The Windy City Saga Tour
Aug 31 - Sept 2, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
What is The Windy City Saga?
The Windy City Saga is a three-book fiction series that follows three generations of a family living in Chicago during some of the city’s most historic events. Veiled in Smoke takes place during and after the Great Fire of 1871, Shadows of the White City is set during the 1893 World’s Fair, and Drawn by the Current (Christy Award winner, 2022) revolves around the Eastland Disaster of 1915.
Do I need to read these books in order to enjoy this trip?
Reading the series will definitely enhance your experience, since we’ll be exploring the sites in the novels. But you’d still enjoy yourself without having read them ahead of time.
When and how do I register?
Registration is open now through this Google Form.
When is the registration deadline?
The deadline to register is June 1, 2023.
Is this trip for women only?
Nope! Men are welcome, too. We've had men join us on both previous trips, and they've had a great time.
What will the weather be like in Chicago?
Temperatures are typically in the low seventies this time of year. It should be beautiful!
I’m not comfortable navigating big cities. How much will I need to figure out on my own?
Then this will be the perfect opportunity for you to experience Chicago within the safety of our group, with many decisions already made for you. Our hotel is located in the safest part of the city. Once you’re here, you’ll be well taken care of.
We’ll have transportation arranged and tickets pre-purchased for all of our group activities, plus breakfasts and lunches.
There are plenty of ways to spend your free time, and we can help you figure that out, too. For more information about the options, visit this separate page.
I eat gluten-free. Will there be enough food choices for me?
Yes. The group meals we’ll have together will have GF options, and most restaurants in the city have these options as well, although it doesn’t hurt to look at their menus online before you go.
I am only interested in the Novel-Tea Evening for the Authors. How do I register just for that?
We'd love to have you join us for this event Saturday night! Purchase tickets at Eventbrite here.
HOTEL
How do I book my hotel room?
After you have paid your registration fee to me, you’ll receive those instructions. Palmer House will provide us with a link through which you will reserve your hotel room directly with the hotel. Ideally, you would know if you were sharing a room at the time you reserve it so you could add that information as well. Your card will not be charged by the hotel until the actual stay.
How do I find a roommate, though?
If you don't already have a roommate arranged and would like to find one to help share the cost of the hotel room, you can indicate that on your registration form, along with your permission to share your email address for this purpose. I'll put those people in touch with each other via email.
How many people can share one hotel room?
There are two double beds so it will comfortably sleep two people. You can add a third or even fourth person to one room, for an additional charge of $25 per night plus tax for the third person, and another $25 per night plus tax for the fourth person.
I’m driving to Chicago. Is there parking at the hotel?
The hotel offers two parking options, described on their web site here. But you would likely be able to find cheaper options using Spothero.com, or the SpotHero app.
What time is check-in and check-out?
You may check in to your room at Palmer House after 3pm on Thursday, Aug 31, 2023. Checkout is 11am on Sunday, Sept 2.
Is there a fitness center or pool at the hotel?
Both are available for your use.
Is there Wifi at the hotel?
There is free Wifi in the hotel lobby, and Wifi access from the guest rooms. The Wifi is free in guest rooms that are booked by a Hilton Honors member.
Where can I get coffee or tea while at the hotel?
I'll have coffee and tea available for you Friday and Saturday mornings in my suite. Also, there is a Starbucks inside the hotel, as well as a coffeeshop called the Lockwood Express in the hotel lobby, open from 6:30am to 9pm daily. In addition to beverages both hot and cold, snacks, sandwiches, pastries, salads, and snacks are also available for purchase. (Brace yourself, now: there is no complimentary coffee/tea in the guest rooms.)
Next to the hotel is also Corner Bakery (35 E. Monroe), open from 7:30am to 3pm daily. (Starbucks shops abound in Chicago, but there are other local places to get coffee or tea, as well. See the Excursion & Dining Options page for more ideas.)
ITINERARY
I am only interested in the Novel-Tea Evening for the Authors. How do I register just for that?
