My last Chicago question, transportation

[elgerber]

So, I have been asking Chicago questions for awhile now, and the trip is finally upon us. We leave Saturday morning. There will be 4 of us, me, dh, dd and ds. I am wondering what is the best way for us to get from Midway Airport to the Embassy Suites on State Street downtown? Cab (do you have any idea of the fare)? I assumed we'd take a cab from the hotel to the theater for Wicked, but I am not quite sure about the rest of the weekend.
We are having dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, which is only two blocks from the hotel, so I'm hoping to walk there. The other place we want to visit is the Shedd Aquarium.
Anyone have some suggestions for me?

Thanks!!!

 

[freckles and boo]

If you are feeling adventurous you could take the Orange Line of the CTA. It goes directly from Midway to the Loop. I don't know where Embassy Suites is on State, though.

ETA - if you contact the hotel directly they may well have a shuttle. It might be complimentary or at least cheaper than a cab.

 

[HERSEY]

There are shuttles from midway. I would contact the hotel and ask them. I checked the hotel's website they do have sample fares listed.

 

[gate_pourri]

So, I have been asking Chicago questions for awhile now, and the trip is finally upon us. We leave Saturday morning. There will be 4 of us, me, dh, dd and ds. I am wondering what is the best way for us to get from Midway Airport to the Embassy Suites on State Street downtown? Cab (do you have any idea of the fare)? I assumed we'd take a cab from the hotel to the theater for Wicked, but I am not quite sure about the rest of the weekend.
We are having dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, which is only two blocks from the hotel, so I'm hoping to walk there. The other place we want to visit is the Shedd Aquarium.
Anyone have some suggestions for me?

Thanks!!!

I live next to the Embassy Suites, so... To get to Midway, I would take a cab. The price is about $25 - $30.

To get the theater where Wicked is playing, you could take a very quick cab (about $5) or walk. Just walk south - to the right - down state (about 6 blocks) until you get to Randolph. Then turn right at the Borders book Store. The walk doesn't take more then 10 minutes and if the weather is decent, is a nice walk.

 

[elgerber]

I live next to the Embassy Suites, so... To get to Midway, I would take a cab. The price is about $25 - $30.

To get the theater where Wicked is playing, you could take a very quick cab (about $5) or walk. Just walk south - to the right - down state (about 6 blocks) until you get to Randolph. Then turn right at the Borders book Store. The walk doesn't take more then 10 minutes and if the weather is decent, is a nice walk.

Thanks! I was thinking cab, I have been checking shuttle rates, and they are quite a bit higher than the estimated cab fares.

Since you live so close, is the Rainforest Cafe typically mobbed on an early Saturday evening, say 5ish?

Thanks!

 

[Beth76]

From the airport I would take a cab or the train. I just took the train from O'Hare to downtown and it was so easy and cheap--$2 pp. And depending on when you arrive you don't have to worry about traffic. I was traveling with another woman and we felt perfectly safe the entire time. If you decide on the train, I would contact your concierge for directions on which station to get off. We got off at the Loop and then took a $7 cab to our hotel about 7 blocks away.

 

[dejavu]

[/QUOTE]
Since you live so close, is the Rainforest Cafe typically mobbed on an early Saturday evening, say 5ish?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

I mean absolutley no offense but why would you eat at Rainforest Cafe? Chicago has some of the best restaurants in the world- Do yourself a huge favor and choose something else- Pizza, Italian, a wonderful Chicago steakhouse anything but chain...the city is full of great places which offer some insight into the culinary delight that is chicago. Ask the concierge for some suggestions.

 

[elgerber]

Since you live so close, is the Rainforest Cafe typically mobbed on an early Saturday evening, say 5ish?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

I mean absolutley no offense but why would you eat at Rainforest Cafe? Chicago has some of the best restaurants in the world- Do yourself a huge favor and choose something else- Pizza, Italian, a wonderful Chicago steakhouse anything but chain...the city is full of great places which offer some insight into the culinary delight that is chicago. Ask the concierge for some suggestions.[/QUOTE]


Because it's my daughters 11th birthday on Saturday, and it's her trip, and that's her favorite place to eat, that she almost never gets to go to.

 

[dejavu]

My apologies- If it's her special day the by all means you should go! Sorry but as life long Chicagoan I couldn't go without extolling the virtues of our fine restaurants- Have fun

 

[gate_pourri]

Thanks! I was thinking cab, I have been checking shuttle rates, and they are quite a bit higher than the estimated cab fares.

Since you live so close, is the Rainforest Cafe typically mobbed on an early Saturday evening, say 5ish?

Thanks!

I've never noticed crowds waiting outside, although I've never gone in. With most typical tourist locations in downtown, I'd give yourself a good 15-25 minutes to be seated. Check out the upstairs of the Rock-n-Roll McD's across the street. Totally cool!

 

[elgerber]

Rock-n-Roll McDonalds? That sounds very cool.

I know a chain is not the best use of our dinner time, but she's only 11, so she's not real wordly yet LOL.

We still need dinner on Sunday, I'd be happy to get some ideas for Sunday night near the hotel...

 

[mjkacmom]

Take a cab, unless you think dd would like the train - but that will take longer. I took dd10 to see Wicked in NYC this summer - your dd will LOVE it! My sister just moved from Lincoln Park to Naperville - I'm going to miss Chicago!