Visiting Chicago - CTA question (Quincy, Campus: crime, transfer, shoppers)

[CatManDoo]

I've visited Chicago several times and have never felt "unsafe" using the CTA buses or L. This time I'm taking my two 6 year olds with me and am especially sensitive about where we go, what buses we take, what trains we take, etc. For the most part, we'll be doing the touristy things and spending most of our time on bus 146 and bus 10. The only thing I'm not sure about is getting from Museum Campus over to Willis () Tower. Google says to take 146 to the Roosevelt station, take the Orange line up to Quincy, and walk over to the tower. You guys familiar with that area agree? I know nothing about the Roosevelt station or the Orange line. Are they both safe? I assume they're reasonably safe, and I wouldn't be asking if it were just me or the wife and me, but with the kids in tow, I'm erring on the side of paranoia . Thanks!

[long101]

Anything between Museum campus and the sears tower will be relatively safe as you will be going through the loop. If you go during the middle of a weekday expect it to be busy with everyone walking around, a weekend it would be pretty calm except for shoppers.

[chet everett]

The central business district and the lake front museum campus is all pretty tourist friendly. Crime is generally very well policed and even purse snatchers and pick pockets are not tolerated.

[CatManDoo]

Is the Roosevelt station safe (assuming we don't screw up and hop on the green line going south)?

[long101]

I would assume you mean the Roosevelt at Roosevelt and State? Yes, its fine. As with everything it gets a bit sketchier at night but that is a very busy station. Did you look into a bus that would drop you off in front of union station? Kinda surprised you would have to take an L

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by CatManDoo

I've visited Chicago several times and have never felt "unsafe" using the CTA buses or L. This time I'm taking my two 6 year olds with me and am especially sensitive about where we go, what buses we take, what trains we take, etc. For the most part, we'll be doing the touristy things and spending most of our time on bus 146 and bus 10. The only thing I'm not sure about is getting from Museum Campus over to Willis () Tower. Google says to take 146 to the Roosevelt station, take the Orange line up to Quincy, and walk over to the tower. You guys familiar with that area agree? I know nothing about the Roosevelt station or the Orange line. Are they both safe? I assume they're reasonably safe, and I wouldn't be asking if it were just me or the wife and me, but with the kids in tow, I'm erring on the side of paranoia . Thanks!

Thousands of Chicagoans do it daily with their families. I did it with my cousins and their children last year. It is not even particularly scary as that area has gentrified over the past ten years.

[SJaye]

I believe there is a bus that takes you directly from the Museum campus to downtown via Michigan or State Street. You can get off at Jackson and walk a few blocks. One thing I have noticed about Google Transit is that it tends to assume that you are adverse to walking and would rather circle the loop, or transfer several times than walk 1/2 a mile.

[CatManDoo]

Originally Posted by long101

I would assume you mean the Roosevelt at Roosevelt and State? Yes, its fine. As with everything it gets a bit sketchier at night but that is a very busy station. Did you look into a bus that would drop you off in front of union station? Kinda surprised you would have to take an L

Yes, bus #1 would take us from Michigan/Roosevelt to Adams/Canal, and I'm considering that option. The only possible constraint there is whether the kids will be in the mood to walk from museum campus to the bus stop. It's only about .6 miles, but after several hours of touring a museum or two, it may be .6 miles too many for them. Plus, I'd like for them to ride the L at some point just for the experience. It's not all that exciting for adults, but my son is especially fascinated by trains.

Regardless, it sounds like either option is safe, so I feel better.

[knitgirl]

If the kids are interested in riding the L, the line that would probably be most fun is the Brown line going around the Loop, sitting in the front of the 1st car is pretty cool.

[Thepreacherswife]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

If the kids are interested in riding the L, the line that would probably be most fun is the Brown line going around the Loop, sitting in the front of the 1st car is pretty cool.

Problem is if they're coming from the Museum Campus, the Brown Line would be going the wrong direction.

OP: You can always opt for a cab, yet another interesting Chicago "experience". Maybe $5 or $6 from the Field to the Willis. Then ride the L afterward.