Chicago

Getting There
Getting to downtown Chicago from Fermilab should nominally take you about 45 minutes to an hour, but that estimate can be complicated by the sometimes severe traffic in the Chicago area (do not go downtown during rush hours if you can help it). Once you get downtown, it may still take you a while to reach your final destination, so plan accordingly. The following sections give you some tips about getting downtown, a brief overview of the neighborhoods, and an eclectic mix of recommended things to do.

The City of Chicago is quite spread out, which combined with urban traffic can make getting around troublesome for the unfamiliar. You can listen to the radio for traffic reports - but note that they will refer to all the highways by their names rather than their numbers. A map of Illinois would have a name/number translation.

In Chicago, as in any large city, you should exercise appropriate caution, especially in unfamiliar areas and especially after dark. Many guidebooks recommend driving with car doors and windows locked; driving to a lighted gas station to ask directions or to look at a map; not walking in unfamiliar areas; and not riding subways at night except with a group. 

By Car
The main way into Chicago is along the Eisenhower Expressway (Rte 290), but if traffic is bad you can take I-355 or I-294 South to avoid things and take the Stevenson North (Rte 55), which let's you off a bit south of the Loop. The Stevenson is rarely as congested as the Eisenhower. 

Once in the vicinity of downtown, you can go North-South either by the Kennedy Expressway (90/94), or by Lake Shore Drive - depending on your destination, of course.

By Train
There are three nearby Metra train stations which will drop you off just West of the Loop in Chicago.

The ride into Chicago takes about an hour and costs $4.30 one-way (with some price breaks for ten-packs, etc.). In addition, the fare on the weekend is $5 for unlimited weekend riding, which is great if you are going to make several stops on the way in or out. The Geneva and West Chicago stations are on the CNW-W Line (Chicago/Northwest - West), which ends at the CNW-Chicago Passenger Terminal at Clinton and Madison downtown. The Aurora and Route 59 stations is on the BN Line (Burlington Northern), which ends at Union station three blocks south at Clinton and Adams St.

From the downtown train stations, you can walk east over the river into the Loop. There are plenty of buses and CTA trains going North and South from there. The nearest CTA station is two blocks directly south of Union Station.

Schedules are also available on the web at http://www.metrarail.com/ or you can get full schedule information by calling (312) 322-6777. These are the stations close to Fermilab.

• West Chicago Station

  Go North on Rte 59, turning left on Main St. in West Chicago (about 3 miles down, with a McDonald's on the right). The entrance to the station is a left just about 60 meters down - just after the liquor store.

  From 8 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays, you can get to here via the Fermilab taxi service, called via X4225 (HACK).

  Trains arrive at 13 minutes past the hour (i.e. XX:13) until 10:13PM. Mon-Fri all hours except 11:13. Saturday: 6 AM, 7 AM, 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM, 10 PM. Sunday: 7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM, 10 PM.

• Geneva Station

  For those living on the West side of Fermilab.

  This is located on 3rd St in Geneva, on the Southern edge of town.

  Trains arrive at 5 minutes past the hour (i.e. XX:05) until 10:05PM. Mon-Fri all hours except 11:05, 1:05, and 3:05. Saturday: 6, 7, 8, and 10 AM; 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 PM. Sunday: 9 AM only; 2, 5, 7, and 10 PM.

• Route 59 Station

  Go South on Rte 59 past Rte 88. After you pass Aurora Rd. the road dips under the tracks, and the next light has a sign - turn right and then right again to go into the station.

  Trains arrive at 28 minutes past the hour (i.e. XX:28) until 11:28PM. Mon-Fri all hours except 11:05, 1:05, and 3:05. Saturday: all AM hours; 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 11:28 PM. Sunday: 6, 8, and 10:28 AM; 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 11:28 PM.

Finding Your Way Around
Obviously, getting a map is probably a good idea. You can find lots of maps and Chicago guides in the local bookstores and gas stations. A Chicago 'Easy Finder' laminated street map can be found for $4.95 at most gas stations. The Speedway on the corner of Batavia Rd. and 59 has a good map selection.

