Uncle Sam permitting, I’ll be coming back home from ‘bama to go to that game too. I grew up in the south suburbs, however, so can’t tell you much about hotels in the area as its a 20 minute drive or so for me. I can tell you that if you stay around Soldier field, there really aren’t any “scary” areas. Theres the field museum, aquarium and planet…arium right there, and grant park and michigan avenue are a stones throw. Even south to Hyde Park is fine, and the science and industry museum is worth the trip if you have the time.

if you’re coming with some time to spare and want to hit the bars, as much as i hate to say it as a sox fan, wrigleyville has the better collection of bars. you can walk around the area at your leisure and not worry any more than you normally would. the mag mile mainly just has Bennigan’s so you’ll be drinking with secretaries if you head there.

You can always take a cab to the Exit. It’s a cool rock n roll/punk bar (if you’re into that sort of thing) and is usually where i end up drinking when i’m in the city (which wasn’t too often as A) i’ve been in the army for the last 5.5 years, and B)the smoking ban in illinois had me in Indiana. But I quit smoking two weeks ago, so guess I can head back). prices won’t rape you and the bartender is easy on the eyes, last i remember. http://www.exitchicago.com/

Everyone is gonna tell you Gino’s East for pizza, i say go to Uno.

you should stay at the Embassy Suites on Grand and Columbus. Its a bit of a walk to the game, but well worth it (there’s always a cab). All Embassy suites are the same. You will get a FREE made to order breakfast (Belgian Waffle, omelet, bacon, sausage, etc.) and FREE (yes FREE!) drinks from 5-7PM every night of your stay. The rooms are enough to sleep 4 adults easily, and the drinks are not just Bud, Miller and crappy wine, but mixed drinks of any kind. You seriously cannot beat the deal. And honesty, they rarely cost more than an average hotel anyway. I’ve been all over Boston and the Eastern Mass. area and you will have a great time staying in what’s called River North, tons of bars and restaurants. I absolutely reccommed that you try an Italian Beef at Mr. Beef, they do not exist anywhere outside of Chicago and they are like the cheesesteak is to Philly, you just gotta try it!!!!!

I brought my girl and kid up last year and it was their first time being in the city, so we stayed a couple nights. It was nice, clean, and had no problems. Great location for the game or the museum/aquarium/planetarium, and only a quick ride to the other main tourist stops. Got a good rate (120ish a night) on one of the travel sites, might have been Hotwire. Regardless of where you stay, if you don’t know where you’re going, I would suggest staying north of the McCormick Place/Museum Campus area. If you don’t know the streets and you start wandering south, you can end up where you don’t want to be in a hurry.
    If you’re looking for a good steak, I’d suggest Chicago Chop House (grilled prime rib is outstanding) or Gibsons. Lawry’s is great for prime rib, but it’s definitely a very formal atmosphere. And I agree with the above comments, Ginos East is garbage.

If you are looking to live it up and spend some money, I would definitely go with Lost and stay at the Embassy Suites on Columbus. Everything he said is true, embassy suites knows how to treat a guest and it is in a part of town your have to go to at some point and walk around for a few hours. Lots of bars, restaurants, and shops. My buddies and I make a trip every year for a game and we did this our first time and it was a blast, Staying there will make your trip perfect.

If you are trying to be a little more economical in your decision, I would stay at the travelodge on east harrison. it is cheap, really cheap for its location. we usually pay $95 for 2 doubles with an advance purchase through expedia. i think its $119 without. it is nothing fancy, no free breakfast, but they do have a nice little diner attached to the lobby. like I said, it’s not fancy but clean. it is literally half a block off Michigan in the middle of grant park. its pretty much as close to soldier field and the museums as you can get, a 10,15 minute walk, but that obviously makes it farther from the fun stuff in the north. we have decided to make this the place we stay because you realize your in the hotel for a few hours to sleep and you are going to do some walking to get anywhere, we prefer to be closer to the stadium. Another thing, there is a bar a couple blocks from the travelodge, the South Loop Club on the corner of e balboa and s state. If your walking south on michigan, turn right on balboa and its two blocks down. Again nothing fancy, but a cheap sports bar. Great atmosphere, they get the Sunday ticket so we go there before and after the game. One last suggestion, go to Giordano’s on rush st. We have tried all the big name places and we agree that is our favorite. Plus there is a Bentley dealership like 2 blocks north on rush that usually has a sweet collection of ferrari’s and other exotic and luxury cars (if your into cars). We usually make it for lunch on saturday before the game but be ready to wait a while for a table. And take the double decker bus tour, it is totally worth it. That’s all I got! Hope it was useful and have fun.

at the Essex Inn a couple weeks ago. $200 bucks for a king room. I woke up early and walked to Soldier Field. I would say it was about 5 blocks. There is a nice pedestrian walkway that takes you to the stadium just across the street. It is also about 2 blocks from Lou Malnati’s. The Essex staff recomended it to me. I highly suggest you get the roast beef sandwich and the stuffed spinach bread. link- http://www.loumalnatis.com/Menu/restaurant-bar.aspx
I plan on going to the same game and hope I have time to go there afterward.

Every year i go to chicago for my Bears…i usually stay at the Hilton on Michigan ave across from Grant park or the Essex Inn across from Grant park…… This year i will be going to the Bears Steelers game and i will be staying at the House of Blues…..but everytime i go i stay at a diff hotel…Grant park is the closest to the stadium, so u can never go wrong