Coming to Chicago for USA - Brazil; Trip advice from locals

Discussion in 'USA Men: Fans & Travel' started by Fonsos, Aug 16, 2007.

  1. IlliniOnFire

    IlliniOnFire Hostile AND Abusive

    Oct 8, 2006
    Southern Illinois
    I'd look up the Metra schedule and find a ride in from somewhere in the burbs...

    failing that, you can take the CTA down from evanston, it might be a bit slow due to construction, but i know you can park in downtown evanston for pretty reasonable rates.
     
  2. ButlerBob

    ButlerBob Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 13, 2001
    Evanston, IL
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    What might be even better then parking in Evanston is parking at the Howard station (it's the end of the Red Line). Parking there is $2 for the entire day. Take the Touhy east exit off 94 and take it all the way over. The parking garage will be on your left about a block after Clark. You'll then take the Red Line to the Roosevelt stop.

    If you park in Evanston, you'll take the Purple line to Howard and then change trains to the Red.
     
  3. Firefox

    Firefox Member

    Aug 24, 2005
    South Elgin, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Just saw in the Tribune today that for the weekend Friday 9/7 thru Monday 9/10, the Blue Line service from O'Hare will not be operating between the Western/Milwaukee and Clark/Lake stations. They will have shuttle buses running between those two stations.
     
  4. Via_Chicago

    Via_Chicago Member

    Apr 1, 2004
    Bay Area, California
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Mayor Daley's Transporation Task Force strikes again! ;)
     
  5. rwsmith79

    rwsmith79 New Member

    Aug 16, 2007
    I'm going to be driving up from St. Louis - would it be better to stop somewhere south of the city and take transit in or just drive all the way into the city and find some place to park near the stadium?
     
  6. BarcaLover

    BarcaLover Member

    Aug 23, 2007
    Richmond, Virginia
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Where would the best place to get a hotel be ive never been to chicago and i want a place close to the stadium and preferrably close to places where i can go out and have fun the weekend of the game.
     
  7. ChicagoAzzuri

    ChicagoAzzuri New Member

    Jun 18, 2006
    Chicago
    SF parking is $25
     
  8. dkrboys

    dkrboys New Member

    Feb 16, 2006
    Simi Valley, CA
    We've already booked a hotel within 2 mi. from O'Hare (they offered free shuttle service, sounded great). Now that I see the Blue Line will not be running from O'Hare......should we try to get a hotel near the stadium? Never been to Chicago, so we've got lots of questions.

    Is the stadium near the downtown area, where all the "touristy" things are happening?

    If not, should we book a hotel near the stadium or downtown?

    Any hotels you can recommend? Or at least the districts they're in? When I search online, there's so many choices & I have no idea where to book it.

    Thanks in advance!

    Also, we've got 2 supporters section tickets available. Sec. 121, row 6. Face value.
     
  9. Duffmn929

    Duffmn929 New Member

    Sep 4, 2005
    I would just take the Red Line off of State and Roosevelt up to Grand. Just my opinion.

    If you are coming into the city, I am a big fan of parking on the west side of the city by UIC and either taking a bus or just walking. It's a bit of a hike from Halsted and Roosevelt (probably 2 miles), but parking is free on the street on Sundays. I don't know about you, but I prefer free. :)

    If you want stay away from the city traffic, the Rock Island Metra train is the way to go. You can pick up the train in New Lenox (it's a nicer area than Joliet) off of I-80 and Lincoln Hwy/Rt. 30. Just take 55 north to 80 east to Lincoln Hwy. Head east to the Metra train. It's about 45 mins into the city and will cost you $5 for a weekend pass (I think, if they still do that). Then you can shoot back out on the train and already be 30 miles out of the city when you head back to St. Louis. If you drive in, I recommend parking from my quote above.

    Hotels that are close to Soldier are on the south side of the city between Madison and Roosevelt. And east/west between Wells and Michigan. It's about a 15 min walk give or take 5 mins....depending how far west and north you are. My friend stayed at the Swisshotel for 110 bucks via Hotwire 2 months ago....it's closer to Navy Pier, but the place has a GREAT view of the city. Try that!

    PM me and I'll help you out--I'm also interested in your tickets.
     
  10. Fonsos

    Fonsos Member

    Sep 21, 2000
    Chicago
    The Blue line will be running. You may have to switch to a shuttle bus at a stop before you reach downtown. Relax, they did this a few weeks ago and the shuttle was just as fast as the train. It follows the same route as the train, so you're fine and they will have plenty of personnel on hand to get you in the right direction. Not to mention you'll see plenty of people going to the match, so don't sweat it. Take the Blue line.
     
  11. dkrboys

    dkrboys New Member

    Feb 16, 2006
    Simi Valley, CA
    Thanks Fonsos. It helps to get advice from the locals. We out-of-towners aren't sure what the heck we're doing.

    Also, thanks Duffmn929. I've sent you an email.
     
