For the first time, this doper is going to the main center point of the Straight Dope. I’m off to Chicago for 5 days. I leave on Jan 8th (Sunday) via airplane and I return the 12th (Thursday). Landing at Midway. I’ll be, for the most part during my stay, in the Stickney and Summit area (I’ll be staying in Summit).
I live in Phoenix, which is no small town itself, but compared to Chicago, it is. Never been to Chi-town before. What can I expect? What’s it like? What is there to do? What’s something I should do at least once while I’m there? I won’t have much money. Only about 100 to spend (yes, 100 dollars only for Chicago, but I can make it work, trust me. :p).
So plan my trip for me. I’m visiting a female friend…but I won’t be hanging with her all day on all of the days. Just a bit on each of them, which means most the time I’ll be alone and free to do whatever I wish.
So…enlighten me people. Is Chicago where it’s at?
Chicago is indeed where it’s at (or at least where I’m at), but Summit is not so close. What’s your mode of transportation, and what are your interests?
My mode of transportation while I’m there will be, mostly, my friend (with me paying for gas). But I only expect to be going with her places and be driven about 3 times or so. If I want to go anywhere by myself though and one or two times (from the motel to her work and MAYBE again from the hotel to the airport when I’m ready to come home) that I know of–it will be a taxi.
I enjoy lots of things. It doesn’t take much to satisfy, amuse, or appease me. I like walks, movies, musicals, plays, hiking, sightseeing, cultural things, etc.
Man, wish there was a dopefest going on while I was there. I hear the Chicago ones are huge.
Well, I don’t really have all the information I need to make a decent reccommendation, so I’ll hit you up with some extra questions first.
First, whats the travel situation going to be? If you’re going to be using public transportation that’s important. Here you can see the fares, and for the 3 day pass you’ll be putting a fair dent in your budget already. Of course it’s better than taxis and driving/parking, but you’ll want to factor it in. Your transportation options will influence the sights you’ll want to see. Remember, walking on January 4th in Chicago is a iffy proposition. It can get wicked cold and windy, though this week it’s been in the 40s so you might luck out. Obviously, you’ll need to pack warmly no matter what your plan. The difference between Pheonix and Chicago is quite stunning if you’re not used to it.
Next, whats your age range and interests? Chicago is a enormous city, both geographically and in population. So in that short of a time you’ll need to focus your efforts. No way to come close to seeing everything, so don’t bother trying.
If you’re a 20-something who likes to drink and party, there’s tons of options, but it’ll be a killer on the budget. A attractive girl can probably be pretty resourceful and have a good time at the bars on a small budget, but everyone else will burn through $100 in a heartbeat. You’ll be here mid-week so that’ll save you some money at the bars due to midweek specials if that’s in the cards, but just note that Chicago not a cheap place to party.
If you’re more interested in the museums and other cultural stuff that’ll be a great way to explore. The museum campus near the south loop is pretty easy to get to via CTA and is all close together, making it realistic to spend a day exploring them all at once. The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institue and Adler Planetarium are all world-class in every sense of the word. Most are located less than a mile apart and are easy to find.
The shopping, window shopping on your budget mostly, is pretty great if that’s your desire. The Magnificent Mile, aka Michigan Ave, is jam packed with every store you can imagine and is a real tourist attraction. Even if you’re not big on shopping, the Water Tower is a neat landmark and there plenty of interesting buildings to look at. The Wrigley Building is my favorite. Oak street intersects Michigan at it’s northern extremity and is home to all the highest end of stores. Think Rodeo Drive. Bucktown, Wicker Park, Linclon Park and Old Town each have their own boutique shopping areas with stores pretty much lined up for blocks. Depends on your interests and style which you’d like. In any case all are easily accessible via CTA.
Sports are fairly limited this time of year, and are out of your budget, but there’ll be a Bulls or Blackhawks game going on during your stay. The Bears will be on a bye week that Sunday, which otherwise would have pretty much capivated teh city that Sunday.
The architecture is oen of the best things about the city, but enjoying it in the cold will be hard. Boat tours are summer only AFAIK, and the loop is pretty large to walk in the cold. In any case, you may want to take the time to hit the highlights. The Hancock Center and Sears Tower both have observation decks and are must-sees for tourists. Hancock has a bar/restaruant in it’s top floor which is free to visit and see the city from above. The observation deck also was free, but I haven’t been in a while. Here’s a link.
Get back to us with more detail and many of us will help out more.
Not to burst your bubble too much, but on your budget most of these items qould be tricky. Musicals and shows are pretty damn pricey. From where you’re at, there’s not much to walk to and taking a Taxi from there will blow away your budget really quickly. A leisurely walk will probably be out of the question with temps likely well below zero, and Chicago is alot of things, but a place for hiking it is not. It’s probably one of the flattest and most urban/suburbanized places you’re likely to find.
