JJ5

Just an idea. You can park for $1 a day at Tinley Park huge, huge 80TH Avenue train station and take the Metra downtown and back. It's the Joliet/Metra line and runs much more frequently on weekends than the others. The downside is that the train trip itself takes about 50 to 55 minutes because it isn't the express but the other.

It drops you off at LaSalle St. station and you are all set. You can lodge at Rte 80 and RTE 45 (Lagrange Rd)hotels or Rte 80 and RTE 43 (Harlem Ave.)hotels by the Tinley Park Convention Center for much less money if you don't want to do Priceline and park downtown.

Buy your ticket for Metra at the train station and not on the train. I believe weekend is cheap, cheap and round trip and use everywhere on Metra is about $5.00 to $7.70 each person total- much cheaper than work/rush hour/commute times.

Schedule is the Joliet/Chicago Metra line.

This is far, far safer than going on els, anywhere, IMHO. Also the hotels in question, none of them, are more than 4 or 5 years old. The ones on LaGrange Rd. (Rt. 45) are less than 2 or brand new. Multi-multi restaurants too near them if you don't eat downtown.

JJ5

This is the train that used to be the Rock Island- just like the song- Rock Island Line- that train today.

It's SW from Chicago- much farther South. If you do this from any of the inner Western burbs like Oak Park or anywhere- the parking and much else of logistics will be different. Lesser on the number of trains, greater on the costs, IMHO.

This is a clean, modern, safe, and much used system. If the Sox are still playing- and with the marathon etc. it will have people too- it won't be deserted or scarce or confusing. You can't even go "too far" because you will be going to the end of the line when going into Chicago- and when you return- you will get off at the second Tinley Park stop- 80TH Ave. where the huge parking lot etc. is to get your car. Car ride from hotel would be no more than 8 to 10 blocks.

isabellasu

Where are you driving from? You should take that in to consideration if you plan on staying outside of Chicago. At this point you should at least try the Priceline or Hotwire route and see what you may be able to get in Chicago. Hotels in the suburbs will mostly likely be close to $100 or over.

vvv10369

We'll be driving in from St. Paul. I haven't tried it yet, but would still like to try the Priceline option. I haven't had a chance to talk to my travel companion about it yet, but will definitely pitch it as a valid option to consider.

Racy

If you're coming from St. Paul, the O'Hare area would be a better bet than the Western Suburbs. There are hotels (Sofitel, Renaissance, Holiday Inn) that are within walking distance of the Blue Line El (24 hours and safe) with free parking.

OR if you Priceline, see if you can park at Cumberland at the garage and take the El into the city.

vvv10369

Thanks for the response Racy. I'll look into it!

vvv10369

Okay, I'm back with one more question. If we decide to drive to the game, which I've heard is going to be challenging, does anyone have a suggestion on a parking lot or ramp in walking distance to Soldier Field (without paying a fortune...) I'm looking at the Millenium ramp(s). Any thoughts? Thanks again for your feedback!

grapes

RACY, I do not live in Chicago, but I am curious about your comment on the safety of the Blue Line. An employee at one of the stations told us not to use the Blue Line after the rush hour. Curious.

Racy

I have taken the Blue Line pretty much every hour of the day and night--and I'm a woman. I've even taken it alone, past midnight. For the past 15 years. The "worst" thing I've seen is homeless people sleeping in the winter (and the smell is FAR worse than the sight!) and panhandlers.

Oh--and once a junior-high school kid punched another kid.

So I have NO idea where that comment came from. A closed-minded individual who equates public transit ridership with poverty and violence, perhaps?

Being ON the train is far safer than some of the neighborhoods the train goes through.

If you have any concerns, ride in the first car with the conductor.

JJ5

Every time we have driven to the Bears game, we park near McCormick Place and then walk or take the shuttle to the game. That's also where my kids' tail gate.

I'd go to the Bears website and get specific directions, because parking and other logistics all change.

andrews98682

If your time in Chicago is limited, why would you want to waste a chunk of it commuting back and forth to the suburbs? Whatever you save, it won't be worth it. If you can't find a hotel in the $125 range downtown (and I think your odds are pretty good), then you'll probably be able to get one Lincoln Park/Lakeview with relatively cheap parking.