  12. WKU_Philthy

    WKU_Philthy New Member

    May 3, 2006
    I am coming up from Louisville, KY on I-65. I am looking for an in and out quick route to the stadium as cheap and fast as possible. Any trains that far out of Chicago?
     
  13. Duffmn929

    Duffmn929 New Member

    Sep 4, 2005
    Someone else on here may be for familiar with the trains that run from Chicago to NW Indiana, but I am not. The metra train that runs from Chicago to the South burbs is the Electric line to University Park.

    http://metrarail.com/Sched/me/me.shtml#STATION

    This may save you some time, since the Dan Ryan into the city is a mess and not to mention there will be a Sox game going on that day.
     
  14. CHSsoccer08

    CHSsoccer08 Member

    Apr 12, 2002
    Washington DC
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Take the Northern Indiana Commuter Train. Me and my freinds take it coming from Michigan. Runs every 2 hours, and the roosevelt station is just a couple blocks from Soldier.

    http://www.nictd.com/
     
  15. Fonsos

    Fonsos Member

    Sep 21, 2000
    Chicago
    If you're coming from that far out, then drive into the city. The amount of time you'd spend on the train isn't worth the hassle. In regards to parking when you're here, find a lot in downtown Chicago and walk to Soldier Field. Lots throughout downtown Chicago are cheap on the weekends, like $10-$15. I'll post a few of those locations over the weekend.

    Fonsos
     
  16. ironduke2010

    ironduke2010 Member

    Mar 18, 2005
    A2, MI USA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    cool. i'm kinda in the same boat. we're driving in, and have a place to stay (w free parking) up north near wrigley. would like to hit the road after the game, but would also like to avoid the mess that will be postgame traffic. i figure a slow walk downtown, grab dinner somewhere, and there's a tiny chance that I90 <-> I94 mess might be less horrible by the time we get there. when is that supposed to be done? seems like YEARS since it's been clear....
     
  17. BarcaLover

    BarcaLover Member

    Aug 23, 2007
    Richmond, Virginia
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hotels that are close to Soldier are on the south side of the city between Madison and Roosevelt. And east/west between Wells and Michigan. It's about a 15 min walk give or take 5 mins....depending how far west and north you are. My friend stayed at the Swisshotel for 110 bucks via Hotwire 2 months ago....it's closer to Navy Pier, but the place has a GREAT view of the city. Try that!


    my girlfriend ot us rooms at this hotel
    Chicago's Essex Inn
    800 South Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL, 60605




    Wut would be the best way to get to soldier field from there and it close to ddowntown with alot of stuff to do?
     
  18. Rachel22

    Rachel22 New Member

    Aug 26, 2007
    If the game starts at 3pm CT and the gates open at 1pm, what time do you advise we arrive at the stadium? How long is the line at the gates? I don't want to be rushing it or waiting in line while the game is about to start. Also do you know at about what time do things begin to happen on the pitch with the players warm up and so on?
    Thanx
     
  19. kebzach

    kebzach Member

    Dec 30, 2000
    Greenfield, WI
    Park at the MKE airport. Take the amtrak into Chicago Union Station for $ 21 each way. You'll have to wait for the 8pm train to get back to MKE by 9:30, but that's definitely the easiest way to avoid the traffic.
     
  20. kebzach

    kebzach Member

    Dec 30, 2000
    Greenfield, WI
    That too. Or, take the Metra in from Libertyville.
     
  21. kebzach

    kebzach Member

    Dec 30, 2000
    Greenfield, WI
    1. Walk to SF from there.

    2. Yes, you're very much close enough to find things to do.
     
  22. mrecint

    mrecint New Member

    May 31, 2006
    Fishers, IN
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    I'd like to know this too. I think we can start to park at the stadium 4 hours prior. Does anyone know a good sushi place around the stadium or downtown Chicago?
     
  23. BarcaLover

    BarcaLover Member

    Aug 23, 2007
    Richmond, Virginia
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanx for the info e will be driving in from cali and stayign nine days so wuts the best place to park?
     
  24. Fonsos

    Fonsos Member

    Sep 21, 2000
    Chicago
    You're in a great spot, your hotel is along the route many of us will to Soldier Field. You're also close to a number of restaurants and bars as well as across the street from Grant Park. Nice Score on the hotel location. The hotel has parking but I'm not sure if they have a separate charge for hotel guests, call and find out what the rates are. You can also park on the streets but it's metered and do not park in a spot with a tow sign. The City of Chicago tows with a quickness and once it's hooked to the truck they're towing.

    Restaurant recommendation, there's a Bar Louie on the corner of Polk & Dearborn which is a short walk just southwest of your hotel. It's a Bar and Grill and a nice spot. If the weather's nice and it probably will be while you're here, sit on there patio. It's a great spot.

    Fonsos
     
  25. Fonsos

    Fonsos Member

    Sep 21, 2000
    Chicago
    I will post a list of parking lots this evening and other travel tips this evening, sometime after 10PM Central Time.

    Didn't get a chance to confirm a few spots over the weekend.

    Fonsos
     

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