Best transportation into Chicago from MERRILLVILLE,In
Apr 10th, 2007, 07:38 AM
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Best transportation into Chicago from MERRILLVILLE,In
We will be staying for a month in Merrillville, In . I will be able to go into the city to tour by 3:30pm on most week days. ( Free on Sat. and Sun) I will have a rental car. Please give advice on parking, use of trains and/or mixing the two. We will try to see most all the sights over the 4 week period. Thanks for the help.
Apr 10th, 2007, 08:28 AM
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jsolo50, you'll want to review the NICTD's website for the timetable and fares for the South Bend and South Shore Railroad. Since you will be going in for several weeks, look at the 10-ride ticket. I don't think that the monthly ticket might be the best buy for you, but you'll have to be the judge for that as it would depend on the number of days you would be going.
Inasfar as which station, you might consider going to the East Chicago one. I (personally) really wouldn't recommend the Gary station, although I know people who do go to that one. Perhaps someone here could give you some pointers on these.
Millennium Station is right under Millennium Park, so if you are going after mid-June, take a look at when the free concerts will be held at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
On Thursdays, the Art Institute has free general admission (between 5-8 pm). Stop: Adams (next to the last one but if you miss it for any reason - which you shouldn't because they announce the attractions at each - easy to walk back). The Art Institute is immediately south of Millennium Park.
If you wanted to take in theatre offerings, the Loop Theatre District in the immediate area of the Millennium Station. (For example, the Ford Center for the Performing Arts - aka Oriental Theatre - is 2 blocks to the west of Millennium Station.)
There are also stops along the way for the Museum Campus (Roosevelt Road) and the Museum of Science and Industry. The last will take most of a day to explore, so I'd recommend it on a weekend day and don't try it on a weekday.
Oh, one last thing...if you are coming back later in the evening, carefully review the available departure times after 8 pm.
Inasfar as which station, you might consider going to the East Chicago one. I (personally) really wouldn't recommend the Gary station, although I know people who do go to that one. Perhaps someone here could give you some pointers on these.
Millennium Station is right under Millennium Park, so if you are going after mid-June, take a look at when the free concerts will be held at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
On Thursdays, the Art Institute has free general admission (between 5-8 pm). Stop: Adams (next to the last one but if you miss it for any reason - which you shouldn't because they announce the attractions at each - easy to walk back). The Art Institute is immediately south of Millennium Park.
If you wanted to take in theatre offerings, the Loop Theatre District in the immediate area of the Millennium Station. (For example, the Ford Center for the Performing Arts - aka Oriental Theatre - is 2 blocks to the west of Millennium Station.)
There are also stops along the way for the Museum Campus (Roosevelt Road) and the Museum of Science and Industry. The last will take most of a day to explore, so I'd recommend it on a weekend day and don't try it on a weekday.
Oh, one last thing...if you are coming back later in the evening, carefully review the available departure times after 8 pm.
Apr 10th, 2007, 08:35 AM
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Oops! I hit post instead of edit...I really wouldn't recommend driving into the city because of the construction on the Dan Ryan. But if you really, really have to drive, take the Indiana Toll Road to the Skyway. Then Stoney Island exit to Lake Shore Drive. (You get on LSD right beside the Museum of Science and Industry.)
Whatever you do, don't try this on an evening (starting at 3:30 pm) because you'll get into that area right in the heart of rush hour and that isn't a pleasant experience, by any means.
Whatever you do, don't try this on an evening (starting at 3:30 pm) because you'll get into that area right in the heart of rush hour and that isn't a pleasant experience, by any means.
Apr 10th, 2007, 12:54 PM
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There used to be a blue van service from Munster IN (just west of Merrillville) where you could leave your car and they would take you to the airports. Assuming it is still there, you could easily use this service for downtown commuting. From what I understand, parking is now so expensive downtown that the shuttle might pay for itself.
A nice clean train station I used a few years ago for similar excursions was the recently rebuilt one in Hammond IN. I don't know how well it is patrolled at night though. If you are with a savvy group, this might be your best bet.
A nice clean train station I used a few years ago for similar excursions was the recently rebuilt one in Hammond IN. I don't know how well it is patrolled at night though. If you are with a savvy group, this might be your best bet.
Apr 12th, 2007, 05:33 AM
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The NICTD schedules are very limited on the weekend and I find that driving into the city on Saturday and Sunday usually isn't that bad. On the other hand most of the major sites are very close to the NICTD lines as mentioned above.
You can go a couple of ways from Merrillville, you can take 65 to 90 (tollroad) or you can take 65 to 80/94 to Cline Avenue (912). I usually prefer the latter route if traffic isn't bad on 80/94 because Cline Avenue never has traffic backups and is free. If you have any interest in visiting the casinos, you will find them along Cline.
Both of these routes merge into the Skyway ($2.50 toll each way) and you can either continue onto the Dan Ryan (90/94) which is under construction or get off at Stoney Island and follow the construction bypass.
