Thinking About Taking the RV to Chi Town...Need Input

CY88

Active Member
Jan 3, 2013
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We are thinking about road tripping to Chicago in the RV. It’s a big RV (39'). We’ve talked to the United Center and they will let us park the RV in their lot with the purchase of two parking passes and we are working on getting permission to spend the night in the lot.

Question for you Chi Town Cyclones...Are we safe spending the night in the UC parking lot? If not, can anyone recommend an overnight spot that wouldn’t be too far from the UC?

Thanks.
 
Hmm. I have been to the United Center once for a Michael Buble concert, and while it seemed safe while stuff is going on due to the mass of people, it is in a pretty rough part of town. Personally, I wouldn't want to spend the night there.
 
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Should be okay, but I wouldn't go wandering around the neighborhood at 2am. Do you know where/what lot? I'd feel safer if it was closer to the UC vs 2 blocks away. That area isn't bad, but the fact that there is basically just parking lots around (i.e. not a lot of pedestrian traffic) makes it kind of....eerie?

If you're okay with a Wal-Mart lot, there is one in Forest Park that is about 1 mile south of the Forest Park blue line stop. That would be a 20 min train ride to the med district stop by the UC.
 
I live in the burbs and I wouldn't stay overnight at the UC.............there are a ton of lots that are well lit and fences BUT there is no guarantee that is where you are going to be parked.............trust me it would be an eerie feeling!
 
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I think an RV with Iowa plates in the parking lot the night before a game screams "I am here for the game and have cash/valuable tickets!"

Seems like you are setting yourself up as a sitting duck. I would stay somewhere else where the camper isn't going to stick out so bad - park, campground, truck stop, etc.
 
I think I would definitely find a well lit walmart parking lot closer to the suburbs.
 
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs before moving to Ames to go to college. I know the area around the united Center is not a good place, but I just did a quick street view on Google Maps and some of the homes in the area seem to be in decent to good shape. I know looks can be deceiving, but what goes on in this area that makes it bad. i have been removed from the city for 10 years.
 
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs before moving to Ames to go to college. I know the area around the united Center is not a good place, but I just did a quick street view on Google Maps and some of the homes in the area seem to be in decent to good shape. I know looks can be deceiving, but what goes on in this area that makes it bad. i have been removed from the city for 10 years.

It's way better than it used to be, but it still isn't a great neighborhood, especially alone in a trailer once everyone has cleared out at night.
 
I was going to crack a joke about guns/safety but then it would (as it should be) sent to the cave or deleted.

So, don't follow thru on this plan. The MPG, tolls, driving thru the city aren't worth it.
 
I don't think you have to worry about it. The lots are lit, fenced, and policed. It is so different than the old Chicago Stadium days. However, there are many places in the suburbs where you would probably feel much more comfortable.
 
I think an RV with Iowa plates in the parking lot the night before a game screams "I am here for the game and have cash/valuable tickets!" Seems like you are setting yourself up as a sitting duck. I would stay somewhere else where the camper isn't going to stick out so bad - park, campground, truck stop, etc.
Take a real big dog.
 
I don't think you have to worry about it. The lots are lit, fenced, and policed. It is so different than the old Chicago Stadium days. However, there are many places in the suburbs where you would probably feel much more comfortable.
He wants toi be able to walk to the game without driving. The weather may be a bit cool though.
 
Hmm. I have been to the United Center once for a Michael Buble concert, and while it seemed safe while stuff is going on due to the mass of people, it is in a pretty rough part of town. Personally, I wouldn't want to spend the night there.

GFD...
 
Was born in the South side, live on the north side now and know the area well. You'd survive the night, but it's not like you'd wanna break out the lawn chairs, coolers and grill burgers. You'd wanna still in the RV with shades drawn. The area is OK in the daylight and when a game is on/lots of folks around.
At night, in an empty lot? You might wake up with folks sleeping under your RV or knocking on the door at 2AM asking for a beer.
I wouldn't do it.
 
Grew up in Chicago and could think of few things I would less rather do than sit in a giant stationary vehicle in a parking lot in that part of the city overnight.