Visiting Evanston tourbook/guidebook from a Kellogg MBA's perspective

My family is coming to watch me perform in Special K!, so I decided to write up a miniature Evanston guidebook from a Kellogg MBA perspective. It includes my opinions on Sightseeing, Lodging, and Getting Around.

Evanston Orientation

Evanston is the first city north of the Chicago city limits. It’s part of the “Gold Coast” where rich Chicagoans live, and is also home to the temperance movement in the US. Northwestern University makes up the east part of the city, bordering Lake Michigan, and was so named because it would serve people of the “Northwest Territory.” Kellogg School of Management, named after a donation from one of the cereal people’s descendants, is based in the Jacobs Center which is on the N-S equator of the campus. Downtown Evanston lies east of the Davis metro station (part of The ‘L’) and west of Northwestern University. (West of the tracks is not as nice and can get a little scary at night.)

Sightseeing Evanston

Sights at Northwestern University

Things I like to point out at Northwestern: “The Arch” that all incoming undergrads walk under. “The Rock” that is painted by clubs to promote events. There is a nice walk along the lake that offers a view of Chicago’s skyline – sometimes surfers are at the beach. I haven’t visited but I hear the Shakespeare Garden is nice. Of course, I’ll show you around the Jacobs Center where I attend classes.

Sights in Evanston

Far and away, the Baha’i temple is the best sight in Evanston – a must-see. And if you ever stand above the tree canopy, it’s hard to miss. One of only seven Baha'i temples in the world (one per continent), this beautiful building and garden has free admission. The Baha’i religion has about 6 million adherents and they are very open: they accept the validity of many of the world's religions, so check for recognizable religious symbols on the architecture. http://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple/

If you’re involved in the Rotary Club, Evanston is home to the headquarters of Rotary International. To arrange a tour, call 847-866-3110. http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/secretariat/howto/

The Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation synagogue is one of only ten LEED-platinum certified houses of worship in the United States – thus meeting the highest level of environmental sustainability – and has some quite interesting architecture to match. To schedule a docent-led tour of the building, email tour@jrc-evanston.org or call the JRC Office at 847-328-7678. http://www.jrc-evanston.org/content/why-build-green

The Grosse Point Lighthouse was completed in 1873. It is one of only 2,430 National Historic Landmarks in the US (out of more than 80,000 places on the National Register of Historic Places). Season-allowing and weather-allowing tours cost $6. http://www.grossepointlighthouse.net/visit.html

Quirky Sites near Evanston

McDonald’s Store #1 is in Des Planes, along with the McDonald’s Museum. Check the hours it is open. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11370

The Leaning Tower of Niles is a ½ scale replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2092

If you remember the “Radio Flyer” red wagons, there is a Paul Bunyan-sized wagon outside the factory in Elmwood Park where you won’t even stand as high as one of the wheels. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/12722

Lodging / Hotels

There are a few (somewhat overpriced) hotels in Evanston. The most convenient to where many Kellogg MBAs live is the Hotel Orrington (1710 Orrington Avenue. 847-607-1348). There is also a Hilton Garden Inn (1818 Maple Avenue. 1-800-401-7478) closer to Downtown Evanston. The Homestead (http://www.thehomestead.net/ 1625 Hinman Avenue. 847-475-3300) is pretty convenient but looks expensive. The Best Western University Plaza (1501 Sherman Avenue. 847-491-6400) is a few more blocks’ walk.

When considering hotels in Chicago proper: Without a car, you’d want a place that can get you onto the Red Line ‘L’, Purple Line ‘L’, or Metra UP-N (Union Pacific/North) easily. If you are planning on car transportation, then being on the north side of the city with easy access to Lake Shore Drive is convenient since that is the best route to Evanston.

Getting Around

Public Transportation to/from Chicago and Evanston Overview

There are two kinds of trains running between Evanston and Chicago: The ‘L’ (metro/subway) and the confusingly-named Metra, which is actually commuter/light rail. The ‘L’ runs at least four times per hour, and the Metra runs hourly or every two hours. If you want to come to my apartment, the nearest train stations in Evanston are one ‘L’ station and a Metra station confusingly adjacent and both named “Davis” (the ‘L’ station is more east and requires a farecard to enter). If you want to go directly to/from the show, then you could also go to the “Foster” ‘L’ station, which is closer to the University. Note that there is no Foster Metra station – you’d still need to get off at Davis Metra if you plan on taking the Metra directly to/from the show.

