Cubs Parking Strategy
Sep 20th, 2004, 04:49 AM
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Cubs Parking Strategy
We're taking another couple to a Cubs game on Thursday, Sept 30th (day game). The man in the other couple is disabled, can't walk far or sit for long. Because of this, we're driving two and a half hours the night before with a plan to stay at the Harrah's casino in East Chicago overnight.
We thought we'd drive from there to the South Shore train station, take the train to Randolph Street, then walk a couple of blocks over to catch the Red Line el to the game and back.
I'm wondering if it might be less walking/going up and down stairs/etc if we parked near Comiskey and took the red line from there? My husband did this for a weekend game, parked on the street, and it worked like a charm.
There is no Sox game that day. How's the street parking on weekdays? If that's not so great -- are the pay lots open on non-game days? Do you have a better idea?
Also, assuming the game lasts three hours, and the train ride back to our car 40 minutes, would that put us in miserable traffic time? Would it be better to hang out in Wrigleyville or head downtown, grab some dinner and THEN head out of town?
I'm willing to look at all options. Thanks in advance.
We thought we'd drive from there to the South Shore train station, take the train to Randolph Street, then walk a couple of blocks over to catch the Red Line el to the game and back.
I'm wondering if it might be less walking/going up and down stairs/etc if we parked near Comiskey and took the red line from there? My husband did this for a weekend game, parked on the street, and it worked like a charm.
There is no Sox game that day. How's the street parking on weekdays? If that's not so great -- are the pay lots open on non-game days? Do you have a better idea?
Also, assuming the game lasts three hours, and the train ride back to our car 40 minutes, would that put us in miserable traffic time? Would it be better to hang out in Wrigleyville or head downtown, grab some dinner and THEN head out of town?
I'm willing to look at all options. Thanks in advance.
Sep 20th, 2004, 06:33 AM
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Just have to say this. Chicgal's advice is good. BUT, having said that, you can park near the Cell on weekdays, if you know where to park. My sons and people who go to Illinois Institute of Technology do it all the time. But because of the commute time, it would be better not to do much of anything from the South. If you can't get the ride she speaks of, try calling IIT to ask about parking. It would be a bit of a walk to the el platform.
"Everyone" raves about the RTA systems, but in actually it leaves a bunch of people out of the mix. The Els essentially do not access beyond Midway and thus from a third to a half of the Chicago population (proper and IN the city) are stuck without. The have some buses to get them to Midway and North, but you do not have any frequency much beyond 95th St. going South. Pace is only 2 or 3 times a day beyond that. Trains take 40-65 minutes rides and stations are far flung with parking problems of their own. In 2003 it took us (one son and I) more than 3 full hours to get to our train station from a Cubs game to a Southwest suburb (Tinley Park) on a sunny normal daytime with no weather or worker commute problems. And you still need a car and to pay parking fee before you go home. Great system, huh! You aren't talking a lot of distance as the crow flys. You'll be farther in East Chicago. That's why a lot of us have to drive.
"Everyone" raves about the RTA systems, but in actually it leaves a bunch of people out of the mix. The Els essentially do not access beyond Midway and thus from a third to a half of the Chicago population (proper and IN the city) are stuck without. The have some buses to get them to Midway and North, but you do not have any frequency much beyond 95th St. going South. Pace is only 2 or 3 times a day beyond that. Trains take 40-65 minutes rides and stations are far flung with parking problems of their own. In 2003 it took us (one son and I) more than 3 full hours to get to our train station from a Cubs game to a Southwest suburb (Tinley Park) on a sunny normal daytime with no weather or worker commute problems. And you still need a car and to pay parking fee before you go home. Great system, huh! You aren't talking a lot of distance as the crow flys. You'll be farther in East Chicago. That's why a lot of us have to drive.
Sep 20th, 2004, 07:33 AM
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Do I detect a bit of paranoia in ChiGal's message? You can easily park near Comisky worry free. That being said, I would say your plan to take the South Shore is the best. Take it to the Randolph exit, walk 3 blocks to the Red line at State and Randolph. There is an elevator you can take down if need be, or go in Marshall Fields and take the pedway to the Red line. It may seem like alot of switching but otherwise you'll hit horrible traffic most likely, even parking near US Cellular.
Sep 20th, 2004, 11:24 AM
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Chicgal,
I was just in Fields Friday and walked through the pedway to the redline. You must exit the South Shore station at Randolph. Walk west on Randolph, enter Fields at Wabash and Randolph, take the elevator down to the basement, proceed west through the pedway (the only way you can go at this point) into the CTA station and pick up the Redline. No need to go to Prudential as there is an elevator up to Michigan and Randolph at both the Cultural Center and the Stone Container Building.
I was just in Fields Friday and walked through the pedway to the redline. You must exit the South Shore station at Randolph. Walk west on Randolph, enter Fields at Wabash and Randolph, take the elevator down to the basement, proceed west through the pedway (the only way you can go at this point) into the CTA station and pick up the Redline. No need to go to Prudential as there is an elevator up to Michigan and Randolph at both the Cultural Center and the Stone Container Building.
Sep 20th, 2004, 06:23 PM
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Wow. I am overwhelmed by your helpfulness.
I checked the CTA site re the special taxi service. The wording there makes me wonder if this is only available to city residents. I'm calling tomorrow to find out.
