My husband and I have tickets to Ravinia when we are in Chicago for a conference in June. We have already purchased lawn tickets - so don't worry about telling me that is a bad deicision. This will be our first Ravinia experience and I am looking for any suggestions you can give on what to take/what to buy/rent while we are there. Also, we are staying at the Best Western on Ohio, so what is the best plan for transportation to and from Ravinia? Thanks!

Metrarail is your best option for getting there. Trains stop right at the main gate, with return train or trains after the concert. See metrarail.com or call 836-7000 from any local Chicago area code.

Lots of dining options, everything from carryouts at the park, preordered picnics, to sitdown dining. Complete info on the website.

That just leaves bringing a blanket or lawn chairs for your evening under the stars.

Traffic around Ravinia can crawl on event nights, so your best option would be the train. Catch the Union Pacific North line at Ogilvie Station at 500 W Madison.

The train stops steps from entrance to the park and the trip from the loop is about 45-50 minutes. Not all trains stop at Ravinia, so make sure you don't catch an express to Kenosha.

You can see the schedules at www.metrarail.com. The fare is $4.30 each.

Thanks for the info! What time do you suggest getting to Ravinia Park? The performance starts at 7:00 and the Park opens at 3:00. Is it important to get there early?

This is probably a dumb question, but do the CTA visitor passes work for the Metra?

It's been a while since I've been but the earlier you arrive, the better spot you'll get. Some people arrive a couple hours before the concert and bring picnic dinners or snacks and eat on the lawn.

If you want to do the same, there's a Jewel supermarket a couple blocks from your hotel at State & Ohio.

CTA passes aren't valid on Metra. You'll have to buy separate tickets. At Ogilvie, the ticket windows are on the second floor to the left of the track entrances.

You will absolutely love Ravinia and the experience. It is a relaxing, fun summer time. Many people pack a picnic meal: wine/beverages, salads, sandwiches, etc. These meals vary from siple to elaborate. They set aside an area for their picnic and enjoy the stars, atmosphere and music. The lawn is not a bad decision at all. You can bring your own food/drink and plan a picnic or buy your food there. I believe the websie describes the restaurants/food offerings. The train deposits you right at the site and takes you from there, which is great if you drink alcohol.
Enjoy!

Well, we're headed to Ravinia this Sunday. The concert starts at 7:00. From looking at the Metra schedule, I'm a little confused. What is the difference between the Ravinia stop and the Ravinia Park stop?

The Ravinia Station is one of the neighborhood stops in Highland Park.

The Ravinia Park is the one that's adjacent to the main gate.

Don't forget your bug spray!

You will love Ravinia! The atmosphere is wonderful and relaxing. And since you're "Training" it, you can have more wine than if you were driving.

Thanks for the reminder about bug spray! I wouldn't have thought about that!

I was hoping to get there around 4:30 or 5:00. However, I see that my options on the Metra are 3:20 or 5:20. If the concert starts at 7:00, which of those times do you think it would be best to arrive?

Anyone have thoughts on what time we should get there?

Although it'll get you there awfully early, I'd probably go with the 3:20. Citylights said it's a 50 minute ride so taking the 5:20 would probably get you there kind of late to get a good seat. That's the problem with weekend Metra schedules, you often have to choose between arriving somewhere too early or cutting it too close.

I hope you really enjoy it. My husband and I must be the two people on the planet who don't get the appeal of Ravinia. You can hear the music as well or better on a CD, and sitting around watching people trying to outdo each other with the pretentiousness of their picnics just doesn't amuse us all that much.

Thanks for all the suggestions! We had a great time (although it rained part of the time). We did end up taking the early train that arrived around 3:30, but it didn't seem too early. We enjoyed just walking around the grounds and then sitting in the sun reading our books.

abram - it was almost hysterical the amount of stuff that some people brought. We continued to be amazed at the 4-wheel carts that some people drug in with them. Renting a couple chairs and a table and buying some food there worked fine for us.

Glad you enjoyed yourself, but I agree with abram. I don't see the point of schlepping a ton of stuff out to someplace where you can't see the performers and can only hear over the PA system.

I've been to similar venues and at all of them I could see the stage when we were sitting on the lawn. Granted, it was like watching Gone With the Wind on an Ipod, but at least there was something to see.

Heading up to Ravinia and I haven't taken the train in a couple of years to Ravinia. Isn't the "Braeside" stop also very close to the park? Only a few trains stop at "Ravinia Park" and I remember getting off at another stop. Thanks.

If you go to maps.google.com and plug in Ravinia Highland Park, you'll get a nifty little map that shows the train stations and nearby streets. Yes, Braeside is close.