OT - Greetings from Arizona!

Hi All -

I posted this on the Lapband board and someone suggested that I post it here... a good suggestion I thought.  Here goes...

I am surprising my wonderful hubby with a trip to Chicago the last weekend of September.  He's a lifelong White Sox & Bears fan and I've managed to get tickets to BOTH in the same weekend.  Neither of us have been there before.  He's a fan because his Dad passed it down.  He thinks we're taking a different trip and I'm going to spring it on him at the airport. 

I'm really excited but I'm a lil' scared.  We live in Arizona where we drive everywhere and just lock the doors if we're in a questionable area.  There's no such thing as a subway and I haven't been on a bus since high school.

So, I know the North/River Downtown area we're staying in is nice and safe.  What I'm scared of is public transportation to and from the White Sox and Bears games.  Will we be safe taking trains and buses at night?  It'll be daylight on the way to the games but late at night leaving.  My thought was that with thousands of people all leaving at the same time it oughta be ok but I've heard that the part of South Chicago where the Sox play is kinda iffy and I'm a big chicken! 

Help a desert rat out! 

For the most part, Chicago is safe.  But with any big city, you need to be smart.  You should be safe from Soldier Field to River North with public transportation.  There will be huge crowds going that way and the distance is relatively short.  You could even walk it in the daytime.  US Cellular field is a bit farther south and you run the risk of going through rougher neighborhoods.  Again, you will probably be in large crowds, but unlike the Bears fans that live both north and south, Sox fans are generally located to the South and you'll be going north!  I would suggest using a taxi if you can.  The distance isn't so far that it will bankrupt you.  If you chose to use the train (not really difficult), just make sure that you follow the crowds and head north.  Even in the rougher neighborhoods, people are generally friendly and helpful.  Unfortunately, with 7 million folks, there are some bad apples that need watching.  Welcome to our fine city, and have fun!  By the way, the public transportation system web site is www.transitchicago.com.  There are maps and schedules as well as an 800 number for information.  They can give you specific routes and times to insure your safe trip!

Thanks for the tips!  I've been doing a lot of research and it seems it's pretty simple to get to the Cell on the red line.

I can't wait to visit your city.  I've only ever seen the inside of the airports!

It's a great city!  I spend lots of time in Tucson now that my Mother-In-Law has setup home there.  I'm a North sider from birth, so I spend much more time watching the Cubs, but the Cell is a nice field and the Sox are a great team.  But what's an American league???  I highly suggest getting to Uno's or Due's pizza over on Walbash.  It is completely different than the chains and one of those things to do in Chicago.  They are both the same (the first one built was Uno's and then the second one was Due's), and both are close to the River North area.  We're talking deep dish heaven here!  Lots of cheese and sausage!!! 

Hey, I live in Tucson!  If you're familar with Tucson, you can understand why I'm a little nervous to visit Chicago.  I've survived NYC and Boston so I'm sure it'll be fine.  Not like I'll be all alone like I was in Boston.

I hear ya...I'm a National League girl myself but this trip isn't for me.  I'm going to the Dbacks vs. Dodgers later this month so I'll get my NL fix.

Thanks for the pizza tips.  I've been looking forward to that.  Not that I'll be able to eat much but at least it's really saucy...that'll help it go down. 

I hear you on the food limitations!  I'm actually having a problem getting enough calories in!  But even a bite of pizza from Uno's is a treat you'll remember for life.  My Mother-In-Law lives up in Saddlebrook.  I've been to Tucson 3 times in the last 2 years and have come to enjoy the area.  The first time, I brought my golf clubs and it snowed, the second time we got caught in a monsoon and the third time it was 110 degrees!  But still, I enjoyed it.  But I noticed that even Tucson had parts that would be best seen in the day time.  Boston and NY are great towns, but I think Chicago is much friendlier!  My therou is that people who are fed up with places like Boston or NY take it out on visitors.  But people who are fed up with living in Chicago, move to Scottsdale!

Ok Paul I think you need a drool cloth!! But hes right the pizza is out of this world!

Karen

I've always driven to the games. I live in the far southern burbs. It will be a straight shot for you as long as you stay on the expressway.