If you’re going to have full days on your own without a car in that area, you’ll want to plan a way to get at least to the Orange line at Midway and ride the CTa into the city. There you’ll be able to get a map and poke around to all the interesting buildings and museums.
To survive on a $100 in winter will take some pretty careful planning. Normally in warmer months you’d be able to walk and explore for free for days on end, but things get dicey in the cold.
Taxis will cost you alot of money, rates have gone up recently and it’s $2.25 once you close the door. To go about 12 blocks is going to be pushing $10 depending on traffic at least. 12 blocks isn’t very far at all in this city, mind you.
Whoops! That should have said below freezing, not below zero. Chicago is damn cold, but it’s not Antartica. It could be sub zero at that time of year of course, but it’s note going to be likely.
Yes, I know, it does get cold in Phoenix - last time I was there, there was snow on the cacti. However, the coldest it gets in Phoenix in winter would qualify as a “warm spell” in Janaury or February in Chicago. You will need a coat, hat, and gloves.
Yes, you can entertain yourself on $100 in Chicago.
The Museum Campus in the Loop give you three museums: Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. Regular admission is about $20 to each, however a quick glance at the websites seems to indicate that Mondays/Tuesday are either discount or free admission days. I’d call ahead to be sure, though.
DO NOT attempt to take a taxi from Summit to downtown Chicago! - You’ll go through all your money before you make a round trip. If you can’t get a ride, take a taxi to the train station and ride the Metra downtown. The 12th street stop lets you off within reasonable walking distance of the museums. But dress warm.
Seconding the Orange Line recommendation, get yourself downtown to see anything that matches your interests. Museums are the best $$ -v- Time investment. I don’t know if they still do it, but there used to be a “free” day each day of the week at one museum or another.
There are a zillion nice bars, and some not too far from where you’ll be. Yeah, it’s easy to blow through some cash fast, but it’s also not too hard not to. Like Omniscient said, mid-week specials are your friend.
On the off-chance that you like a good zoo, Brookfield Zoo isn’t too far off, it’s affordable and in the winter is a great place to hang out for an afternoon - no crowds.
I’ll be the first to offer if any other locals can make it, to try and plan a mini-DopeFest in honor of your visit. I can think of a couple decent places in the W/SW burbs to gather to hoist a frosty mug, or warm toddy or what have you.
Anyone interested, e-mail me, we can see if there’s interest and availability.
A quick add-on. On second thought, yeah stay off the Orange Line. if you’re riding at night, stay on Metra, the commuter railway is a safer bet than the CTA.
But, the Metra System Map I see says that the Heritage Corridor goes to Union Station, not to 12th St. But Union Station is jjust across the river from the Sears Tower, and there are CTA buses that run to the museum campus from there, so that’s seamless.
Even if from Summit, you go north to catch the BNSF (my old ride downtown, sniff…), you’re going to Union Station. If I’m wrong about the HC line, correct me, I’m not as familiar with that line, just going off the posted schedule.
Keep in mind that most of the museums have one free day a week - and most things at the Chicago Cultural Center are free. Tons of concerts and photo exhibits.
More info than you could ever digest about Chicago cultural events here.
Not to disagree too strongly with Mr. Bus Guy, but I don’t think taking the Orange is too sketchy a proposition. It’s a pretty well travelled line going to Midway airport, which keeps it from getting too dicey. The Red Line south of the loop is a different story. Taking any L line in the wee hours is unwise, but under most normal operating hours the Orange line is pretty safe. Traelling anywhere in a city alone has risks, but I don’t personally see taking the Orange in the evening hours as especially irresponisble.
Brookfield is not easily accessible if you don’t have a car.
If Idle Thoughts is up for a zoo visit he/she should go to Lincoln Park Zoo. For one thing, there’s no admission cost. For another, it’s accesible from public transportation. Both the 150 and 156 bus lines can get you there and back, and either can be boarded in the Loop area where the Metra drops you off.
I might be able to join that.
Also - since I work in the Loop - there’s the possibility of lunch during that week. I must insist on cheap eats, though, as I am paying December bills and Idle is on a tight budget.
The Chicago Historical Society is on the south end of the park, and the Peggy Whats-her-name Science Museum is also near the zoo. All accessible by the 150 bus line.
Please, please, please find some more money and take one of these. Then tell us all about it. I tried to do it the last time I was there but they were booked.
MOSTLY it will be her driving me around and us going places. The one or two times I might need other transportation, I’ll just take a cab. I only foresee ONE, maybeeeeeeeeeee two times I’ll have to take one, though, and according to the maps I have, both places via cab isn’t very far.
That’s what everyone is telling me. It’s sunny here right now. It’s actually a bit hot. About mid to high 70s or EVEN low 80s. I can wear shorts, let me tell you. SO yeah, I’ll really be packing a lot of warm wear. Is it snowing there? I’ve only seen snow once in my life.
26, newly turned.