I've seen the elevator by the Cultural Center at street level but I haven't paid enough attention down below. Are you saying we can access the elevator by following the pedway signs? Of course, depending on whether that part of the station is under construction ;^)
I think we might spring for a taxi after the game. I worry that our friend will have had a long day by then and won't be up to the stairs or the crowds. I'm sure it will cost a small fortune but I'm guessing it will be worth it.
You have a wonderful city. I can't wait to visit it again.
I checked the CTA site re the special taxi service. The wording there makes me wonder if this is only available to city residents. I'm calling tomorrow to find out.
I've seen the elevator by the Cultural Center at street level but I haven't paid enough attention down below. Are you saying we can access the elevator by following the pedway signs? Of course, depending on whether that part of the station is under construction ;^)
I think we might spring for a taxi after the game. I worry that our friend will have had a long day by then and won't be up to the stairs or the crowds. I'm sure it will cost a small fortune but I'm guessing it will be worth it.
You have a wonderful city. I can't wait to visit it again.
Oct 13th, 2004, 07:07 AM
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I should have replied to this earlier but things have been a little (a lot) crazy. Sorry.
Husband had his mind set on parking at Comiskey/Cellular. I tried to talk him out of it -- but no.
Turned out better than I dreamed it could. We left the casino -Harrah's- around 9AM. Stopped at the Purple Steer in East Chicago (?) for breakfast. Took the skyway alternate from there. Arrived at the Sox CTA station 10:30-ish. Very little traffic.
Got a great parking spot a hop, skip and jump away from the train station. Took the red line to Wrigley. Had plenty of time to wander around before the game.
Cubs lost (sob) in extra innings (double sob). Hopped back on the red line 4:30-ish, thought it would be disaster. It wasn't.
Got back to the car, still daylight, not scary at all. Our parking space was within yards of the onramp to the expressway. Got on. Waited in traffic for only about 20 minutes before we got to the Skyway. Traffic not oo bad there yet either.
Our friends are originally from the South Chicago/Gary area. They suggested a mexican restaurant in East Chicago.
The area was a little sketchy looking. The building looked even iffier from the outside. But once inside the Casa Blanca, everything was great. Excellent food. Nice atmosphere. Wonderful service. And cheap.
By the time we finished our meal and got back on the road, traffic was nil.
All in all a good day.
Even though we didn't use all of your advice, I wanted to thank you. I realize we probably just got lucky with timing.
If only that luck would have rubbed off on the Cubs. Oh well, wait till next year ;^)
Husband had his mind set on parking at Comiskey/Cellular. I tried to talk him out of it -- but no.
Turned out better than I dreamed it could. We left the casino -Harrah's- around 9AM. Stopped at the Purple Steer in East Chicago (?) for breakfast. Took the skyway alternate from there. Arrived at the Sox CTA station 10:30-ish. Very little traffic.
Got a great parking spot a hop, skip and jump away from the train station. Took the red line to Wrigley. Had plenty of time to wander around before the game.
Cubs lost (sob) in extra innings (double sob). Hopped back on the red line 4:30-ish, thought it would be disaster. It wasn't.
Got back to the car, still daylight, not scary at all. Our parking space was within yards of the onramp to the expressway. Got on. Waited in traffic for only about 20 minutes before we got to the Skyway. Traffic not oo bad there yet either.
Our friends are originally from the South Chicago/Gary area. They suggested a mexican restaurant in East Chicago.
The area was a little sketchy looking. The building looked even iffier from the outside. But once inside the Casa Blanca, everything was great. Excellent food. Nice atmosphere. Wonderful service. And cheap.
By the time we finished our meal and got back on the road, traffic was nil.
All in all a good day.
Even though we didn't use all of your advice, I wanted to thank you. I realize we probably just got lucky with timing.
If only that luck would have rubbed off on the Cubs. Oh well, wait till next year ;^)
Oct 13th, 2004, 11:18 AM
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So true, Chicgal.
But I just want to add that lots of the areas that were the worst maybe 15 or 25 years ago are quite a bit better now-including that one. But I bet that out of town plates does make it more likely.
We were parked at U of I for a son's hockey game and came out to find the van was missing it's extra tire and gear that were on a carrier underneath. The carrier was all bent and hanging so that we had to get tools before we could leave. That was really minor.
Everyone in my family has been robbed or mugged at one time or another, including me. I'm reading a good book right now by Tony Ardrizzone called "Heart of the Order"- great for baseball playoff "boys of October" time too. His North side story makes my South side one look like a easy double play off the green garage door in the alley, in comparison. But it is an excellent and very funny book. Yes, big city living can be a educational cultural experience and greatly increase your running abilities at the same time.
But I just want to add that lots of the areas that were the worst maybe 15 or 25 years ago are quite a bit better now-including that one. But I bet that out of town plates does make it more likely.
We were parked at U of I for a son's hockey game and came out to find the van was missing it's extra tire and gear that were on a carrier underneath. The carrier was all bent and hanging so that we had to get tools before we could leave. That was really minor.
Everyone in my family has been robbed or mugged at one time or another, including me. I'm reading a good book right now by Tony Ardrizzone called "Heart of the Order"- great for baseball playoff "boys of October" time too. His North side story makes my South side one look like a easy double play off the green garage door in the alley, in comparison. But it is an excellent and very funny book. Yes, big city living can be a educational cultural experience and greatly increase your running abilities at the same time.
