2144 N. Leavitt
Chicago, IL 60647
Toll-Free: 800.355.2324
In Illinois: 773.384.3245
ray@raysbucktownbandb.com
Scroll down for detailed directions to Ray's B&B and various Chicago attractions.
We are located 4.5 miles northwest of downtown Chicago (referred to as The Loop) right off I-90/94 expressway (The Kennedy Expressway). We are at 2200 north and 2200 west.
Taxis:
Available at O’Hare Airport (~$35), Midway Airport (~$35), Union Station (Amtrak) (~$15), and throughout the city. We have a recommended taxi service for pick up at the B&B, American United 773.248.7600.
Driving:
Coming from downtown (or from south, east or west of Chicago), on I-90/94 West you would take exit #47B Damen Ave. Turn left on Damen and get into the right lane and turn right on the very first street Webster Ave. Follow Webster west until it dead-ends (1/4 mile) at Leavitt St. and you will see the B&B.
Coming from O’Hare Airport (or from the north, Wisconsin, etc.) follow I-90 East toward downtown Chicago until after it merges with I-94. Continue to follow I-90/94, then exit #47A Fullerton. Turn left on Fullerton Ave., and at the next set of lights turn right on Damen Ave. Go 1/4 of a mile and take a right on Webster Ave. (it’s right after the underpass). Follow Webster west until it dead-ends (1/4 mile) at Leavitt St. and you will see the B&B.
Coming from Midway Airport, follow signs to Cicero Ave. Head north on Cicero for about 2 miles and get on I-55 North (Stevenson Expressway). Exit I-90/94 West (toward Wisconsin). Follow I-90/94 through the downtown area and exit Damen Ave (exit #47B). Turn left on Damen and get into the right lane, taking your very first right on Webster Ave. Follow Webster west till it dead-ends (1/4 mile) at Leavitt St. and you will see the B&B.
Public Transportation:
We have route maps available. You can find directions to anywhere in Chicago at www.rtachicago.com in the Trip Planner section.
Trains & Buses are both operated by the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) and work together. You can get one, three, and seven day Visitors Passes if you plan on using public transportation as your primary means of getting around. These are available at both airports at the entrance to the trains. We try and stock all Visitors Passes but of course it is best to buy them before you get on the trains at the airports . They are NOT available at the other train stations or on buses, but you can also buy visitor passes online before your trip. They are activated the first time you use them, so you can purchase them in advance. Go to the CTA store on http://www.chicagotransitauthority.com to purchase in advance.
The intercity trains are referred to as the “L” (for elevated), and each line is color-coded. We are located near the Western stop of the Blue Line that runs between downtown (referred to as The Loop) and O’Hare International Airport. Please be aware that there is two Western stops on the Blue Line. We are the Western stop of the Blue Line leg that runs between downtown and O'Hare.
If you are coming from O'Hare Airport, you can get on the Blue Line (follow the signs at O’Hare for CTA/City trains—Blue line is the only CTA train at O'Hare). It runs 24 hours. There is a kiosk that vends Visitor Passes at O'Hare Airport (it is a separate machine from the regular transit kiosks). Get off at the Western stop (between Damen and California). When you exit the Western stop, walk north on Western Ave. (take a right out of the station) past McDonald’s, then take a right (east) onto Armitage Ave. Walk two blocks to N. Leavitt St. (traffic light) and turn left (north). Continue on Leavitt for 4 1/2 blocks to 2144 N. Leavitt St. You will find the B&B on the left (west) side of the street where Webster St. dead-ends.
If you are coming from Midway Airport, follow the signs for the CTA/City trains. Get on the Orange Line (the only CTA train that goes to Midway). Transfer from the Orange Line to the Blue Line at the Clark stop. Make sure you get on a Blue Line train headed to O'Hare. Transfers between train lines are free. Get off at the Western stop (between Damen and California). When you exit the Western stop, walk north on Western Ave. (take a right out of the station) past McDonald’s, then take a right (east) onto Armitage Ave. Walk two blocks to N. Leavitt St. (traffic light) and turn left (north). Continue on Leavitt for 4 1/2 blocks to 2144 N. Leavitt St. You will find the B&B on the left (west) side of the street where Webster St. dead-ends.
If you are coming in on Amtrak, you will be arriving at Union Station which is just west of the Loop on Canal & Jackson. You can exit Union Station on Canal Street and turn left (south) and walk to the corner (Jackson) street and turn right (west) and walk one block to Clinton. Turn left (south) on Clinton and walk about two blocks to the Clinton Blue line stop. Catch the Blue Line toward O’Hare and get off at Western Ave stop (between Damen and California). When you exit the Western stop, walk north on Western Ave. (take a right out of the station) past McDonald’s, then take a right (east) onto Armitage Ave. Walk two blocks to N. Leavitt St. (traffic light) and turn left (north). Continue on Leavitt for 4 1/2 blocks to 2144 N. Leavitt St. You will find the B&B on the left (west) side of the street where Webster St. dead-ends.