A third route would be 65 to 80/94 and taking that to the Stoney Island detour. The only benefit to that route would be avoiding the tolls, there are all kinds of traffic backups that you could run into.
As far as the trains go, review the schedule carefully as mentioned above, the trains really taper off later at night. If you leave Merrillville at 3:30 you'd get to East Chicago no sooner than 4, by the time you got downtown it would be around 5:30,driving wouldn't get you there much quicker but you would have more flexibility on when to leave.
The East Chicago Station is probably the easiest to get to (I don't know that I would use Gary either), Hammond's is not located off a main street and the lots tend to fill up although after 3:30 some morning commuters will have left the lot.
Really, I'd almost have to suggest driving in, there's a lot that after 3 pm every night and on the weekends is $8 right in the center (Sterling self park on Kinzie, between LaSalle/Clark) or the Millennium Park garages aren't overly expensive and are easy to reach off the Stoney Island to LSD route.
You can go a couple of ways from Merrillville, you can take 65 to 90 (tollroad) or you can take 65 to 80/94 to Cline Avenue (912). I usually prefer the latter route if traffic isn't bad on 80/94 because Cline Avenue never has traffic backups and is free. If you have any interest in visiting the casinos, you will find them along Cline.
Both of these routes merge into the Skyway ($2.50 toll each way) and you can either continue onto the Dan Ryan (90/94) which is under construction or get off at Stoney Island and follow the construction bypass.
A third route would be 65 to 80/94 and taking that to the Stoney Island detour. The only benefit to that route would be avoiding the tolls, there are all kinds of traffic backups that you could run into.
As far as the trains go, review the schedule carefully as mentioned above, the trains really taper off later at night. If you leave Merrillville at 3:30 you'd get to East Chicago no sooner than 4, by the time you got downtown it would be around 5:30,driving wouldn't get you there much quicker but you would have more flexibility on when to leave.
The East Chicago Station is probably the easiest to get to (I don't know that I would use Gary either), Hammond's is not located off a main street and the lots tend to fill up although after 3:30 some morning commuters will have left the lot.
Really, I'd almost have to suggest driving in, there's a lot that after 3 pm every night and on the weekends is $8 right in the center (Sterling self park on Kinzie, between LaSalle/Clark) or the Millennium Park garages aren't overly expensive and are easy to reach off the Stoney Island to LSD route.
Apr 13th, 2007, 04:27 PM
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jsolo50, I assume that you will be flying into Midway or O'Hare and then driving over to Merrillville for your stay. If so, you'll see first-hand what the traffic is like, especially if this is happening on a weekday or a holiday weekend (ugh). You can then determine if you wanted to take the South Shore into the city or drive it.
Personally, I wouldn't want to be driving 2.5-3 hours RT, paying the cost of the gas, tolls and parking, only to spend just a little more time than that which I drove! It would be especially bad if you are planning on visiting Chicago when there is a big celebration in Grant Park or the Loop (such as the Blues Fest; Gospel Fest; Taste of Chicago - and the 3rd is absolutely the WORST day, followed by the 4th; Venetian Night, Looptopia, etc.)
Note: On weekdays, if you took the South Shore in, I'm assuming that you would be taking the 8:45 pm - or at the very latest, the 11:15 pm (if you, say, went to the theatre or whatnot) - train back to Indiana, as it really doesn't make sense to get into the City and immediately turn around and go back. On weekends, you would have more flexibility, as the trains are 2 hours apart eastbound/westbound and run numerous times during the day.
You should be aware that the South Shore's ridership is much increased lately, due to people who used to drive into Chicago for their jobs but now don't because of the construction and cost of gas.
The ONLY time I'd recommend that you drive is if you are planning on having a very late night in Chicago for whatever reason.
Personally, I wouldn't want to be driving 2.5-3 hours RT, paying the cost of the gas, tolls and parking, only to spend just a little more time than that which I drove! It would be especially bad if you are planning on visiting Chicago when there is a big celebration in Grant Park or the Loop (such as the Blues Fest; Gospel Fest; Taste of Chicago - and the 3rd is absolutely the WORST day, followed by the 4th; Venetian Night, Looptopia, etc.)
Note: On weekdays, if you took the South Shore in, I'm assuming that you would be taking the 8:45 pm - or at the very latest, the 11:15 pm (if you, say, went to the theatre or whatnot) - train back to Indiana, as it really doesn't make sense to get into the City and immediately turn around and go back. On weekends, you would have more flexibility, as the trains are 2 hours apart eastbound/westbound and run numerous times during the day.
You should be aware that the South Shore's ridership is much increased lately, due to people who used to drive into Chicago for their jobs but now don't because of the construction and cost of gas.
The ONLY time I'd recommend that you drive is if you are planning on having a very late night in Chicago for whatever reason.
