Overseeing the vibrant skyline of Chicago, McCormick Place remains the ideal place for conventions and events to take place. Known as the dynamic hub for the convergence of ideas and innovation, the venue sports a rich history dating all the way back to 1971. Over the multiple decades of its existence, McCormick Place has undergone multiple expansions, ultimately culminating in its current 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space.
The significance of McCormick Place goes far beyond just its impressive floor space, as it serves as a vital engine for Chicago’s economy, generating billions of dollars in annual revenue. Additionally, the convention center is also responsible for supporting thousands of local citizens with jobs and employment benefits. And this is only possible because the convention center hosts a diverse range of events, from industry conferences and international trade shows to cultural celebrations and sporting events.
If a visit to McCormick Place is on your wish list and you want to know the proper public transportation options you have at your disposal, especially when commuting from one of the nearby airports, then our essential guide is just what you need.
What are the Available Public Transport Options
Whether you are traveling from the Chicago O’Hare Airport or the Chicago Midway International Airport to McCormick Place, there are multiple transportation options that you can explore. Steps for each process have been listed conveniently below.
Traveling via Subway
- Start by first catching a subway train from either the Chicago O’Hare or Chicago Midway airports. Subway services in the Chicago region are provided by the CTA, or Chicago Transit Authority, and trains are available every 15 minutes. Also, the fare cost will be around $2-5 for every passenger.
- When boarding from the Chicago O’Hare airport, your primary stop will be the ‘Clark/Lake’ station in Chicago on the ‘Blue Line’, which will take around 39 minutes to commute. After that, from ‘Clark/Lake’ you need to board one of the ‘Green Line’ subway trains, which will reach the ‘Cermak-McCormick Place’ station, which will take another 10 minutes. Once you get off the train, walk the rest of your journey on foot to McCormick Place.
- Alternatively, if you are boarding from the Chicago Midway Airport, your ultimate stop will be the ‘Roosevelt’ station on the ‘Orange Line’. The time taken will be around 21 minutes, and the cost will be $2-5. Once you get off the train, you need to walk the rest of your journey on foot to McCormick Place, which will take another 25 minutes.
Traveling via Taxi
- Begin your journey by first boarding a cab from either the Chicago O’Hare or Chicago Midway airports to McCormick Place. Taxi services in that region are offered by service providers such as Yellow Cab Chicago, Flash Cab, and Checker.
- If you are boarding from the Chicago O’Hare airport, expect at least 26 minutes for the commute, as you need to cover at least 33 kilometers. Also, the cost will be around $60-75.
- When booking from the Chicago Midway airport, expect at least 13 minutes of travel, as the distance is close to 16 kilometers. Also, the cost will be a little lower, at around $27-35.
Traveling via Shuttle
- The primary step involves booking a shuttle car from either the Chicago O’Hare airport or the Chicago Midway airport to McCormick Place. Shuttle services in Chicago are predominantly provided by ‘Shuttles by Jayride’.
- When booking from the Chicago O’Hare airport, expect the commute time to be 26 minutes, as you need to cover a distance of close to 33.5 kilometers. Also, the cost will be around $70.
- On the other hand, when boarding from the Chicago Midway airport, the commute time will be around 16 minutes, as the distance is around 17 kilometers. And the travel cost will be around $40.
Notable Attractions Around McCormick Place
While McCormick Place can be a great starting point to explore the city of Chicago, there are a few notable attractions that are scattered around the convention center, that you can enjoy.
Starting with the Navy Pier, which is a 3,300-foot platform constructed on Lake Michigan, Boasting a plethora of joy rides, shops, restaurants, and other attractions, you will be able to immerse yourself – alone or with your loved ones. The Navy Pier also showcases the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the Aon Grand Ballroom, both of which are notorious for being the ultimate entertainment venues.
The Millennium Park in Chicago is also a major point of interest, particularly because of its iconic artwork. Well-known for its star attraction, called the ‘Cloud Gate’ or ‘The Bean’, the place also features fountains and gardens, to enhance your touring experience. There is also the Art Institute of Chicago or the Jay Pritzker Pavilion – both of which are also must-sees.
Finally, you can round off your trip by visiting the Shedd Aquarium or the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Shedd Aquarium houses more than 32,000 marine animals from across the globe, including whales, penguins, and sea otters. And then you have the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is home to more than 200 animal species, including gorillas, tigers, and lions.
