The Congress Hotel is an old-line hotel – not fancy, but not bad, either. It’s in a great location – right by Grant Park, near good restaurants, and a quick jaunt to the museum campus and North Michigan Avenue. The neighborhood is fine, with a lot of students at nearby Columbia College Chicago. (I’ve spent a ton of time in the area, dragging a child to music lessons at Columbia.) Groupon is offering a deal of $97 a night. If you are checking out Chicago on the Cheap to prepare for your big trip, you might want to take a look!
A good game is a good time, and Apples to Apples is a great game. The Spanish edition, Manzanas con Manzanas, is pretty good, too. Both are good games with large groups, including of mixed ages. (If you’re playing Manzanas con Manzanas, it helps to know a little Spanish.) 
A cheapskate can dream, right? Sometimes, it’s fun to see how the other half lives. 
Chicago is the only city in the world where you can see live blues every night of the week. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, a night at one of the city’s blues clubs is always a good time. 
This is a great deal whether you are a CTA commuter or you are planning a visit to Chicago this summer. 
The 