Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
extended hours on game days. To get to the ballpark by subway/El,
take the Red Line to Sox/35th Street.
BASKETBALL
When it comes to basketball, Chicagoans still live in the past, asso-
ciating the
Chicago Bulls
(
&
312/455-4000
) with the glory days
of Michael Jordan and the never-ending championships of the
1990s. Although the team has rebounded somewhat from the dismal
seasons following the departure of Jordan et al., the current players
don't inspire the same city-wide excitement. The upside for visitors?
The Bulls don't consistently sell out, which means you might be able
to catch a game at the cavernous
United Center,
1901 W. Madison
St. (
&
312/455-4500;
www.chicagosports.com). Most tickets run
$20 to $100 through
Ticketmaster
&
312/559-1212
).
FOOTBALL
The
Chicago Bears
play at
Soldier Field,
Lake Shore Drive and
16th Street (
&
847/295-6600;
www.chicagobears.com), site of a
controversial renovation that added what looks like a giant space
ship on top of the original stadium's elegant colonnade. Architec-
turally, it's a disaster, but from a comfort perspective, the place is
much improved—although that doesn't impress longtime fans who
prided themselves on surviving blistering-cold game days and horri-
fying bathrooms. The Bears themselves have been inspiring high
hopes—most recently, winning a trip to the Superbowl in 2007. But
even during losing seasons, tickets are hard to come by (most are
snapped up by season-ticket holders long before the season starts). If
you plan ahead, individual tickets run $45 to $300; expensive seats
are usually available through ticket brokers or online sites.
The
Northwestern Wildcats
play Big Ten college ball at
Ryan
Field,
1501 Central St., in nearby Evanston (
&
847/491-CATS
).
