HomeChicago 2024 Itinerary

Chicago 2024 Itinerary

Register/Sign Waiver

All attendees must register and sign the waiver HERE.

Itinerary

Chicago Dates: Nov. 8-10, 2024

Bus leader: Kandace Chapple, 231-313-0013 

DAY 1 – FRIDAY

7:15 a.m. – Traverse City pick up – passenger loading begins

  • Meijer, 3955 US-31, Traverse City, MI 49684 (This is the original Meijer in TC)
  • Look for our huge motor coach by the car wash next to Meijer. Please park a couple rows back from the charging stations.
  • You can leave your car parked here for the weekend, at your own risk. The security team at Meijer is aware of our group leaving cars there.
  • Meijer is open for any last-minute snacks/bathroom!

8:00 a.m. – Depart Traverse City SHARP*

*PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU MISS THE BUS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION. WE LEAVE AT 8AM ON THE NOSE. PARTY TIME!

  • Do not board the bus without checking in and getting a luggage tag. This is considered the “check-in” process. Once you get a luggage tag, put it on your suitcase. There will be a bus driver there to load it under the bus for you.
  • You are allotted ONE suitcase per person. This is stored under the bus. If you bring any other bags, please label it with your name and Michigan Girl. It can go under the bus, room permitting, or with you on the bus. Please keep it in your seat or in the overhead storage above your seat.
  • Food, adult beverages and soft drinks are allowed on the bus.
  • There will be sections of the bus reserved for groups with friends getting picked up in Cadillac or GR. Please respect the signage on the bus reserved for these gals so they are able to sit together. Thanks!
  • The first few ROWS on both sides of the aisle are reserved for the hostesses and games/wine (VIP). These are marked reserved. Please sit beyond those rows. It is first come, first seated on the bus except where marked for GR and Cadillac passengers. You will have the same seat all weekend – both on the way there and on the way back, so get comfy!
  • Once we are on our way, we will hand out goodies. We will have games and prizes en route as well as a drink we’ve brought to share a toast with everyone. 
  • There is a small bathroom on the bus. We will also have a bathroom break at Grand Rapids at the Walmart and again at Chesterton for the lunch break.
  • There are plug-in (and USB) outlets on the bus for charging your phone. BUT please arrive with a fully charged phone. (One year all the outlets went kaput!)

9:00 a.m.– Cadillac pick up

  • Exit 183 off US-131 Boon Rd. Park and Ride.
  • Street address: 9902 E Boon Rd Cadillac, Mi 49601
  • From northbound US – 131 turn left/east onto Boon Rd. in Cadillac. Lot is on right/south.
  • From southbound US -131 turn left/east onto Boon Rd. in Cadillac. Lot is on right/south.
  • MapQuest pin: http://mapq.st/2Nbt8kr

10:30 a.m. – Grand Rapids pick up

  • Location: Walmart Exit 67 off I-196
  • Address: Walmart, 4542 Kenowa Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418.
  • Park on the west side of Walmart’s parking lot. You can leave your car parked here for the weekend, at your own risk. 
  • We will have a 15 min. bathroom break.

TIME CHANGE – WE MOVE BACK 1 HOUR FOR CHICAGO TIME.

FOLLOWING TIMES ARE CHICAGO TIME ZONE.

11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – LUNCH at Chesterton

  • Chesterton, IN, Exit 26A off I-94.
  • 45-minute lunch break
  • Bus parks near: Arby’s, 706 Plaza Dr., Chesteron, IN.
  • There are a variety of fast food options you can walk to. Lunch is not included and is on your own. Do not choose a sit-down restaurant for lunch. 
  • You are welcome to get the food to-go and eat on the bus.
  • Depart lunch approx. 12:30 p.m. Depending on when the bus arrived, you will be departing 45 mins. after arrival. Be sure to listen to your bus leader on the TIME of DEPARTURE.

2:30 p.m. – Arrive at HOTEL

  • Arrive at hotel between 2:30-3 p.m.
  • Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
  • 165 E Ontario Street, Chicago, IL  60611
  • Each room includes 2 queen beds, a mini fridge, coffeemaker and one bathroom.
  • There are NO microwaves in the rooms and there is NO continental breakfast.
  • Wifi is free. You log in with your last name and room number.
  • You will need a key to get to every floor in the hotel, so make sure everyone keeps a key on them at all times.

