directions in chicago

May 2, 2005 6:00 AM

Need help with directions around Chicago...I'm leaving around noon so help fast, please!

Today I'm traveling by train to Chicago--I'm arriving at Union Station and I need to get near Wrigley Field--we're staying at the Best Western Hawthorne Terrace. What's the easiest way to get there from the train station? Second question--the show we're going to is at the Metro. Can we walk from our hotel? Third question--is it too far to walk from that area of town over to the "Magnificent Mile" area?

posted by fabesfaves to travel & transportation around Chicago, IL (11 answers total)

Native Chicagoan here...

Union to Wrigley:

walk east on Jackson to State [map]

go down stairs to the red line subway - towards "Howard" (north)
take the train and get off at Addison.

Hotel is to your right (east), Wrigley is on the left.

Metro is 3 blks north on Clark, which is west from the EL stop 2 blks.

have fun!
posted by stevejensen at 6:10 AM on May 2, 2005

Oh, and yes, it is way too far to walk to the Mag Mile.

Jump back on the red line south, get off at Chicago.

Once above ground, walk east on Chicago, you cross Michigan within abount 3 blks., go to the east side of the street, turn left and shop/walk/gaze all the way to the Hancock (tallest bldg),

cross west across Michigan, and take it south all the way to the river.

Now you've done the entire mag mile.

fyi, cab back to hotel is around $8-9
posted by stevejensen at 6:14 AM on May 2, 2005

I assume you're planning to use public transportation? If so, here's the answers:

1) If you don't mind a walk, the easiest way to get from Union Station to Wrigleyville is the Red Line. You'll need to walk about a half-mile east from Union Station, to State Street; the Red Line runs as a subway under State Street. Get on the Red Line and take it to the Addison Stop, then walk from there to your hotel.

2) The Metro is about a mile from your hotel, and is a totally doable walk.

3) Yeah, that's probably too far to walk — Wrigleyville is about four miles from the Mag Mile, as the crow flies. However, the Chicago stop on the Red Line is right next door to the Magnificent Mile, so that's probably your best bet.
posted by Johnny Assay at 6:15 AM on May 2, 2005

-I'm arriving at Union Station and I need to get near Wrigley Field

You can either cab it or walk east on Jackson to the redline and then take it up to Addison - that's the stop at Wrigley Field. Directions from Addison to your hotel (via Google Map).


[T]he show we're going to is at the Metro. Can we walk from our hotel?

It's going to be about a one mile walk. Again, directions via Google Map. I'd consider cabbing it on the way back to your hotel.

Third question--is it too far to walk from that area of town over to the "Magnificent Mile" area?

Yeah, that's a very long walk. Take the red line from the Addison stop to the Chicago stop, get off at the Chicago station and walk east toward Michigan Avenue.

on preview: damn! Johnny Assay is on it this morning!
posted by jperkins at 6:22 AM on May 2, 2005

late!
posted by stevejensen at 6:23 AM on May 2, 2005

thanks to everyone for their help!
posted by fabesfaves at 6:36 AM on May 2, 2005

You could also take a bus (proably #151) from Union Station to State St. CTA is $1.75, transfer $.25 so a bus ride plus the Red Line will cost total $2.00. If you pay on the bus, pay $2.00, ask driver for a transfer.
posted by dnash at 7:52 AM on May 2, 2005

Since I live in the neighborhood and know where the hotel is located, there's an even better solution: The 151 Bus.

It picks you up at Union Station, passes through Michigan Avenue, and drops you off close to your hotel. I'd get off around Roscoe, walk west from Lake Shore Local to Broadway, and you'll see the hotel to your north.

To get from the Hotel to the Metro, walk north on Broadway to Addison, make a left and walk to Clark/Wrigley Field, make a right and walk to the Metro. It's not far.

For Michigan Avenue, I'd use the 151 again.
posted by Pinwiz at 7:53 AM on May 2, 2005

I forgot to mention: If the 151 Bus turns West on Belmont, you can simply get off at Broadway and walk north to the hotel. You're not far.
posted by Pinwiz at 7:57 AM on May 2, 2005

Don't take the 151 if you're arriving during any high-traffic period. The train will be much faster.
posted by goatdog at 8:16 AM on May 2, 2005

Great map from union station to wrigley field but the whole thing won't print. How do I print the whole map?
posted by Michele at 7:11 AM on April 9, 2006