Cubs game and? - 1 day in Chicago
 

Hello,
We just purchased tickets for an upcoming Cubs game and need a bit of help with options prior to the game. We arrive from Honolulu at 5:49AM (neither of us tend to sleep well on flights so none of this may be possible but...) on our way to London the following day. We are staying at Hilton Airport for ease of leaving the next day. We hope to be able to check in at that time or at least leave our bags but we need an accessible room for my husband who uses a wheelchair so that will limit rooms. OK now for your assistance - If we have the energy, please give us a few recommendations prior to the game, including somewhere to have breakfast, possibly lunch,and walking/wheelchair options. The trains which we will be using to and from the stadium are accessible so that should not be a problem.
Thanks!

Bar Louie and Heaven on Seven are Chicago restaurants with multiple locations. Both have Wrigleyville spots on Clark Street, 1-2 blocks south of Addison. You can go to the dining section of www.metromix.com and plug in Wrigleyville to see what else is nearby. Metromix also has restaurant reviews.

I have no experience traveling with a wheelchair via the CTA, but I have seen the lifts out of order. I suggest you call 312-836-7000 when you arrive in Chicago and verify that everything is working. Also, check to see if you should transfer (from the Blue Line to the Red Line) in the Loop at Washington Street or at Jackson.

Patg, thank you for your suggestions and for the valuable tip and phone number to verify that the lifts are in order.

chicgal, thank you for your suggestions as well. We might not be able to take the Architectual River cruise as it starts at 11:00. Do you agree that a 90 minute cruise is cutting it to short for a 1:20 game given our limitations with use of wheelchair and using public transportation? Also, if we take the #151 where should we depart from the Blue Line (I will need to make sure the station is accessible)to begin the journey? The route you suggested and the transfer - is that about 1 hour combined - what would you estimate before a game?
All your suggestions are helping us tremendously as we have never had the opportunity to set foot out of O'Hare and are very much looking forward to our 1 day introduction to Chicago.

Figure about 45 minutes to get downtown, and 30 minutes to get to the game by train, because the crowds are going to slow you down on game day.

It seems to me that you need three plans - one for direct arrival at Wrigley if you leave the O'Hare area after 11 a.m., one for a quick tour of downtown on a nice day if you leave O'Hare early, and a plan for bad weather.

If you have time and it doesn't rain, get off at Jackson or Washington and walk along Dearborn Street to see our beautiful public sculptures and plazas. A detour to Buckingham Fountain and the lakefront would be great.
www.choosechicago.com has maps if I'm confusing you with my lack of directions. Marshall Field's (State and Washington) is a good suggestion; they have many restaurants and open fairly early. The Palmer House, on Monroe and State, would be another interior worth seeing (the second floor lobby) and, of course, would offer breakfast. The Art Institute (Adams and Michigan) opens a bit late, but has world class collections and more than one restaurant. I don't think you'll have time for North Michigan Avenue because it's an extra jaunt by cab, and the 151 bus is slow and won't leave you close to the ballpark. Good luck, and let us know how things work out.

The highlight of my trip was the architectural boat tour. I didn't go on the offical one (they book up in advance), but it was still great. If you can fit it in, it's a great way to see the city!

Chicgal--I have been reading your posts also and they are a great help. My husband & I will be in chicago in June for 3 games. We have never been to Chicago. I am not into shopping. We want to explore the area around wrigley field. Any suggestions on restaurants in the area & shops that sell cubs memorablia. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

You should also call CTA to ask if the Transfer from the Blue Line to the Red Line is accessible. If this is the route you decide to take.

I know almost all the stations in the downtown area are handicap accessible, but the transfer tunnel has stair and I don't recall if their is an elevator or not.

Someone on this board may be able to answer this question.

Chigal, the website lists the stations that are accessible but does not indicate if the transfer between lines is also accessible. I don't think the transfer from Blue to Red is accessiblei thinking about it once again.

If you do take an all train route you should probably transfer from the Blue Line to the Brown Line at Clark, Then Transfer to the Redline at Fullerton.

We thank all who are contributing to this post. Chicgal your research means so much to us as it really can be a time altering experience with mobility challenges. I will call CTA later in the week to check and possibly on the day we arrive to make sure all the elevators are operational. Thank you to bri19sp for also being aware.

Patg you are so right about the need for three plans. If our room is ready and we don't sleep on the flight, we will most likely be leaving just in time for the game. We would love, however, to be able to take in the walks and bus ride as suggested, if not the Chicago Architectural River Cruise and arrive late to the game - pb_and_j you sealed the idea with your comments.

We are very thankful for all your replies and are very much looking forward to our day in Chicago!

Chicgal--Thanks so much for your reply. One of the games is a night game and 2 are day games. So we would probably eat before the night game and after the day games. We are interested in something casual, in the moderate price range, and like most any kinds of food. I will check out the shops outside of Wrigley Field. I'm sure they will be less expensive than the souvenir shops inside. We have plenty of cubs t-shirts but I may see another one that I have to have! I will be sure to look at the billygoats. We would like to do a tour but when I checked the website it didn't show they were doing them while we are there. Again, thanks so much for your help. Vicky

Chicgal-I'm meeting my sister in Chicago and your bus info is invaluable. I am going to the Cubs-Brewers game in July with a group and was not sure where to eat. I've been to Chicago a number of times, but you opened a new world here. I'm printing out this whole post. Thanks!

Chicgal--Thanks for all the info. You have been most helpful. I too am going to print out this thread before we leave. We are from Louisiana so we may have to sample the cajun food. Thanks again. Vicky

Thank you vey much, Chicgal, for your continued assistance. I looked at both websites and will call to confirm accessibility. Will also email you when time permits, hopefully before the weekend. Again, thanks!

Chicgal--thanks for all of your information. I am looking forward to our trip to Chicago and will visit some of your favorites around Wrigly Field. This is our first trip there. Is the area safe to walk around after the night game? I think we will probably go over early for the day games and check out murphy's, the cubbie bear and some of the memorablia shops. Vicky

Chicgal I have another question. What about Harry Caray's restaurant. Is it worth going to? How far from Wrigley Field is it? What would be the best way transportation wise to get there. Thanks again for your help. Vicky

Thanks Chigal for your prompt response. I will add it to my list of places to go.

Vicky