2008 Toys for Tots Campaign,
originally uploaded by Best Western River North Hotel Chicago.

Thanks to the generousity of many River North Hotel guest and staff members, many kids will be having a happy holiday season. Best Western River North was able to donate a full box of new toys.

Lights Festival

Originally uploaded by Best Western River North Hotel Chicago

Best Western River North started the 2008 Holiday Season with a roar. The roar of an engine that is. In this years 2008 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade, almost 1 million spectators viewed Best Western’s #99 NASCAR street car and our 10 foot Best Western helium balloon as Mickey Mouse lit up the famed Michigan Avenue. The parade was prodcast live on ABC7, and then syndicated to 44% of the nation. Other parade sponsors included, Walt Disney World, Harris Bank, American Girl Store and more!

Here is a list of Free things to do in Chicago this Holiday Season:

1. Christkindlmarket - A slice of Old World Germany smack dab in the center of the city, this holiday market is a feast for the senses, with unique gifts, warm mugs of Gluhwein, and the aromas of roasted nuts and potato pancakes. Through Dec. 23. Washington and Dearborn Streets.

2. Caroling at Cloud Gate - Chicago’s newest Holiday tradition, now in its third year. Join the crowd of carolers for a festive sing-along at everyones favorite big bean in Millenium Park. Fridays through Dec. 19, 6-7pm. Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue.

3. Zoolights - Two million twinkling lights make for the ultimate enchanted evening at Lincoln Park Zoo. Even the animals stay awake late for the occasion, so pop into the indoor habitats for a quick thaw before heading back out the watch ice carvers, make holiday crafts and pay a visit to Santa. Weekends through Dec. 14; nightly Dec. 15-Jan4. Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive.

4. Macy’s Holiday Windows - These elaborately designed Holiday windows have been a tradition for more than 40 years. This time around, seven whimsical panes tell a magical story of how Macy’s famous Great Tree gets its trimmings. Through January 11. 111 N State St.

5. Ice Skating at Millennium Park - Surrounded by skyscrapers and in the shadow of the park’s “Bean”, its a perfectly picturesque spot to take a twirl. Through March 15, Skate Rental $10. Michgan Ave. between Washington and Madison St.

“Cut costs on your next vacation by visiting destinations that are easy and fun to explore by boat, foot or public transit,” said Amy. “Fall is the perfect season for visiting many of America’s best cities, and there’s no better or more scenic way to explore them than by foot.”

Amy offers the following tips when planning a visit to a walkable destination:

1) Do your homework: Visit the city’s public transportation Web site in advance and print out any maps or guides to help you find your way.
2) Let loose: Walkable destinations provide tons of freedom so use this to your advantage! Stroll down a particularly charming street on a whim or check out a local hideaway that you see along your walk. Making your own way allows you to see new sites that you have might otherwise missed in a car.
3) Keep those coins: It’s best to have a good stock of small bills and coins when planning to take public transit as most systems accept exact change only. Or, consider buying a transit pass. You can usually find information on these by visiting the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site.

Amy offers up the following cities as great walkable destinations:

Boston: Small, safe neighborhoods and an effective public transportation system have deemed Boston the friendliest walking city in the country. A march along the Freedom Trail will guide you–follow the red line–around the city’s historical sites, including Paul Revere’s House and the USS Constitution. You’ll also want to take a jaunt along the waterfront, starting at the North End Parks and making your way to the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. Burnt out on walking? Take the “T” train throughout the city or rent a bike and cruise through Stony Brook Reservation, an actual forest in the city.

Chicago: Walking is a great way to take in the Windy City but it’s not always practical when visiting distant neighborhoods and on harsh winter days or hot, muggy afternoons. In these situations, the public transportation system can get you anywhere. Hop on board one of the free trolleys, traveling between Navy Pier and the Grand/State “El” train station on the Red Line, and between Michigan Avenue and the Museum Campus, which is the site of the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium. Also, you can easily ride the El, the elevated train running throughout town; the best bet for sightseers is the brown line, which runs around the downtown Loop and then north through residential neighborhoods. For a great “walker-friendly” hotel, the Best Western River North Hotel, conveniently located just minutes from Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue/Magnificent Mile shopping, Sears Tower and Wrigley Field. As an added bonus, Walk Score, which promotes walkable communities, gives this hotel a score of 95 - a walker’s paradise!

San Antonio: The three miles of river that winds through the heart of San Antonio is known as the River Walk. Visitors love this stretch as it’s lined with cafés, boutiques, narrow walkways, shady parks and stone bridges. You can easily spend your days wandering up and down the river and hopping on a barge or in a gondola if your feet tire. A perfect spot to stay is the Best Western Sunset Suites Riverwalk, centrally located in St. Paul Square near the San Antonio Zoo and Riverwalk. A short trot from the River Walk, you’ll find The Alamo; the Tower of the Americas - a 750-foot-tall tower built for HemisFair ‘68; and Blue Star Arts Complex, a historic warehouse filled with art studios and galleries.

San Francisco: Don’t let the steep hills scare you. The city by the bay is compact at only 49 square miles and very easy to get around. You’ll want to hike up the Filbert Steps on Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, stroll along Crissy Field to take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and, of course, ride the cable car - try to avoid the crowds and hop on the California Street line running between the financial district and Nob Hill. More things to do: Hop on the ferry to Angel Island; walk the Lands End trail from theCliff House to the Legion of Honor; cruise along the waterfront on the F Line train, and ride the Bart train to the Mission District where you’ll find a plethora of restaurants dishing up fresh California cuisine.

OnTheGoWithAmy.com was created to celebrate the joys of travel and everything that goes with it - from flat tires and screaming children in the backseat to an amazing view of the New York skyline at the top the Empire State Building. Seasoned travel expert and journalist Amy Graff takes readers on the road with her husband and two children, her girlfriends and sometimes alone. Amy posts stories, pictures and videos from her family adventures, as well as helpful and unique tips she’s picked up after traveling the world with her family.

On April 14, 2007 the United States Olympic Committee selected Chicago as the US Bid City for the 2016 Games. Chicago will now compete with other international cities for the honor of the Official 2016 Host City. The final decision on which city will host the 2016 Games will be made in October 2009. Learn more about Chicago’s bid for the Olympics at www.chicago2016.org

NASCAR Street Tour at River North,
originally uploaded by Best Western River North Hotel Chicago.

This July the NASCAR Street Tour makes River North Hotel it’s home away from home while in Chicago. The NASCAR Street Tour visits festivals and events to expose and educated attendees about the excitement of NASCAR. Here we see River North Hotel employee Antonio Enochs with the Street Tour Ford F150.

Best Western is the Offical Hotel of NASCAR.

camprock5,
originally uploaded by Best Western River North Hotel Chicago.

We had a rockin’ time at Radio Disney’s Camp Rock Premier Part on June 20 at Brookfield Zoo. Hundreds of people waited in line to see the Disney Original Movie, Camp Rock, on the big screen at Brookfield Zoo. Best Western River North Hotel was also there to greet them.

This summer you can earn a $50 Camp Rock collectable Best Western Travel Card by staying at Best Western Hotels throughout the summer. Visit www.bestwestern.com for more details.

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