Mini Guide for Traveling to Chicago

Chicago Mini Travel Guide

This is a short guide for people traveling to Chicago, IL for events at the United Center. I was inspired to write this guide because of the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Forbidden Door event with New Japan Professional Wrestling (NJPW). This guide will cover getting to the United Center from downtown Chicago and things to eat on the day of an event. There are people that write about stuff to do in Chicago over an extended weekend and I'm not one of those writers.

Getting To and From the United Center

The CTA is the cheapest way to the United Center. Traditionally, many people associate Chicago with the "L", but it's not the best way to the arena on public transit. Take the #20 Madison bus - it will get you closest to the arena. The "L" won't get you next to the United Center, but the best station to the arena is Ashland in the near West Side area - with access to the Green and Pink Lines. 

In any city, finding the best time to leave is tricky. There are many sources of travel time, which include but are not limited to Ventra, Google Maps, even the CTA site. The CTA mobile site is the best source for tracking the train. You must share the location for accurate times. Bus tracking is forever unreliable, most buses in Chicago do not have the real time tracking tech.

Whenever you ride "The L", make sure you check the arrival times. Don't wait in the bitter Chicago cold or in unshaded heat. Personally, when taking public transit in Chicago, I use Apple Maps. I believe Apple Maps does not drain my battery as fast as other applications that use GPS & the CTA directions are more intuitive than in other apps.

Things to eat in Chicago

Wings from Fifty/50

The best wings in the city are at Fifty-fifty Chicago in Wicker Park on Division. In my experience Fifty-fifty has the most consistent wing quality. I would take any of my relatives or friends to this spot. The best Chicago style fried chicken is at Harolds Fried Chicken, covered in mild sauce. Personally, my favorite location is the one in Hyde Park, but there are locations throughout the city. Each location can be independently owned and operated, so prices and quality can vary. There is nothing like mild sauce anywhere else, but in Chicago. You can order Fifty-Fity and Harolds' for delivery on Doordash.

Personally, I prefer Lou Mahnalti's deep dish pizza for newcomers to Chicago. My favorite deep-dish pizza is at Pequod's in Lincoln Park. Pequod's re-heats the best of any deep-dish pizza in Chicago. Pequod's has a limited delivery radius - you need to be able to eat in the restaurant or pick it up. You can order Pequod's on their website.

Brisket Meal from TimeOut Market Chicago

Outside of Pizza and Wings, choosing where to eat can be hard for any group of people. If you want many choices of quality, local food in one location go to TimeOut Market. TimeOut Market Chicago is the closest dining option I would recommend near the United Center. There are many different restaurant styles at the TimeOut Market food hall. I would check their website for the most recent options.