The workshop will take place in Room 401 in Eckhardt Research Center (ERC): 5640 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Take the elevator to the 4th floor and it will be to your front-right as you exit the elevator.
Chicago is accessible from two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). Most travelers will likely come through O'Hare.
It takes a little over an hour from O'Hare on the Blue Line (~45-60 minutes by taxi) about 45 minutes from Midway on the Orange Line (25 minutes by taxi) to reach South Loop. If you intend on taking the public transit, we recommend you download the Ventra app to your phone and get a (free) virtual Ventra card that you can add value to. https://www.ventrachicago.com/app/
There are two public transportation systems and one private UChicago shuttle serving the Hyde Park area and to/from downtown.
If you intend on taking the public transit, we recommend you download the Ventra app to your phone and get a (free) virtual Ventra card that you can add value to. https://www.ventrachicago.com/app/
The L fare is $2.50 per ride ($5 from O'Hare), the bus fare is $2.25 per ride, and a Metra Electric pass is $2 per ride (A/B Zone).
UChicago operates shuttles within Hyde Park and to downtown ("Downtown Campus Connector"). This bus is free, just get on when it arrives. The TransLoc phone app or website gives up-to-date arrival times.
https://safety-security.uchicago.edu/en/transportation/shuttle-services
In addition to the regular shuttle schedule, we will have a shuttle pick up each day of the conference at 8:30am at S Michigan and 11th Street.
The pickup address is 1120 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, near the bus stop outside the "Yolk" restaurant. This is right around the corner from the Best Western hotel.
The bus will arrive by 8:30 and depart at 8:35. Alex Ji will be present, so look for him.
We recommend you check Google maps for arrival times, which are fairly accurate. Maps of individual lines will be posted here closer to the conference date.
The best buses to take from downtown to/from UChicago:
During commuting hours (6am-9am Southbound, 3:45pm-7:30pm Northbound), the fastest bus to take is the 192 bus which is both the fastest and most reliable as it has the least stops.
The 4 bus and X4 bus run very often but take a bit longer due to many stops.
There are express 2 bus and 6 bus lines that are convenient but often do not run on schedule; check google maps for a live update if you want to take this bus.
Google maps will also recommend taking the Green or Red line L trains to Garfield and transfer to a UGo or 55 bus, but in practice the connection is somewhat unreliable and not recommended.
Within Hyde Park: distances are generally close enough for a 15-20 minute walk.
If you enjoy a morning or afternoon walk, you can take the Metra Electric line that travels between downtown and UChicago. The closest station to the is 55th-56th-57th, a 10-15 minute walk away from ERC. This is the most reliable option in terms of timing. Metra tickets can be bought at the station before you board and are shown to the conductor on the train when they pass by. It is also convenient using the Ventra app to purchase a pass that can be activated on your phone. (Note this is a different option than adding value to a Ventra card.)
The most convenient phone apps are Uber, Lyft, and Curb.
If you would like to get some exercise in, there is a bike path going along the lake (5-6 miles from Hyde Park to Downtown). You can rent a blue Divvy Bike from many stations using the Lyft app (including a few electric-assist bikes).
Breakfast and Coffee will be served every day at the workshop at 9am and 3pm.
Lunch Options
Places that are nearby and relatively fast
Ca Phe Da at Quantum Cafe - Vietnamese Pho and Bahn Mi
Roux - American
Saucy Porka - fusion tacos
Nella Pizza e Pasta - Italian, reservations recommended for large parties
Medici - American
Seoul Taco - fusion tacos
Plus food trucks on Ellis between 57th and 58th
Dinner Suggestions
Hyde Park
In addition to lunch options, also see options on 53rd street.
https://chicagopresents.uchicago.edu/visit/food-and-drink
Loop and South Loop
There are a large number of options, here are a few recommendations
Umai - Japanese
The Gage - gastropub
Flo and Santos - pub with tavern-style pizza and outdoor patio
Half Sour - gastropub
Nepal House - Nepalese
Bienmesabe Arepa Bar - Venezuelan small cafe
Native Foods - vegan restaurant
Devil Dawgs - Chicago-style and adjacent hot dogs/fried food
Chicago style deep dish pizza - Giordano's and Lou Malnati's are two recommended places (multiple locations).
Hyde Park
Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House - famous architecture
Museum of Science and Industry
Promontory Point - outdoor park along the lake
Downtown
Millenium Park and Cloud Gate ("the bean")
Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain
Art Institute of Chicago (open late on Thursday until 8pm and on Friday afternoon until 5pm)
Museum Park, including Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the Field Museum
Riverwalk and River Architecture Tour