<p>I will be flying to Chicago some time in April and will (probably) be staying at the Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel (166 E. Superior St.). I cannot find any information on shuttle services on the hotel’s website. But I did find some info on shuttles from O’Hare to downtown Chicago and they’re around 20 bucks. It seems like the train (Blue Line, is it?) is a lot cheaper…so I’ll prob. take a train to the hotel. Any ideas which stop should I get off at though??? </p>
<p>A bit of walking won’t be a problem since I’m only staying for a night and won’t be carrying much luggage (most likely just a backpack).</p>
<p>The train from O’hare is great, and cheap. But, it goes to the downtown “loop”, which is south of where you’ll be. The best idea is to take the Blue line to the loop and transfer (at Washington Street) to the red line going north three stops. You’ll want the Red line stop at Chicago Street. Superior is one block away and then a couple to the hotel. Check out the inset map on the right of this pdf. The ‘Superior’ label is by Northwestern Hospital.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.transitchicago.com/downloads/brochures/sysmapbro.pdf[/url]”>http://www.transitchicago.com/downloads/brochures/sysmapbro.pdf</a></p>
<p>Hey thanks!</p>
<p>What’s the weather like in late March/early April? Warm? Cool?</p>
<p>Cool and Rainy…Although we had snow in April a few years ago…so anything could happen…Gotta love Chicago Weather…</p>
<p>wow…snow in april…and i was planning to go there in short sleeves. never mind. lol.</p>
<p>R U kidding me? We lived in ChiTown for 5 years, and it always snowed/iced on Opening Day. Go Cubbies!</p>
<p>I often hear people warning about the west and southside of chicago because it’s dangerous and a bit rundown. Since I have never been to Chicago, I have NO IDEA what they’re talking about. Which areas are considered the west and southside?</p>
<p>its near west and near Southside. Pull up mapquest, and look for the area surrounding the United Center (where the Bulls play), and that’s an area you don’t want to be cruising thru. Hyde Park, where UofC is located, is gentrified, and quite nice. But, a couple of miles away, is another area to avoid at night. If you stay near the lake, both north and south, it’s perfectly safe, and you’ll see walkers everywhere.</p>
<p>ps – I wouldn’t take the subway (aka the “el”) to UofC at night, but during the day is fine, bcos it will be full of business folks, tourists and students. The Fitzpatrick is in the high-rent district.</p>
<p>if the el scares you, sit in the front where the driver is…</p>
<p>As for going from town to the campus, the Metra is the easiest train to take (stops in the campus) and they have people manning the trains (checking your ticket etc) so its not dangerous (not that it stops anywhere too bad).</p>
<p>I used to take the el from Cabrini-Green, so fear factor was not a concern, but my friends thought I was crazy. I was just posting for an out-of-stater who will be visiting.</p>
<p>A few things you should know about visiting Chicago -</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to ask questions and directions. Chicagoans are friendly people in general.
Don’t keep all your cash and credit cards in one place. Put half or more in a secure place- an interior zippered pocket, for example. Keep the small bills you’ll need for the day in your pocket.<br>
Bring lots of layers. April can be 20 degrees or 80 degrees, and it can change 30 degrees in a matter of hours. We are cult worshippers of the weatherman. Rainy, cool days are typical of April, so a sweater and a raincoat, with a hood, are required. A hat can substitute for the hood. Bring more than one pair of shoes in case your feet get soaked - slushy snow clogs the street drains, and there can be huge, unavoidable puddles.</p>
<p>Have a great visit!</p>
<p>ahhh! scary. Chicago freaks me out. Still, I’d give anything to go.</p>
<p>Don’t be scared! It’s an adventure, the weather. And all the other rules midwesterner and others have laid out are general rules for any city you’re in–don’t go down streets at night alone, don’t carry your money in conspicuous places etc.</p>
<p>thanks for the reassurance. Even though I am nervous about the city itself, I cannot wait until April, because if I get in I think I would faint or cry or I don’t know! I’d be excited though that is for sure.</p>
<p>so the forecast in Chicago is pretty much useless since the weather is so unpredictable…?</p>
<p>The midwest is one of the only places in the country where all of the weather people are true meteorologists. Unlike more constant places say…san diego…the midwest is very touchy. I live in minnesota and the three major stations (and I suppose fox as well…) all have massive investments in weather predicting equipment and a well trained person to present the information.</p>
<p>Masterchief: the weather can literally change 20-30 degrees in a matter of hours, particularly in April. It could be 75 during the day, and 50 at night, or 45 during the day, and 35 at night.</p>
<p>Speaking of weather…minneapolis is currently under a sort of bad air alert.</p>
<p>Apparenly we are supposed to avoid breathing as much as possible.</p>
<p>…good luck with that. lol :)</p>