My boyfriend and I are headed to Chicago. Can we take a train to the Loop area? We are staying at Hotel Julian.

I have never been in downtown Chicago before.

We live in Chelsea (NYC), so we aren't afraid of taking a train.

Thin,aristocrat 🦌

Take the Blue line right from ORD to Washington station and its maybe a 5 minute walk to the hotel.

Thanks!!! Cheers, mate!!

Thin,aristocrat 🦌

You'll need this:

https://www.ventrachicago.com/how-to/ventra-cards/

Contactless and convenient way to pay for transit

Tap and board CTA and Pace trains and buses

Purchase passes and add transit value at CTA rail stations, through the Ventra app, participating retail locations, online or by phone

Thin/Pepper- don’t miss a quick visit to the Chicago cultural center built in 1897. It is gorgeous with mosaics and Tiffany glass. (If you enjoy that sort of architecture)
I think it was a library at one point and has quotes in the stairwell.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/dept...ralcenter.html
A boat tour that goes down the Chicago river and Lake Michigan at sunset is another highlight.
Seeing the coastline and great views of Lake Michigan from the Hancock building is a special experience.
‘Enjoy!

Snice!

Thin,aristocrat 🦌

Things to see:

https://flic.kr/p/ax5tUS
https://flic.kr/p/ax5pZ1
https://flic.kr/p/7vmziz
https://flic.kr/p/A7MFMh

Besides the usual things-to-do (cubs/sox, lollapalooza, CAF tour, art institute, etc.), there's a pre-b'way run of Devil Wears Prada in late July/early Aug. if you like musical theater. You're a New Yorker, so probably not that excited, but the director, Anna Shapiro, may pull something interesting out of the storyline. Maybe. Otherwise, things aren't quite back to normal, as you can imagine living in NY. The locals are still wfh and generally leaving the loop/river north to tourists and those who can't avoid going in. Petty crime seems to be on the uptick, as it's pretty much catch-and-release with Kim Foxx in office, so just be vigilant, and try not to be out after dark. Though it's not really dark until 9 pm, so many not be too much of an issue.

Hope you have a nice time. Not to be disloyal, but Chicago will likely pall in comparison to Manhattan, especially this year, but maybe you can spend a bit of time walking the lakefront.

Just returned from a four day trip to Chicago (my first time also despite being just an hour flight away) and I had a great time. The blue line will take you from O’Hare to the Loop and of course back. Allow more time than you think you will need as the “L has frequent delays due to track repair, fires etc. I loved the Art Institute as well as the Chicago History Museum. The architecture holds its own with NYC and honestly, may even be better. The Riverwalk is fun and I enjoyed all of the cool street art along 16th St. in the Latino neighborhood of Pilsen.

And if you land at Midway, take the Orange line into downtown.