SPRING BREAK 2011 – CHICAGO!!!

Just do it. Press Slide Show!!!!

Why Chicago????• Reasons:

– Why the he!! not???• Don’t even think about answering that

– Direct transportation from Lafayette to Union Station; 3 hours and 33 minutes by Amtrak• About an hour longer than driving from Purdue but without the worries of

parking fees, gas or having enough space

– Looking to save this $pring Break???• Cheaper overall trip compared to air travel down south somewhere;

transportation is relatively cheap per person

– If you’re looking for vacation and a little down time• Trip is from Monday to Friday – four days outside of trip to relax and do

whatever you want

– City and surrounding area is full of stuff to do (many free activities): museums, opera (college student discounts), sports teams, other attractions

– I haven’t been there since 6th grade

This is what you can expect:

• Coolosity Path Diagram:

Current cool level (minimal)

Spring Break in Chicago (rate of coolness increase is exponential)

You begin to enjoy wine tastings and fine dining and buy an expensive sports car

You begin to gather classic soul/jazz and rock albums

You're a beast (optimal)

2011 Purdue Info

• Spring Break

– Start Date:• Saturday, March 12

– End Date:• Sunday, March 20

Possible Travel Stats• Trip Date: Monday, March 14th to Friday, March 18th

• Transportation– Departure – 7 am (Monday)

• Amtrak Train Station – Lafayette– 200 North Second Street, Lafayette, IN 47901

– Return – 5:45 pm (Friday)• Union Station

– 225 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606

– Ticket Prices (1 reserved coach seat)• $19.00 – From Lafayette to Chicago• $24.00 – From Chicago to Lafayette

Travel time: 3 hours and 33 minutes

19.00 + 24.00 = $43.00

Possible Hotel Stats

1. Best Western River North Hotel– 125 W Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610-4203

Phone: 312/467-0800 | Fax: 312/467-1665

• Fun Facts:– Indoor pool– Minutes from Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Sears

Tower and the Water Tower – 1.3 miles from Union Station (about 8 minutes)– Near the Museum of Science and Industry and five miles from

Soldier Field

Possible Hotel Stats (continued)

1. Best Western River North Hotel• Rooms (Source: Travelocity.com)– Suite - 1 King and 1 Double, Nsmk, 3Rdbed Sofabed, Free

Parking, 2Bedrms

• The Plan – 4 people per room– $79 per night for 4 nights – Total Cost including taxes = $457.16

$114.29 / person

Possible Hotel Stats (continued)

2. Howard Johnson Downtown– 720 NORTH LASALLE STREET CHICAGO IL US 60654

• Fun Facts:– Located 5 blocks from downtown– Chicago Place, 900 N Michigan Shops, and the Water Tower Mall are

approximately one mile from the hotel– 1.3 miles from Union Station (about 8 minutes)– 2 miles from Soldier Field

Both hotels are relatively close

Possible Hotel Stats (continued)

2. Howard Johnson Downtown• Rooms (Source: Travelocity.com)– Standard Room With 2 Double Beds Smoking Non

Refundable

• The Plan – 4 people per room– $76 per night for 4 nights – Total Cost including taxes = $348.12

$87.03 / person

Show Me the Money!!!

• Trip total cost up to this point:– Train tickets: 43– Hotel room costs: + 87.03 or 114.29

$130.03 or $157.29

Maybe some activities???• Free Activities:– Lincoln Park Zoo– Grant Park– Chicago Cultural Center– Garfield Park Conservatory– Navy Pier– Art Institute of Chicago – (Free admission on Thursday evenings) – Water Tower Place – mall– Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park– Museum of Contemporary Art – free admission on Tuesday– Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – free admission Thursday More information at:

http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2007/07/free-city/chicago-text/1

Maybe some activities??? (cont’d)• CityPass option:

– $70 – Customer can choose 5 out of 7 of Chicago’s most popular museums and attractions; 9 day pass:• Shedd Aquarium - VIP entry includes all exhibits and choice of a 4D theater

experience• Adler Planetarium - General admission and two theater shows at the most

advanced planetarium on earth• The Field Museum - General admission to all permanent exhibits at this world-

renowned museum of natural history• Museum of Science and Industry - General admission and one Omnimax Show

at the western hemisphere’s largest science museum• Skydeck Chicago• John Hancock Observatory

– More info at: http://www.citypass.com/chicago/details Many of these museums and attractions also offer free

admission days throughout the year; this is just an option