Questions about Chicago/Wrigley

[mbennum]

I've been lurking/reading for awhile, but I guess this is as good a first post as any. :P I'm sure there are threads about this already, but the search is turned off, and a scan through the first 30 pages of posts didn't get me anywhere.

 

Lifelong Cubs fan, and I'm going to Wrigley for the first time this week, so I'm trying to get as much info as I can before I go.

Its the Wednesday game, 1:20 start. Unfortunately due to work I can't take off Tues so I get to drive from Des Moines wednesday morning. :(

 

I was thinking about going straight there (can't check into the hotel at 11 AM), but I know parking is bad around the stadium, is it really that bad?

 

If I decide to park downtown and take the L, wheres a decent place to park?

 

What time do I have to get there to see the cubs BP and get good seats? (in the bleachers)

 

Whats a good pizza place (michigan ave area) to hit? Everyone says Gino's but I've heard its kind of a tourist trap? :?

 

Is there anything else I should really know? Sorry for asking a billion questions, but I figured if anyone would be able to help me it'd be the posters here. :P

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Welcome! If money's no object, you shouldn't have a problem parking near the stadium. I usually drop $25 and end up within a block, and haven't had any problems yet.

 

I'll let the others handle your other Q's.

[pitchcs]

Hell, if you're coming for a weekday afternoon game, you can park on the street for free right by the stadium. You just have to be moved by 6:00 or so, which should be no problem for a 1:20 game.

 

To get good seats for a Wednesday game, you only have to get there when the gates open (2 hours before) or maybe even a little later than that. People go to games from work and don't tend to get there as early during the weekday games.

[Jon]

Welcome to the board.

 

I don't think you'll be able to find easy-out parking right near Wrigley for under $20. Some might charge as much as $30. Street parking might be an option if you're willing to look and not in a rush.

 

Depending on where your hotel is, going north up to the Howard stop on the red line to park might work for you. If you park anywhere else, you'd have to transfer to the red line (not a big deal, of course).

 

Gates open 2 hours before the game and you really shouldn't have to line up before that for a weekday April game. The Cubs BP session starts before gates open, so you'll only see about the last 20 minutes of it before the Reds hit.

[UK1679666180]

Welcome to the message board.

 

Parking isn't as bad around as many like to believe. Many of the locals will be at work and the game will conclude before night time parking bans will be enforced.

 

If you park downtown, there are many parking garages. You just have to walk down to State St. to catch the L.

 

If you want to catch BP and have no problem waiting, I'd get there about 11AM.

 

As far as pizza places, I like Lou Malnati's which is off of Wells St. right around the 400 block.

Edited April 10, 2006 by UK

[Springfield_CUBBY]

WOW - that is a lot of questions, but all good ones . . .

 

As far as parking near Wrigley - I always try to avoid it. On night/weekend games you can do the park and ride at Devry - but unfortunately that doesn’t help you. I am going up Thursday - and I like to park in China Town and take the L in. Are you staying in a downtown hotel? If so, they'll let you park early - even if it's before check in time (call to make sure, but my wife worked at a hotel downtown for years and that kind of thing was routine).

 

Gates open at 11:20 and that is about when the Cubs will be wrapping up BP. The Reds will be after that.

 

As far as pizza goes, Ginos is a trap – but a dang good trap. Then there’s always Uno’s (29 E Ohio) and Due’s (619 N Wabash Ave) – they really are the best!

 

Good luck - as long as you make it to the park by first pitch your day will be great!!

[gus_dog]

I've been lurking/reading for awhile, but I guess this is as good a first post as any. :P I'm sure there are threads about this already, but the search is turned off, and a scan through the first 30 pages of posts didn't get me anywhere.

 

Lifelong Cubs fan, and I'm going to Wrigley for the first time this week, so I'm trying to get as much info as I can before I go.