We'd love to have you join us for this event Saturday night! Purchase tickets at Eventbrite here.
How much walking will be involved?
There will be a fair amount of walking, so bring good shoes for this. More specifically:
There is an optional walking tour of the Prairie Avenue Historic District on Thursday evening. It will last about 90 minutes, but not all of that time will be spent actually walking. (More details about this activity can be found on the Itinerary page.) Transportation to the starting point of the tour and back again will be provided.
A shuttle will drive us to our points of interest Friday morning through early afternoon. There is an optional walking tour of Lincoln Park Friday morning, but if you'd rather, you can opt out and hang out inside the Chicago History Museum instead. You can pay the admission fee to the museum to see the exhibits, or just relax in the cafe area until meeting up with the group again.
There will be some moderate walking the rest of the weekend. Our hotel is within half a mile of several restaurants and attractions.
How much free time will I have?
Once you arrive in the city on Thursday, your time is your own until we meet in the lobby at 4:15pm to head out for the walking tour of the Prairie Avenue Historic District, which includes dinner. (See the Itinerary page for more information about this.) This evening’s event is completely optional, so if you’d rather have more free time instead, that’s fine. You can indicate your choice on the registration form. Those who participate in the tour and dinner will return to the hotel by 8:30pm, and the rest of the evening is yours.
On Friday, our group activities will be from 9am to 3:30pm, after which point, you’re free to plan your own time. (Or, you may opt out of the Chicago Maritime Museum program and begin your free time right after lunch.) On Saturday, our group time will end after lunch, so you’ll have the afternoon and evening free again. These blocks of time allow you to customize your weekend according to your own interests. They also provide margin for those of us who need a little break and quiet time in between activities, as well as plenty of time for transportation to wherever you’d like to go.
What can I do during the free time, and how do I make those arrangements?
There are so many options, I’ve created a separate page to answer this. Hop over here to see it.
During our free time, how will I get around the city?
Let me count the ways! Many attractions are within a short walk of our hotel. Otherwise, catch an uber or taxi (fares are even cheaper when you share the ride with someone else). Or take public transportation. Someone can show you how if this is new for you.
Or, if you drove yourself to the city or know someone who did, of course you can drive wherever you want to go. Just allow extra time for traffic and finding a parking spot. I recommend using the SpotHero app to find a good place to park.
CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS
What if travel restrictions change and the entire trip has to be cancelled?
If the entire trip must be cancelled for the entire group due to new travel restrictions, you will be refunded all payment.
What if I have to cancel my trip due to illness, family emergency, or some other reason?
This trip is a big (and expensive) undertaking that relies on knowing exactly how many people will attend. I am booking tours and transportation for the group based on the number of registrants. If you cancel by June 1, I can give you a refund for your trip, minus a $100 fee to cover those costs. The closer we get to the event, the more non-refundable expenses the trip will have finalized. If you cancel between June 2 and July 1, I can refund your cost minus a $200 fee.
No refunds will be possible after July 2 except the cost of your hotel room,* even for illness or family emergency. While we know that not all risks can be eliminated, we hope you will take any precautions needed to stay safe and healthy before the trip. Thank you for your understanding!
*Because you are booking your own hotel rooms with the Palmer House Hilton, you will also be responsible for cancelling your reservation with them in the event you need to cancel your trip. You may cancel your hotel room up until August 25 without penalty. If you are sharing a room, please give your roommate as much notice as possible so she can make other arrangements.
If I can’t go at the last minute, past the deadline for refunds, could I “gift” my spot to another person to go in my place?
You bet. The spot has already been paid for, so we would welcome someone having the opportunity to take it. If the person you gift your spot to would like to compensate you directly for the spot, that’s something the two of you can work out together. Please be sure to adjust your hotel room reservation to reflect that someone else will be staying in your spot.
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For more information about this trip, see the pages in the dropdown menu under The Windy City Saga Tour tab on the navigational bar at the top of this Web page. Or click these links for: