I certainly hope I don’t come across as trivial; however, my daughter has been accepted w/a GREAT offer for grad school at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL. We are visiting the end of the month (quick trip) and I don’t know if we should stay in Chicago or Dekalb. The map says Dekalb is only 45 minutes from Chicago but I know how unreliable that kind of info can be. Any advice would be great! We fly up early Wed morning, her interviews are Thursday and we fly home Friday. Thanks in advance.
First, congrats to your daughter.
Second, I’m not sure where you got 45 minutes from Chicago to DeKalb but that doesn’t sound right at all. You don’t say what you like to do, but if I were you I would stay in a hotel along I-88 on Wed night. The farther out west the shorter your commute will be. I am not familiar with the immediate area near NIU even though I live in the western suburbs.
Personally, I would stay near Naperville…the Freedom Commons Dr and I-88 area. It would mean a less congested drive, compared to driving out from downtown Chicago or O’Hare…Google Maps says it’s about 40 mins. Downtown Naperville is very nice, though parking is an issue at times…due to congestion/popularity, not due to parking cost which is mostly free. Restaurants and shopping is plentiful. The Riverwalk is lovely. Also, a little west of Naperville is an outlet mall, if that interests you…it’s called Aurora Premium Outlets.
Lastly, if you haven’t been to downtown Chicago and want to stay there, I would allow a lot of time to drive out to DeKalb (as in 2 hrs or more)……the traffic on I-88 can be pretty bad. The city has a lot to offer, but I would select your accommodations based on how much time you want to devote to exploring the NIU campus and the interview.
Anyway, I hope you and your daughter enjoy your trip.
Yes, you sometimes need over 2 hours to travel the 60 or so miles along I-88 one way if you are going during the morning or afternoon rush. I used to go from Chicago past Dekalb at various times of the day and only late at night would it take an hour to go from Dekalb to downtown Chicago. Add even more time around O’hare.
There are some good restaurants in downtown Dekalb.
Stay nearer DeKalb. Naperville or west of that.
There is a newer Hampton Inn in DeKalb on Annie Glidden Road, fairly close to the U.