bamababe

We have our flight and hotel ( Marriott on Mag Mile) and now would like info on transportation to hotel. We will be 5.... 2 adults 3 kids 10-14. Do we need a taxi or is there other easy, cheaper transportation? We will each have a bag.

Also we would like some suggestions on restaurants. We will be doing the Wrigley Field tour late afternoon on July 23 and will be going to the game on Fri 24. i know pizza is a must but any place that is a "must do".. We love any foods so any recs are appreciated.

Thanks

Citylghts

You can take the CTA Orange Line from MDW. Transfer at Roosevelt to the Red Line toward Howard and exit at Grand Avenue. The Marriott is 2 blocks east.

If you'll be relying on public transit while you're here, you can purchase day passes. There are shops at the airport that sell 1-day passes for $5.75. The vending machine at the MDW rail station sells 3-day passes for $14. Passes allow unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses for 24 hours. The single fare is $2.25. The machine accepts cash and plastic. For complete transit info and a trip planner, check www.transitchicago.com

bethke14

Cheapest would definitely be the El. Take the Orange Line from Midway to downtown (the Stake/Lake stop, or possibly to Clark/Lake, which I think has an elevator.) Then you can either transfer to the Red Line (at state/lake) and go one stop north to grand (this is a bit of a pain since you're switching from the El to the subway) or you can catch a cab (or possibly 2, since you're a group of 5 with bags) or you can walk -- it's not very far. The cab would be about $5-7.

A taxi from Midway to downtown would run, oh, at least $40.

If you're going to be in the city for a few days, I would definitely get each person a 1, 3, 5, etc. day transit pass. These are good for unlimited use on the El and buses, and 3 days cost something like $15/person. You can pick these up at the airport. Since your hotel is near the red line, you'll use that to get to/from your hotel to Wrigley.

There are a bunch of casual restaurants around Wrigley -- definitely go early and grab a bite and just hang out -- it's part of the Cubs experience.

For food, I love Cafe Iberico and Cafe Ba-ba-reeba for tapas. Though it's a chain, I really like Gran Lux Cafe -- tasty, huge menu, huge servings, and reasonably priced. Giordano's is my fave for deep dish pizza, but there is a wide range of opinions on what is "the best" in Chicago.

Enjoy your trip!

chicagolori

There are also share a ride shuttles right near the baggage claim at Midway. I can't find the website right now - I would call the Marriott and see if they have more info on some type of shuttle. They may even have one.

chicagolori

Continental Airport Express at Midway. But its $18 per person.

The Marriott site says it DOES NOT have a shuttle. Sorry.

bamababe

Thank you all. Wouldn't you know we'd pick a hotel that doesn't have a shuttle! Oh, well. I think we should be able to find our way on the El.
We will be there for 5 days so we will definitely get the pass.

Citylghts

Don't feel too bad, there are no hotels in the central city that provide shuttle service to either airport.

bethke14

As Citylights said, no downtown hotels have shuttles.

Also, I'm not sure when you're going, but you can order the transit passes online in advance and have them mailed to you -- you can check the CTA Web site for details. Or you can grab them at the machine when you get to Midway.

andrews98682

Orange line to Roosevelt and transfer to the red line. For pizza, I prefer Giordano's and there's one near Wrigley, on Belmont about two blocks west of the el. Bittersweet bakery is right there, and it's one of the best. Another option near Wrigley is Mia Francesa for Italian.