Rays Fan's First Trip to Wrigley. Help!

[UF Rays Fan]

Howdy Cubs fans, I'm a Rays fan coming up with my brother to Chicago next weekend for the Buffett show at Toyota Park on Saturday and I would like to go to the Cubs/Marlins game at noon that day before heading out to the concert. I come here in peace today to ask you folks if you have any advice for my travels, seeing as how I have only been to Chicago once and that was in March a few years ago when the Cubbies were not playing.

 

Our plane comes into O'Hare at 8:30 central time and we are staying at the Chicago Marriott at Medical District /UIC. The Buffett show is at 8:00 that evening (I'm sure a few of you are going - the Chicago shows are almost always very well represented) at Toyota Park.

 

We're getting a rental car, so I guess my question is this: would it behoove us to go from O'hare to the Marriott (near the United Center), park there, and take a train to and from Wrigley and drive to the concert? Would we have time to arrive a couple hours before Buffett and tailgate and whatnot? Forgive my ignorance of the city and gameday traffic - I live 20 minutes from the Trop and (naturally) traffic is quite a different animal for small-market teams like the Rays.

 

Thanks for any help I can get, and if this is in the wrong section I apologize.

 

As a side note: My dad grew up in Morris, IL and I have been a longtime Cubs supporter (I remember back in the early 90's when we got cable just so we would have WGN). While I am a tried-and-true Rays fan, I can't help but admire the masses of Cubbie Faithful around the country. I was at every game of the series in June and, while the Trop was quite populated by Chicago natives, they were nothing but classy. Let's just say it's quite a different experience than when my home field is full of Red Sawx and Yankee fans. So, thanks for being friendly and whatnot. Also, Steve Goodman is my favorite musical artist of all time, if that counts for anything :)

 

Anyhow, thanks in advance for any advice you can give me, and with any luck I will see you guys in the World Series this fall!

[TMan92]

The less you use the car, the better. I would train back and forth to the game.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I can't imagine the traffic being so bad that you wouldn't make it in plenty of time to tailgate at Toyota Park.

[CubFanPhilly]

Parking in the Wrigley neighborhood is not that difficult if you get there early and are willing to walk up to a mile. Be careful reading the parking restriction signs- they vary block to block. Some are limited to night games, others to nights and weekends, and some are restricted 24/7. I'd try to park west of the ballpark and plan on taking one of the main N/S streets like Western Avenue down toward your hotel. This is an easier exit after the game than Lake Shore Drive or anything East.

 

Or you could use the DeVry shuttle.

 

"The Cubs operate a shuttle and parking service at the DeVry University campus located off Addison St. and Western Avenue for all weekend and night games. For $6.00 you can park your vehicle and all occupants ride the shuttle free to and from the ballpark. Take advantage of the savings with the easy in and out of our secure remote parking facility. The first shuttle leaves two and one half hour prior to the game. The shuttle runs for one hour after all Night Games and for two hours after all Weekend Day Games."

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/directions.jsp

[UMFan83]

You can either take the Blue line to downtown and then take the Red Line to Addison (will probably take 45 mins) or you can drive to DeVry at Addison and Western, park there for a small fee and take their shuttle to the game (will probably take 35-40 mins).

 

12:05 game should be over by 3:05. As you've probably discovered, Toyota Park is inaccessible by public transit I believe (there may be a bus line, but would not recommend it on the way home at night), so if you take the train back to your hotel and drive you will probably get to Toyota Park by 5-5:30. If you just drive you will get there earlier. Traffic is pretty bad during summer weekends in and around downtown though so be forewarned.

[jersey cubs fan]

I wouldn't bother with a rental car myself.

[Derwood]

where is Toyota Park?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Bridgeview

[Derwood]

never heard of it. did it used to be called something else?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

never heard of it. did it used to be called something else?

 

Dunno.

 

Looking at google maps, it's 2 miles east of where 55 and 294 meet, and is north of Burbank, if that helps.

[jersey cubs fan]

never heard of it. did it used to be called something else?

 

Dunno.

 

Looking at google maps, it's 2 miles east of where 55 and 294 meet, and is north of Burbank, if that helps.

 

Isn't it the brand new futbol field for the Fire? When he first mentioned the concert I was thinking that new place they put up when Daley razed Meigs Field. A car may be necessary for going out there, although I'd still probably take cabs for DUI prevention purposes.

[USSoccer]

never heard of it. did it used to be called something else?

 

Dunno.

 

Looking at google maps, it's 2 miles east of where 55 and 294 meet, and is north of Burbank, if that helps.

 

Isn't it the brand new futbol field for the Fire? When he first mentioned the concert I was thinking that new place they put up when Daley razed Meigs Field. A car may be necessary for going out there, although I'd still probably take cabs for DUI prevention purposes.

 

They should have put the Stadium somewhere other than Bridgeview.

[SouthSideRyan]

never heard of it. did it used to be called something else?

 

Dunno.

 

Looking at google maps, it's 2 miles east of where 55 and 294 meet, and is north of Burbank, if that helps.

 

Just west of Oak Lawn/Chicago Ridge.

[UMFan83]

never heard of it. did it used to be called something else?

 

Dunno.

 

Looking at google maps, it's 2 miles east of where 55 and 294 meet, and is north of Burbank, if that helps.

 

Isn't it the brand new futbol field for the Fire? When he first mentioned the concert I was thinking that new place they put up when Daley razed Meigs Field. A car may be necessary for going out there, although I'd still probably take cabs for DUI prevention purposes.

 

They should have put the Stadium somewhere other than Bridgeview.

 

It was probably the cheapest place for them to build. I bet Bridgeview gave them a lot of incentive to build the park there. The move probably benefits the white suburban folk that like soccer but probably doesn't help the blue collar minorities that enjoy soccer who can't afford to drive to the game park and game tickets.

[SouthSideRyan]

never heard of it. did it used to be called something else?

 

Dunno.

 

Looking at google maps, it's 2 miles east of where 55 and 294 meet, and is north of Burbank, if that helps.

 

Isn't it the brand new futbol field for the Fire? When he first mentioned the concert I was thinking that new place they put up when Daley razed Meigs Field. A car may be necessary for going out there, although I'd still probably take cabs for DUI prevention purposes.

 

They should have put the Stadium somewhere other than Bridgeview.

 

It was probably the cheapest place for them to build. I bet Bridgeview gave them a lot of incentive to build the park there. The move probably benefits the white suburban folk that like soccer but probably doesn't help the blue collar minorities that enjoy soccer who can't afford to drive to the game park and game tickets.

 

Bridgeview has its fair share of blue collar minorities. It's not like it's Orland Park.

[Derwood]

they should have built New Comiskey in the SW suburbs

[SouthSideRyan]

they should have built New Comiskey in the SW suburbs

 

Agreed to an extent, but having metra as the only public transportation out there would create some problems.

[UMFan83]

never heard of it. did it used to be called something else?

 

Dunno.

 

Looking at google maps, it's 2 miles east of where 55 and 294 meet, and is north of Burbank, if that helps.

 

Isn't it the brand new futbol field for the Fire? When he first mentioned the concert I was thinking that new place they put up when Daley razed Meigs Field. A car may be necessary for going out there, although I'd still probably take cabs for DUI prevention purposes.

 

They should have put the Stadium somewhere other than Bridgeview.

 

It was probably the cheapest place for them to build. I bet Bridgeview gave them a lot of incentive to build the park there. The move probably benefits the white suburban folk that like soccer but probably doesn't help the blue collar minorities that enjoy soccer who can't afford to drive to the game park and game tickets.

 

Bridgeview has its fair share of blue collar minorities. It's not like it's Orland Park.

 

No I know, I've been there for a few Fire games. I was mostly referring to inner city minorities such as the city's large Mexican or Polish soccer fan bases.

[Derwood]

they should have built New Comiskey in the SW suburbs

 

Agreed to an extent, but having metra as the only public transportation out there would create some problems.

 

They would sell a lot more tickets in the burbs than they would at 35th/Shields

[SouthSideRyan]

they should have built New Comiskey in the SW suburbs

 

Agreed to an extent, but having metra as the only public transportation out there would create some problems.

 

They would sell a lot more tickets in the burbs than they would at 35th/Shields

 

They'd have a harder time selling to the corporate types in Tinley Park than they do at 35th and Shields.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Dad grew up in Morris? Blech, don't help this guy ;)

[Outshined_One]

Addressing your questions...