Coming in on the Blue Line "L", although further away from the B&B, you can get off at the Damen stop, which puts you in the heart of the Wicker Park/Bucktown entertainment area (Damen/North/Milwaukee). This is a great area to wander, shop, kill some time, or find a unique restaurant. To get to the B&B from the Damen stop, take a left (North) out of the station and walk 3/4 of a mile (or catch the #50 Damen bus) to Webster St. (2200 N) and turn left. Walk 1/4 mile until Webster dead-ends. You will see the B&B's yellow sign at 2144 N. Leavitt St. You will pass about 20-25 restaurants on Damen Ave alone if you get hungry on your walk. There are restaurants in all directions from the Damen/North/Milwaukee intersection.
City Trains & Buses are both operated by the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) and work together. The Blue Line train runs 24 hours and buses times vary. You can get one, three, and seven day Visitors Passes if you plan on using public transportation as your primary means of getting around. These are available at both airports at the entrance to the trains. We try and stock all Visitors Passes but of course it is best to buy them before you get on the trains at the airports . They are NOT available at the other train stations or on buses, but you can also buy visitor passes online before your trip. They are activated the first time you use them, so you can purchase them in advance. Go to the CTA store on http://www.chicagotransitauthority.com to purchase in advance.
If you are not using a Visitors Pass, when you board a bus, the driver will not make change, so bring singles or buy a variable amount transit card at any "L" train station automated kiosk. For trains, simply walk up to a kiosk and buy a transit card. There are attendants at most stations that can help you, but the kiosks are fairly simple to understand. With a transit card, the fare is $2.00 on buses; $2.25 at rail stations; transfer for 25¢. Transfers with transit cards allow two additional rides within two hours after first boarding. If paying cash, buses are $2.25 and will not issue transfers.
Buses run on almost every major north-south streets (Damen Ave. and Western Ave. being the two closest to us) and major east-west street (Armitage Ave. and Fullerton Ave.). For complete bus routes, consult a CTA Map, available at the B&B's front desk or any "L" Station.
Directions to Chicago Attractions
See http://www.rtachicago.com/ for more information on city trains, buses and RTA. The RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) includes Metra trains to the suburbs and PACE suburban buses. The CTA is only the city buses and trains ("L" and subways).
Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave. (312) 443-3600
www.artic.edu
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line to downtown and get off at Monroe, walk three blocks east to Michigan Ave. and turn right. The Art Institute will be on the left (east) side of the street at the corner of Michigan & Adams.
Driving: Travel east on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Continue on I-90/94 East for 3.4 miles, then exit at Ohio St. Follow Ohio St. about 1 mile to Michigan Ave. Turn right on Michigan Ave. and drive about a mile. The Art Institute will be on the left (east) side of the street at the corner of Michigan & Adams. I recommend parking in the Millennium Park parking garage, which is easily accessible from the center of Michigan Ave.
Downtown (The Loop)
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line toward 54th-Cermak/Forest Park (away from O'Hare) and get off at any stop between Clark and LaSalle.
Driving: Drive East on Webster and get on I-90/94 West (The Kennedy Expressway). Travel on I-90/94 West for 3.4 miles. Downtown exits start at Ohio St. (River North, Navy Pier and Magnificent Mile), and east bound exits are Washington (100N), Monroe (100S), Jackson (300S), and Congress (500S) I-290 Eisenhower East changes into Congress Street.
Field Museum of Natural History
1400 S Lake Shore Dr. (312) 922-9410
www.fieldmuseum.org
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line to downtown (make sure you put in enough money for a transfer if you are not using a daily pass), and get off at Jackson. Walk one block east (you can do this underground by following the signs to the Red Line and then exit upstairs to State St.) and catch #146 Bus to the Field Museum.
Driving: Drive east on Webster and get on I-90/94 West (The Kennedy Expressway). Travel on I-90/94 West for 3.4 miles. Exit at Congress (I-290 Eisenhower East changes into Congress). Follow Congress until it dead ends at Columbus (Buckingham Fountain). Take a right on Columbus and it will merge into Lake Shore Drive. Take Lake Shore Drive (US-41) South past Grant Park. Continue south until the 18th street Exit. Turn left on 18th street and continue as it bends left, becoming Museum Campus Drive. Entrance to the parking garage will be on your left on Museum Campus Drive.
Magnificent Mile
Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River (~400 North) and Oak Street (1000 north). Oak Street, between Michigan Ave and Rush St., is Chicago's Rodeo Dr.
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line to downtown and get off at Washington, walk three blocks east to Michigan Ave. and turn left. The Magnificent Mile officially starts four blocks north once you cross the Chicago River. You can also take the Blue Line to Clark and transfer onto the Red Line, then take the Red Line North towards Howard, getting off at either Grand or Chicago. From either Red Line stop you walk east towards Lake Michigan to get to the Magnificent Mile.
Driving: Travel east on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Continue on I-90/94 East for 3.4 miles, then exit at Ohio St. Follow Ohio St. about 1 mile to Michigan Ave. You will be in the middle of the Magnificent Mile. You might find street parking to the west, but it is extremely difficult to find any street parking east of Michigan Ave. Most of the parking garages are also west of Michigan Ave.
McCormick Place
2301 S Lake Shore Dr. (312) 791-6300
www.mccormickplace.com
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line to downtown (towards 54-Cermak/Forest Park) Make sure you put in enough money for a transfer if you are not using a daily pass. Get off at Washington. Walk three blocks east to Michigan Ave. and catch the #3 bus to McCormick Place.
Parking: There are two main parking lots on the McCormick Place campus. Both are in close proximity and walking distance to the convention complex. Events in Lakeside Center and Arie Crown Theater designate Lot C as the primary parking location, while events in the North and South Buildings designate Lot A garage as the primary parking location. Lot C is an underground garage with 1,900 parking spaces and is located on Ft. Dearborn Drive, adjacent to the Lakeside Center. Lot A is a six level garage with an adjacent surface lot and is located directly across from the Grand Concourse/Gate 4. Covered walkways from Lot A leading directly into McCormick Place and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel.
Driving:
LOT A: Travel east on Webster and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Travel about 6 miles and exit at I-55 North (Stevenson Expressway) and Lake Shore Drive. Exit at Martin L. King Drive (Exit #293D) and follow signs to Lot A.
LOT C:
Go east on Webster and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy). Go about 6 miles and exit I-55 North (Stevenson Expressway) and Lake Shore Drive and follow signs onto US-41 South (Lake Shore Drive). Exit at 31st St. and turn left over the Lake Shore Dr. Bridge to Ft. Dearborn Drive. Turn left and follow signs to Lot C.
Millennium Park
222 N Columbus Dr. (312) 861-9503
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line to downtown (towards 54-Cermak/Forest Park) and get off at Washington. Walk three blocks east to Michigan Ave.
Driving: Travel east on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Continue on I-90/94 East for 3.4 miles, then exit at Ohio St. Follow Ohio St. about 1 mile to Michigan Ave. Turn right on Michigan Ave. and go .75 miles, and you will find the park on the left side (east) of the street starting at the corner of Michigan & Randolph. I recommend parking in the Millennium Park parking garage, which is easily accessible from the center of Michigan Ave.
Museum of Science & Industry
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive (773) 684-1414
www.msichicago.org
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line to downtown and get off at Washington. Walk one block east (you can do this underground by following the signs to the Red Line and then exit upstairs to State St.). From downtown Chicago, there are several ways to reach the Museum by bus.
• Take the #2 Hyde Park Express south to 57th and Stony Island and walk 1 block east to the Museum.
• Take the #6 Jackson Park Express bus south to 56th Street and walk 1 block south to the Museum.
• Take the #28 Stony Island Express south to 56th and Hyde Park Boulevard and walk 1 block south to the Museum.
• Take the #10 Museum of Science and Industry bus which runs every day during the summer and weekends-only the rest of the year.
Driving: Travel East on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Exit at the Stevenson/Lake Shore Drive exit and stay to the left. Follow the signs to Lake Shore Drive. Head south on Lake Shore Drive and turn right onto 57th Street. Get in the left lane and follow 57th Street around to the Museum's west side. Turn left to enter the Museum's underground garage.
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave. (312) 595-7437
www.navypier.com
Public transportation: Take the Blue Line to downtown and get off at Washington. Walk one block east (you can do this underground by following the signs to the Red Line and then exit upstairs to State St.) At State St. catch the #29 Bus (north).
Navy Pier Free Trolley Service: The Illinois-Grand Corridor Transportation Management Association (TMA) offers FREE daily trolley service between Navy Pier and State St. along Grand Ave. and Illinois St. Current trolley hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Trolleys typically run every 20 minutes and pick-up points are indicated by 'Navy Pier Trolley Stop' signs along the route. For more information on the TMA, please visit www.tylin.com/chicago/tma.
Driving: Travel east on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Exit Ohio St., then turn right (south) on Orleans to Illinois Street and turn left (east) and continue east on Illinois.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive (312)939-2438
www.sheddaquarium.org
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line toward 54th-Cermak/Forest Park (away from O'Hare) and get off at the Washington stop. Exit the station and you will be on the corner of Washington and Dearborn. Transfer to the Southbound #14 Jeffery Express bus on the corner of Washington and Dearborn and get off at the Museum Campus Bus Stop. Shedd will be visible from the stop--it is a large white stone building with columns right on the shores of Lake Michigan. Walk the 0.3 miles to the aquarium from the bus stop.