Food options at the hotel:

CHECK-IN:

  • Please remain on the bus until your bus host releases you.
  • Check-in is at 4 p.m. They are trying to get our group in closer to 3 p.m. but there is no guarantee. We will hand out keys to anyone whose room is ready. Otherwise, they are going to give us a room to put our bags into so that you can go shop/cruise around instead of wait in the lobby. 
  • There is NO porter service included. You may ask/tip porters as you’d like.
  • If your room is ready, you will be handed your key ON THE BUS. If your room is not ready, you will have to check in at the front desk after 4 p.m. to get your keys individually. I (beg) ask the hotel every year to have our rooms ready all together upon our arrival and some years we have better luck than others!
  • As you exit the bus, please get your own luggage (the bus driver will be unloading it and setting it on the sidewalk). 
  • You must take any carry-on luggage with you off the bus or you can leave it on the bus for the entire weekend. You will have access to the bus FRIDAY night when we go to the show. Otherwise, you will not see the bus again until Sunday AM. The buses are locked for the weekend, but please do not leave valuables on the bus.
  • If you get your key from me, you do not need to check in at the hotel registration desk unless you want to order amenity services on your own credit card, such as “in room” movies, cash bar, etc. If you do NOT get your key from me, please go to the front desk with your bag to have them hold it if your room until it is ready.
  • Please be patient as there will be a line for the elevator. Last time we were all checked in within 30 minutes. The wine on the way down will ensure your mood is chipper and the line is a total riot (in a good way).
  • EAT dinner on your own before the show – it will be a long wait at area restaurants so plan accordingly! I suggest making any reservations NOW – for like 4pm! Or snack in your room. Meals are not included in your package. Eat early so you don’t miss the bus to the show.
  • This is a non-smoking hotel. It is a $300 charge for smoking. The hotel WILL enforce it.

6:20 p.m.– Load bus in front of hotel to head to the show. 

NOTE: You may choose to NOT use the bus to get to/from the show and instead arrive there on your own. If you are meeting us at the show, please find our group/the bus out front – we will be hard to miss.

6:50 p.m.  – Arrive at The Trickery

The Trickery
3453 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

7 p.m. – This is a one-hour show that is BYOB. Yes, we are going to bring booze and party haha. We have booked the entire show, so it is just MiGirl in the house. So we can relax, have fun and get to know each other!

8:30 p.m.– Load bus and depart. We will have time for pics, etc. after the show, so we won’t leave promptly – but rather when I have collected you all!

9 p.m.– Arrive back at hotel, get some sleep or paint the town red or even a pale pink.

DAY 2 – SATURDAY

Breakfast is not included in your package and is on your own.

Breakfast options at the hotel:

Some nearby restaurants include:

ALL DAY ON YOUR OWN – Enjoy this time to explore and shop Chicago. Make all dinner reservations before we get down there! You will have a hard time getting into restaurants otherwise. 

DAY 3 – SUNDAY

8:30 a.m.– There is NO porter service, please bring bags down. It is one bag per person with your luggage tag on it as we started with on Friday. Any other bags you have acquired (ahem), bring downstairs too and give to your bus driver to load under the bus. It will be your job to make sure that extra bag comes off at your drop-off location, so don’t forget it. Ideally these need your NAME ON THEM. The bus driver will only be responsible for the one tagged piece of luggage.

8:45 a.m. – Load buses. Must be checked in on bus. Please sit in the SAME SEAT. Please do not move your seat. It causes confusion and delay when we are in a weakened state!

9:00 a.m. – Depart Chicago at 9 a.m. SHARP*
This is 9 a.m. Chicago time (10 a.m. Michigan time)

*PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU MISS THE BUS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION HOME. 

TIME CHANGE – We MOVE FORWARD 1 HOUR – TO MICHIGAN TIME

1:15 p.m.– Grand Rapids drop off & LUNCH BREAK 

  • Walmart on Exit 67 off I-196. 
  • Address: Walmart, 4542 Kenowa Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418.
  • 30-minute break –pick up something from Walmart grocery/deli in Walmart for lunch.

3:15 p.m.– Cadillac drop off-Exit 183 off US-131 Boon Rd. Park and Ride. 

  • Exit 183 off US-131 Boon Rd. Park and Ride.
  • Street address: 9902 E Boon Rd Cadillac, Mi 49601

4:15 p.m.– Traverse City drop off – Arrive back in Traverse City at Meijer. Be sure to text your ride so that you can have your chariot waiting!

Home sweet home!