Parking TC in Chicago?

X10 on South Side Chicago and whatever you do if you find your self sidetracked into Gary IN. GTHO pronto. I used to run a Semi in and out of that area and yes it can get pretty bad on the South Side and worse in Gary.
However there are many sights to see in downtown and other areas as well that are very nice, not to mention the diversity of ethnic quisine, so just watch where you are and use your judgement to stay safe.
Good Luck

There are two State Parks with easy access to Chicago:

1. Illinois Beach SP in Beach Park (the next town North of Waukegan).

2. Chain o' Lakes SP near Spring Grove/Fox Lake.

Commuter train service (METRA) is available from both parks. As previously stated; DO NOT try to drive in Chicago.

Metra offers a "weekend pass" for $7.50 (unlimited rides).

While you are in the area, take the train out to Oak Park where you can take a walking tour of my paper route (almost every house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright).

Edit to add:
"Trucks and RVs are not allowed on Lake Shore Drive or any 'Boulevard'"

While living four years out in the western suburbs (Westmont, IL), my wife and I often rode the train (CTA) into Chicago to site see, see a play, or shop. Parking is available for you out in the Chicago burbs and the train is safe, fun, and convenient. The cost to ride is reasonable as well.

I would not advocate driving any type RV into the city due to traffic congestion, very expensive parking rates, and lack of any type RV parking. No, can't suggest you attempt to take a TC downtown.

Chicago is a great place to visit. Much to see and do there. As others have suggested, you should avoid the citys south end for safety reasons. That said, Chicago is no more or less safe than any mega size city in the U.S.

Do some reading about the city sites, make some plans relative to parking and public transportation, and enjoy a great american city.

I guess a strange thing happened to me. I lived through visiting Chicago AND enjoyed it. I had never been there before.

Saw games at Wrigley, U.S, Cellular Field, hit Joe's Seafood, the Girl and the Goat, the Apollo Theatre for a performance of the Million Dollar Quartet (highly recommended), did the whole Field Museum (amazing!), Shedd's, Navy Pier, took an architectural tour, a river tour, a walking tour in downtown, went to Giordano's TWICE, Millenium Park.....you get the picture. Typical Tourists Gone Wild.

Stayed in a modest hotel out by Midway; not quite the South Side but in a predominately Hispanic area and the wife and I are honkies, so we didnt just blend in. Walked to a taco stand one night. Ate there right next to ACTUAL PERSON'S OF COLOR! Absolutely death-defying!!!!

Yep, we even drove Michigan Ave. and Lakeshore Drive. F350 Supercab, long bed, 9-6 Lance on the back. We got some looks like "what are you doing with that thing down here?!!" but it all worked out. No bullet holes in the rig.......or me and the wife. We did not attempt to park downtown; just drove through once on our way up to Waukegan and back down to the Midway area. Did it all on surface streets to see the town. From then on it was buses and the trains. GREAT CITY!!!

But since you are going.... stop at one of these

Giordanos Resturants.

Look at their menu.

and, since I am not going... I am ordering a couple of the stuffed pizza's online for mail delivery next week.

I used to carry an empty suit case when I'd fly into OHara Airport... I fly home with it full of Pizzas in dry ice. An airline hoistess was on a couple ot my flights... she thought that I was a medical worker... I asked why... she thought I was carrying organs for transplant. I wouldn't be able to get on an airplane with them now.

You can feed a bunch of people with one of those pizzas. We'd feed the whole crew... we got more work done over stuffed pizza than we ever did in the lab.

Sleepy

I live in Illinois and I wouldn't spend time in Chicago without an armed guard. Actually they don't observe the 2nd Amendment for citizens, preferring to let the gangbangers have all the guns. And I'd have lost my mind if you found me tooling around in my TC on Michigan Ave.

Has anyone mentioned that they sold the rights to parking meters to some sketchy outfit that jacked the rates and sent back some walking around money to the pols. Woe unto you if you get a parking ticket.

OTOH you may make it unscathed. Not likely, but stranger things have happened. If you get through OK then you should try Detroit. Now that's the big leagues.

Look into Illinois Beach State Park up by Waukegan. We didnt camp there as the campground was closed due to flooding, two years ago, but the campground looked REALLY nice. So was the day use areas along the beaches of Lake M. Our plan was to stay up there and use public transportation into Chicago each day and hit the museums and the great restaurants. We were forced to stay in a hotel for the five days we were there but IBSP could work. Public transportation in Chicago is great; no need to drive.

Americamper wrote:
Thanks for the advice Sleepy. Is it because that is the"Bad" side of town or just conjested?

I hate to put labels... but BAD

... and all of Chicago is always congested and under construction.

I went up for a R&D 100 award ceramony in 1993. We drove in along lake Michigan... stopped at the Feild Museum (very nice) so that we'd know how to get back. Janet was driving.. she paniced when she ended up in a turn lane off the interstate highway... I wanted her to force her way back into the interstate traffic... she turned in to South Chicago not far from the Univ of Chicago... and then we got 4 blocks deep... masses of people in the narrow streets, pounding on the car. I put my foot on top of hers to keep us crawling for another block and turned the wheel from the passenger seat.

By the late 90's it was worse.

If you can get as far north as the Lincoln Park Zoo area it gets better...

So... get some good, up to date info before you go.

Just from memory... If I needed to go back for a few days I would consider staying on the North side... maybe at a Hampton Inn... their parking area would be safe. I'd park my camper, use the room for showers, etc... and probably sleep in my camper.

Good luck... take pictures and post your recommendations when you finish your trip.

Sleepy

Thanks for the advice Sleepy. Is it because that is the"Bad" side of town or just conjested?

Don't even drive your camper through south Chicago... or even a rental car.

Check with AAA or some one about where you can go and where you shouldn't in the Chicago area.

Chicago can be a wonderful place... or the nightmare that no one ever concieved of in their wildest dream.

Have a Giordanos Upper crust stuffed pizza for me while you are there.... you will have many opportunities.

Sleepy