Riding Metra from West 'burbs to downtown (Chicago, Naperville: hotel, taxi)

[rusty2006]

We're headed to Chicago from points west next week. Staying at a hotel on the Miracle Mile for a few days of R&R. We really don't enjoy the drive into downtown, although we drove in Houston traffic for years. Thinking about parking the car at Naperville or Downer's Grove and taking the Metra to Union Station, then a cab to the hotel.

Will this work with us each lugging a suitcase?

I'm guessing that the train is reasonably safe in the mid-day?

How's the parking/car safety around the 'burb stations?

Other thoughts/comments appreciated. Looking forward to visiting your great city!

[knitgirl]

The Miracle Mile is in LA. We have this The Magnificent Mile - GNMAA You'd have to check with the stations if they'd allow long-term parking.

[chet everett]

The Miracle Mile is not in Chicago. If you are staying in Chicago you may be staying at a Hotel on North Michigan Ave which some folks like to refer to as the Magnificent Mile...

You cannot leave your car in either Naperville or Downers Grove's municpal garages for an extended period. You will be ticketed and quite likely towed. You may be able to park in a private lot like at Good Samaritan or Edward Hospital, though you'd need to take Pace from either facility and that would be kind of awkward with luggage.

Luggage on Metra midday is not a big deal, I'd see folks schlepping to / from Amtrak that way quite often. Safety is a non-issue at all hours, just during rush hour you don't have much room to maneuver.

[Avengerfire]

What is up with all this miracle mile stuff?

[knitgirl]

wierd, isn't it?!

[ToriaT]

I know Downers has day parking but not multiple days I think. Trains are safe and many take luggage on. The biggest problem is where to stash the car. Miracle mile is a misnomer its the Magnificent Mile aka north Michigan Avenue.

[rusty2006]

Sorry, of course it's the Magnificant Mile.

[TempesT68]

You're going to have a hard time trying to find a place to park it around the train stations. Might just be easier to just drive downtown.

[mikedoyleblogger]

Well...you could also try another tack. Drive up to O'Hare and leave your car in long-term parking there. It won't be cheap, but you're guaranteed to know long-term parking will be available. Then just take the Blue Line 'L' downtown from O'Hare. (You'll simply need to take the Airport Transit System shuttle train from the parking lot to the main terminal area where the 'L' station is.) As long as you avoid rush hour, there'll be room for your bags, and the line is safe and well-traveled throughout the day. You can get off in the Loop at Clark/Lake, take escalators or elevators up to the street, and grab a taxi from there to your hotel on North Michigan Avenue.

O'Hare parking/map: http://www.ohare.com/ohare/parkingohare/parking.shtm

[JustinHaugens]

If you're set on Metra, the Route 59 stop on BNSF may be an option.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Station

Call the parking contact number from that link and see what they say. The parking appears to be 4x the amount at most Metra stops so the availability of parking might be better.