Taking The ‘L’

On weekends and non-rush-hours The ‘L’ requires a transfer to get to/from Chicago at Howard. The Red Line runs between Chicago and Howard and the Purple Line runs between Howard and Evanston. You need a farecard to ride the ‘L’. A single ride costs $2.25.

On weekdays between 6-10AM and 3-7PM the Purple ‘L’ line runs some trains all the way between Evanston and Chicago without a transfer. During those times, you can follow the below instructions without needing to transfer at Howard, just make sure that the train’s final destination is either “Loop” (to Chicago) or “Linden” (to Evanston).

From Chicago to Evanston on the ‘L’: take Red line to Howard, and get off at Howard (end of the line), get on Purple line towards Linden, get off at Davis (my apartment) or Foster (Northwestern U).

From Evanston to Chicago on the ‘L’: go to Davis ‘L’ station (not Metra) or Foster (closer to Northwestern U), take the Purple line to Howard, and get off at Howard (end of the line), get on Red line towards Loop, get off at your stop.

Taking Metra

Evanston is on the Metra’s Union Pacific / North Line that goes between Chicago and Kenosha. At Metra stations, you’ll sometimes see “Kenosha” or “UP-N” to identify this line. The terminus in Chicago is Ogilvie Transportation Center, usually called OTC. A one-way ticket between OLC and Evanston Davis Street station is $4.25. If you want, there is a $7 weekend pass for unlimited rides on Saturday and Sunday, saving you $1.50 per round-trip ticket. If the station is open you should buy the Metra tickets before getting on board, or they might try to charge you an extra $3 fee per ticket to buy from the train conductor (you can try to argue that there is no machine at Davis).

Chicago and Evanston on Metra on Saturday to get to Special K: The show starts around 8 PM on Saturday, but cast call is 6 PMt.

Time departs OTC	Time arrives Davis Street
8:35 AM	8:58 AM
10:35 AM	10:58 AM
12:35 PM	12:58 PM
2:35 PM	2:59 PM
3:35 PM	3:55 PM
4:35 PM	4:57 PM
5:35 PM	6:01 PM
5:45 PM	6:08 PM
7:35 PM	7:58 PM

The show ends around 10:30 PM and I’ll be going to the cast party very soon afterwards. There is only one return Metra train after the show:

Time departs Davis Street	Time arrives OTC
11:30 PM	11:58 PM

Public Transportation resources

• This is the best Chicagoland public transit planner on the web (Google Maps works too): http://goroo.com/goroo/showHome.htm
• Davis ‘L’ schedule: http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/purpleline_schedules/Davis.pdf
•  Foster ‘L’ schedule: http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/purpleline_schedules/Foster.pdf
•  Full Purple Line ‘L’ schedule: http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/rail_route_schedules/purple_line_November_2011.pdf
• Full Metra schedule: http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/up-n/schedule/_jcr_content/pdfLink/file.res/Metra%20UPN%20Schedule01292012.pdf

Walking to/from the Park Evanston and train stations

The streets in Evanston approximate a N-S and E-W grid.

When you get off a train at Davis, just north of the station you will find Church Street which runs E-W. Go east on Church Street through Downtown Evanston past a Five Guys, Barnes & Noble, and Radio Shack, until you hit Chicago Avenue. (If you get into an area that looks like suburban homes you probably went too far.) Turn right onto Chicago Avenue and walk past the Whole Foods entrance. The Park Evanston is on your right. If you go past Peet’s Coffee or AT&T Store you went too far. Give me a call, use the keypad near the door, or get the doorman to let you in.

To get to Davis train stations, take a left out of the Park Evanston walking North. Make a left going west onto Church Street. You can make a left at the 3^rd stoplight (Benson Ave) to go to the Davis ‘L’. Or keep walking straight and just past the intersection with Maple Ave you can go up a staircase on the left side of the street to go to the Evanston Davis Street Metra station.

