Chicago to Hawthorne or Arlington

[the exactorman]

When I stay in Chicago, I typically stay at the Drake hotel and I rent a car. Renting a car is a major pain, especially turning it back in at O'Hare (ORD) airport. I drive to whichever track is open for live racing at the time, Hawthorne or Arlington.
Is the train a better way to get to either track? I dont know if the trains even have a line to the tracks? I realize there might be OTB's right there in the city but I really like attending the Chicago tracks live. Hawthorne is actually my favorite even though some on this site knock it.

[FishHack76]

The Metra (the commuter train) has a stop at Arlington Park on the Union Pacific Northwest line. You can catch it at Ogilve Transportation Center (500 W. Madison St.). Schedules are at www.metrarail.com.
Getting to Hawthrone is a little tougher via public transit. I believe you would have to take the Pink Line from downtown to the Cicero stop then get on the No. 54 bus heading south.

http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/clickable_system_map/200806C.htm

[HorseVoice]

Unless you are a hard-boiled urbanite with little fear of big city public transportation (i.e., you ride the subway through the Bronx every day, and the stories about the "Subway Slasher" last year made you yawn), I would NOT recommend using the CTA to get to Hawthorne. There is no Metra station nearby, either.

If you are flying into Midway and staying at one of the area hotels, it's probably cheapest to cab it to and from Hawthorne; take the phone number of a cab company with you and call 1/2 hour before you want to leave Hawthorne, as there are no cabs waiting around for fares there.

If you plan on doing more than attending live racing (or a contest), rent a car. Dollar is usually cheapest if renting from Midway. It's only about 3 miles from Hawthorne to Midway, but lately, Cicero Ave. has been an unpredictable woolly BEAST, with construction all over, Central Ave bridge work, etc...so don't cut yourself short on time for your departing flight. (Don't say, gee, it's only 6 PM and my flight isn't until 8:30 PM...what could go wrong? Hah!  )

[the exactorman]

Thanks Guys! I appreciate the great feedback/help!

[FishHack76]

Unless you are a hard-boiled urbanite with little fear of big city public transportation (i.e., you ride the subway through the Bronx every day, and the stories about the "Subway Slasher" last year made you yawn), I would NOT recommend using the CTA to get to Hawthorne. There is no Metra station nearby, either.

I doubt the CTA is that bad in the middle of the day. If you were going for harness racing at night, maybe I would suggest some caution, but I've driven through Cicero many times during the day. I was hardly scared. Now going east down Madison from Oak Park to the United Center, that's a different story.

[HorseVoice]

I doubt the CTA is that bad in the middle of the day. If you were going for harness racing at night, maybe I would suggest some caution, but I've driven through Cicero many times during the day. I was hardly scared. Now going east down Madison from Oak Park to the United Center, that's a different story.

Fish...come on now: you are going to equate the relative safety of driving through Cicero in your car with getting off a CTA train at 22nd and Cicero, and riding a southbound Cicero Ave bus to Hawthorne...with your betting bankroll in your pocket?

That's during the day.

Now, the betting day is over, and congrats! You had a signer today, and your pockets are loaded! But it's getting dark out, and now all you have to do is get on a northbound CTA bus at 35th and Cicero, and take it to the train stop at 22nd & Cicero...in the heart of the barrio!

(Do you want some more time to noodle this out a little bit more?)

[FishHack76]

Perhaps I'm not far enough removed from my hard-boiled urbanite days and haven't regained my paralyzing suburban fear.

The truth probably lies somewhere in between our two points of view. If you're used to city living, taking the train and bus to Hawthorne will probably not seem like a big deal to you. If you're not, I would recommend taking a car or cab. I agree with you on that, HorseVoice.

You won't save too much money, but if it gives you a little more piece of mind then do what's best for you. Although anything that can happen in the "in the heart of the barrio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (gasp!)" can happen in downtown, Lincoln Park or outside one of the two ballparks, etc. etc., and even in Schaumburg. You can just as easily get your wad full of cash taken from you in the Hawthorne parking lot as you could at the Cicero CTA stop.

Obviously, it's about using some street smarts, being aware of your surroundings and trusting your instincts.

[Maymoral]

Using public transit to get to Hawthorne is an awful idea.

Edit - coming from someone (me) who has done it before

[FishHack76]

Maymoral,
For everyone's education, I wonder what made your trip so awful?

[HorseVoice]

Although anything that can happen in the "in the heart of the barrio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (gasp!)" can happen in downtown, Lincoln Park or outside one of the two ballparks, etc. etc., and even in Schaumburg.

