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Washington, D.C.: My girlfriend and I will be flying in to Milwaukee and taking the train down to Chicago for a few days. Can you suggest an affordable hotel that is near the train station (i.e. does not require driving)? Thanks!

Karla Zimmerman: You'll be chugging into Union Station, just west of the Loop. The W Chicago City Center is probably the closest hotel. But anything in the Loop or Near North will be easily accessible via short cab ride (around $8 or so).

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Bloomington, Ind.: I am planning a surprise (60th) birthday trip to Chicago over Labor Day weekend for my husband. The surprise will be that our 2 daughters, their husbands, and 2 kids (1 boy 20 months, one girl 9 )will be joining us. We have a cool apartment on the lake all reserved. My question is where to have a birthday dinner—someplace nice but not completely outrageously expensive that would be OK for kids. If not beastly hot, we like outdoor seating. Love Lincoln Park, but not wedded to it for this. We are fairly familiar with Chicago. Thanks!

Karla Zimmerman: Hmm, I'm kind of stumped on this one. Maybe the Plaza at Park Grill for outdoor seating right in Millennium Park? Or Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba in Lincoln Park? You can always check the Chicago Reader and Time Out Chicago for more ideas and reviews.

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Karla Zimmerman: Thanks, everybody. I hope you all have a sweet time in Chicago. It's one of the best cities on the planet (IMHO).