Will be in for the Cirque show at the United Center on July 16 at 5:00pm. I think it lasts about 3 hours? Question is: We are staying at the Club Quarters on Wacker. We will be without a car. How can we get there and back? I've read that cabs don't really hang around. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

This from the website of your destination, the United Center ( http://www.unitedcenter.com ):

Take the Orange, Green, Purple, or Brown lines to Madison. Take Bus 20 west. For Bulls and Blackhawks games only, Bus 19 takes you there as well.

Visit the Chicago Transit Authority's website, TransitChicago, for more information.

(That was simple. Why ask on Fodors when the place you're visiting provides the info? In most cities served well by public transportation, most popular tourist/visitor sites provide this info)

I ask here because normally I can get some nice local to give me some more detailed information or from those who have done this before. As a female traveling alone with my son, it makes me a bit nervous, especially in that area, not to know exactly what to do. Sorry if I wasted space on the Fodors board.

No waste of space, and sorry if it came across that way. I just tried to point out that your destination has usually answered the question LOTS of times.

Here's another thing I've found: at a hotel, the people who give me the best information on public transportation are the housekeepers. They use it, and know it like the back of their hand. Management and many of the front desk only know what they've read, as they usually drive to work.

Enjoy your trip to Chicago. I returned a few weeks ago for the first time in years. Found transportation clean and on-time. We bought a 3-day unlimited travel pass for $12 from a vending machine at the airport ... NOT the same one as sold "fare-cards" (for "per-ride" charges). The pass was good for local trains (like from Airport), the "L", subways, and buses. Well worth the money, buses are EVERYWHERE. All forms of transportation had electronic displays showing the name of the upcoming station or intersection - so should the bus not stop EXACTLY at the cross-street you need to be at, know those withing a few blocks. It sure makes it easier than straining to see what street you're near or depending on the driver or another passenger to tell you when to get off the bus.

Simple, walk to Madison street, get on the #20 bus, give the bus driver $2 (if you don't get a transit pass), take the bus to united center. When you leave, walk across the street and repeat.

Or you could take a Taxi. Taxis know when there are events there and will get you to your hotel for probably about $10.

Yes the area around United Center is changing rapidly and for years has had a reputation for being unpleasant but when you leave there will be large crowds, it will still be light out, and the area is very secure after shows, you having nothing to worry about.

For events at the UC, there is an express bus (number 19) that runs down Michigan Avenue beginning at the Water Tower, then west on Madison.

The bus begins 2 hours before the event and runs every 12 minutes until 1 hour after. You can catch it at Michigan and Randolph, about 2 blocks from your hotel.

You can check the schedule and get complete bus and train info at www.transitchicago.com.

Thanks all for your help. I feel much better now. We will be using alot of public trans on this weekend so it is nice to know about the pass too. I'm not used to using public transportation as I live in a very small town in Mich. Usually when we come into Chicago we just walk everywhere. We are branching out a little this trip Thanks again.

Chicago has over 7000 cabs.

Curious

yes, and they all seem to disappear when it is raining, or when I'm late.

OwinsMom, please don't feel offended. RB is leaving on a trip today (I've learned it from another post) and must feel travel anxiety snapping at others.

Yes, it always better to get information from locals. For example, in my city I'd warn the visitors that the same bus can have a shortened route during the peak hours, so they need to pay attention.

I'll be in Chicago in September, so reading all posts for now. Now I'm off to the Cirque's website to see if it will still be there.

The cabs show up after big events but there could be quite a line. I'd bus it to be cheap and easy. It's safe, esp around show time! Enjoy!

FA thanks for the comforting words and eroz I appreciate the advice. This IS why I love these boards. I do always check other places too, but I always know that I can good sound advice here and it IS very much appreciated!!! =D>