Upon our arrival in Chicago, our daughter presented each of us with a 7-day CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) pass. With that pass we were able to ride anywhere in Chicago by bus or train during our 7-day visit. Coupled with walking, the pass proved public transportation was the best way to get around.
There is so much to see in Chicago that we took our time to enjoy what it was possible to see in just a few days. Public transit takes visitors almost anywhere they want to go. I personally prefer walking to view sights up close. I recommend, for example getting up close to The Tribune Tower to see all the inlaid natural stones and pieces of architecture from places all over the United States of America and the rest of the world.
There are other exciting modes of transportation including Antique Coach and Carriage, trolley, Bike and Roll Chicago bicycle rental, and Segway Experience of Chicago. Individual bicycle rental requires return in just one hour. Trolley involves taking a preplanned route and staying in your seat. On the plus side, a knowledgeable leader guides trolley, segway, bicycle tours, but you can also pick up pamphlets take you walking tours and still learn the amazing details of Chicago.
However, while walking I was able to enter and exit air-conditioned buildings, adjust my pace according to what I wanted to see when I wanted to see it, and use the stairs to the Chicago Riverwalk. On the Chicago Riverwalk, you can see café’s, kayak rentals, and bicycle rentals as well as the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. One place I stopped was a tunnel with the history of Chicago told in tile.
The path takes you further beyond the Navy Pier, moored yachts, and the Museum Campus. After walking this far on a hot humid day, treat yourself to your favorite ice cream from a vendor outside the museums, and then hop on a bus either near the museums or along Michigan Avenue. Beyond the Museum Campus, there are no stops on Columbus.
Bus stops are just a block or two apart and signs show the route each bus will travel. In addition, there are phone apps that help passengers know when to expect the bus or train. We had to take advantage of those apps on our way to visit the Ukrainian Village. Underground, the walls above the train tracks have clear maps showing where the trains go and on which side of the tracks to board.
The Lincoln Park Zoo was too far to walk so we took a bus. Native Chicagoans answered the questions I had while looking out the bus window as we passed beaches and the Water Tower.
I enjoy walking instead of driving when I am on vacation as opposed to being at work. I hope you get an opportunity to enjoy Chicago. I did.
