Help for this weekend

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 12:49 PM CDT

I am asking for some opions on this weekend. I will be attending the Cubs/Pirates game Saturday with my kids (ages 12 and 8) and my stepfather (age 68). It is the first time to Wrigley for my son (8) and the first time for my stepdad since '75, so everybody is real excited. My delima is this, I usually go to Grant Park to park and then walk to the train station and take the train up to Wrigley, my kids are really looking forward to the train ride more than Wrigley I think. Now, I here that Lollipolooza is at Grant park all weekend. How should I do this? I am coming up from Indy and know just enough about downtown Chicago to be dangerous. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

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Park at DeVry parking lot . . .

and take the free bus to Wrigley. Its no hassle, just go to the Wrigley Field site and look up the info.

But seriously, dude, downtown Chicago is not "dangerous." That's just, at best, a very sad view of the world.

by hoosiercubbie on Aug 2, 2006 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think

he was saying downtown is dangerous, just that his knowledge of it would be just enough to get him in trouble. as in lost or something.

by Strickland843 on Aug 2, 2006 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I think he meant that his limited knowledge

makes him dangerous. I misread it at first, too.

by jcub on Aug 2, 2006 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, I see . . .

If that's the case, then I apologize.

by hoosiercubbie on Aug 2, 2006 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I misread it too

I was going to say downtown Chicago is probably one of the safest places in the world.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 2, 2006 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions

There are dozens of parking garages

in the loop for about $25 per day (not sure what you would have been paying in Grant Park).

I work at Madison and LaSalle and there are two parking garages that border my building, and they charge $27 for a 24-hour period. My building backs up to the Brown line (on Wells--think west side of Loop) and is only three blocks from the Red Line--middle-to-east-side of Loop). Red Line drops you off at Wrigley, Brown Line requires a transfer to Red Line one stop before Wrigley.

Not to be condescending, but remember that the Loop is the area bounded by the train lines running downtown: Lake St. on North; Wabash on East; Van Buren on South; and Wells on West (I have found that many out-of-towners don't realize this).

by jcub on Aug 2, 2006 12:57 PM CDT reply actions

I didn't read it that way...

...he said his knowledge of downtown is enough to be dangerous, not that Chicago is dangerous.

I took that to mean, you know, like he knows a little bit about where to go and how to get there, but one thing leads to another...like Lollapalooza...then you're off your game plan and out of luck.

/just my $0.02.

by Sidd Finch @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 2, 2006 12:59 PM CDT reply actions

Your right

I meant that I know just enough, that if things change, I'm lost. I took me four hours to find out that Gino's East moved to Orlando street a couple of years ago. I know Grant park and Michigan St. because when I go up there, thats were I'm usually ending up. Sorry for the confussion. Thanks for the help everybody, keep them coming, I'm sure I will figure something out.

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

It's Michigan Avenue

I know Grant park and Michigan St. because when I go up there, thats were I'm usually ending up.

I'm also surprised that your kids are looking forward to riding the L when it's packed with sweaty people on a day that's 90+ outside.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 2, 2006 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Prepare for more confusion

Gino's East is re-opening its old location.

by frustratedfan on Aug 2, 2006 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

There Kids, and its a train

You have to remember, down here in Indy, there are no trains. It's a noveltie to them and so they are looking forward to it. Its no big deal to me. And sorry, I knew it was Michigan Ave. just missed typed.

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 1:17 PM CDT reply actions

I'm not a kid...

and I love the train. It's annoying when you live by it(I used to hear it every day), but I like going on them.

Cubbie Blue will always sPaRkLe in my eyes, but please stop losing. PLEASE!

by sparkles721 on Aug 2, 2006 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

WHAT!

So, is Gino's still on Orlando? Thats my lunch right there.

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

Not sure where you are talking about Orlando...

There are two downtown:
633 North Wells (ontario and wells)
162 East Superior (superior and michigan).

Ontario and Wells is the original location--they moved out and now are moving back, but not closing the one near Michigan.

Here is a link to their locations:
http://featuredfoods.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/a-store/gino_p2.shtml?L+scstore+pybf7946ginosffb127b 1+1154548029

by jcub on Aug 2, 2006 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Ok

Ontario, like I said, I know enough to be dangerous.

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I figured as much

But I wasn't sure if there was one that used to be on a street called Orlando.

by jcub on Aug 2, 2006 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

If...

your kids want a train ride but you don't want to park downtown, I would suggest driving up to the area near the Fullerton/Sheffield stop on the Red Line. There are side streets where you can park for free, and ride two stops to the game.

by Al Yellon on Aug 2, 2006 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

Thats not a bad idea I guess

I am at the Wrigley site printing off maps of the train routes now, so I should come up with something here. Thanks for the suggestions.

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 1:29 PM CDT reply actions

Again . . .

apologies for not reading your diary more closely. Good luck.

Incidentally, I will be at Lollapolooza that day.

by hoosiercubbie on Aug 2, 2006 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Hope you have a good time

How many people are they expecting at that thing anyway? I was up there at Jazz Fest a few years back, and had a great time. But I remember there were a whole hell of a lot of people.

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, I don't know . . .

but I'm sure it will be insanely crowded all three days, especially since they have about six bands going at once constantly.

I'm sure that and the constant heat will take a lot of fun out of what should be an otherwise great experience.

Again, good luck on the trip to Wrigley. I've resolved not to go there in protest for the rest of the year!

by hoosiercubbie on Aug 2, 2006 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Understand the protest

But try telling that to the youngins. Besides, I bought the tickets back in Feburary when everybody has hope.

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Aaaahhhh!

I wanted to go so badly, but I'm leaving for vacation on Friday. Say "hi" to The Shins for me.

"It's hard to put your finger on it. You have to have a dullness of mind and spirit to play here." --Jim Brosnan

by cubbiejulie on Aug 2, 2006 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Sure . . .

cause we're such old friends! :)

Seriously, though, those are one of the bands I'm most looking forward to.

by hoosiercubbie on Aug 2, 2006 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Ok, lets try this

Tell me if this will work and keep me away from most of the concert traffic. If I come up the toll road that turns into I90 up to the what looks like 51H exit (thats what it says on this mapquest map I'm looking at). That should be Jackson Blv. from the west going east take Jackson Blv. to LaSalle St. turn north to the corner of LaSalle and Madison and park there. I should be able to put me to walking distance of either Monroe or Washington for the red line. Does this sound right?

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 2:32 PM CDT reply actions

Better idea.

You're going to come in off I-65, right? Take that to 80/94, then take 94 (the Borman, which becomes the Bishop Ford and the Dan Ryan) into the city.

Take it PAST Jackson. Exit at LAKE Street. Go east a few blocks; pass Dearborn St. and park in the garage marked "Theater District Self Park". (This is right next door to ABC7 where I work, and I park there, so I know it well.)

Walk one block east to State St. and get on the Red Line.

Any further questions email me privately.

by Al Yellon on Aug 2, 2006 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks Al

I will map that section of the city right now and highlight all of this stuff. Thanks again everybody, this is why I hang around here. Despite all the name calling that goes on sometimes, everybody lends a hand (and opinion) when needed.

First Boston, then the White Sox, its now the Cubs turn.

by indytaz on Aug 2, 2006 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions