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Chicago the easy way
Being a born and bred small-town boy, my take on cities may resonate with some of you: “Nice to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”
Well, that’s beginning to change a little. Just about a year ago, our oldest daughter Katie graduated from Hillsdale College and within two weeks had moved to Chicago.
Getting there is NOT half the fun.
Not even close. In fact, the trip in on moving day (replete with construction delays, parking hassles and all-around confusion) was enough to make us cast about for alternatives to driving. There is Amtrak, of course. But it is notoriously off-schedule, and the trains are few and far between. Friends from church had the answer—the South Shore Line.
Operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, the South Shore Line provides daily connections with Chicago. It’s a commuter line so people depend on it to get to work. Translation: It’s on time.
For people in our area, the closest connections are Michigan City and South Bend, Indiana. Although trains do go as far east as South Bend (at the airport), there are not as many trains making the South Bend connection. Most of the people I know who use the South Shore just go to Michigan City.
Easy, low-cost convenience
At the Michigan City Carroll Avenue Station, you’ll find a large paved and lighted lot. You can leave your car safely here. We have done it several times, and people do it every day.
By the way, there are two stops in Michigan City: Eleventh Street and Carroll Avenue. You want the latter since there is no parking at Eleventh Street. The Carroll Avenue station is easy to find. Just take the Michigan City exit from I-94. It’s right on the way to the big outlet mall there.
There is a huge water tower on the right. At about the time you see the water tower, you’ll see a McDonald’s restaurant, also on the right. Turn right on Carroll Avenue, which runs between the water tower and the McDonald’s. A block or two down Carroll you’ll see the sign for the station—another right turn.
In planning your trip, remember that Michigan City is on Central Time. If the ticket office is closed when you arrive, don’t worry. You can buy tickets from the conductor once you board.
I would suggest going all the way to the end of the line. The last stop is Millennium Station at Michigan and Randolph. From here, you can go pretty much anywhere in the city using taxis or public transportation.
A one-way ticket from Carroll Avenue to Millennium Station is $7.70 ($6.50 on weekends).
So just think. For about $15 per person round-trip, you can visit Chicago for a day or a few days with minimum hassle and expense. Sure, you have to drive to Michigan City. But, it’s only about an hour and a half and, all things considered, a lot less than the cost and aggravation of driving to the city, trying to find parking and then paying through the nose for it once you find it.
Complete details about fares and schedules are available at the website or by calling 800/356-2079.