Directly north of here are various residential districts which can be nice to wander around (although traffic and parking are a pain).

Addresses
Chicago addresses are laid out in a grid system: streets generally have a name and a number such as Division Street (1200 North). Division Streets goes East-West, and any address such as 1200 N. Clark Street or 1200 N. LaSalle Street is at the intersection with Division Street. 

Every 400 numbers is roughly a half-mile. The zero mark is the intersection of State and Madison Streets, located in the Loop near to the Lake.

Neighborhoods
A quick guide to the neighborhoods, starting downtown and proceeding progressively north...

Downtown and North Side Neighborhoods

• The Loop

  This is Chicago's "Downtown", a core of primarily commercial, government, and cultural buildings - bounded on the North and West by the Chicago River, on the East by the Lake, and on the South by Roosevelt Avenue.

  Features include the Sears Tower, Chicago Public Library and the Art Institute of Chicago. Out by the lake is Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain - just South of there is the Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field, and Adler Planetarium. The Eisenhower Expressway (Rte 290) dumps onto Congress Parkway near the Southern edge of the Loop.

  • The Field Museum: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, (312) 922-9410. Tickets cost $8, $4 children 3-11, students with ID and seniors. Free Wednsday. It opens daily from 9AM to 5PM. (http://www.fieldmuseum.org/).
  • The Shedd Aquarium: Free on Thursdays but $6 otherwise. The aquarium also houses an Oceanarium (whales and otters and such, oh my!) that costs $8, but there may be a deal on combo tickets. Call for information. 
  • Adler Planetarium Astronomy Museumstyle: 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., (312) 922-STAR. The cost of the tickets is $5, $4 seniors/ages 17and under, Tuesday is free. From September 5th to May 29th it is open on Monday to Thursday from 9AM to 5PM, Friday 9Am to 9PM, Saturday and Sunday 9AM to 6PM. From May 30th to September 4th it is open Saturday to Wednesday from 9Am to 6PM and Thursday to Friday from 9Am to 9PM. (http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/).
  • Museum of Science and Industry: 57th St. and Lake Shore Dr. (773) 684-1414. Tickets are $7, $6 seniors, 43.5 ages 3 to 11, children under 3 free. Free every Thursday. Opens May 29th through September 4th, Monday to Friday from 9:30AM to 4:30PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30AM to 5:30PM. (http://www.msichicago.org/).
  • The Art Institute of Chicago: 111 S. Michigan Ave., (312) 443-3600. The tickets cost $8, $5 for seniors/children and students. Free every Tuesday. Opens Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30Am to 4:30PM, Tuesday from 10:30AM to 8PM and Thursday and Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. (http://www.artic.edu/).
  • The Sears Tower Observation Deck: It's fun to go up and pull off a Ferris Buehler, standing on the railing and leaning your head onto the glass to look down. This pleasure will run you $6. For a very long time, the Sears Tower held the title of the tallest man-made structure on the planet.
  • Chicago Public Library: 400 S State St. (312) 747- 4300. Free admission. Opens Monday 9AM to 7PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 11AM to 7PM, Wednsday, Frday and Saturday from 9AM to 5Pm and Sunday from 1PM to 5PM. (http://www.chicagopublib.org/).

• Near North

  This is the area just North of the Loop (i.e. past the Chicago River), up to around Division St. (1200N). North Michigan Avenue is known as the Magnificent Mile for the premiere shopping, dining, and hotels along and beside it. Here you will find the John Hancock building, the Water Tower Place mall, Navy Pier, the Oak Street Beach, etc

  • Navy Pier: IMAX theater, exhibitions, places to eat, park. Some of the tours in boat to the Lake leave from there
  • Chicago Children's Museum: Navy Pier, 700 E Grand Ave. (312) 527-1000. (http://www.childrensmuseum.org/).

