What are some Chicagoans recommendations for things to do in the Chi?

Q. We are staying in the Chinatown Hotel. We are looking for inexpensive activities to do during our 4 day stay. Also looking for opinions on living in Hyde Park, Fuller Park, West Loop, and Back of the Yards. Thanks Chicago.

A. Depends on when you're staying here. If you're coming here soon, it'll still be a little cold, so you'll probably want to do indoor stuff like the museums (which have free days ... call first), Navy Pier, etc.. You can walk through Water Tower Place, look at the stores and slowly start to feel really poor (just kidding). Don't know if you like to go out and party but the Metromix website has a list of bars with drink specials ($5 martinis, cheap beers and mixed drinks, etc.) Check out http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/barsandclubs/ and click on the little calendar thing on the right side called "bars and clubs deals" and they'll show the cheap bars. There are also a million little restaurants in the city with good, cheap eats. Pick up a copy of Time Out Chicago magazine when you get here. It lists bars, clubs, gallery openings, cheap plays, cheap restaurants, etc. It's a pretty handy compilation.

As far as living in the neighborhoods you mentioned, they're all pretty decent. West Loop might be kinda pricy, though. But Back of the Yards is a new, developing neighborhood with lots of rehabs. And all along South Halsted street from about 35th St. north to Jackson is being rehabbed. Lots of new art galleries, lofts, shops etc. The entire neighborhood around the University of Illinois-Chicago has been remade. It's a little pricey too, but you might want to look into it. Hyde Park is a traditional old diverse neighborhood that close to the lake and the Museum of Science and Industry. You might be able to find some cheap place there though. You should probably look into a few other place. There are other neighborhoods besides those that are nice and have cheap rent. Not sure how much you want to spend, though...

good luck

How long does it take to get through customs at Heathrow Airport?

Q. I arrive in London at Heathrow Airport on Boxing Day at around 11:15, and my plan is to make it to my hotel to drop off my luggage (close to Hyde Park) and make it to Emirates Stadium by 15:00 (preferably before that) by taking the tube. Is this possible...or am I pushing my luck?

A. Boxing day should be quieter than normal, but I would still allow at least 1.5 hours to reaching the trains to central London, if you are taking the underground, that would take about an hour to Hyde Park Corner, and they you could expect a short cab ride to your hotel, leaving around 1hour or so to check-in at your hotel and get to the Emirates Stadium. The journey from HPC to Emirates stadium should take around 30mins

Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in Central London?

Q. My boyfriend and I will be over in London in early july and i'm have trouble finding a decent reasonably priced hotel. We're looking to stay about a four or five nights an are looking to spend no more than £180-£200 each on accommodation. Preference is around Hyde park, Earls Court, or Camden Town but we're open to somewhere a little bit further out if it means we can find somewhere that bit cheaper.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

A. County Hotel, London (Euston) Upper Woburn Place, London, WC1H 0JW, England
2 Stars Prices from £28.00

Basic and clean, 10 mins walk for St Pancras. Always stay there when I visit London

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