Chicago for the Afternoon?

[wolfcry]

Hi Folks,

We are flying to Orlando by BMI vis Chicago in 4 weeks time (November 5th). The return journey on November 19th due to a change of flight times it looks like we have 5 hours in Chicago before the flight back to Manchester. It's a Saturday afternoon.

I am investigating the possibility of having a couple of hours to see Chicago - we fancy a trip up to the viewing platform on Sears Tower which looks superb. I can get a train to the City which takes 40 minutes and run every 10 minutes (The "El") and it all seems very possible. Has anyone ever done this or can anyone offer any advice? Obviously we'll have to be back in good time for the connecting flight but it seems better than spending 5 hours in the airport... any thoughts?

Cheers,
Mark.

[Pino_Spetzberg]

Use this Chicago Transit Authority Route Planner

http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/

It should be OK on a Saturday afternoon for a quick mission into The Loop.
I would head straight to the Sears Tower, take in the sights, have a drink and something to eat in The Berghoff or Billy Goat Tavern then maybe a quick walk around The Magnificent Mile, but making sure plenty of time was allowed to get back to O Hare.
If you plan an hour to get to Downtown, an hour back that allows for the journey to be delayed.
Chicago is a fantastic city, definitely worth the effort of a quick scoot but it wouldn't be something I would consider, I would hang around the airport instead - I'm too lazy. :D
www.the-skydeck.com

www.berghoff.com

www.billygoattavern.com

[Rio]

I have a friend that lives in Chicago, if you want me to ask him anything, just let me know.
Love Rio

[wolfcry]

Thanks very much for the information... I'm just checking out those links. I like the sound of the Billy Goat Tavern having followed the fortunes of the Cubs over the past few years!

A couple of questions... how do we best get from Sears Tower to the Magnificent Mile (The El again?) and how busy is Sears Tower likely to be on a Saturday afternoon. Are we likely to have a long wait or not?

Many thanks,
Mark.

[Pino_Spetzberg]

Originally posted by wolfcry
... how do we best get from Sears Tower to the Magnificent Mile ? and how busy is Sears Tower likely to be on a Saturday afternoon.


Using this map
http://www.berghoff.com/Berghoff/map.html

Walk from Sears Tower ( Q ) along Adams Street, pass The Berghoff then turn left onto Michigan Avenue, proceed to Wrigley Building ( S ) and down the nearby steps into the basement car park for Billy Goat Tavern.
Walk from Wrigley Building as far as Water Tower, that will take you past most of the best shopping along Magnificent Mile ( Michigan Avenue ).
If you have time you could check out the swish bars and restaurants around Oak Street and Rush Street, or try a superb take-out pizza from one of the many available. You won't have time ! :D
You could be lucky and go straight up to the Sky Deck, you could be unlucky and roll up behind a school outing, this happened to us, the teacher had a couple of spare tickets and very kindly gave them to us. The elevators move really swiftly, there isn't the bottleneck that you expect at Empire State Building. You should be OK.

[Tiggernut]

Thanks again for the advice, much appreciated.

Tiggernut (DW of Wolfcry!)

[alexia]

Just remember that security at O'Hare is tighter than I've ever seen it before. I just got back from a week at Disney and when I left it took over an hour just to get through the security check points. When I got back home and walked past the lines, they were pretty long too.

Riding the "L" is awesome, but if time is a factor I would suggest taking a cab to and from where ever you go in the city. Also remember that November in Chicago can be pretty chilly/cold and even occasionally snowy, so make sure you've got jackets with you if you leave the airport. But, having said that, our weather here in Illinois has been very weird this year so November could be jeans and a sweatshirt weather too.

The Sears and the Hancock towers are both pretty busy on the weekends depending on the weather and how many conventions are in town too etc. etc. So if you have your heart set on doing the Sears tower I'd do that first and then see how much time you have left and then decide what to do from there.

[wolfcry]

Thanks Alexia. I'm a little concerned about the hour to get through security, this could make things very difficult. I'd welcome your honest opinion as to whether this is realistic or not. There will be five of us - four adults all "mobile" and my daughter who is five.

I don't fancy being stuck in the airport for five hours but is it enough time for a (very) quick tour of the City? I'd love to see some of Chicago, it always looks great on TV and I doubt we would ever get the chance to visit otherwise. The alternative would be to hold out for a later flight from Orlando and simply get the connecting flight to Manchester.

Any idea how much a cab from O'Hare to Sears would cost?

Thanks to everyone for the advice,
Mark.

[Pino_Spetzberg]

Originally posted by wolfcry
I'd love to see some of Chicago, it always looks great on TV and I doubt we would ever get the chance to visit otherwise.
Any idea how much a cab from O'Hare to Sears would cost?


There is an efficient taxi service area just outside the baggage claim area. Cab fare will be approximately $35 and you should allow 1-1 1/2 hour.

The Blue Line of the "El" or elevated train runs from O'Hare to "the Loop" downtown. You would follow the signs from the baggage claim area that say "Trains to City". The train fare is $1.75. The train ride is about 45 minutes.

We went through security at O ' Hare in June of this year in less than ten minutes, all the desks were (wo)manned, possibly we were lucky.

Apologies in advance to Alexia, but I believe she meant take a cab around the city, rather than walk, but wasn't suggesting taking a cab from / to the airport ?

A cab from Sears to Water Tower Place should cost $6 plus tip.

[wolfcry]

Thanks again, great advice. Looks like we are unable to move to a later flight so 5 hours in Chicago it is. We may well decide on the day depending on weather etc.

Thanks! :D