Rather than apologize for being overly dramatic, I want to point out that I am envisioning the widest possible range of questioners when it comes from someone asking me if the CTA is "safe". I don't know "exactorman", or his background, or if he is really even a "he". Can exactorman take care of himself in the face of an incident on public transportation?

Perhaps -- but I would never assume so, and I surely wouldn't blithely assume that because I can drive through an area safely that the public transportation experience "shouldn't be that bad", for exactorman or anyone else: I drive the Dan Ryan regularly, but I'd NEVER recommend taking the Red Line south to 95th street. (Would you?)

I just think we should be a bit more circumspect when recommending transportation options to folks that are not from here.

And yeah, bad stuff can happen anywhere, but be honest: where do you think it is more likely, Schaumburg, or 22nd & Cicero?

[FishHack76]

I understand your point, and I think it's a good one. I was giving a straightforward answer to a straightforward question and perhaps that response was colored by my recently hard-boiled urbanite perspective.

I also apologize for my sarcasm.

As for your question, I've taken the Red Line down to 95th on more than one occasion. Did not have a problem either time. I've also hung out in a renovated house in Pullman on multiple occasions and I've been to Little Village (which is much closer to "heart of the barrio")

So perhaps that colored my perspective as well. Thankfully, that's the good part of a message board - that others can give their opinions.

[HorseVoice]

As for your question, I've taken the Red Line down to 95th on more than one occasion. Did not have a problem either time.

Well, then you are one brave SOB. (And I mean that with the utmost respect.)

I'm fascinated, now: you ride the Red to 95th, OK...then, up you pop out of the station at 95th and State: what's your next move? Walk over to the Jewel store just west of the Ryan to buy some milk and bread? 

I've also hung out in a renovated house in Pullman on multiple occasions and I've been to Little Village (which is much closer to " heart of the barrio"[/i])

So perhaps that colored my perspective as well. Thankfully, that's the good part of a message board - that others can give their opinions.

Agree. And again, it's one thing if you or I decide to roll the dice and take in these little adventures: we are Chicagoans.

(REAL Chicagoans, not fake "I live in Streamwood and call myself a Chicagoan because it sounds earthy and gritty". Your zip code actually starts with 606, and your land line starts with 312 or 773.)

But you wouldn't send an outsider to Roseland or Pilsen...would you?

[FishHack76]

It's one thing if you or I decide to roll the dice and take in these little adventures: we are Chicagoans.

Again, I can see your point and I simply forgot that not everyone has the same experiences. Thanks for adding your perspective. Just as sometimes I forget that when you're downtown with someone not from Chicago, you need to alert them on the need for comfortable walking shoes.
 
I did not get out to the Jewel near the Dan Ryan ... I took the Red Line to a waiting car that took me to that aforementioned house in Pullman.

And yes, there are certain neighborhoods I wouldn't send anyone to. I thought you would have mentioned Englewood first, though.

[the exactorman]

Rather than apologize for being overly dramatic, I want to point out that I am envisioning the widest possible range of questioners when it comes from someone asking me if the CTA is "safe". I don't know "exactorman", or his background, or if he is really even a "he". Can exactorman take care of himself in the face of an incident on public transportation?

Perhaps -- but I would never assume so, and I surely wouldn't blithely assume that because I can drive through an area safely that the public transportation experience "shouldn't be that bad", for exactorman or anyone else: I drive the Dan Ryan regularly, but I'd NEVER recommend taking the Red Line south to 95th street. (Would you?)

I just think we should be a bit more circumspect when recommending transportation options to folks that are not from here.

And yeah, bad stuff can happen anywhere, but be honest: where do you think it is more likely, Schaumburg, or 22nd & Cicero?

Thanks HV! I am a "he" and come from Brooklyn so I know "hood areas" but I appreciate your feedback because there was no scarier place than leaving the Fairgrounds in LA one night. I had caught the last race and was in a suit with a big knot of money. There were no taxi's anywhere to be found. I had to walk through streets that looked like the streets in the movie Angel Heart with Diniro. You are right if a person is not familiar with an area it is probably a better idea to just rent a car.

[HorseVoice]

And yes, there are certain neighborhoods I wouldn't send anyone to. I thought you would have mentioned Englewood first, though.

LOL. Englewood, right.

My volunteer work has me going into Englewood so often that I am numb to the danger there. The people there are always nice to me -- most think I'm a cop -- but I'm going to get plunked if I'm not careful. Thanks for making me think of it.

