Chicago Trip Advice

I dont really like big cities and chicago is a driving nightmare. Toll roads all over. Was just there for a wedding (flew out), rented a vehicle and used a navigator to get all over since roads go to places never heard of. Anyhow, find an rv park/campground, rent a car/truck and then try to figure out where you want to go. we have been in all he tall buildings, along lake shore, taken the river cruise. So just need to figure out what you want to seen and how to get there to see it.DO NOT try to park in chicago itself, you will need to get the rv parked somewhere in the subburbs.

We just recently stayed at the wonderful Paul Wolff campground in Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin, IL. Water and electric at campsite, with a dump station. Literally two miles down the same street (Big Timber Rd) is the Big Timber train station, with a large parking lot. Check out the Chicago train routes online. Big Timber station is the last stop on this particular route, and I think the train doesn't stop there on Sundays, so check out the schedule.

We drove our car into Chicago. Would never want to drive the motorhome in the city.

Thank you, @Hank85713 and @Janss! This will be my first time driving an RV, so I really appreciate the advice.

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I have lived in the area for most of my life..i would stay at the JOLIET casinos they have a nice campground and rent a car for the day Chicago is no place for an RV. great stuff too see but no place to park an RV. if you go downtown stay on the main streets.. great food there

Joliet Casino is good then I would take a commuter train to Union Station.

Janss wrote:
Would never want to drive the motorhome in the city.

You should heed this advice.
There are lots of ways you can get yourself in trouble on the crowded and narrow streets.

When you get Union Station head east 1 block and take a boat ride to Navy Pier.

I don’t know your plans after Chicago. So here are some suggestions.

Do not take I90 through the city. Take I290 around it.

EZ-pass or IPass will save you money.

Second vote for Paul Wolff campground. Then use the train.

Four days, not four hours, would give the family a good taste of the city.

If you are heading further west on I80 the casinos may be a better option.

We live near Cincinnati. I would suggest you skip Chicago and plan to make it a separate trip. Not knowing where in Ohio you are, I would suggest I 70 till you get west of the Mississippi river. You can do that with 1 overnight. From there you have several options 90, 80, 70, or farther south.

As far as Chicago goes, it can easily be a 1 day or less drive from any where in Ohio. Take your car and find a suburban hotel or motel and take the commuter train into the city. Spend a whole day or more and head back home.