Dougingb

Hello.

I am planning to go to Chicago this fall to see a Chicago Bears footbal game at Soldier Field. I won't have a car and am planning to walk to the game. I am considering both the Hilton Towers and the Fairmont. My concern is if a walk is doable? It looks like Soldier Field is surrounded by many high traffic roads. If it is possible to walk to the game, which hotel would be more convenient to stay at?

Thanks!!

wizzy

You'll be ok as long as you stay near the Red Line. Take that south to Roosevelt, and then either walk or take the bus over to the lake. There are walkways/tunnels to get you under Lake Shore Drive. You walk by the Field Museum to the Soldier Field entrances.

johnmcq

Doug - don't think twice: stay at the Hilton.

As you leave the main entrance, make a left and go about a half block to Balbo Drive. Cross Balbo and follow the hordes through Grant Park to Soldier Field. It's a nice walk.

I've had season tickets since 1976. I park near the Hilton and this is how I get to the stadium. (For games in colder weather, I change into my long underwear in the Hilton's mens room.)

Also, be aware that the Hilton bar is a meeting place for scores of Bear fans.

If you're somewhere else along the red line, exit at Roosevelt, but don't bother with a bus. It's an easy walk and you'll enjoy the camaraderie of the fans along the way.

I presume you're from Green Bay. If you're going to the Bear/Packer game, you won't be lonely. Thousands of Packer fans buy tickets from scalpers every year.

Sweet Willie

agreed on both accounts

milepig

Absolutely.

No need to go to Balbo or Roosevelt, just head right out the doors of the Hilton,and cross Michigan at 8th 9th or 11th, walk through the park and take the pedestrian bridge across the Metra tracks at 11th and then the footpath under Columbus, LSD, etc. By that point there will be throngs of people and Soldier Field is signposted.

Beautiful walk, with no traffic to cross except at one point right by Soldier Field.

This pathway and the entire Museum Campus is one thing that Chicago got wonderfully right.

johnmcq

correction to my directions: At Balbo, walk across Michigan Avenue and continue east to Soldier Field. You can't miss seing it. Just follow the sidewalks that go towards it.

BangkokTraveler

Saw this thread. Just wanted to add that you can take a free shuttle bus from very near the Fairmont Hotel. These buses load up in two places:

- Upper Randolph St. approx at Columbus
- Lower-Lower Randolph approx at Columbus

They are intended for people who are parked at either Millennium Garage or Monroe St. Garage, but really, anyone can take these buses. They take a "secret" route to Soldier Field as well, alongside the railroad tracks in a special bus lane.

mktozd

Check out the Renaissance Blackstone on south state. it has just been refurbished and has recieved good views. it is probably a 15 minute walk to soldiers field unless you are a fast walker.

sonofzeus

[QUOTE=BangkokTraveler;11607089They take a "secret" route to Soldier Field as well, alongside the railroad tracks in a special bus lane.[/QUOTE]

"Secret" to whom? IC RR owns the road.

glg

They've been using it for convention buses to McCormick Place for a couple of years, but a lot of people don't know about it.

sonofzeus

Why would it help the average shmo to know??(As long as the driver knows and the owner of the road consents...)

cliff_rock

Technically the City owns the "secret" road, though it is on the railroad right-of-way. It is useful for the average schmo to know about the busway, since they may observe terrible traffic on surface streets like Columbus Drive and think, "forget (or other F) it, faster to walk" not realizing the bus may have an alternate route sans congestion.

mktozd

Forget the secret road unless you are on a bus. Walking is going to be the fastest route and should be fine unless you are going in the dead of the winter

glg

you're the one who objected to the word secret. I answered that. No idea what you're arguing with now

cme2c

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. Should be going to the Bears game on Sunday. I would like to get out of town ASAP after the game. Will need to get to I-80 going west. Any advice on a place to stay or park to get out quick?