Walking to/from Norris Center and Foster ‘L’ station

From the Foster ‘L’ station, walk east on Foster Street. Foster Street ends where campus begins (at the Jacobs Center building, where I attend class). Keep walking straight onto campus past the Jacobs Center. The sidewalks get a little complex, but if you keep walking straight ahead in the same direction you’ll end up in the right place. When the sidewalk gets most confusing, towards the right you’ll see four concrete planters in front of a gray brick courtyard – walk into that courtyard and then turn to the left to continue walking in your original orientation. At the end of the courtyard you’ll go down stairs and in front of you is the Norris Center up some stairs on a hill. (If you get lost, all students know where Norris is, so just ask somebody)

To get to the Foster ‘L’ station from Norris Center, exit out the main entrance of Norris. Go down the stairs and then up the stairs in front of you. Keep walking in that same direction, following the sidewalks until you get back to Foster Street.

Here’s a map of Campus: http://maps.northwestern.edu/#latlngz=42.052%2C-87.674%2C17

Walking to the Norris Center from Davis train stations

Follow the instructions to get to the Park Evanston, but don’t turn right on Chicago Avenue. Keep walking four more blocks until you hit Judson Avenue. Turn left and walk north on Judson. Judson merges with Sheridan – keep walking north. After walking one block, Sheridan will take a sharp turn – don’t follow that turn and instead turn right there to go onto Campus drive. (Don’t go onto the sidewalk/pathway which leads to the shoreline – stay on the road.) Keep walking north past parking lots and buildings. When you get to a rising arm barrier on the road, you’re very close. The next building on your right will be the Norris Center (up on a hill).

Parking

Parking in Evanston is not-so-good, but not terrible. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can park at the Public Library for free overnight from 6PM to 9AM, until noon on Sunday, and 9PM to 9AM on weekdays. During the day, you can attempt to sneak some time onto the rooftop Whole Foods parking lot, but I’d avoid staying overnight. There is a reasonably priced pay public parking lot on the northeast corner of Church Street & Chicago Avenue. During the weekend, you can do free street parking on Foster Street. I can get a parking pass for an exorbitant fee for my apartment building’s garage. Parking in University lots during the weekend is typically okay (check the signs), but definitely not allowed during work hours during the week.

Public parking in Evanston: http://www.cityofevanston.org/parking/lots-garages/

Taxicabs

There are two major taxi companies that provide cheaper transportation between Evanston and Chicago/airports (city cabs charge more to/from Evanston) – but you need to call them to get a pickup and sometimes the wait can be pretty long or the taxis just don’t show up. American Taxi (1-800-244-1177 or 847-673-1000) and Norshore Cab (847-864-7500).

If you desperately need a cab from Evanston, you can find a line waiting outside the Hotel Orrington. Between the airport and Evanston, the American Taxi and Norshor cabs have a flat rate posted inside the cab windows but they can pass on any tolls and airport fees onto you. Regular city cabs will go metered to/from the airport and the city and charge 1.5x when you enter Evanston city limits.

Airports

The cheapest way between O’Hare airport and Evanston is Pace Bus #250. It runs every 30 minutes between 5:30/6:30 AM and midnight/1AM and takes about an hour. It stops at O’Hare Kiss-and-fly and Evanston’s Davis Street ‘L’ station (so you can follow the above directions from there). It costs $1.25 vs. the above cabs that take about 25-30 minutes but cost around $40 including tip. There is no direct train from Evanston to O’Hare without going far out of the way.

·        Pace Bus #250 schedule: http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/schedules/250sched.pdf

·        Pace Bus #250 route map: http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/maps/250map.pdf

The cheapest way between Midway airport and Evanston is taking The ‘L’. From Midway, take the Orange Line towards the Loop, then transfer to Red towards Howard or Purple (during rush hour only) towards Linden, then at Howard transfer from Red to Purple and get off at Davis or Foster. From Evanston, take the Purple line towards Howard to the Red line towards Loop and transfer to the Orange line towards Midway ($2.25). It takes about 90-110 minutes. The above mentioned cabs cost around $62 including tip and take about 45 minutes.