Anyone else like to just ride around aimlessly around the city. (Chicago: homes, train)

[Costa Rica Chica]

I would love to do this, but not with my little boy. Actually, he loves trains - but I would like to know where we were going, have a destination in mind. I am planning on taking him downtown by train a lot this summer.

[skipcromer]

Having moved here a year ago I am disappointed in myself for not at all exploring the southside. Any recommendations for train stops or bus lines I could / should check out.

One place I know I want to explore is Pullman, but i have not had the chance.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by Drover

I train-surf pretty frequently, mostly as a way to blow off steam after I've just finished a big project at school. I don't "bus-surf" as often because I don't have the patience for most buses as they lumber along at 9 miles an hour. Typically if I want to see a part of town I haven't seen yet or haven't seen recently, I get in my car and drive there. It gives me more time to explore the side streets and residential areas and what-not.

Same with me, when I city surf I usually drive in car; IMO its better and safer that way. So far I seen most of the southside, half of the westside. I haven't seen much of the Northside(except the obvious). Thanks to google streetview, I have an idea of what those neighborhoods I never been to look like.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by Costa Rica Chica

I would love to do this, but not with my little boy. Actually, he loves trains - but I would like to know where we were going, have a destination in mind. I am planning on taking him downtown by train a lot this summer.

I take my children with me because I don't want them be scared suburbanite kids who are scared to go into "the city". I have grown cousins that grew up in NWI who are still scared to drive into city limits. I'd like for my children to be street smart enough to be able to get around on their own without looking and acting like suburban tourists.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

Having moved here a year ago I am disappointed in myself for not at all exploring the southside. Any recommendations for train stops or bus lines I could / should check out.

One place I know I want to explore is Pullman, but i have not had the chance.

It's easy to get there by train (Metra Electric -- Millennium Station to 115th/Kensington Station), but you really need to know exactly where you're going. Directly east of the train station is the Historic Pullman area and is ok to walk around (that area has a large police presence). However, you don't want to get lost anywhere west of the train station.

[Visvaldis]

I grew up around Fullerton and Kedzie. For decades I considered the entire South Side as part of a different planet. Starting in 1998 I developed a curiosity about the other part of Chicago and began to explore. Drove the Ryan way south, then returned north via Kedzie or Western. Also tried trips like Archer, 63rd street from lake to Harlem, and various other routes. Also had a thorough look at the U of C area.
Walking is also great. Several times I've walked from State/Monroe to Logan Square. From Fullerton/Kedzie to Western/Devon. Usually I like the side streets to see how people live in various areas and to notice the difference in architecture.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by skyeINIL

It's easy to get there by train (Metra Electric -- Millennium Station to 115th/Kensington Station), but you really need to know exactly where you're going. Directly east of the train station is the Historic Pullman area and is ok to walk around (that area has a large police presence). However, you don't want to get lost anywhere west of the train station.

Thanks for the heads up. Im pretty excited about checking it out.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

Thanks for the heads up. Im pretty excited about checking it out.

You're welcome. Again, though, be careful. Historic Pullman borders two of the roughest neighborhoods on the Southside: West Pullman and Roseland.

[surlycue]

Skip- a wonderful summer day excursion would be to take the metra down to 57th. walk to the Japanese gardens in the park by the lake and then take that long boulevard stroll along 59th past UofC to the fountain of time and then around Washington Park and on up 55th on the westside of the park to take the garfield green line back towards downtown. if you aren't yet tired it's worth a walk (i stress in the daylight hours) west to Sherman Park. It is a very nice Olmsted designed park that is a hidden gem in the neighborhood. From there the red line would be closer to head north again.

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

Thanks for the heads up. Im pretty excited about checking it out.

They also do walking tours of historic Pullman one Saturday every month in the summer. They are affordable and the guides seem very knowledgeable about the history of the neighborhood.