Driving: Travel east on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 E (The Kennedy Expressway). Continue on I-90/94 East until exit #51H-I, the I-290 W. Eisenhower Expressway/Congress Pkwy. towards West Suburbs/Chicago Loop. Merge onto Eisenhower Expressway East. After the Eisenhower becomes W. Congress Pkwy. (about half a mile), take a slight right onto E. Congress Dr. A series of quick turns follows: right onto S. Columbus Dr., left on E. Balbo Dr. Finally, take a right onto S. Lake Shore Dr. and follow the signs for Museum Campus Parking. Visitor parking in all lots on the Museum Campus is $15.00 per day on all non-event days. There is a $10 early bird rate available to cars that arrive before 9:30 a.m. and leave before 9:00 p.m. This includes the Adler Lot, the North Garage, the Waldron Garage and the East Museum Lot. Winter hours for the North Garage are 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; East Museum lot 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Adler lot 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Handicapped parking is available in every parking lot. Please note: these hours and rates are for daytime only and do not apply when special events are scheduled at the museums or Soldier Field. For special event parking or during museum events, please contact the host museum directly.
Soldier Field
1410 S. Museum Campus Drive (312) 235-7000
www.chicagobears.com
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line to downtown (make sure you put in enough money for a transfer if you are not using a daily pass) and get off at Jackson. Walk one block North to Randolph and then walk east past Michigan Ave. to the Millennium Park Garage and catch the free shuttle to Soldier Field.
Driving: Travel east on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Exit at Congress (I-290 Eisenhower East changes into Congress). Follow Congress until it dead-ends at Columbus (Buckingham Fountain). Take a right on Columbus and it will merge into Lake Shore Drive. Take Lake Shore Drive (US-41) south past Grant Park. Continue south until the 18th street exit. Turn left on 18th street and continue as it bends left, becoming Museum Campus Drive. Drop-offs are NOT allowed on game day.
Parking: Please call the Standard Parking Customer Service Hotline at (312) 583-9153 or visit ChicagoBears.com, soldierfield.net or soldierfieldparking.com for additional information. Fans are strongly encouraged to park in the East Monroe Street or Millennium Park Garages and utilize the free stadium shuttle. Free shuttles begin running from these garages five hours prior to kickoff. The shuttle is accessible from street level at upper Randolph Street, and the drop-off is at 18th Street. After the game, shuttles will be stationed at 18th Street to return fans to the East Monroe Street and Millennium Park Garages. The shuttle ride is approximately 10 minutes. Due to excessive crowds following the game, fans taking the shuttle may experience minor delays. There are also a limited number of free shuttles for the 31st Street McCormick Place Lot to and from 18th Street. We ask that our patrons be respectful of the neighborhood surrounding Soldier Field. Most of the area is residential “zone” parking and is subject to citation. Tailgating is allowed on all surface lots and on the upper level of the Waldron Deck. Drop-off and pick-up on the Museum Campus roadways is prohibited.
United Center
1901 W Madison St. (312) 455-4500
www.unitedcenter.com
Public Transportation: Walk straight out the door down Webster Ave. to Damen Ave. and catch the southbound #50 Damen Ave. bus about 3 miles to The United Center.
Driving: Travel east on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Exit at Madison Ave. (west) and continue about one mile. The United Center will be on your left. You can also drive straight south on Damen Ave. for about three miles and it will be on your left.
US Cellular Field
Home of the World Series Champion Chicago White Sox
333 West 35th St. (312) 674-1000
chicago.whitesox.mlb.com
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line toward 54th/Cermak Forest Park (away from O'Hare) and get off at Washington. Transfer to the Red Line (southbound) 95th/Dan Ryan train to Sox-35th St. station. Walk west one block to U.S. Cellular Field.
Driving: Travel East on Webster St. and get on I-90/94 East (The Kennedy Expressway). Exit at 35th St.
Wrigley Field
Home of the hopeless Cubs
1060 W Addison St. (773) 404-2827
chicago.cubs.mlb.com
Public Transportation: Take the Blue Line toward 54th/Cermak Forest Park (away from O'Hare) and get off at Washington. Transfer to the Red Line (Northbound) to Howard and get off at Addison. Wrigley is visible from the "L" stop.
You can also take the Damen Ave bus north to Addison and then the Addison Bus east, but right before the game Addison is pretty jammed and you'll walk faster.
Driving: Drive east on Webster St. and take a left on Damen Ave. Drive about 2 miles to Addison and take a right. Drive another 1.5 miles and Wrigley will be visible on your left, at the corner of Clark and Addison. Parking in this area during game time is expensive and street parking is not allowed.
Shuttle Bus: You can drive to Addison & Western, park in the designated lot and take a free shuttle to the game.