Stay-cations, Chicagoist Style
By Karl Klockars in News on Jun 4, 2008 6:12PM
Gas prices are keeping many people close to home this summer, and the Sun-Times is laying out a couple places where Chicagoans can hang out during a "stay-cation." Besides being the word we hate most since "gastropub," [Ed note: "bromance"] if you haven't figured it out a stay-cation is a lot like a vacation...but you don't go too far from home. Duh.
The S-T found a few boutique places where you can spend your evenings in themed rooms like the Tranquility Suite, the Very Important Kid Suite, and the Rock N' Roll Suite where according to the article, Britney Spears has stayed. Bring your blacklight - fun for the whole family! But what about themed evenings for less coin, and a little more Chicago authenticity?
The North Lincoln Motel Hooker Suite: At any number of still-operating hotels on the stretch of Lincoln north of Foster, you can get a room and bring your favorite working girl to recreate the times when this strip of motels was a destination for economy travelers and convention-going "johns" alike. Grab a 6'er of the revamped Schlitz and turn back the clock to 1962.
The Hunter Thompson Got His Ass Kicked Here Suite: Grant Park, right in front of the newly revamped Blackstone Hotel on S. Michigan Avenue was the location of riots back in the 60s. HST wrote about his experience being attacked by police while trying to prove he was a member of the press and a resident of the Blackstone. Recreate his experience by putting on a motorcycle helmet, drinking a bottle of Wild Turkey and macing yourself.
The Congress Hotel Strikebuster Special Suites: The Congress Hotel has a history going back to 1893, but if you'd like to cross union lines and spend a night thumbing your nose at strikeworkers who've been picketing for 5 years now, get a room. They recently refurbished the bar, which took away a lot of the grimy charm, but they'll still happily serve you an overpriced beer, and the lobby still has the chair where a bunch of Presidents' butts have been. Yee-haw.
The "I Shot Billy Jurges" Memorial Suite, Sheffield Hotel: Just a few steps from the Wrigleyville North, Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges got shot by his lounge-singer girlfriend Violet Valli in 1932, when this was still called the Hotel Carlos. Make yourself some bathtub gin, put on your favorite flapper dress and jitterbug the night away.
Star-light, Star-bright from only-connect.