Chicago Pride advice for a noob (Addison, Time: transfer to, neighborhood, taxi)

[sidburn]

I'm a straight guy in my late 20s and am thinking about going to the Pride parade this weekend because hey, why not. I've never been to something like this before and any advice is appreciated. What's the best street to arrive from (Belmont, Addison, etc)? What's the best, least-crowded way and time to get there via CTA? General dos and don'ts?

[chet everett]

If you really are straight and you've not been to the parade before it probably makes sense to try to gather a group of friends (of all genders / orientations...) to hang out with and support the causes of equality / acceptance / pride. Lots more fun than standing around by yourself and awkwardly trying to meet new friends that might misunderstand your intentions. If the weather is good, especially in the early part of the day, you can expect LOTS of people to be quite inebriated and that tends to increase flirtatious behaviors. Having even co-workers and such that will make it clear why you are at the parade helps to avoid any confusion.

[Lorielicious]

Oh, that's this weekend? Guess I'll have to stay home. It's thankfully south of where I live, but it'll still be a sh*t show in my neighborhood in general, and they're going to certainly sh*t up the Red Line.

Oh, um, my advice is just go have fun? It's not terribly complicated. And try not to be too much of a jackass.

[ChiGuy2.5]

I would take the L if possible. It will still be packed but its better than a Taxi or the Bus... Get off at Belmont, that seems to always be the epicenter.

[emathias]

Ride your bike. Seriously. Taking public transit to that area will be crush-loaded. Taking transit away may be nearly impossible unless you leave many hours after the parade ends. The past few years they have actually shut down the Belmont station because there were too many people for it to safely handle. I expect the same this year.

[sidburn]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I would take the L if possible. It will still be packed but its better than a Taxi or the Bus... Get off at Belmont, that seems to always be the epicenter.

I live off the blue line. Would it be a good idea to take it downtown, then transfer to brown or red?

[bella84]

Originally Posted by sidburn

I live off the blue line. Would it be a good idea to take it downtown, then transfer to brown or red?

In that case, I'd take a bus instead.

[steeps]

I saw the Pride parade in 2010 or 2011. When I stayed at the Getaway Hostel near Boystown there. I bought a 6-pack at a grocery store on Clark (I was told they allow beer drinking on the street for the parade) and enjoyed it. It was a sunny HOT day. I missed the Float with the TOPLESS WOMEN TO TAKE A PICTURE ..... Because my battery popped out of me camera. (!@#$%&&) I did get a lot of float pictures. Just was reluctant to show them back home.

After my buzz I was hungry and ate at a pizza place called " The Pie Hole" LOL but the thin crust Pizza was DARN GOOD. The menu was hilarious, so I ate it outside with my beer. In the HOT SUN. sitting on the ground. I got up TOOK MY SHIRT OFF AND FELT FREE. LOL.

I was too overheated to stay for the whole parade. But I'D GO AGAIN FOR SURE.... Oh, one thing too, What I remember is THE LOUD VOLUME OF ALL THE PEOPLE. IT WAS LIKE A ROCK CONCERT THE WHOLE TIME. I walked ..... so no comment on how to get there.

Well that is my memory of it. I did here they shortened since I saw it. BUT I WOULDN'T HESITATE TO SEE IT. GO TO THE LAKEFRONT TILL TRAFFIC CLEARS PERHAPS IF NICE.

[Freefall18]

I went for the first time last year, and it wasn't too crowded near the end at Diversey.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by steeps

The menu was hilarious, so I ate it outside with my beer. In the HOT SUN. sitting on the ground. I got up TOOK MY SHIRT OFF AND FELT FREE.

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I vote this section for the city-data Hall of Fame.