal only.  Send payment to email: ISELLTUPPERWARE2@aol.com.  When you send your payment please include your GBGF username (if any), your real name, your address and phone number.

The party will include dinner, entertainment and an auction.  We have been collecting some wonderful items for the auction but are still in need of several more items.  Please consider bringing something with you for the auction when you attend the party or if you cannot attend, please consider sending something in the mail.  Contact me for the address to send your auction item to.  Your generous donations for the auction are needed and will be greatly appreciated.  Anything Gerry or Scottish related is welcome (purchased or home-made).  All proceeds will go to a charity soon to be announced.

Because this is not a formal convention, hotel and activity suggestions are strictly on an independent basis.  Hotel suggestions have been posted on the website as well as site seeing ideas while you are here in Chicago.  Plan on getting together with a few friends and spend sometime checking out our beautiful city.  Come early or stay late to take in all that Chicago has to offer…from world-class shopping, award winning dining, beautiful architecture, amazing museums and entertaining theatre, Chicago has something for everyone!

Also, Gerry’s new movie, Law Abiding Citizen is being released October 16th.  It will still be at theaters during this event!  So take a trip to the movies with your fellow tarts and drool, um, enjoy a Gerry movie together!

Hope to see you there!

Embassy Suites – Rosemont

Embassy Suites – Rosemont - 5500 North River Road, Rosemont, Il (847) 678-4000

The Embassy Suites – Rosemont offers exquisite comfort and style in the midst of the Windy City.  Within walking distance to the Rosemont Blue Line.

All of our hotel suite accommodations at the Embassy Suites O’Hare Rosemont Chicago hotel are beautifully decorated with a private bedroom and separate living room, and feature a range of comforts and amenities including complimentary airport shuttle.

Holiday Inn O’Hare – Cumberland

Holiday Inn O’Hare – Cumberland - 5615 N. Cumberland Ave., Chicago, IL (773) 693-5800

For those who would like to save a little money on their hotel stay, we reccommend the Holiday Inn O’Hare – Cumberland.  It is within a short walking distance to the Blue Line transit system that will take you directly into downtown Chicago to the stops located near the Elephant & Castle.  You can also take the Blue Line directly out of O’Hare airport – Cumberland is just two stops away.

Public Transportation

Blue Line transit system

Some of the hotels we have listed are in Rosemont, which is a large Chicago suburb.  The Blue Line transit system is located in the heart of Rosemont that you can take directly into downtown Chicago.  There are two stops within a block radius of the Elephant & Castle.  For those of you who don’t want to try and find parking, taking the Blue Line is ideal!  Below is the map of the area and the two stops located near the event (which is labeled “A”).  The stops are shaded in blue.

W Hotel Chicago

W Hotel Chicago – 172 West Adams St., Chicago, IL, (312) 332-1200

Located just one block away from Elephant & Castle and on the same street.  Hip and modern, the W offers many ameneties and is in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Club Quarters Hotel

Club Quarters Hotel - Chicago Central Loop

Located on the same block and street at the Elephant & Castle.

Club Quarters are for guests who want to save money when they stay in expensive downtown locations.

Designed primarily for business travelers, Club Quarters are full service and located in the best locations for business or pleasure. By being private, Club Quarters can be cleaner, quieter and can restrict entry for more safety.

Innovative and club-like services include free high-speed Internet access, free use of a computer and printer, lounge with complimentary coffee, newspapers and magazines, free bottled water, fitness room, and even garments stored between visits.

Club Quarters offers significant savings on hotel rooms and related expenses.

Chicago Hauntings Tours

Chicago Hauntings Tours

Chicago is known for having its ghosts around town!  From famous mobsters to Resurrection Mary roaming  Archer Ave.  There are numerous haunting tours offered in Chicago that will take you to some of our most haunted locations.  Our celebration bash is the week before Halloween, so kick of the season with some restless spirits!  But, book your tour now as they are sure to fill up with folks who want a good scare!

Chicago Boat Tours

Chicago Boat Tours

Take one of Chicago’s numerous boat tours out of Navy Pier!  There are architectural tours, lunch and dinner cruises, and sight-seeing tours along the lakefront.  See the link above for a description of each cruise, what they have to offer, and pricing.

Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry – You! Exhibit

More than just a body, you are a complex blend of your choices, your personality, and your environment. Who you are depends on how you care for yourself and enjoy your life. YOU! The Experience brings these elements together into an interactive exhibit examining and celebrating the experience of life itself.

Whether testing your basketball moves with a virtual coach or playing Mind Ball, a game of “competitive relaxation” in which players win by controlling their brainwaves, you will see yourself—and your health—in new and fascinating ways.

Examine real human embryos and fetuses illustrating the wonders of human development and other amazing human specimens showcasing the extraordinary complexity of the body. Diagnose and treat medical conditions with the Human Patient Simulator—a computer model-driven, full-sized mannequin. And use your own heartbeat to make the Museum’s new giant “Heart” come alive, transmitting your pulse to the Heart and making it beat in time with your own.

You’ll also be presented with activities to get you thinking about your goals, your future and your priorities. Create a list of personal life goals you can store and share with others. Hear thoughts on life from people who have lived 100 years of it, and have a chance to contribute some of your own life story. Preview your future with a digital glimpse at how you might look 25 years from now.

YOU! The Experience is filled with interactive opportunities that provoke questions, invite debate and inspire us all to optimize our personal health and well-being.

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