Schaumburg, IL Contribution to Proxam's Home Town Write off
Written: Oct 26 '03 (Updated Oct 29 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Woodfield Mall, Streets of Schaumburg, The Prarie
Cons: Recently has become a congested area.
The Bottom Line: Next time you plan a trip to Chicago, why not spend some time in Schaumburg, IL.
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| msmorvay's Full Review: Village of Schaumburg, Illinois |
Here is my contribution to Proxam’s Hometown W/O. http://www.epinions.com/content_3548618884. It is a bit long so feel free to skip to areas of interest. A special thank you to surgn911' for adding Schaumburg, IL to the Epinions Data base.
This is not my current home town, but one that I have just moved away from a few years back. The town I live in now is really all that note worthy, and there isn’t that much to tell about it. Although it is growing with leaps and bounds, and I am sure will be worthy of a review in a couple of years. But I have wanted to write about Schaumburg, IL for quite some time. Simply because I think that it is a place worth visiting.
Most People Come To Illinois to Visit Chicago
Well, when most people think about coming to Illinois they think about visiting Chicago. Of course Chicago is an awesome place and I would highly recommend visiting there but if you are not a typical city dweller or are not used to big cities you will find some things about Chicago that might bust your bubble and your wallet. Of course if you live in a big city you probably already experience these things. What am I talking about? Well here is what I am talking about. Like most big cities, parking in Chicago, can be difficult. There is parking available all over the city of course but if you are not used to it, you may find it difficult to find. Also parking in Chicago is expensive. Most lots start around $8 for a few hours and go on up from there. Don’t think that if you are staying in a hotel that you are immune to parking fees, you are not. Most hotels in Chicago have lots of course but they will charge you (yes even if you are a guest) a pretty good amount of money on a daily basis to park your car in them, and in most cases it is easier to use Valet’s to do it for you. Add another $12.00 to $26.00 a day on to your hotel costs when you are budgeting for your trip to Chicago.
Also like most big cities you are not only charged a state tax for your hotel room but you will also be charged a city tax in addition. When making a reservation make sure you ask what both of those tax rates are. I can’t remember exactly what we paid last time we got a room down there, but I believe it was a total of around %16. Keep in mind that the average hotel room in Chicago is between $200 and $300 per night and you can see that an extra %16 percent or so, can be quite a huge lump of change. Do you see what I am getting at here? I am not even going to mention the expensive restaurants etc. because I think one expects that when visiting a large city, and you can manage to find some cheaper places if you are willing to forgo the elegance.
Why Schaumburg?
Just 45 minutes west of Chicago there is a suburban town called Schaumburg, IL. Keep in mind that is 45 minutes if you are not traveling to or from Chicago during rush hour. Between 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM are the best times to go there, and of course after 7:00 PM at night.
There are of course some suburban cities that are closer, but Schaumburg is the one to visit if you are venturing west of Chicago. That or maybe Rosemont which is a bit closer but I am not reviewing Rosemont so that is the last you will hear about that.
What I am suggesting here is that if you plan on visiting Chicago and staying any length of time, in Illinois that you consider staying is Schaumburg. Why? Because you will save lots of money, that’s why. Schaumburg has several hotels my particular favorite hotel is the Marriott, which has a nice indoor pool, hot tub, and a suitable exercise room, as well as a couple of nice restaurants average price is about $149. Parking is free and no extra taxes. One of the most upscale hotels in the area, that has been there the longest is the Hyatt Regency Woodfield. The Hyatt is also around $149 per night, has an indoor and out door pool, a decent health club and nice restaurant, along with a night club on the property. I have not stayed there, but I have attended several functions there including my High School reunion. I have seen the rooms because I had friends that stayed there for the reunion and they are nice. Parking is free, and there is a rental car place on the property.
Woodfield Mall
There are several different hotels in the area, and you could get even more economical if need be, but I had to mention two of the longest standing, and most popular hotels. There is also another reason I mentioned them. They are in extremely close proximity to Woodfield Mall. Chances are you may have heard of Woodfield Mall. I heard of it several years ago when I was a child growing up in Columbus, OH. It is not just any mall. At one time Woodfield Mall was the largest Mall in the United States, and is still today one of the largest Malls in the world. Woodfield Mall is huge, and you could easily spend an entire day or two shopping there. Of course Mall of America is a lot more fun, but if you are into pure shopping enjoyment Woodfield Mall is the place for you.
Restaurants
Also surrounding Woodfield Mall are several excellent restaurants, both chain restaurants and privately owned. You won’t starve in Schaumburg, there is literally a restaurant for every ones taste. I would highly recommend going to Mazione’s (spelling?) Italian restaurant if you are ever in the Schaumburg area. Also you will find some of the best pizza in the world in Schaumburg, if you are ever in Schaumburg, make sure to get directions to go to Lou Malnotis pizzeria:
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
357 S Barrington Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60193-5345
Phone: (847) 524-1900
You will not be disappointed. They have probably the best deep dish pizza in the United States, and were recently hi-lighted on the television show the THE BEST OF on the Food Network.
A new but popular visiting place in Schaumburg which is just minutes away and even with in walking distance of Woodfield Mall is the The Streets of Schaumburg. The Streets of Schaumburg, also has shopping, but it also has a large indoor adult game room, and a huge movie theater. There are also a few small coffee shop type restaurants where you can eat outside, and enjoy people watching, if you are into that sort of thing, or sit inside where they occasionally have poetry readings and things of that sort.
