Chicago Getaway Hostel

Chicago Getaway Hostel at 616 W Arlington Place is an independent hostel in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood of Chicago, Illinois, close to the Armitage Brown and Purple Line stop and a short walk from DePaul University. The hostel is in a historic residential building on a tree-lined street, which sets it apart from the more commercial downtown hostels. Accommodation is offered as dorm beds and private rooms, with shared spaces including a kitchen, a lounge, luggage storage and 24-hour reception. Wifi is provided. Prices of about $40 for a dorm bed to $110 for a private room make it a low-cost base for solo travelers, backpackers and groups. Lincoln Park offers a mix of restaurants, bars and shops along Armitage and Halsted, and Lincoln Park Zoo, the Conservatory and the lakefront are within a short walk or bike ride. The Brown Line connects to the Loop in about fifteen minutes. As an independent hostel, it has a smaller, more social feel than larger chains, and guests commonly share meals in the kitchen. Quiet hours and shared bathrooms are typical, and the building's age means some spaces are compact. The hostel suits visitors who prefer a residential neighbourhood to the downtown core, and those who want to meet other travelers while keeping costs low in an expensive city. Staff at reception can advise on transit and neighbourhood dining, and the lounge is the social centre of the property. From O'Hare, the Blue Line to Clark/Lake with a transfer to the Brown Line reaches Armitage in roughly an hour, and rideshare takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Nearby attractions include Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, the Chicago History Museum and the lakefront trail. The neighbourhood has a university-town energy thanks to DePaul, with inexpensive cafes and live music venues along Lincoln Avenue and Halsted Street.