Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4 General Travel Resources
SAFETY
Chicago has all the crime problems of any urban center, so use your
common sense and stay cautious and alert. At night, you might want
to stick to well-lit streets along the Magnificent Mile, River North,
Gold Coast, and Lincoln Park, which are all high-traffic areas late
into the night. That said, Chicago is still a big city; muggings can—
and do—happen anywhere.
Late at night, avoid wandering dark residential streets on the
fringes of Hyde Park and Pilsen, which border areas with more trou-
blesome reputations. You can also ask your hotel concierge or an
agent at the tourist visitor center about the safety of a particular area.
The El is generally quite safe, even at night, although some of the
downtown stations can feel eerily deserted late in the evening. Buses
are a safe option, too, especially nos. 146 and 151, which pick up
along North Michigan Avenue and State Street and connect to the
North Side via Lincoln Park.
5 Specialized Travel Resources
TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES
Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling in the U.S.
There are more options and resources out there than ever before.
Most of Chicago's sidewalks, as well as major museums and tourist
attractions, are fitted with wheelchair ramps. Many hotels provide
special accommodations such as ramps and large bathrooms for vis-
itors in wheelchairs, as well as telecommunications devices for visi-
tors with hearing impairments; inquire when you make your
reservation.
Pace,
the company that runs bus routes between Chicago and its
suburbs, offers paratransit services throughout the area for travelers
with disabilities. For information, call
&
800/606-1282,
or visit
www.pacebus.com
.
Several
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
El stations on each
line have elevators. Call the CTA at
&
312/836-7000
for a list of
accessible stations. All city buses are equipped to accommodate
wheelchairs.
For specific information on facilities for people with disabilities,
contact the
Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities,
121 N.
LaSalle St., Room 1104, Chicago, IL 60602 (
&
312/744-7050
or
TTY 312/744-4964; www.cityofchicago.org/disabilities). The office
is staffed from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