I don’t like to drink or party. I like walks and stores and malls to window shop at. I LOVE reading. Libraries, book stores, all that like…I would LOVE. Are there any large ones in Chicago? I’ve visited large cities before with just 100 dollars in my pocket and been fine (San Fran and L.A. come to mind)…so I think I should be okay with funds in Chicago. I don’t go out and do anything really, I’m mainly just a looker and sightseer. I’m very very very easily content and amused.
OOooooooooo! I’ll have to look that up on Yahoo or Google Maps…see where and how far it is in regards to where I’ll be staying. That kinda stuff is right up my alley.
That’s really all I plan on doing. I don’t like sports, and will be eating mainly fast food.
But the Handcock Center and Sears Tower I will probably be sure to hit. Does it cost to go up to the top?
Broomstick:
Well, like I said, I did see snow once…(hmm, maybe ONCE is being misleading…it was for an entire Winter–My first Winter with snow…and it was in, of all places, Northern Canada, so yeah, I did experience cold and below freezing before. :p) but it will be nice to see it again.
I seriously doubt, when I’m alone in my motel room, that I’ll go anywhere. BUT…just in case…a taxi from Summit to the train station, is that expensive, you think? And how much would a train ticket cost? Is it a TRAIN? :eek: Or a subway? Either or…I have never ridden on a train or subway before. That would be SO exciting! I told you…I wasn’t joking when I said I’m seriously easily amused and entertained. I mean, I’ll be amused by doing things I’ve never done before, such as the simple thing of riding a train.
OH…and having a slice of Chicago Pizza! Man, I can’t wait.
And if I’m there on a free say of a museum, I just might take advantage of it.
See, I’m sheltered, people. VERY sheltered. I never get out of my city. I never travel, I’ve never been anywhere. So this is really a huge adventure, of sorts, for me. So thank you for helping me out with all the info.
Mr. Bus Guy:
That sounds nice too.
edit I see Broomstick offered the Lincoln Park Zoo as a bit easier to get to.
Well, don’t you or any other person feel that you have to. I don’t mind. But even if it’s just a group of two or three, that would be nice. But if it doesn’t happen, it’s fine.
“Very far”? Are we talking blocks or miles? If the distance is measured in miles, you’ll eat up your budget with just a few rides. I live and work in Chicago. It’s about a 8 mile commute (one way). That’s a $30 cab ride.
Not snowing, and most of the snowpack has melted this week. Odds of more snow are good, though.
Harold Washington library and several large bookstores are downtown. There’s a Borders, the Cultural Center, Milennium Park, the original Marshall Fields store, and the Daley Center (the building with the Picasso in front of it) all within one and a half blocks of where I’m sitting right now. The Washington library is a few block south. All very walkable, and reachable from the Orange line, or Union Station. The Mag. Mile starts a few block north of here. The Hancock building is on North Michigan (the Mag. Mile street), a mile and a half north. Again, walkable, or a short subway or bus ride.
Pretty far from Summit. (but then, what isn’t?) Not that far from downtown, where most of the other stuff people have been mentioning is located.
Orange Line is part of the CTA system, which people call “the El”. Parts of the overall system are elevated, some are street level, and some are subways. One line can be all three. The Metra is a real train/railroad. CTA is a buck-fifty. Metra varies depending on distance. A few dollars more. No idea where the Summit train station is. Orange line only runs between Midway airport and downtown. Summit is over double the distance from downtown, so the Orange line won’t get you all the way. You’ll need to either be dropped off at Midway (to take the Orange Line downtown), or take Metra. I’m not familiar with the southwest Metra lines, but one will get you somewhere near Summit.
By public transportation? Probably so. But it is significantly further from Summit (compared to Brookfield).
Summit to Midway by cab will cost you $20-30. Summit to downtown? Probably double that.
Best bet for these within your budget:
Many theaters are downtown, or a short trip north. The hottix booth on Randolph is downtown. Suggest a day downtown, with a plan to see a play that night, with the decision on what play you’ll end up seeing dependant on what’s available at hotix that afternoon.
They used to be. I’m unaware of any large ones in the last 20 months or so.
IIRC it does cost a few bucks in each place. If I were you I’d skip the Sears Tower. It is taller, so it does have that going for it. But the Hancock is better situated and has a better view, IMO, while the Sears is a bit out of the way.
If you want museums, I recommend the Art Institute, if you’re into that. The Museum of Science And Industry is a lot of fun, especially if they still have the ride into the simulated coal mine. I wasn’t as impressed by the Natural HIstory museum, though it’s possible I just missed the good things.
I’m off to Chicago for 5 days. I leave on Jan 8th (Sunday) via airplane and I return the 12th (Thursday). Landing at Midway. I’ll be, for the most part during my stay, in the Stickney and Summit area (I’ll be staying in Summit).
I only foresee ONE, maybeeeeeeeeeee two times I’ll have to take one, though, and according to the maps I have, both places via cab isn’t very far.