Karla Zimmerman: The boutique Hotel Allegro is right by the Randolph El stop downtown. The City Suites Hotel is a stone's throw from the Belmont El stop in Lakeview. The Wicker Park Inn B&B is really sweet, located in the unique Wicker Park neighborhood, though it's about 5 blocks or so from the Damen El stop.

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St. Petersburg, Fla.: We have never been to a baseball game at Wrigley Field. How can we get tickets? We hear it's always sold out. Also, we'd like to stay at a B&B for a 3-night stay in the ballpark area. We're coming from St. Pete, Fla., in Aug. 2008. Thank you. —Frank

Karla Zimmerman: Getting Cubs tickets this year sucks, since the team is actually worthy. You can keep checking online, preferably in the morning, when newly released tickets sometimes appear. Or you can show up at Wrigley's box office when it opens (8am weekdays, 9am weekends) to see it any seats have become available. About two hours before game time, a few standing room tickets are released at the box office. Otherwise, you'll have to spend big bucks on a brokerage site like StubHub, or dealing with scalpers who sell tickets all around the park. If nothing else, peek in the "knothole"—a garage-door-sized opening on Sheffield Avenue that'll give you a glimpse inside Wrigley for free.

As for nearby places to stay, I don't know of any B&Bs, but the Majestic Hotel and Best Western Hawthorne Terrace are nearby.

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Detroit, Mich.: My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to the Windy City on October 10-12, 2008. We want to stay relatively close to the main attractions but don't want to spend a lot of money—what neighborhoods/areas should we be looking in for hotels?

Karla Zimmerman: The Loop and Near North—where most major attractions are located—can be affordable if you use a bidding service like Hotwire or Priceline. I have friends who've landed killer rooms for $80 when they usually cost $200-330. Otherwise, neighborhoods to the north such as Lincoln Park and Lakeview are typically cheaper, as is Wicker Park to the west (yet all are easily connected to downtown by train).

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Laguna Beach, Calif.: Four family members are planning to visit Chicago at the end of Sept. 2008. We would like to stay 2 nights near some of the favorite sights. Where would you suggest staying, and what sights are not to be missed?

Thank you,
Daryle

Karla Zimmerman: Hi, Daryle. See my answer to Mission Viejo, above, for top sights. You'll want to stay in the Loop or Near North to be near the action. Where to stay depends on your budget. I like the Hotel Allegro and Hotel Burnham, though they ain't cheap. For that, try a bidding service (see my answer to Detroit, above).