Question for Chicago ATOTers

[WhiteKnight]

I'm going to be attending a training class in Elk Grove (Here ) later this month and I'm interested in checking out the downtown/loop area, as I've never been to Chicago before. I'll be busy during the day, but my evenings and nights should be pretty much free. What are my best options for getting around? I'll have a rental car, but I usually prefer taking public transportation when it's available. I've looked at the CTA site and it looks like there are bus routes that service the area I'll be in, though some only during the commuting hours, which might be a problem. Does the same "Visitor Pass" that the CTA offers work on the PACE system too?

What is the Elk Grove area like? Is it safe? I live in Baltimore so I'm no stranger to shady/dangerous areas of town but of course I'd like to avoid any potential problems.

 

[Modular]

Elk Grove is decent, not the best the NW suburbs have to offer, but there's nothing to fear there. Pretty much any of the Northwest suburbs are extremely rich and well maintained. Make your way to Tower Road and Lake Shore Drive North of the city (like around Evanston and the Northwestern campus) and you will be floored by the amount of wealth people have (that or the exorbitant amount of debt).

Concerning your question about public transportation: if you are staying in the burbs, the best thing for you to do is take the Metra into downtown, then cabs/El train elsewhere. Beware of the red line in the southern parts of the city though *shudder*

I drive pretty much everywhere I go in the city these days..

 

[ric1287]

Originally posted by: Modular
Elk Grove is decent, not the best the NW suburbs have to offer, but there's nothing to fear there. Pretty much any of the Northwest suburbs are extremely rich and well maintained. Make your way to Tower Road and Lake Shore Drive North of the city (like around Evanston and the Northwestern campus) and you will be floored by the amount of wealth people have (that or the exorbitant amount of debt).

Concerning your question about public transportation: if you are staying in the burbs, the best thing for you to do is take the Metra into downtown, then cabs/El train elsewhere. Beware of the red line in the southern parts of the city though *shudder*

I drive pretty much everywhere I go in the city these days..

i second the: metra to downtown to cta. Really the best option.

 

[zinfamous]

i guess you can refer to the chicago thread started yesterday...but as for Pace, i believe CTA passes are somewhat interchnagable...but i'm not positive. i no wnothing about Elk Grove, but you can also look into METRA (commuter train) and their schedule.

www.transitchicago.com

EIDT: the Redline on southside isn't that bad. only depends on your preference of being around people of a different color than you, I suppose. of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it is more dangerous...
the freaks ride it on the northside too

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
i guess you can refer to the chicago thread started yesterday...but as for Pace, i believe CTA passes are somewhat interchnagable...but i'm not positive. i no wnothing about Elk Grove, but you can also look into METRA (commuter train) and their schedule.

www.transitchicago.com

EIDT: the Redline on southside isn't that bad. only depends on your preference of being around people of a different color than you, I suppose. of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it is more dangerous...
the freaks ride it on the northside too

I'd ask you kindly not to refer to us as freaks :frown:

 

[WhiteKnight]

I don't suppose that a CTA visitor pass is valid for use on the Metra, is it?

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: WhiteKnight
I don't suppose that a CTA visitor pass is valid for use on the Metra, is it?

No, Metra uses a separate fare system.

 

[Uppsala9496]

I don't think CTA passes are valid on Metra.
The easiest way to get downtown from the NW burbs is Metra.

Unfortunatly for me, I have to take the blue line today to go to the Cubs (boo) game.

 

[Uppsala9496]

I live just a couple miles northwest of where you are going to be, so if you are looking for any local restaurants or bars or anything, let me know.
(look north on the map and you will see Arlington Park Race Track - I'm just west of it)

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
I don't think CTA passes are valid on Metra.
The easiest way to get downtown from the NW burbs is Metra.

Unfortunatly for me, I have to take the blue line today to go to the Cubs (boo) game.

don't fall asleep on the blue line

 

[WhiteKnight]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. What's the easiest way to get from the Metra terminal (Olgilvie) to one of the El lines?

 

[Uppsala9496]

Originally posted by: WhiteKnight
Thanks for the suggestions so far. What's the easiest way to get from the Metra terminal (Olgilvie) to one of the El lines?

When you exit, head east (towards the city) and you will run into a bunch of L lines. I think the redline is accessable at State.

It isn't too bad a walk from Ogilvie to Michigan ave. When I go downtown, I always just walk from Ogilvie to where I want to go (see more).

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: WhiteKnight
Thanks for the suggestions so far. What's the easiest way to get from the Metra terminal (Olgilvie) to one of the El lines?

There are a couple options:

1)Walk a couple blocks North to Clinton and catch the Green/Pink line into the Loop. Transfer at Clark and Lake for Brown Line or State and Lake for the Red Line subway.

2) Walk over to Washington and catch the Brown or Orange line then transfer later.

It depends on your eventual destination as to which line you want of course.

CTA downtown map

 

[TallBill]

Elk Grove is safe. Most of the suburbs are.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: zinfamous
i guess you can refer to the chicago thread started yesterday...but as for Pace, i believe CTA passes are somewhat interchnagable...but i'm not positive. i no wnothing about Elk Grove, but you can also look into METRA (commuter train) and their schedule.

www.transitchicago.com

EIDT: the Redline on southside isn't that bad. only depends on your preference of being around people of a different color than you, I suppose. of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it is more dangerous...
the freaks ride it on the northside too

I'd ask you kindly not to refer to us as freaks :frown:

I'd be including myself in that comment as well--but I'mnot talking about us...

*looks 5 posters up^*

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: zinfamous
i guess you can refer to the chicago thread started yesterday...but as for Pace, i believe CTA passes are somewhat interchnagable...but i'm not positive. i no wnothing about Elk Grove, but you can also look into METRA (commuter train) and their schedule.

www.transitchicago.com

EIDT: the Redline on southside isn't that bad. only depends on your preference of being around people of a different color than you, I suppose. of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it is more dangerous...
the freaks ride it on the northside too

I'd ask you kindly not to refer to us as freaks :frown:

I'd be including myself in that comment as well--but I'mnot talking about us...

*looks 5 posters up^*

:|:|:|

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Platypus

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: zinfamous
i guess you can refer to the chicago thread started yesterday...but as for Pace, i believe CTA passes are somewhat interchnagable...but i'm not positive. i no wnothing about Elk Grove, but you can also look into METRA (commuter train) and their schedule.

www.transitchicago.com

EIDT: the Redline on southside isn't that bad. only depends on your preference of being around people of a different color than you, I suppose. of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it is more dangerous...
the freaks ride it on the northside too

I'd ask you kindly not to refer to us as freaks :frown:

I'd be including myself in that comment as well--but I'mnot talking about us...

*looks 5 posters up^*

:|:|:|