How to get Downtown from Each Residence Hall

     One of the biggest perks of going to the University of Chicago is that it’s so close to downtown Chicago. It’s just a quick bus ride to the train station, then you hop on the train, and before you know it you’re downtown! The first time you head downtown when you get here, it may be a little difficult to get to know what each bus number means, where the bus stop is, or how far away it is from your residence hall. So, I made these instructions to aid you on your first trip downtown. 

From Renee-Granville Grossman to the Chicago Art Institute: 

1. Exit the building and walk towards the street (S Ellis Ave) and then turn left and the bus stop will be on your left when you reach the intersection (S Ellis Ave and 61st St).
2. Take the 59 Bus to 55th and Garfield. I always ask to double check that the bus is going to the red line, the bus driver is always happy to help out, and CTA employees are typically very kind. At 55th and Garfield, you will see the Red Line stop, which overlooks the freeway. You’ll want to pull the cord above your seat a little before you get there to let the driver know that you would like to stop at the train station. 
3. Get off the bus, scan your UPass at the terminal and walk down to the platform and wait for the train to get there. 
4. Take the Red Line to the Jackson stop, then walk East on Jackson Blvd. You’re going the right way if you pass Chipotle and Bibibop.
5. Turn left at the intersection of Jackson and Michigan Avenue and walk one block North and the Art Institute will be on you right.

From Woodlawn to the Magnificent Mile: 

1. Exit the building and walk towards the street (S University Ave) and then turn left and walk to the end of the street and turn right. Walk towards S Ellis Street. Then you will reach the bus stop behind RGGRC. 
2. Take the 59 Bus to 55th and Garfield. I always ask to double check that the bus is going to the red line, the bus driver is always happy to help out, and CTA employees are typically very kind. At 55th and Garfield, you will see the Red Line stop, which overlooks the freeway. You’ll want to pull the cord above your seat a little before you get there to let the driver know that you would like to stop at the train station. 
3. Get off the bus, scan your UPass at the terminal and walk down to the platform and wait for the train to get there. 
4. Take the Red Line to the Grand stop and walk North on State Street until you reach the intersection of State and Ohio. Then, turn right and walk three blocks, then you’ll be on the Mag Mile!

From Burton-Judson to Navy Pier:

1. Exit the building and turn left until you reach the corner and then turn left and walk towards 60th St. When you reach the corner of 60th St and S Ellis, the bus stop will be on your left. 
2. Take the 59 Bus to 55th and Garfield. I always ask to double check that the bus is going to the red line, the bus driver is always happy to help out, and CTA employees are typically very kind. At 55th and Garfield, you will see the Red Line stop, which overlooks the freeway. You’ll want to pull the cord above your seat a little before you get there to let the driver know that you would like to stop at the train station. 
3. Get off the bus, scan your UPass at the terminal and walk down to the platform and wait for the train to get there. 
4. Take the Red Line to the Lake stop and walk north towards Chicago Theater. Wait at the State and Lake bus stop near the theater, and take the 29 Bus to the Navy Pier Terminal. 

From International House to Sears Tower:

1. Exit the building and turn right and walk towards S Ellis St, when you get there, turn left and walk until you reach the corner of S Ellis and 60th St. The bus stop will be directly on your left.
2. Take the 59 Bus to 55th and Garfield. I always ask to double check that the bus is going to the red line, the bus driver is always happy to help out, and CTA employees are typically very kind. At 55th and Garfield, you will see the Red Line stop, which overlooks the freeway. You’ll want to pull the cord above your seat a little before you get there to let the driver know that you would like to stop at the train station. 
3. Get off the bus, scan your UPass at the terminal and walk down to the platform and wait for the train to get there. 
4. Take the Red Line to the Jackson stop. Walk north one block until you reach the intersection of State and Adams. Then, turn left and walk west until you reach the intersection of Adams and Wacker Drive.
5. Turn left and then the Tower will be on your left.

From Snell-Hitchcock to Wrigley Field:

1. Exit the building and walk out of the quad onto S Ellis Avenue, turn right and walk North until you reach the corner of S Ellis and 55th Street. Turn right and you will approach the bus stop.
2. Wait for the 55 and Ellis bus, it will say its headed towards Midway Orange Line, it is never a bad idea to ask and double check its headed to the Red Line though.
3. Take the bus to the 55th and Garfield Red Line station. There, you will see the Red Line stop, which overlooks the freeway. You’ll want to pull the cord above your seat a little before you get there to let the driver know that you would like to stop at the train station.
4. Get off the bus, scan your UPass at the terminal and walk down to the platform and wait for the train to get there. 
5. Take the Red Line to the Addison stop, walk to Addison Street, and then turn right and Wrigley Field will be right there. 

From Max Palevsky to the Bean :

1. Exit the building and walk towards S Ellis Street, then turn right and walk until you reach the corner of 55th and S Ellis. Turn right and walk until you reach the bus stop.
2. Wait for the 55 and Ellis bus, it will say its headed towards Midway Orange Line, it is never a bad idea to ask and double check its headed to the Red Line though.
3. Take the bus to the 55th and Garfield Red Line station. There, you will see the Red Line stop, which overlooks the freeway. You’ll want to pull the cord above your seat a little before you get there to let the driver know that you would like to stop at the train station.
4. Get off the bus, scan your UPass at the terminal and walk down to the platform and wait for the train to get there. 
5. Take the Red Line to the Jackson stop, then walk East on Jackson Blvd. You’re going the right way if you pass Chipotle and Bibibop.
6. Turn left at the intersection of Jackson and Michigan Avenue and walk North until you reach East Washington Street, cross the street here and the Bean will be right there. 

From North to the River Walk:

1. Exit the building and walk towards 55th street, it’s right behind Baker.
2. Turn left and walk until you reach the bus stop.
3. Wait for the 55 and Ellis bus, it will say its headed towards Midway Orange Line, it is never a bad idea to ask and double check its headed to the Red Line though.
4. Take the bus to the 55th and Garfield Red Line station. There, you will see the Red Line stop, which overlooks the freeway. You’ll want to pull the cord above your seat a little before you get there to let the driver know that you would like to stop at the train station.
5. Get off the bus, scan your UPass at the terminal and walk down to the platform and wait for the train to get there. 
6. Take the Red Line to the State/Lake stop, walk North, and there will be stairs that lead to the River Walk once you cross Wacker Street.

     To get back, I recommend taking the Hyde Park Express 2 bus. There are stops all along Michigan Avenue/Magnificent Mile that the 2 bus stops at. This is how I always get back from downtown because it’s quick and clean, plus it drives past Grant Park which is really pretty. You could also take the redline back, but it is easy to take a bus headed away from campus if you try to get back from Garfield Station. 

     Alternatively, to get to and from downtown Chicago, you could take the Metra, which has a stop right next to I-House on 59th Street. This is a fancier train than the CTA, it has two levels of seating and attendants who actually come by and check for tickets. It is very nice and has very comfortable seats, however, you do have to pay for your ticket to ride it, the UPass does not cover your fare to ride the Metra trains. 

     Another good tip is to download the Ventra app on your phone. This will let you know what trains and buses are nearby, when they will get to the stop, and allow you to track their routes so that you can see where they are going. Through the Metra app, you can also buy tickets for the Metra and check the availability of Divvy bikes at nearby docks.