• Old Town

  - West of Dearborn, principally on North Wells St (200W) between Division and North Avenue, is the nightlife district of Old Town, which contains many comedy clubs such as Second City

• Lincoln Park

  - This is a fashionable residential neighborhood located north of North Avenue (1600N), bordered on the east by the huge park of the same name as far north as Diversey (2800N).

  This subsumes the Lincoln Park Zoo: 2200 N. Cannon Dr. (312) 742-2000. Free admission. It opens daily from 9AM to 5PM. (http://www.lpzoo.com/)

• New Town

  - A semi-gentrified quarter centering on Belmont (3200N) between Broadway (600W) and Sheffield (1000W). It has a significant artistic as well as gay/lesbian community

• Lakeview

  - North of Belmont is the area of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, and hence is also known as Wrigleyville. The field itself is 1060W Addison St (by the B train Addison stop). The area around it has been built up with lots of nightclubs and restaurants

• Wicker Park / Bucktown

  - The neighborhood surrounding the Damen, North, and Milwaukee intersection is rich in artistic and hipster lifestyles. There are many good restaurants, bars, coffeeshops, and music spots here.

• Korea-town

  Located far north and west. The main drag is West Lawrence Ave (4800N), between 2200W and 3600W.

• India-town

  Also located far north and west. The main drag is Devon, 6400 N.

West and South Side Neighborhoods

• Greektown

  Just west of the Loop is the Greek culinary center of the city, where you can find lots of good Greek restaurants and shops on Halstead between Adams and Monroe. You can get here by taking the second to last exit on 290 - Racine Ave.

• McCormick Place

  - This is a gigantic convention center, which is located around Lake Shore Drive, right about where the Stevenson (Rte 55) exits. There are lots of expositions and such here that you might take interest in.

• Old Chinatown

  - Within the South Side is a small Chinatown with a long row of shops and restaurants along Wentworth Av. (300W) and Cermak Rd. (2200S). There is a local El stop for Chinatown as well.

• Hyde Park

  - This is a small neighborhood around the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry. You can get to the Museum easily enough by Lake Shore drive, getting off at 57th St, which is also a main drag for the University community. The main campus is many blocks West, just past Woodlawn Ave(1200E) from 55th to 59th.

Sampler Suggestions
Obviously, there is no such thing as a definitive list of things to do in Chicago. The following is just a random assortment of suggestions put together

Restaurants
Below, BYOB refers to places that have a liquor license but sell no alcohol. You are permitted to "Bring Your Own Booze." Call the restaurant to verify the policy. Also, the price ranges listed below are not well-defined. You should probably call ahead for information if price is an issue, as downtown can get quite expensive.

North Side

Abbis Abeba
3521 N. Clark
Ethiopian. Inexpensive

Cafe Voltaire
3231 N. Clark
Eclectic vegetarian. Moderately inexpensive.

The Mashed Potato Club
3800 N. Clark.
The best mashed potatoes in town. Moderate. 

Matsuya
3469 N. Clark
Japanese. Moderate. 

Moti Mahal
1031 W. Belmont
Indian. BYOB

Patafina
900 W. Belmont
Italian. Moderately inexpensive. BYOB

Penny's Noodles
3400 N. Sheffield.
The best Asian noodle shop in town. Cheap. BYOB Known for long waits at dinner - best to go at off times. There is another location at Diversey and Sheffield. 

Reunion Grill
2430 N. Lincoln (One door south of Lounge Ax
Bar and restaurant. Eclectic mix. Inexpensive to Moderate. 

Reza's
432 W. Ontario, and 5255 N. Clark
Mediteranian. Moderate. 

The Star of India
N. Sheffield just north of Belmont
Indian. Inexpensive. BYOB.

North - West Side

Bite
1037 N. Western. (One door north of Empty Bottle)
Serves great breakfast late on weekends. Dinner is eclectic. Inexpensive. 

Earwax
1564 N. Milwaukee
Generation-X hangout. Vegetarian. Inexpensive. Record shop in back room. 

