I'm thinking of going to the Strictly Sail show in Chicago. I've never attended this boat show but I've heard it can be a real hassle. Interested in tips regarding where to stay, parking, best days to attend etc.
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What ....
You didn't see the long thread on this only a week ago? Just look down the list or go the the archives. Hassle? Maybe they should bring the show to you on the day of your choosing?
Everybody in Chicago may be partying for the Super Bowl that weekend!
You didn't see the long thread on this only a week ago? Just look down the list or go the the archives. Hassle? Maybe they should bring the show to you on the day of your choosing?
Everybody in Chicago may be partying for the Super Bowl that weekend!
I've gone the past three years and never had any problems with parking. It's not cheap to park at Navy Pier, but I've never had a problem getting space. Last year we stayed at the Red Roof Inn downtown. It was about $100 per night, which is pretty good for a downtown hotel. We checked the Car into Valet parking and left it for three days. We walked to Navy Pier, it's only about 10 blocks, and it was kind of warm. This year we're staying at the Hampton Inn Downtown. Someone else made the reservations so I'm not sure of the cost. If you Google "Navy Pier Hotels", you will get a list of hotels that are closest to Navy Pier. If you go on Thursday and Friday, you can see alot more and wait in line less to get on boats. We usually go durring the week, but this year we will be going on the weekend. I've heard it's a zoo on Saturday. I hope this helps and that you have a good time. Dave
Sunday
Go on Sunday, which is the Super Bowl day. We've had good luck and small crowds on that day the last couple years, and each year heard horror stories about how crowded it was the day before. If the Bears are in the Super Bowl this year, it's likely to be almost deserted on Sunday, good for us non-Bear fans. It's a great show, all the main dealers are there with many many boats: Hunter, Cat, Beneteau, Tartan, Island Packet, many others, plus a lot of fun small boat dealers and of course any kind of equipment you want, some on closeout or special. Any hotel in the area along Michigan Blvd. north of the river would be convenient, and there's some sort of trolley that circulates in the area. No way to get around paying a lot for parking, either at the hotel or near the show, but there is (was last year anyway) a surface lot that was reasonable, maybe $10 or $15, and there also a ramp that's about $20, both about four or five blocks west of Navy Pier, just west of Wacker. Park there and walk. If you're flying from TC, you certainly don't need a car, use the El and taxis and shuttles and stuff to get from O'Hare to hotel to show. See you there.
Go on Sunday, which is the Super Bowl day. We've had good luck and small crowds on that day the last couple years, and each year heard horror stories about how crowded it was the day before. If the Bears are in the Super Bowl this year, it's likely to be almost deserted on Sunday, good for us non-Bear fans. It's a great show, all the main dealers are there with many many boats: Hunter, Cat, Beneteau, Tartan, Island Packet, many others, plus a lot of fun small boat dealers and of course any kind of equipment you want, some on closeout or special. Any hotel in the area along Michigan Blvd. north of the river would be convenient, and there's some sort of trolley that circulates in the area. No way to get around paying a lot for parking, either at the hotel or near the show, but there is (was last year anyway) a surface lot that was reasonable, maybe $10 or $15, and there also a ramp that's about $20, both about four or five blocks west of Navy Pier, just west of Wacker. Park there and walk. If you're flying from TC, you certainly don't need a car, use the El and taxis and shuttles and stuff to get from O'Hare to hotel to show. See you there.
Sorry about the repeat question - I was sailing on a 44ft catamaran in the British Virgin Islands last week....
Sorry to hear that ...
You missed some scintillating forum activity! I hope you are getting some well deserved snow up your way ... (actually, I hear the ski areas are suffering). I haven't been to Boyne Mtn in years - had many fun times there! We're thinking seriously of visiting Traverse City this coming summer to charter! My wife was amazed by what she saw on the web site. I told her how nice it is and she wants to stay at that hotel on Mackinac Island.
You missed some scintillating forum activity!
I hope you are getting some well deserved snow up your way ... (actually, I hear the ski areas are suffering). I haven't been to Boyne Mtn in years - had many fun times there! We're thinking seriously of visiting Traverse City this coming summer to charter! My wife was amazed by what she saw on the web site. I told her how nice it is and she wants to stay at that hotel on Mackinac Island.
George, My daughter is a nurse at Munson.
I hope you never meet her! She just started in the stroke ward the first of the year. r.w.landau
I hope you never meet her! She just started in the stroke ward the first of the year. r.w.landau
Every year for last 5...
We stay at Embassy Suites or Holiday Inn about 5 blocks west of Navy Pier. We try to get to Chicago by 9:00 Friday morning, park at the hotel and walk. Friday afternoon isn't too busy. We look at boats on Friday and go to the seminars of Saturday. We buy tickets online. It's a little spendy but lots of fun. There are usually 4-5 couples from the lake that go. Mark
We stay at Embassy Suites or Holiday Inn about 5 blocks west of Navy Pier. We try to get to Chicago by 9:00 Friday morning, park at the hotel and walk. Friday afternoon isn't too busy. We look at boats on Friday and go to the seminars of Saturday. We buy tickets online. It's a little spendy but lots of fun. There are usually 4-5 couples from the lake that go. Mark
Bear Down! Chicago Rocks!
Should be a festive weekend! Can the Packer Backers at the show handle the mood??!!
Should be a festive weekend! Can the Packer Backers at the show handle the mood??!!
If you want to look at boats or talk to sailmakers, equipment vendors, then avoid Saturday. Saturday is crowd control day, an absolute madhouse. Sunday tends to always be a quiet day, probably even more so this year with the Bears in the Super Bowl. Last year TH was a pretty busy day. Things always get quiet around dinner time.
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