janfan

Is the Chicago Trolley Co. the best way to see all the sights in the city? Has anyone used this method? It seems to be good but doesn't stop at a lot of places and it is difficult to know how much time you would have to spend walking to the sites that are "close" to the stops, like the John Hancock and Buckingham Fountain. Any thoughts on a better way to see all the notable places. The Gray Line has a tour but only stops one place! Trying to save money on cabs and don't want to drive around the city if I don't have to. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

patg

I haven't taken the Chicago Trolley, but at $20 a person, I don't think you'll save anything over taking cabs. Most of downtown is pretty walkable, and $7 will get you back home by cab.

janfan

You really can walk from the Hancock to the Sears Buildings and the Shedd Aquarium? That seems like a lot to cover on foot? Also Navy Pier area and Buckingham Fountain are on our list of things to see.

patg

You're staying in River North, right? Try to group your sites by location, and you'll only need to do a couple of taxi rides a day. For instance, the Shedd, Buckingham Fountain and the Art Institute will take a full day, and you can walk from one to the other. Skip Sears Tower; Hancock observatory (or drinks/lunch at the 95th restaurant) is better and you don't have to sit through a silly movie. Do the Hancock, Mag Mile shopping and Oak Street beach on another day. Navy Pier is about a mile and a half from your hotel; you could walk it one way, stopping at the Tribune Tower and riverfront. There is also a free trolley (after Memorial Day), and the CTA buses are inexpensive.

Jun20

In December, we stayed at State and Wacker Dr - by the Chicago River. The John Hancock Building was a 12 minute walk from our hotel down Michigan Avenue. The next day we walked to Navy Pier which was a bit long, but from there we took the free Chicago Trolley back downtown, dropped us off on Michigan Av and waited for the next one which went to the "Museums" and we visited Shedd Aquarium.

The free Chicago trolley begins May 29th. Just go to google.com and type in free Chicago Trolley (I think it's www.cityofchicago.org/transportation).

Also, at the conceirge desk at our hotel, they had maps of downtown with circles indicating 5 and 10 minute walks to shopping, attractions and restaurants from the hotel. It really is an easy city to get around.

traveler24

What I really liked about the shuttle was the information put forth...historical, restuarant info, points of interest., and the "guide" answered special questions...Ie how to get to the area of Frank Lloyd Wrights houses..?
One factor to consider is the weather..It was SO hot even early AM was not walkable for me...The shuttle is not closed in for A/C but at least I could sit in the shade ...
If you are at all interested in architecture..take the "short" 1/2 day boat tour.--goes up and down the River and out into the bay (cool)
Chicago is a GREAT city...

bri19sp

Have you considered getting a CTA visitors pass? They are $5 24 hours, 9 dollars 48 hours, 12 dollars 72 hours, and 18 dollars for 120 hours (5 days). This will free you up to going to your destinations when you want with more direct access. You can get tourist CTA brochures with all the attarctions listed on them with the routes you need to take at your Hotel or at the Visitors center. CTA busses and subways will run more frequently then any paid shuttle.

janfan

People monitoring the Chicago posts have been super. So many good suggestions that are really helpful. I will consider the bus pass. We have found bus routes to be very confusing in big cities. The shuttles in Philly were very good but you do waste time waiting for them and trying to plan around the stop schedules. The buses in San Francisco were too confusing but we hadn't planned on using them and didn't do our homework. I know advance planning makes a big difference so that is what I am trying to do and I really appreciate the replies. Thanks and keep em coming!

vacationmom

Janfan,

Boy can I relate to your post about the San Franciso buses. I had a hard time getting the swing of them last year, and I usually don't have those types of problems. However, the Chicago transit system is much, much easier. We have vacationed there several times and have had great luck with the transportation system. The visitors passes are an easy, and inexpensive, way to get around town when you are tired of walking.... Vacationmom