Its the Wednesday game, 1:20 start. Unfortunately due to work I can't take off Tues so I get to drive from Des Moines wednesday morning. :(

 

Iowa, huh? Lotsa corn there. I bet you've never heard that before. :wink:

 

I was thinking about going straight there (can't check into the hotel at 11 AM), but I know parking is bad around the stadium, is it really that bad?

 

Yes, it is that bad.

 

If I decide to park downtown and take the L, wheres a decent place to park?

 

I hear you can park at Millenium Park relatively cheaply. It's about four blocks east of the (State Street) subway you take to Wrigley. I don't know much about parking, 'cause I seldom ever drive in the city.

 

What time do I have to get there to see the cubs BP and get good seats? (in the bleachers)

 

If you're there around 11:00a seating won't be an issue. I believe they will still be having batting practice.

 

Whats a good pizza place (michigan ave area) to hit? Everyone says Gino's but I've heard its kind of a tourist trap?

 

Ginos is OK, but the best pizza in Chicagoland, IMO, is Lou Malnati's. It's not even close. Next, IMO, is Giordano's. Uno & Due both suck, IMO.

 

Is there anything else I should really know? Sorry for asking a billion questions, but I figured if anyone would be able to help me it'd be the posters here.

 

Make sure to have fun!!!!

[Tracer Bullet]

I agree w/ Springfield Cubby, park at the hotel and take the red line.

 

As for pizza, I vote Giordano's or Ranalli's (on Clark).

 

Oh, and the drive in from DSM on a Wednesday morning shouldn't be bad at all. I've made the trip many times and that's probably as good a time as any.

 

Enjoy the game!

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't really hit up many day games during the week at all, so I'll let the others advice guide you. I'd second the call for Lou Malnati's for some deep dish. As a warning, unless you have a bleacher seat, you can't get into the bleachers. You can bring any food or non-alcoholic drink in, so if you're looking to save money, don't hesitate to do that. Wrigley's food isn't much to miss out on.

 

If you are planning parking on the street though, give yourself some extra time, as you may have to circle the mile radius a bit before finding a spot. There are countless bars in the neighborhood if you're looking for that after the game. Hard to go wrong with one of them.

 

Obvious, but just make sure you're heading the right way on the Red Line, otherwise you'll wind up in White Sox country.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

You can bring any food or non-alcoholic drink in

 

Just the bleachers or the whole park?

[Tracer Bullet]

I've been lurking/reading for awhile, but I guess this is as good a first post as any. :P I'm sure there are threads about this already, but the search is turned off, and a scan through the first 30 pages of posts didn't get me anywhere.

 

Lifelong Cubs fan, and I'm going to Wrigley for the first time this week, so I'm trying to get as much info as I can before I go.

Its the Wednesday game, 1:20 start. Unfortunately due to work I can't take off Tues so I get to drive from Des Moines wednesday morning. :(

 

Iowa, huh? Lotsa corn there. I bet you've never heard that before. :wink:

 

Actually, there isn't much corn in Des Moines (other than the canned variety). Some grass, trees, buildings, etc, but not much corn. Most people don't grow corn in the city, at least not when I was there. :wink:

[mbennum]

Wow, that was quick :D

Lots of great info, thanks

 

Springfield_cubby, I was just wondering about parking early at the hotel. I'll have to call and check. We are staying at the Allerton just off of N. Michigan, so if we can park there we should be able to walk a block or two to the Red line.

 

Yeah, lots of corn here and not much else. Although we do get to see Prior and Kerry 2 or 3 times a year when they make their annual I-cubs rehab starts :P

[Jon]

Also keep in mind that for the first time, bleacher fans will be able to access the rest of Wrigley Field. Just make sure you take your ticket stub with you and have someone save your seats.

 

And another vote for Lou Malnati's.

[SouthSideRyan]

You can bring any food or non-alcoholic drink in

 

Just the bleachers or the whole park?