Surrounding Area
For a couple of miles around the Woodfield area you will find even more shopping. Your more typical stores such as Target, and Toys R Us, there is also a huge IKEA store that you have just got to see. And of course there are a lot of restaurants.
Another place I highly recommend seeing if you are in the area is Medieval times dinner and tournament. It is a large castle with a huge arena in the center. There you will get dinner and a show and can tour a torture chamber. The show consists of sword play by Knights, as well as falconry, wizardry, and horse dancing. The tickets are not cheap, but it is very entertaining and the food is very good. We just brought the kids there recently and they had such a good time, it made it worth every penny.
Another place that is actually not that well known about is the Prairie Center nature preserve. I know quite a bit about it because my parents volunteer there frequently for different events. It is basically miles of preserved land and prairies. There is a small welcoming center when you enter where you will find some displays of natural animal habitats. You can walk along the paths, and you will find farm animals that you can view, and if you are lucky enough one of the workers there will tell you about the animals, I learned a thing or two last time I was there. There is also an old fashioned log cabin where demonstrations are given at various times of the year, such a syrup making, and crafts. There is also an old fashioned home there that can be toured. It also has a working old fashioned kitchen, and along with a separate oven house. The stoves used to get so hot back in the old days that the actual cooking was done in a separate building so as not to over heat the rest of the home. Last time we went there they were having an old fashioned gentlemen’s base ball game. The women were actually baking cooking, preparing them in the kitchen an then bringing them to the oven house. We got to watch the whole process. In addition to being able to watch the game the kids were also shown how to play games and such that the children played back in the 1800’s it was really a lot of fun, and refreshments were available. You may want to contact the Prairie center if you are in the area, and ask what they have going on while you are in town. For the number contact the:
Convention and Visitors Bureau: 847-490-1010.
There is also the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, where you can enjoy things such as plays, musicals, ballets, and other cultural events. Call 815 895-3600 for information or a brochure to find out what will be going on while you are in town.
The Library
No review of Schaumburg, IL would be complete without mentioning the new Library. As far libraries go this one is quite impressive. The library is huge and very pretty and if you don’t believe me look for yourself:
http://www.stdl.org/
Just the audio visual section alone will amaze you. If you have children or like books, and other things that libraries offer you could easily spend several hours just checking out this impressive library.
Honorable Mention
There is also a sculpture park located on 20 acres of meadow and forest. I have not yet been there so I can’t really give any details on it.
September Fest
Like most towns Schaumburg has an annual festival. Schaumburg’s is called September fest and takes place during Labor Day Weekend. You will find professional groups performing on the big stage, and local entertainers on the small stage. You will also find the taste of Schaumburg, which is a large food area, with several local restaurants, offering up their best dishes for you to taste. There is also a large craft fair, there is also of course your normal festival type activities such as rides. It is a great deal of fun.
Community
I have mainly written this review for people who would like to visit the area, but I must also mention that Schaumburg, is also a place where many Illinois residents are employed. Schaumburg is home to business giants such as Motorola, and has the locally famous Zurich Towers, along with the large Schaumburg corporate center. When I was attending community college, I did temporary secretarial work in the area, and I was always employed, and have had the pleasure of working in several of Schaumburg’s many office complexes. Schaumburg is not only an excellent place to visit, but an excellent place to work. There is also a community college located in the next suburb over. Harper College is located in Roselle, IL and is highly rated as far as community colleges go.
Living There
As far as living there is concerned it has become quite a busy and congested area. Many people like to teasingly call it Little Chicago. I am glad that we moved further west where it is still somewhat quieter. But if you like to live in a convenient city Schaumburg has everything you need. Average housing in the area is between $250 and $300+ because this is a desirable living area. The good news, is that because of the Mall, taxes are relatively low. You can of course find less expensive housing in Schaumburg, and there are really no bad neighborhoods to speak of, just more or less desirable ones.
Conclusion
I guess what I am trying to say here is if you want to visit Chicago but save a little dough in the process by staying in a suburban area, then Schaumburg is the place to stay. Because not only is it a decent place to stay it also has plenty of things to do right there in the area. I almost forgot to mention that if you are staying in Schaumburg, and do not want to drive into the city then you can take a Metra train for around $8.00 round trip. Children 6 and under are free, and they have offers in the Summer time where children under the age of 12 are fee. Parking is $1.00 per day.
So visit Schaumburg, especially if you are a Shop –A- Holic. I think you will agree it’s a nice place to visit.
Please take a few moments to read the entries of the other great participants in this write off:
proxam - Livingston
Jetbluefan1 - Newport
AlanCrax - Tampa
popsrocks - Freeport
treeseed - Vergas
sundogg99 - Portland
hollynz - Gisborne NZ
Drdevience - Los Angeles
Ed_Grover - East Town (Milwaukee)
kamel622 - Wisconsin Rapids
Susie34668 - Maidstone
cr01 - Holmsfirth
trust12345 - New York
atchesonate - Reno
Happy 2nd Epinion anniversary Proxam and thank you for sponsoring this write off.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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Epinions.com ID:
msmorvay
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Member: Rae
Location: Illinois
Reviews written: 688
Trusted by: 481 members
About Me:
Wife,mom, reader, writer, singer, and business owner.
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