re: Chicago...staying around Miracle Mile. Still a good idea?

So far, from reading various threads (thanks to everyone who posted), I have this tentative plan for our one day to explore the city.

Arrive midday at Ohare, leave luggage at hotel (in Rosemont), take either blue line or Uber to downtown. Visit the Art Institute and Maggie Daley Park area, walk the river walk, take the red line to Fullerton(?) to see Lincoln Park. Afterwards, walk Fullerton up to Halsted just to see the neighborhood, take a cab (still have those?) to ZaZas pizzeria on Clark (we don’t want Chicago style pizza and have seen good reviews of ZaZas, but open to suggestion). I think that would leave us with finding one more thing to do at about 6 before we Uber back to Rosemont, so what would you hypothetically do at that time of the day with your teenage kids who have never been to Chicago? We were thinking of a tour of Wrigley but there doesn’t seem to be enough time.


See any issues with that plan or am I missing an obvious better use of the time?
Obviously I’m trying to compress a lot into too little time, but tell me if something seems way off.
Would you be worried about the safety of the blue line from Ohare to downtown in midday?
Is there a particular section of the river walk you recommend?

It’s supposed to be in low 60s with a 10 mph East wind with a rain possibly. How cold is that going to feel to South Louisiana folks?
I know we shouldn’t wear shorts, but do we need jackets/hoodies IYO?

TIA

ETA: I guess I left off walking the Mag Mile. Could take the Riverwalk to Michigan and walk north, to loop that in before going to LP.

Awesome response, thank you.

So anyone can just walk in to the Athletic Association and play pool or whatever? I was thinking you had to stay there or have reservations.

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Arrive midday at Ohare, leave luggage at hotel (in Rosemont), take either blue line or Uber to downtown. Visit the Art Institute and Maggie Daley Park area, walk the river walk, take the red line to Fullerton(?) to see Lincoln Park. Afterwards, walk Fullerton up to Halsted just to see the neighborhood, take a cab (still have those?) to ZaZas pizzeria on Clark (we don’t want Chicago style pizza and have seen good reviews of ZaZas, but open to suggestion). I think that would leave us with finding one more thing to do at about 6 before we Uber back to Rosemont, so what would you hypothetically do at that time of the day with your teenage kids who have never been to Chicago? We were thinking of a tour of Wrigley but there doesn’t seem to be enough time.

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Unless it's early morning (before sunrise) or late night, don't even bother with Lyft/Uber. Southbound on the Kennedy is a mess right now - big construction project just started and there are two lane closures. There is a Blue Line station at Rosemont. No idea what hotel you're at, but there are a few within a 10-minute walk.

You can take the Red Line to Fullerton, yes. Alternatively, you can take the Brown or Purple Line, too. All stop at Fullerton, basically right on DePaul's campus.

I wouldn't walk up Halsted... It's fine, and completely safe, but there's just a lot more if you walk north on Clark from Fullerton (if you choose to pop over to Lakeshore Trail or Zoo). Also, the stretch of Fullerton between Halsted and Clark is beautiful - you'll see with the trees.

Haven't been to Zazas, but another couple options in that area are Roebuck (DryHop brewpub) and Pat's Pizza (if you want a tavern-style cut).

Someone with kids might be more help on one last activity, but I'd just be prepared for traffic leaving the city. You'd hope traffic lets up by 7pm, but it's never predictable. In general, going East/West, which you need to do get to the Kennedy, isn't easy and who knows if the interstate will have more traffic.

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Would you be worried about the safety of the blue line from Ohare to downtown in midday?

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No. I live along the Blue Line and, personally, have never feared for my safety. At worst, I've seen people smoke cigarettes - gross, but not common and just switch cars at the next station. Other than that, you'll see a homeless person sleeping or walking through cars asking for money. In general, Blue Line is a crowded train - not only do you get a lot of travelers coming from ORD, but it runs through some of the fastest-growing / popular neighborhoods in the city (i.e. Logan Square and Wicker Park).

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Is there a particular section of the river walk you recommend?

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Would start at Clark Street bridge and walk east - there are a number of patios along that stretch, including Tiny Tapp, Chicago Brewhouse, The Northman, etc.

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ETA: I guess I left off walking the Mag Mile. Could take the Riverwalk to Michigan and walk north, to loop that in before going to LP.

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If you go this route, take the Red Line at Chicago or Clark/Division (preferred station if you'd like to walk through Gold Coast - very nice neighborhood w/ high-end shopping) to Fullerton.

Great post, thanks again.

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but I'd just be prepared for traffic leaving the city. You'd hope traffic lets up by 7pm, but it's never predictable. In general, going East/West, which you need to do get to the Kennedy, isn't easy and who knows if the interstate will have more traffic.

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Are you saying you wouldn’t use the Blue Line to get back to Rosemont from Lincoln Park after dark?

Am I right in thinking that most everything north of the magnificent mile up to Wrigleyville and east of the river is pretty safe or are there areas there that you’d avoid?

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Are you saying you wouldn’t use the Blue Line to get back to Rosemont from Lincoln Park after dark?

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Not necessarily - only meant you'd need to take the bus or Lyft/Uber back to the Blue Line from Lincoln Park. At that point, I'd cut out a stop and just take ride share, personally.

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Am I right in thinking that most everything north of the magnificent mile up to Wrigleyville and east of the river is pretty safe or are there areas there that you’d avoid?

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West of the river (separation is actually the Kennedy, but close enough) is fine, too. Like I mentioned in a previous post, you're talking about some of the most-popular neighborhoods in the city right now (i.e. Wicker, River West, Logan, West Loop, Ukrainian, etc.). The further you go in any direction, the sketchier it'll be, but the several neighborhoods lining the Kennedy going north are fine.

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now it’s probably annoying for people to ask questions as if your nice city were Beirut in the 80s,

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Chicago has a reputation for being crazy dangerous. Is there random crime all over the city - yes. But it’s just like any other major city. The vast majority of the crime and murders are in places you will never go.

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The vast majority of the crime and murders are in places you will never go.

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Exactly - almost no one is voluntarily going to East/West Garfield Park, Englewood, Austin, etc. Like any big city, crime happens everywhere, but what you see on the news is pocketed in neighborhoods that you'll never get close to.

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I know it’s probably annoying for people to ask questions as if your nice city were Beirut in the 80s, I’m just trying to be responsible without being needlessly worried. So thanks for giving me some peace of mind.

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You're all good. You won't be anywhere close to what you see on the news. Enjoy your time here!

I was there the other day and lived there once. It's not like there are people waiting on the corner to kill you. Use your head, observe common sense, come in after dark or take taxis, don't be aimlessly wandering after umpteen beers, etc...

Also if you do see a mass of kids heading your way (or just in the general vicinity), head inside a store or building. Preferrably a large one where you can fade into the background instead of being a target. That said I've never seen such.