 

Anywhere. Should specify though, drinks must be in plastic bottles and can't exceed 1 liter I believe?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

You can bring any food or non-alcoholic drink in

 

Just the bleachers or the whole park?

 

Anywhere. Should specify though, drinks must be in plastic bottles and can't exceed 1 liter I believe?

 

I'll be damned. That ought to save me a few thousand next trip.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I always just park at Fullerton and hop right on the red line. For being only a mile away from the stadium, you can usually find a spot right off the train. Or if you're feeling crazy, it's a $4.50 cab ride from there to the stadium.

[mjohnson71]

I always just park at Fullerton and hop right on the red line. For being only a mile away from the stadium, you can usually find a spot right off the train. Or if you're feeling crazy, it's a $4.50 cab ride from there to the stadium.

 

That's always my suggestion. Parking around the Fullerton stop is not that tough, and then just a two stops up the red line to the Addison stop.

 

The only time I drive close to Wrigley and park for a game is when I bring my mom who can't walk far or do stairs very well.

[mbennum]

Excellent, thanks for all the info.

They said I can park early at the hotel, so I guess I'm taking the train.

 

Definitely good to know that we can take in drinks. Do they check the contents of your bottles? :lol:

[sethuel1]

Excellent, thanks for all the info.

They said I can park early at the hotel, so I guess I'm taking the train.

 

Definitely good to know that we can take in drinks. Do they check the contents of your bottles? :lol:

 

Not usually, unless it's really conspicuous.

[mjohnson71]

Excellent, thanks for all the info.

They said I can park early at the hotel, so I guess I'm taking the train.

 

Definitely good to know that we can take in drinks. Do they check the contents of your bottles? :lol:

 

Which hotel are you staying at? No reason you couldn't just take the red line all the way up if you're stayign somewhere along Michigan Ave. I think the Hilton Garden Inn and Embassy Suites at Grand/State are great locations for out-of-towners. There's a Jewel/Osco right there for provisions and the State Street red line stop is right there.

Edited April 10, 2006 by mjohnson71

[sethuel1]

Oh, and a word of warning (not that this applies to you this time, but just for general information)...parking for night games is well over $25. Wrigleyville Dogs now charges $40, and they're not even EZ out.

 

Also, a lot fot he area around the park is zone 383, while some of it is zone LV2. Zone 383 requires a sticker 24/7. LV2 only requires a sticker from 5-10 PM.

 

Both zones have towing instead of ticketing during night games.

[mbennum]

Excellent, thanks for all the info.

They said I can park early at the hotel, so I guess I'm taking the train.

 

Definitely good to know that we can take in drinks. Do they check the contents of your bottles? :lol:

 

Which hotel are you staying at? No reason you couldn't just take the red line all the way up.

 

Thats what I meant when I said take the train. We're at the Allerton (no idea what to expect, I've heard good and bad reviews) *shrug* we'll see I guess.

[mjohnson71]

Oh, and a word of warning (not that this applies to you this time, but just for general information)...parking for night games is well over $25. Wrigleyville Dogs now charges $40, and they're not even EZ out.

 

Also, a lot fot he area around the park is zone 383, while some of it is zone LV2. Zone 383 requires a sticker 24/7. LV2 only requires a sticker from 5-10 PM.

 

Both zones have towing instead of ticketing during night games.

 

A couple of years ago when Reds where in town for a night game I saw the cops towing a Honda CRV with Ohio plates and a Reds spare tire cover. It was parked by Racine and Wavland and I wonder if they picked on that vehicle because it was out of town?

 

If I were them I would have at least taken the Reds sparetire cover off.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

While people are asking about Chicago, I'm staying at the Days Inn Lincoln Park in June when I come. Is there an L station nearby or should I just walk to the park?

[CoolHandLuke]

I am going to the game tomorrow and am planning on driving up and finding parking somewhere. Any advice for me? I would prefer to find a street spot somewhere to save money. What is this fullerton business? Is there a lot at the stop or just street parking and then taking the el?