Things to do / Travel Guide
The major metropolitan area of Chicago contains great mass transit options for getting around. While a car in the Second City isn't the bane it could be in such a large metropolis, you'll be thankful for Chicago's mass transit before long. On the other hand, even with Milwaukee's and Madison's mass transit, getting around is easier on the whole with a car.
The EL
Chicago's EL, or elevated train, is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority; it may look confusing, but it's really easy to follow. There are seven lines that run throughout the city, and every line runs through the Loop.
The EL serves the city and some nearby suburbs. Both Midway and O'Hare airports are served, by the orange and blue lines, respectively. In the north, the system reaches the suburbs of Skokie and Evanston. Going west, the EL gets as far as Forest Park and Oak Park. 95th street is the southern limit of the EL.
The blue and red lines operate 24/7, the others shut down around 1am for about 4 hours.
Chicago by Bus
Buses are generally easy to catch from any EL stop, or from anywhere on the street. They are an inexpensive way to travel through Chicago. Bus stops are easily marked, and the signs state which bus stops where. The suburbs are handled by Pace buses, and the Metra commuter line.
Chicago by Car
Chicago's roads are usually quite congested, and it's worse during rush hour traffic. Parking is metered on the streets, and can cost 25 cents per half hour. Parking garages are around the city, but are quite expensive.
Nevertheless, driving, and walking, around Chicago are usually self-explanatory because the city is set on a grid system. The intersection of Madison Street and State Street in the Loop are zero point, meaning every street to the north is prefixed North, every street to the east is prefixed East, and so on. The number system for street names is used extensively to the south of this intersection, and throughout the city address numbers ascend usually by 50's or 100's per block.
The main roads in and out of Chicago are I-55, also known as Stevenson Expressway, which heads southwest; I-290, or the Eisenhower Expressway, heading westward; both these head off from around the Loop area. I-57, known as the Dan Ryan Expressway, goes southward. I-90 and I-94 both reach Chicago's downtown from the southwest, an depart again northwestward. These latter two are toll roads, which can range from 15 cents to two dollars.
To get to Indiana Dunes, take I-94 from Chicago.
Chicago and Southern Wisconsin by Train
If you're leaving Chicago for more northerly prairies, you may want to try an Amtrak train to Milwaukee's Amtrak Station. Amtrak runs its Hiawatha line six times on weekends, seven on weekdays, which makes the trek from Chicago to Milwaukee and back. There aren't many stops in between the two cities, and it's generally used by commuters who live in Milwaukee and work in Chicago. Time is around 1:45 from departure to destination.
The train does not reach Madison; the best you might do is take the Empire Builder from Chicago and disembark at Columbus, WI, about 20 miles north of Madison.
Chicago and Southern Wisconsin by Bus
If you prefer buses, both Greyhound and the Badger Bus cover the Milwaukee - Chicago route. It takes about 90 minutes, and is a pretty ride, with lots of country views. Getting to Madison from Chicago takes a bit longer, usually three and a half hours, and Van Gelder buses take you right there from Chi-town's Midway airport. Reaching the areas of Lake Geneva and New Glarus requires some form of automobile or motorcycle.
Southern Wisconsin by Car
You can reach the south Wisconsin cities from Chicago pretty painlessly by car. Chicago and Milwaukee are connected by I-94, which after reaching the latter scoots over to Madison. Lake Geneva is accessible from I-94 onto State Road 50. You can also reach Madison via I-90 from Chicago, and New Glarus is accessible from Madison on some state roads about 30 minutes southwest of the city. Wisconsin Dells is northwest of Madison via I-90.
The following distances and times should help you on your trip to Chicago and southern Wisconsin; but be warned that rush hour can extend the times. All distances and times are from Chicago:
- Gary, IN: 30 miles, 40 minutes
- Oak Park, IL: 10 miles, 20 minutes
- Racine, WI: 80 miles, 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Lake Geneva: 80 miles, 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Milwaukee: 95 miles, 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Sheboygan: 150 miles, 2 hours and 40 minutes
- Madison: 150 miles, 2 hours and 40 minutes
- New Glarus: 155 miles, 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Wisconsin Dells: 200 miles, 3 hours and 15 minutes
Chicago, Illinois, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Madison
Getting-Around
|
|
|