Hola Chicagoans - I travel frequently to the Northeast from Florida and was just turned on to the idea of flying into a smaller, less expensive airport and then taking the train into NYC, DC, Philly, Boston etc. A light bulb went off over me head and I kind of kicked myself for never having thought of it before. Anyhow, I  was looking for some insight on which neighboring city I might fly into for a one tour night before grabbing a train into Chicago? It would be ideal if the place I fly into has a healthy community of hobbyists and providers of course. ; )  

Not sure how much lower airfare would be, but it's about 90 miles NW of downtown Chicago, and a big enough city you should be able to attract a date or two for one night.

fly into Chicago 1st....many of the discount airlines SW, Air Tran, etc...can have some pretty good flights....I booked a round trip from NY to CHI last Dec for slightly more tha $200  
Check the internet specials.

Amtrak to Chicago or the Greyhound bus are probably less expensive alternatives.

You actually get many high-end people on the Amtrak that are afraid to fly. The formal dinners are great too!

Shows very reasonable one way trips from St Louis, Milwaukee, Springfield (I would also look at Champaign-Urbana), Detroit, and Ann Arbor. All of these might be feasible options, depending on the flight cost difference.

Our dear OP is looking for a train, and I suspect she would not want to rent a car, or take the bus. The proposed train connecting Rockford to Chicago is not expected to open until 2014.

Milwaukee is a pretty nice city and you can catch Amtrak from there I believe.

But FWIW it's not all that bad.  I have driven that more times than I can count...and didn't stop in Rockford but went to Madison.  Actually that was interesting during deer hunting season....remind me to tell you that story some time.

After considering the airfare to the "small" city, the price of the train ride, the time spent on the train (added travel time) and the time and expense to get to your hotel.  I have to ask when its all added you (money spent + travel time = savings) is it really worth it?  You have to ask am I really saving that much money?

It won't be boring when your holding on for dear life in reduced and/or temporary lanes for the next few years.  If heading north or west, I'd avoid it all together by taking 88 through Dekalb or 94 through Milwaukee (also under construction).  The thought of riding a bus from Rockford through that mess makes my skin crawl.

The entire stretch of I-90 between Rockford and Elgin is under construction and down to one lane for long stretches. You'd be lucky to do the 45 MPH construction zone speed limit, long drive.

eom

The feedback is more than I could have asked for so thank you to everyone for what I'm assuming is a warm welcome back (yes, I have been to your lovely little city before). I'll see you in a few weeks!!  

United has nonstop flights to Boston for around $220, if you book two weeks ahead.

-- Modified on 6/26/2013 1:24:55 PM

I might be driving that stretch every day beginning of August. not reallly looking fwd to that, but, I-57, !-55, and I-65 out of Chicago are just as boring.