[FishHack76]

Sorry.

[HorseVoice]

Sorry.

No, I'm being sincere. Thanks for the reminder. I've gotten too complacent, need to refocus and remember where I am at all times. That's what I meant by "thanks for making me think of it".

[honest & balanced terry]

Fish...come on now: you are going to equate the relative safety of driving through Cicero in your car with getting off a CTA train at 22nd and Cicero, and riding a southbound Cicero Ave bus to Hawthorne...with your betting bankroll in your pocket?

Most people I know who do public transport to Hawthorne take the Orange Line to Midway and then a bus north. That's not bad, but it makes for a lonnnnng trip (not to mention that mad dash across Cicero). Maybe not so bad from downtown, though.

[Chris Szulc]

Most people I know who do public transport to Hawthorne take the Orange Line to Midway and then a bus north. That's not bad, but it makes for a lonnnnng trip (not to mention that mad dash across Cicero). Maybe not so bad from downtown, though.

A trip from the loop by way of Orange Line then the North Cicero Ave bus (54N?) takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. I've done it a few times (due to car trouble or time issues) and it is largely dependent on not only time of day, but the construction madness that randomly shows up every few weeks.

Have not done the Pink Line and then south Cicero bus trip, yet.

I've also done a cab from the loop to Hawthorne once too, cost was $25 from what I recall.

[HorseVoice]

Most people I know who do public transport to Hawthorne take the Orange Line to Midway and then a bus north. That's not bad, but it makes for a lonnnnng trip (not to mention that mad dash across Cicero). Maybe not so bad from downtown, though.

Terry, you are right: all things being equal, this is probably the safer way to go.

BUT, for you folks from elsewhere: just watch your back, wherever you go in Chicago or our 'burbs...on the CTA, or not.

Strange stuff has been happening all over the metro area this spring and summer, esp. these punk-assed "flash mobs" where 10-15 kids just overwhelm a single person, beat their ass, take their valuables...all while they film it with their cell phones. F'n cowards.

[SandyLoam]

Orange Line/Midway/Hawthorne is time consuming. And be sure to note the 54A or 54B; they're two different buses. It's $16 plus tip from Hawthorne to the West Loop and it would be another $10 to the Drake. And, it's fast. Well worth it.

As for safety, you guys are horseplayers. Don't you think the odds are getting worse in Chicago? Anywhere from four to a dozen people killed every week; craziness in many different neighborhoods, even the Mag Mile. At least take a cab back to the hotel after the nightcap.

[HorseVoice]

Orange Line/Midway/Hawthorne is time consuming. And be sure to note the 54A or 54B; they're two different buses. It's $16 plus tip from Hawthorne to the West Loop and it would be another $10 to the Drake. And, it's fast. Well worth it.

As for safety, you guys are horseplayers. Don't you think the odds are getting worse in Chicago? Anywhere from four to a dozen people killed every week; craziness in many different neighborhoods, even the Mag Mile. At least take a cab back to the hotel after the nightcap.

You make perfect sense, Sandy. A $25 cab ride should seem pretty reasonable to a guy who just wagered $XXX on horses all afternoon.   

[Secretariat]

to summarize>

drake to hawthorne by cab..$25 . agree with driver up front..Drive me to hawthorne for $25..no muss , no fuss..if not 25 , offer him 30...safe secure door to door. 50 -60 bucks round trip.

drake to arlington.
cab to ogilvie transportation center (northwestern train station) take the union pacific / northwest  line to Arlington park, the track has its own stop.
 its 15 bucks one way 30 in total (counting cab fare) buy train ticket at window before you board if possible.
go to http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home.html
(you need metra - union pacific / northwest line)

[Yimmy]

Unless you are a hard-boiled urbanite with little fear of big city public transportation (i.e., you ride the subway through the Bronx every day...

 

I did it for four years (college) and never had an incident. 

I noted this:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/07/02/chicago-murder-rate-surges-as-new-york-s-drops-to-record-low.html

...with some skepticism.  Is it fair to say that while Chitown, like most major American cities, has its rough areas, most parts of it are still relatively safe (unless you're wearing legible Packers clothing?)   Or is that too optimistic?

[honest & balanced terry]

Is it fair to say that while Chitown, like most major American cities, has its rough areas, most parts of it are still relatively safe (unless you're wearing legible Packers clothing?)

Yes, and even cheeseheads are mostly safe.