ex-Marine's Quick & Easy Guide to Chicago
I've been working and driving around the Chicago-area for over 50 years, and a Volunteer for the City of Chicago at O'Hare Airport. (You may have even seen me walking around O'Hare wearing a red shirt with a big "ASK ME" button.) Based on all that, here is some basic information that should make your life simpler while visiting my hometown.
Flying into O'Hare or Midway?
- From O'Hare, take the BLUE Line to downtown Chicago for $2.00 a person. You can take a taxi to your hotel from the Blue Line exit for very little or walk to it.
- From Midway, take the GREEN LINE. There are also buses going North on Cicero outside of Midway Airport. It goes to the Chicago EL, heading to the Loop, also $2.00 a person.
- Taxis: There are fixed price services to your hotel such as 303 Taxi and American Taxi services. Use the free airport telephones at Baggage Claim Kiosks. If you are going to any of the Chicago suburbs, a Chicago Taxi will charge meter and one half so pick up the telephone and order a pick-up from one of these services. Downtown hotels never provide free transfer service to their hotels.
- Other Transportation: Airport Express will pick up and drop off at most downtown hotels.
- Ask for help. Visit one of the Information booths or look for a person with a 'ASK ME" badge on.
Hotels? No specific recommendations from me since there are many to chose from at all prices. Check:
Restaurants? Hundreds of choices in every price range. Choose from ethnic, chains and/or gourmet in the Loop (downtown Chicago) area. I eat everything and there are too many good ones to recommend. Ask, and look around...then decide for yourself. One word of warning. If you visit Chinatown at night, take taxis to and from. The area can be slightly dangerous if you happen to accidentally lose your way at night and head in the wrong direction.
What to see? Chicago is laid out in a grid pattern. Lake Michigan is always on your East and there is great walking along Lake Michigan. If you are a walker, use the John Hancock Boulding, 900 North Michigan as a starting point and walk south on Michigan Avenue as far as the Field Museum (about a 2-1/2 mile walk). You'll pass the Historic Water Tower pumping station, Chicago Visitor Information Center, Millenium Park, Art Institute, Holocaust Exhibition at the Spertus Museum, ending at the Field Museum. Turn east towards the Lake for Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium and walk back or take the free trolley to Navy Pier. There is also a free trolley going north to Lincon Park Zoo, one of the only free zoos in the country. You can also take a CTA bus (Chicago Transit Authority public transportation), north to the Zoo if you don't feel like walking. Good walks along the lake, people-watching in the summer, or sitting, tanning at Oak Street Beach, North Avenue Beach and others.
- Your kids will love Chicago with the museums, zoos, American Girl Place, sporting events, and much, much, more...
- Gorgeous views of Lake Michigan from Buckingham Fountain or anywhere along the 20-mile bicycle/walking/roller blading path.
- Go to the top of the John Hancock Building or Sears Tower.
- If you are a baseball fan, both the Chicago Cubs/Wrigley Field and Chicago White Sox/U.S. Cellular Field can be reached easily on the Red Line subways. $2 each way per person.
- Musicals, Drama, Theater, Opera . Take a Lake Michigan cruise for dinner entertainment. Check the on-line Chicago Tourism link to see what is happening in Chicago and give even more ideas.
So much to see and do in Chicago, my kind of town...and you don't need a car. Save the huge amount to park a car at the hotel or anywhere in the city, walk or take public transportation.
Hope this overview helps. Chicago is a beautiful, friendly city with culture, and great food. Come visit and look for me at O'Hare... the good-looking ex-Marine wearing a red shirt and "ASK ME" button...