Leo's Lunchroom
1809 W. Division
A dive with great food. The menu features sandwiches. Dinner specials can be downright gourmet. Cheap to inexpensive. BYOB.

Hi Ricky, Noodle Shop & Satay Bar
1900 W. North
Another good Asian noodle shop. Inexpensive. BYOB.

Merlot Joe
2119 N. Damen
Casual French and Cajun-esque fare. Outdoor patio. Moderate. 

Northside Café
1635 N. Damen
Eclectic. Outdoor patio. Inexpensive. 

Music Venues

North Side

B.L.U.E.S.
2519 N. Halstead
A standard among blues bars. 

Blues Etc.
1122 W. Belmont
Another blues bar owned by B.L.U.E.S. owner. 

Elbo Room
2871 N. Lincoln
Eclectic mix. Bar upstairs. Music downstairs. Very cozy. 

The Green Mill
4802 N. Broadway
Jazz. Poetry slam on Sunday nights. 

Kingston Mines
2548 N. Halstead
Blues. 

Lounge Ax
2438 N. Lincoln
Bar with stage in the back. A Lincoln Park staple. 

Metro
3730 N. Clark
A great place to see music -good accoustics. They usually have both early and late shows on weekends. Free admission to the Smart Bar underground with ticket purchase. 

Morseland
1218 W. Morse (far north)
Eclectic mix. 

The Riviera
4647 N. Racine
A big venue. Tickets usually need to be purchased in advance. 

Schuba's Tavern
3159 N. Southport. Bar with stage in back room. Eclectic mix. 

Thurston's
1248 W. George
Rock. 

The Vic
3145 N. Sheffield
Home of the `Brew and View,' also has music from time to time. 

North-West Side

Double Door
1572 N. Milwaukee
A good place to go. Pool tables downstairs. 

Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western
Harder-edged. Cheap cover. Pool tables. Rougher neighborhood. 

Old Town School of Folk Music
9090 W Armitage
(312)525-7793
Preserves, presents and promotes folk, ethnic, and world music. 

Subterranean
2011 W. North
Restaurant and bar with pool table downstairs. Music stage upstairs. 

Bars

North Side

Ginger Man
3740 N. Clark
Good beer selection. Pool tables. 

Hidden Shamrock
2723 N. Halstead
Tavern style. 

Lincoln Tap Room
3010 N. Lincoln
Pool tables. 

Sheffield's
3258 N. Sheffield
Good beer selection. 

North-West Side

Artful Dodger
1734 W. Wabansia
Good beer selection. Small dance floor in back room. 

Borderline
1958 W. North. 

Club Foot
1824 W. Augusta
Pool table. Small dance floor. 

Cody's
1658 W. Barry
Dog bar. Bring your pooch and relax on the patio. 

Holiday
1471 N. Milwaukee
Also serves food (good pizza). Pool tables. 

Map Room
1949 N. Hoyne
Good beer selection. Pool table. 

Sweet Alice
1056 N. Damen. 

Dance Clubs

(* Black attire recommended)

Berlin
854 W. Belmont.

Crobar
1543 N. Kingsbury
An industrial dance bar with Chicago's largest dance floor.(*) 

Dome Room
632 1/2 N. Dearborn
(*) 

Ka-Boom
747 N. Green
A 20,000 square foot dance club, open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 

Neo
2350 N. Clark
(*) 

Red Dog
1958 W. North. 

Shelter
564 W. Fulton
(*)

Theater

Chicago offers a great and diverse selection of theatrical entertainment, from Broadway shows to alternative and underground theatre. It's best to look through Section 2 of the Chicago Reader for the current play and performance listings. One place worth mentioning: 

The Neo-Futurarium
5153 N. Ashland Home of ?Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind? featuring an awesome 30 plays in 60 minutes. Open Run. Shows change weekly. Highly recommended. 

Thrifting

Hollywood Mirror
812 W. Belmont

Ragstock
812 W. Belmont

Salvation Army
1400 N. Milwaukee

The Village Thrift
One at Armitage and Milwaukee one at Roscoe and Damen.