We are planning a quick trip in for my mother's birthday on Saturday. We plan to visit Daley Plaza for the Christmas Market, and we must have italian beef and pizza before the day is over. Any advise on how to get to Daley Plaza from the Loop? We will be arriving via the train from Chicago Midway Airport.

Hi ad welcome to the Windy City!
When you say train do you mean the EL? Daley Plaza is in the Loop and if you exit at Washington Street you will walk right onto to the Plaza. Please double check though with the Chicago Visitors website.

Pizza and Italian beef..head over to Ontario St. There you will find Dues and Ginos for pizza and a couple of beef places.

Dress warm and enjoy the city.

Lucci

If you're taking the Orange Line from MDW, the stops in The Loop will be Library, LaSalle, Quincy, Washington/Wells and Clark/Lake.

Clark/Lake is only 1.5 blocks to Daley Plaza. If you walk down the exterior steps, continue south on Clark. When you reach the corner of Randolph, you'll be at the back of Daley Plaza.

You'll probably want to pick up visitor passes at the airport. They'll allow you unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains for the day for $5. There is a vending machine in the MDW station that accepts cash and plastic.

To reach Ontario from Daley Plaza, you can catch the Number 22 or 36 bus northbound on Dearborn Street (the east side of the plaza).

For a trip planner and maps, check www.transitchicago.com.

Long coats, no jackets. You must have gloves, scarves etc.

It's very cold and windy on top of it. With a coat of thin ice upon all surfaces too. Boots that don't slide will help.

Thanks for all the advise. We will indeed be taking the orange line from MDW. I sprang the surprise tonight, and I reminded my mother to be sure and wear tights under her pants and bring her heaviest coat, scarf and gloves.

The best Italian beef sandwiches IMHO are at

http://alscatering.com/

and

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaura...138299/content

Have fun. We'll be there in 3 weeks, also for a long weekend which will include a Monday night Bears game against the Packers.

Try Portello's for Italian beefs.

thereyet

Thereyet, you mean Portillo's, yes? Here's the one downtown:

100 W. Ontario
Chicago IL 60654
312-587-8910

Twobluecats: I haven't had beef at Portillo's, but their hot dogs are tasty!

I'm now getting a bit afraid of the weather. Should we still try? The forecast with the winds and snow make me wonder if we should try again another weekend. We don't mind cold, but I worry about the flight, and I worry that the winds will keep us from enjoying ourselves.

Advise from you seasoned Chicago folk?

The snow shouldn't be a problem, especially flying in & out of Midway. It will be very cold though and with the wind even colder than very cold! I think you should still come though, it's your mom's b'day & Chicago looks very festive this time of year. Have fun!

Thanks for the feedback. We can come next Saturday, but the weather shows to be even colder, but maybe without the wind. It's just hard to gauge Chicago in the winter!!