Going to Chicago for the first time?

Question

I'm going to chicago by myself for the first time next week and i just wanted to know how safe the place is. I want to basically just check out Columbia College, and the public transportation and such. How do the L trains work? are they like subways but above ground?

Answer 1

You'll have a great time!

Our CTA (public transportation) is decent.
You can get to CC on Michigan Avenue via almost any bus on that street.

Here is one link that will help you http://www.transitchicago.com/

Actually we have both above & underground trans...and they work similarly to the other.

Answer 2

Getting to Columbia College depends on where you're staying. You can get there by several buses or subway. The all the trains in Chicago start above ground but several (blue and red) go underground when they get to the Loop (downtown).

The nearest subway stop to Columbia is the Harrison stop on the red line. Here is a map (http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/maps/2006D.html). Columbia College isn't clearly marked, but the main building is located at Harrison and Michigan Ave. (there's a little box with a CC in it - that's the main building). It's about two blocks from the lake on the right side of the web page. The school has about five different buildings that make up the college When I went there they only had two. On the map, it's right next to the Spertus Museum of Judaica, which for some strange reason IS marked. Those numbers and lines you see are the bus routes. Use them to see which buses stop near the school.

The trains are pretty safe, but you have to just be wary at night. Stay near groups of people if you don't feel safe and don't be afraid to alert someone or move if there some weird person hovering around you. The city itself is pretty safe but, yes, there is crime. It's a city with a couple million people, of course there's going to be crime. But with the exception of a few areas, it's relatively safe. You just have to remain alert and not act like a "victim".

It's costs $2 for the bus and the subway, but you can buy a bus pass and pay only $1.75.

Answer 3

It's pretty safe; I live in the Chicago area and as long as you operate under some basic rules(Don't "broadcast" that you are from out of town, by word or deed, like spreading a map over your lap on the train, don't keep looking at the signs of the stops, listen carefully when the announcement of what stop it is happen, etc.), you'll be fine. Get a transit card from the machine at one of the train stations. They cost two dollars, but you can put virtually any amount of money you need on them, if you plan to take a lot of trips. using cash is another way you would broadcast you aren't from around here. I haven't been to Columbia College in a while so I forget which L stop it's near, but I'm sure if you called,312-836-7000,, and asked. or hopped on the CTA website, at www.transtitchicago.com, you could find out.

Answer 4

The place is fairly safe. However, with that said, the near South and West are questionable areas.

The best advice would be to go to the CTA webpage and plan routes prior to departing.
You can also download and print maps from there.
http://www.transitchicago.com/
Do not get off at random stations unless you are lost and are getting off from one way and reboarding the opposite way.

Regarding the "EL" train, it is called "EL" as short for elevated.
The trains are color coded only as opposed to Newyork's color and letter coding.
Also, the trains are not all elevated, only a select few are. Some are elevated in sections but go underground elsewhere on the line. Dashed lines on the maps indicate an underground section.
If you are travelling on a train, try to know the last stop in the direction you are going, there is no North, south, east, or west on the signs. Rather, they list the last stop on each track to signify direction.
There are system maps in each stop in the area prior to the turnstyles and on each train car
If in doubt, ask someone, people are pretty friendly albeit irritable and in a rush for some reason.

Answer 5

Dont go into allies and - Sears Tower- skyscraper, Navy Pier, lots of rides and cruises and boat rides and shows and theaters, Soldier Field, may get to see Bears in their locker room, but anyway there are soldier history around the statues and columns, Chicago Pizza, Hotdogs, and John Hanckock building, the best night clubs are in chicago but there all over the streets, becareful tho dont go into alleys lol, didnt mean to worry u, umm bucking ham fountain really beautiful fountain, and theres a lot more, enjoy and make sure u wear a jacket.