 

1) First thing's first, meet your new best friend, the CTA train system map: Link. Traffic in and around downtown can be an enormous hassle, especially if you're not familiar with the major thoroughfares and all of the streets which are one way or become one way at various points. If you want to see the sights, the CTA is your new best friend. If you look at the map, direct your attention to where the Pink Line intersects with the Blue Line. Your hotel is between the Racine and Illinois Medical District stops on the Blue Line.

 

2) I would absolutely recommend taking the CTA to get to Wrigley. Driving and finding parking near there can be an absolute nightmare and is freaking expensive. You can park in the DeVry Lot, but you're coming from a part of the city where traffic is going to suck getting there. In order to get to Wrigley, hop on the Blue Line train headed downtown (I want to say it's marked "O'Hare", but it might be marked "Rosemont" thanks to construction) and get off at Jackson. There's a free transfer to the Red Line at Jackson where you go down some stairs and through a tunnel. When you get to the Red Line, take the northbound Red Line train marked "Howard" (there will be plenty of Cubs fans on there) to the Addison stop. Wrigley's right there when you get off the train.

 

3) Depending on the game's length and how well the CTA is operating, you can probably get back to your hotel by about 4 PM if you leave the game immediately.

 

4) Driving to Toyota Park from your hotel is a bit...exciting. You're in a decent area with some really good Italian food (Mario's Italian Lemonade and Al's Italian Beef on Taylor are both musts) and a college campus nearby, but it's close to some iffy areas of the city. I would recommend getting on 290 East, taking it to 90/94 East, and getting on 55 South from there rather than drive down Ashland to get to 55 South. It's a bit longer and the traffic is a bit more intense, but you avoid potentially making new friends with the local criminal community in the Pilsen neighborhood (which, in fairness, is starting to go on the upswing).

 

How long are you in town? Lots of us can provide recommendations in terms of things to see and do, along with advice on local things worth knowing.

[Fred Hornkohl]

they should have built New Comiskey in the SW suburbs

 

like E St Louis ?

[Outshined_One]

they should have built New Comiskey in the SW suburbs

 

like E St Louis ?

 

I'm thinking more along the lines of Vanuatu.

[UF Rays Fan]

Addressing your questions...

 

1) First thing's first, meet your new best friend, the CTA train system map: Link. Traffic in and around downtown can be an enormous hassle, especially if you're not familiar with the major thoroughfares and all of the streets which are one way or become one way at various points. If you want to see the sights, the CTA is your new best friend. If you look at the map, direct your attention to where the Pink Line intersects with the Blue Line. Your hotel is between the Racine and Illinois Medical District stops on the Blue Line.

 

2) I would absolutely recommend taking the CTA to get to Wrigley. Driving and finding parking near there can be an absolute nightmare and is freaking expensive. You can park in the DeVry Lot, but you're coming from a part of the city where traffic is going to suck getting there. In order to get to Wrigley, hop on the Blue Line train headed downtown (I want to say it's marked "O'Hare", but it might be marked "Rosemont" thanks to construction) and get off at Jackson. There's a free transfer to the Red Line at Jackson where you go down some stairs and through a tunnel. When you get to the Red Line, take the northbound Red Line train marked "Howard" (there will be plenty of Cubs fans on there) to the Addison stop. Wrigley's right there when you get off the train.

 

3) Depending on the game's length and how well the CTA is operating, you can probably get back to your hotel by about 4 PM if you leave the game immediately.

 

4) Driving to Toyota Park from your hotel is a bit...exciting. You're in a decent area with some really good Italian food (Mario's Italian Lemonade and Al's Italian Beef on Taylor are both musts) and a college campus nearby, but it's close to some iffy areas of the city. I would recommend getting on 290 East, taking it to 90/94 East, and getting on 55 South from there rather than drive down Ashland to get to 55 South. It's a bit longer and the traffic is a bit more intense, but you avoid potentially making new friends with the local criminal community in the Pilsen neighborhood (which, in fairness, is starting to go on the upswing).

 

How long are you in town? Lots of us can provide recommendations in terms of things to see and do, along with advice on local things worth knowing.

 

Wow, thank you for the advice! Yeah, I'm thinking that driving the entire way is a bit silly. This is the sentiment I'm getting from a family friend in New Lenox. Anyhow, I'm only there for a day; my return flight is Sunday. I'm really looking forward to seeing Wrigley for the first time, though.