Getting to the Clark/Lake Station

Many of you riding the Metra in from the suburbs are uncomfortable getting around the City. You'll have no problem during the day once we're in a group. Getting to the group, well that's a different story. Here are directions for you. Please read through past your train directions. There's information about getting a CTA pass at the bottom. Please Note: The CTA pass to ride around the El is separate from the Metra ticket you buy to get into the City.

For those of you riding the Metra Union Pacific/Northwest Line:

You will want to take the train that arrives in Chicago at Ogilvie at 10:23am.The train will arrive in Chicago at 10:23am. If you didn't find anyone on the train, look for them at Ogilvie Station when you get off the train.

To walk from Ogilvie Transportation Center to the Clark/Lake El station, the official meeting place: There are several different exits to get outside the train station. You'll want to look for the signs pointing to the exit on Madison. When you go out the door, turn right, which will be east. Walk for about 5 blocks to Clark Street. At Clark Street, turn left, which will be north. You'll walk for 4 blocks to Lake Street. At Lake Street, the train tracks will be over your head. The entrance to the El station is on Lake Street. Turn left at the intersection of Clark Street and Lake Street. The entrance to the station will be on the right side of the street.

For those of you riding either the Burlington Northern or Milwaukee District West Lines:

For those of you riding Burlington Northern, take the train that arrives at Chicago at Union Station at 10:42am. For those of you riding Milwaukee District West Line, take the train that arrives at Chicago at Union Station at 10:09. If you didn't find anyone on the train, look for them at Union Station when you get off the train. I suggest anyone on the 10:09 train sit around upstairs and crochet until those on the later train come, so you can all walk together.

To walk from Union Station to the Clark/Lake El station, the official meeting place: There are several different exits to get outside the train station. You'll want to look for the signs pointing to the exit on Adams. I believe it's the escalator near the McDonald's. When you go out the door, turn right, which will be east. Walk for about 6 blocks to Clark Street. At Clark Street, turn left, which will be north. You'll walk for 7 blocks to Lake Street. At Lake Street, the train tracks will be over your head. The entrance to the El station is on Lake Street. Turn left at the intersection of Clark Street and Lake Street. The entrance to the station will be on the right side of the street.

To ride the El train, you need to buy a CTA pass. When you get to the corner of Clark and Lake Streets there will be a Walgreens. You can buy the CTA pass there. The CTA pass is separate from the Metra train pass. You'll each want to buy a "1-Day Fun Pass", which is $5.75.

If you are worried about getting lost in downtown Chicago, it may be helpful to buy a map. There are small ones that are of only downtown. The ones I've seen are coated in plastic and fold up easily. I think you can get them at a gas station, or maybe even a drug store. 

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