Apr 14th, 2007, 05:29 AM
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The reason I suggested driving is not for time/cost savings but for flexibility since they are leaving so late in the day on the weeknights, I can't tell you the amount of times that I've had to rush through a meal to "catch that train" because there wasn't another one for 2 hours. Or had to wait for 2 hours because I didn't rush through the meal. It's something Chicago commuters don't really think about since there is an el/bus every 10 minutes.
If for example they were to catch "Wicked" which gets out around 10 pm, they would almost be back in Merrillville if they drove by the time the train even left Chicago. The 11:15 train would get them back to East Chicago after midnight, to Merrillville around 12:30.
I just don't want people thinking that driving is SO awful that they shouldn't even contemplate it. But do know the alternate routes so if traffic is backing up you know where to go.
On the weekends, either way is fine, if you are going to the major attractions it's actually very convenient to use the South Shore since the train comes so close to all of them (MSI, Shedd, Field, Art Institute) and you don't have to fuss with parking.
You don't say who "we" are, if you are traveling with any kids, if they are 13 or under they travel for free on weekend/off peak trains on South Shore trains.
If for example they were to catch "Wicked" which gets out around 10 pm, they would almost be back in Merrillville if they drove by the time the train even left Chicago. The 11:15 train would get them back to East Chicago after midnight, to Merrillville around 12:30.
I just don't want people thinking that driving is SO awful that they shouldn't even contemplate it. But do know the alternate routes so if traffic is backing up you know where to go.
On the weekends, either way is fine, if you are going to the major attractions it's actually very convenient to use the South Shore since the train comes so close to all of them (MSI, Shedd, Field, Art Institute) and you don't have to fuss with parking.
You don't say who "we" are, if you are traveling with any kids, if they are 13 or under they travel for free on weekend/off peak trains on South Shore trains.
Apr 14th, 2007, 03:46 PM
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Kristi, before I lived in Chicago, I used to commute on the South Shore from NW Indiana to downtown Chicago for many, many months. I've also driven (and quite recently) that route while the Dan Ryan construction has been in full bloom - both on weekdays and weekends.
If the OP drives into Chicago of a weekday evening, starting out from Merrillville at 3:30 p.m., they'll be right in the thick of the reverse commute at the height of rush hour. I'd hate for them to spend 1/2-3/4 hour (or more) sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic in that few block stretch just south of McFetridge (near the Museum Campus and Soldier Field, for those who are unfamiliar with the area) - like I have.
I imagine that the OP will have enough personal information on the subject if they drive into Merrillville to determine if they want to drive or not - especially if they come into Midway and get the rental car there.
If the OP drives into Chicago of a weekday evening, starting out from Merrillville at 3:30 p.m., they'll be right in the thick of the reverse commute at the height of rush hour. I'd hate for them to spend 1/2-3/4 hour (or more) sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic in that few block stretch just south of McFetridge (near the Museum Campus and Soldier Field, for those who are unfamiliar with the area) - like I have.
I imagine that the OP will have enough personal information on the subject if they drive into Merrillville to determine if they want to drive or not - especially if they come into Midway and get the rental car there.
Apr 14th, 2007, 05:16 PM
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ExiledPrincess, I currently live in NW Indiana and I drive downtown a lot, both on the Ryan and on LSD and I find it more convenient than taking the train in the evening. I took the South Shore for over a decade (and still take it if I'm going in the morning or for lunch) so I'm not anti train, I'm just anti inconvenient and commmuter trains are inconvenient in off peak times.
Yes, they might run into traffic going down but between waiting for the train and the ride itself, it won't take anymore time and then when they are ready to leave, they can just go.
I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree.
Yes, they might run into traffic going down but between waiting for the train and the ride itself, it won't take anymore time and then when they are ready to leave, they can just go.
I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree.
Apr 15th, 2007, 06:43 AM
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Kristi, yes, I am aware of your home base from previous posts.
As I said in the previous reply, jsolo50 will no doubt be able to tell what's best for themselves, based on their own personal experience when they drive into Merrillville from whichever airport.
If they drive into Chicago the first time (or once) and find the conditions not to their liking (i.e., traffic congestion, travel times too high for what they want to do, high cost of fuel and parking), then jsolo50 at least has the knowledge of an alternative.
As I said in the previous reply, jsolo50 will no doubt be able to tell what's best for themselves, based on their own personal experience when they drive into Merrillville from whichever airport.
If they drive into Chicago the first time (or once) and find the conditions not to their liking (i.e., traffic congestion, travel times too high for what they want to do, high cost of fuel and parking), then jsolo50 at least has the knowledge of an alternative.
Apr 25th, 2007, 05:33 PM
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Thanks for all the info...We have been taking the car and using 90 (toll) then LSD..about 50 minutes at best...usually one hour. We then have the car to make the return trip. Again thanks to everyone for the time you gave me.
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