Life is a journey, not a destination.
The quote, usually attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, applies to the most scenic public transit journeys through Chicago and beyond. A day at the beach on Lake Michigan or ice skating in Millennium Park may be the destination, but look up while on the bus, train, water taxi and other forms of transportation to enjoy the sights, landmarks and views. And best of all, leave the car and parking problems behind.
Our favorite routes provide unique glimpses of the city for tourists and locals alike.
Call it the poor man’s architecture boat tour. Or call it the Chicago Water Taxi.
The yellow boats are reminiscent of a taxi, but the cool river air and open viewing decks leave any idea of a cab back on Michigan Avenue. The ride doesn’t include historical trivia or architectural facts yelled into a megaphone, but it’s a great way to see the famous Civic Opera House building or take in the height of Willis Tower.
The water taxi is a popular transportation method for Chicago Greeter tours, a free program offered through the city’s tourism bureau, Choose Chicago. Katie Law, manager of greeter services, said guides often use the boats to get to Chinatown with its iconic pagoda-style pavilion.
“It’s a great way to see the city,” she said. “And also get that sense of the river.”
For a family it’s more affordable than a guided tour. “Maybe they just want to experience the river but not make a commitment,” Law said.
Cost: $6 for a one-way ticket from the Magnificent Mile to destinations such as Chinatown and Goose Island. The efficient ride away from traffic and dawdling tourists is worth it. Add another $2 for unlimited rides for 24 hours. For commuters, a 10-ride weekday pass is $17.50, which is cheaper than the bus.
The tedium of riding the CTA elevated tracks to get from home to the office and back may numb the awe of riders. But take another look. The Brown Line from the Loop into the northwest section of the city ending in Albany Park offers picturesque downtown scenes of bridges over the river, the backside of neighborhood buildings, and even some restaurant patios and apartment gardens. During the winter, take in the snowy downtown without stepping outside, and catch the winter sunset outside the Loop, which can be heartwarming.
Law from Choose Chicago suggests riding any of the Loop elevated trains to get a sense of downtown. For those who want to see more neighborhoods and venture out, the Blue and Green lines rise above city streets showing parks, homes, apartment buildings and local shops.
The Red Line, while partially underground, does eventually pop back up and runs through a long stretch of the city. Catch glimpses of U.S. Cellular Field, home of the White Sox, or keep riding north to Wrigley Field and see the Cubs play ball. In addition to baseball stops, the line goes into Chinatown and almost reaches the city’s northern boundary in the Rogers Park neighborhood with its wide, calm residential blocks, just west of the lake.
Cost: $2.25 per ride, though a one-day pass is $10.
The CTA is known for it’s “L” trains, but Chicago city buses take on more elaborate routes and reach faraway places. Law highlighted buses that offer lake views and go deep into Lincoln Park and past Lincoln Park Zoo (a good destination with its free admission).
For views of the inimitable Chicago skyline, jump on the No. 6 Jackson Park Express, the No. 10 Museum of Science and Industry and the No. 146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express. Don’t forget to look toward the lake and see if you can spot the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier.
Lincoln Park, the verdant lake-hugging park, can be viewed without trudging along paths by taking the No. 151 Sheridan bus. Jump off at a stop in front of the zoo.
Catch the splendor of the Field Museum, Soldier Field and the open expanse of Grant Park on the No. 146 bus. Buckingham Fountain’s spray won’t hit riders on the No. 10 bus, but there might be a reflection of the J14 Jeffery Jump bus on the shiny Bean sculpture at Millennium Park.
Cost: $2.00 via Ventra, or $2.25 cash; one-day pass is $10.
The city’s bike-sharing system offers locals and visitors alike pedal-powered transit to many destinations with Divvy stations at hundreds of locations. Take the lakefront path along Lake Shore Drive to beaches sprinkled along the city’s shoreline. Ride the ubiquitous “Chicago blue” bicycles south to Promontory Park and dip into the tony Hyde Park neighborhood with tree-lined trees and stately homes, ride past the Gothic buildings of the University of Chicago and take in the 19th-century charm of Midway Plaisance Park.
The new Bloomingdale Trail, a bike and pedestrian path that cuts through several West Town neighborhoods, gives an elevated view of the neighborhoods along the 2.7-mile route.
Cost: Divvy day passes are $9.95. Price includes an unlimited number of trips 30 minutes or less for up to 24 hours.
The trolley is the best transit option because it’s free and cuts through some of the most crowded parts of Chicago’s downtown. Although its route is limited (a loop from the Grand and State Red Line station to the pier), it offers civilized passage and connects parcel-toting pedestrians from Chicago’s shopping corridors on the Magnificent Mile and State Street to the wide open spaces of the lakefront. Before reaching the final destination at Navy Pier, note how the historic space juts into the lake to create a launch pad for waterfront fun.
For more active Navy Pier visitors, the Riverwalk along the Chicago River’s main branch is a more scenic route to the pier and requires only foot power.
Cost: Free
No matter how ambitious or adventurous, Law assures there are so many different ways to see Chicago: Public transit “opens up the whole city for you.”
Twitter @sashajol
