I am going to Chicago alone for a week. I want to go to the theatre, etc. in the evening. Is it too dangerous? What would be safe modes of transportation.

Also, what activities are safe for a woman traveling alone in Chicago?

Geez, I travel alone (I am female) to Chicago all the time by myself and have never had a problem. Go the the theater, go to dinner. Just act like you would in any other city. Don't flash money, don't go down dark alleys, stand straight, walk tall, don't be timid, don't go where you feel uncomfortable.

I also lived in Chicago as a single woman for a short while.

I'll tell you my favorite story of walking down the street alone.

I parked my car at my boyfriend's house near Clark and Montrose, then walked up to the red line station at Wilson. I was meeting him at his office at Grand and State for his company's holiday party.

I was wearing a short skirt, black nylon, black pumps, my long black wool jacket (it was December, after all), and my natural blond hair was all done up. So, I was looking good!

I was walking down Wilson and was doing waht xxx said--standing straight, walking tall, looking confident. Some street bum was starting at me and said something like "my don't you look beautiful" in a kind of creepy way. I just said "thank you" and kept on walking! I did make sure he wasn't following me and all was fine.

Thank you for indulging me with my story. But the point of my post is that with a little common sense and sticking to well-lighted areas, you should have no problem being in the city by yourself.

Have fun--I miss it dearly! (now living in Los Angeles)

if you can't easily get from the theatre to your hotel, why not just take a cab?

As for common sense, I think that would NOT be responding "thank you" to creepy jerks on the street commenting on your appearance. Women have got to get over this idea that it is a compliment for some creep on the street to comment out loud on how good you look, etc. No man of any decent caliber does that and it's not a compliment, it's the opposite.

Deb -

For most even remotely attractive women, that sort of encounter is hardly memorable - it happens all the time and most women have the sense to simply ignore it. The fact that it was such a memorable event for you to the point where you can remember exactly what you were wearing is pretty telling.

Linda, along the lines of what others have said, pay attention to your surroundings, don't make eye contact with the street people (some of them on Michigan Ave. can be very agressive to women AND men -- not physically I mean, but very persistent -- following you for several yards trying to carry on a conversation, etc). The most important thing is probably to look like you know where you're going and to keep moving.

If you're unfamiliar with the areas you're going to, it might be a good idea to ask someone at the hotel what it's like before you venture out. There are some places you might just feel better about taking a cab to. Probably you'd be just fine on foot, but the peace of mind that a cab fare would buy you would probably be worth it.

You should be fine if you are walking in well travelled areas, e.g. the shopping district of Michigan Ave. As long as there is other pedestrian traffic you should be just fine. It's when you find yourself in neighborhoods where there aren't other people in the area that you might want to rethink your plans.

I don't mean to scare you off -- these are steps that a woman OR a man should follow when walking in ANY city alone. I feel as safe walking through Chicago at night as, say, Atlanta or New Orleans, and probably somewhat safer than San Francisco or Washington.

Have fun!

I never said I thought the guy was complimenting me. And he wasn't as pushy as the guys on Michigan Ave and doesn't even come CLOSE to the pushy, homeless bums in San Francisco.

So, Linda, just use common sense, don't worry about taking public transportation around the city unless you plan on taking the red line to the south side or the blue line out west.

You never did mention what area of town you'll be staying in. That would help in getting more specific info for you.

Deb -

Who do you think you're kidding? Read your post where you give a detailed account of what you were wearing, your "natural blond hair" and how good YOU thought you looked. Why on God's green earth did you share any of that with us unless you were trying to say that he thought you were hot??? None of that info is relevant otherwise.

Be safe and take a cab. Don't rely on public transportation. I lived in Chicago for three years and had several frightening experiences.

LMAO!

I have traveled alone all over USA (big and small cities)for the last 20 yrs.(I am now65)
It is one of my unbreakable rules NEVER be out alone at night. If I had meetings that ended after dark I ALWAYS took a cab. I feel the extra money was well spent..