Join Danny in Chicago for his Prius pick-up (finally!)

I will try to make it. I'd prefer sunday since no sales are allowed that day but so far I have nothing else on my schedule for either day.

Any chance of you showing up at Hybridfest Danny?

 

Is this the Grossinger Toyota at 1233 N. Wells St., Chicago, or the one at 7225 N. Cicero, Lincolnwood IL?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny @ Jun 21 2006, 09:25 AM) [snapback]274686[/snapback]</div>

OK. You're forgiven Danny. And congratulations on the new Prius. Held my breath, because I feared you would report having been on the waiting list all that time!

Great time to be in Chicago. Afraid you might be too late for Taste of Chicago, which in itself is worth a trip. And too short of a visit to see all the best the city has to offer. You need to stay in the city. Since you're getting a great deal from a great Chicagoland dealer, should have plenty of $$$ leftover to spend on Michigan Avenue shopping and slumbering at the Four Seasons. The best, IMO, and the valet folks are Prius-friendly!

As for food? Overwhelming. Where to start . . .just turn right out of the Four Seasons and stop for lunch at any of the small cafe's--or even the largest Starbucks you've ever seen--with a fireplace. My favorite "hot spot" was always Marche' in the Randolph Street Market district. Pretty funky--and if you leave the Prius with the Four Seasons guys, try one (one!) of their incredibly perfect martinis.

Actually, before you do anything else, pick up the phone and book a table (in the kitchen if possible!) at Charlie Trotter's Restaurant on West Armitage, considered by many to be the finest dining experience in the world. Make sure to tell them it's for this July, not 2007! Tell them who you are! If Charlie's there, ask him to autograph one of his many cookbooks for you--Better yet, skip the cookbook and have him autograph the Prius owner's manual. Don't worry about the lack of prices on the menu--Just think of all the $$$ you'll be saving in gas on the way home.

I'm a Prius fan. I'm a Chicago fan. And you've homegrown a terrific online Prius enthusiast community. Hope I can get out there!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jun 22 2006, 08:48 AM) [snapback]275178[/snapback]</div>

Oh man, is this the same Tut exhibit that I saw at the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art back in February? It it is, then absolutely, it is a must-see!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny @ Jun 21 2006, 10:24 PM) [snapback]275051[/snapback]</div>

We are very bummed that you can't make it to Hybridfest. I think you would have really enjoyed hanging out with the crowd there. I'm sure Dave Bassage, and the other "Marathon Men" would have been happy to show you their tricks! Plus you would have gotten to talk to the guys from Hymotion who are bringing down two Plug-In Prius (Hey maybe you could still become a beta tester. )
Anyway, congrats on the new Prius. Even though you won't be able to attend in person, you will be at Hybridfest in spirit. As efusco said earlier, be sure to post lots of pics.

 

WTG Danny!
Sunday works much better.
Regarding recommendations:
Stay downtown, Lincolnwood is too close not too and Chicago is way too cool anyway.
See the White Sox; take a Wendella boat ride on the Chicago river to see the tall buildings; eat at the original Uno's Pizza on Rush, see Millenium Park and the Flying Cloud (the bean), grab a beer at the 96th floor of the Hancock Bldg at sunset (the Sears tower doesnt have a bar); get some ribs from Carsons on Wells, etc. etc.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny @ Jun 19 2006, 09:49 PM) [snapback]273860[/snapback]</div>

Forgot to chime in about hotels.
I agree with Bill60546; stay downtown.

If you want to save a few bucks and don’t have a specific hotel in mind, I’d bid on a room via Priceline. I use for my trips to Chicago and always get a great deal.

Before I bid, I check with biddingfortravel.com, to see what people have reported paying for rooms. (Here are the Chicago, IL listings.) I see that someone recently got a stay at the Palmer House for ~$85 a night. That’s a good deal for a 4* hotel. I bid for the North Michigan Avenue area and always seem to end up at the Hyatt on Wacker Ave which is right on the river and convenient to plenty of Chicago sites. Nice place.

You still will have to pay for parking, which can be $30 a night or more at the hotel. But if are willing to walk a few blocks after dropping off your stuff at the hotel, you can find less expensive parking. Here are some tips from the same site.
Good luck!

 

Wow, at long, long last! Congratulations Danny!!

It's been a big year for you so far....getting engaged, getting a Prius. What next?

 

Congrats Danny!!! *cheers* I'm too far west to make it, but I'll be thinking of you guys that day. Enjoy!

 

Congrats Danny.

Definitely take lots of pictures.

 

Congrats Danny! Sorry I won't be able to make the trip out there from California for the celebration.

Thanks for the link to the history of Prius Chat. And hey, you exceeded the goal of 10,000 members by the end 2005! This is an awesome community.

 

Congratulations on finally getting a Prius Danny! Chicago is too far for me to go, but I'm very happy for you.

I don't know Chicago, but my mom has been there on business many times over the decades, and she says the Palmer House is her favorite of all the hotels she's ever stayed at anywhere, and she has travelled a lot in her 88 years.

DIGRESSION WARNING > >
<div class=\'quotetop\'>QUOTE(TMS USA @ Jun 21 2006, 10:59 PM) [snapback]275125[/snapback]</div><div class=\'quotemain\'>
Actually, before you do anything else, pick up the phone and book a table (in the kitchen if possible!) at Charlie Trotter's Restaurant on West Armitage, considered by many to be the finest dining experience in the world.
[/b][/quote]
Hard to believe that anything in a city could be a "finer dining experience" than the open-air dining area at Tortillis Tented Luxury Camp in Amboseli National Park in Kenya. -- I'm always amused when anything is described as "the best in the world." The world is a big place and nobody has experienced all of it. Sorry for the digression.

 

Gosh Danny, you certainly have been a patient man. It is really nice to know that you are finally getting your Prius after all this time. Now you will have your own Prius stories to tell. That will be fun for you and all of us.

Of course, we want pictures of the entire event.

 

I would like to add my congratulations as well. Chicago is a bit of a drive for me and I will be in DC at the time in any case. One question did you down load the delivery check list? Check the oil before you leave the dealership! God Speed!
Henry

 

Hey Danny, First thanks for running this forum and second, congrats on the impending Prius ownership! It is a bit far from Cape Cod so I won't be able to show off the SilverPine Mica cutie at the party! Have a great time and take some pix for us to see. Marie

 

Danny: Congratulations!!!! I enjoyed meeting you when you came to Seattle a few years ago. I remember being surprised that you didn't have a Prius yourself, yet spent countless hours facilitiating a chat room for those who did. You're quite a guy, Danny. Good luck and have fun!! Hope to see you in Seattle again.
Bob