shedd aquarium: My wife and I are going to Chicago in a couple weeks. We want to visit field museum, shedd aquarium, navy pier and of course the magnificent mile. What area is the safest to stay that is close to these locations? We want to be able to walk and go out in the evenning. Also, do you know of any bed and breakfasts nearby?|||We stayed at the House of Blues, which is near the Magnificent Mile. I felt totally safe there and the rooms are excellently decorated and reasonably priced. Hope you have a great time!|||Chicago is a pretty friendly place especially in daylight. The Hilton Towers is within walking distance of the first 2 places that you mention plus Adler Planetarium and Soldier Field...across Grant Park ...approx 1 mile. Navy Pier is about 1 mile to the north. Stop at the Art Institute and Millennium Park on the way. Have a romantic dinner at the "Signature Room" atop the John Hancock Bldg. All these other attractions are on or close to Michigan Blvd (AV). There are several hotels to chose from. Any hotel with an address that is E, and with 1, 2, or 3 digits is close to Michigan Blvd. For example, another choice is the Hyatt Chicago. It is located at 151 E Wacker. The hotel is 1/2 block from the "Mag Mile." For a B&B ...try a Google search..."chicago gold coast bed and breakfast." You'll find a selection in the "highest class section of the city. You can walk to Rush St for nightlife...but I would take a cab.|||Downtown has good and safe places galore. Michigan ave going down on state street has a whole lot of good places to stay, however it depends on how much you ready to spend. House of blues is a good place, than there is also WESTIN, hyatt or even hilton and mariott. The location is apt since you can very easily reach out to the places you want to visit.|||Re: additional details - "downtown area, magnificent mile, navy pier, or shedd aquarium area?" The Mag Mile, Navy Pier and the Shedd are all in the downtown area. Navy Pier is about a 1/2 mile from the Shedd and about 4 blocks East of Michigan Ave (which is nicknamed the Mag Mile). Downtown is totally safe, you could walk to hundreds of restaurants - please avoid any chains! - you don't really want to drive in the city as it's conjested and expensive to park.|||All of the areas you mentioned are pretty close to one another, within a few miles. The downtown area as a whole is relatively safe. Any hotel on the Mag mile will be good, and the cab ride will be short. I suggest the Hotel Sofitel (Luxury!! I fell in love with this place) I lived in chicago for 24 yrs before moving to Phoenix, AZ. Though, I still have family there if I don't want to be bothered I stay there. Its very close to the John Hancock building, which is another must see that you should put on your list. They have a observatory on the 97th floor where the views of the city are gorgeous and above that on the 98th floor is the Signature Room. The food is good, the dress is classy and the view are outta this world.|||All those areas are pretty safe (and within walking distance) Mag. Mile is probably the busiest area at night. A hotel in the Mag. Mile/Streeterville area will be close to Navy Pier and the aquarium, but will be at least 1-2 miles from the museums. You could easily walk along the lake or through Millennium Park or the loop to get there. There is also plenty of public transit from the steeterville area to the museums. There are not as many hotels in the loop. The Hilton or Congress hotels are both easy walks to the museums. There is also a Best Western even closer, however, that area is pretty drab at night. A hostel on State and Congress is also a budget option.