Visitor’s Guide

Welcome to Chicago! We hope that you enjoy your stay in our beautiful city. Chicago is an amazing place to be, especially in the summer when visitors can always find neighborhood festivals, a major league baseball game or two (Cubs on the North side, White Sox on the South), al fresco dining at any number of the city’s fantastic restaurants, and of course beautiful Lake Michigan with its lovely beaches and harbors.

In order to insure a successful conference and give you the inside track on everything you need to know about the city, we’ve put together this list of information.

Getting to Chicago

Air

Chicago is easy to access from anywhere in the country. We have two major airports which are minutes away from downtown Chicago (The Loop) and the conference site, and easy to access by taxi or public transportation.

O’Hare International Airport is located 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and accessible via the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line ‘L’ train.

Midway International is 10 miles southwest of downtown Chicago and is accessible via the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Orange Line ‘L’ train.

Taxi and limousine services are available from both airports.

For information on O’Hare and Midway International Airports, click here

Train

Chicago is also accessible by Amtrak rail service through Union Station in downtown Chicago. For information on Amtrak and Union Station,click here

Getting to Columbia College Chicago

The campus of Columbia College Chicago spans nearly two dozen locations across Chicago's south loop (campus map).

Car/Parking and Public Transportation

Car

From I-55 (Stevenson) Follow the expressway to its end and take Lake Shore Drive north to Balbo Turn left at Balbo (going east) Turn right at Michigan (going north) Take first left at Harrison (going west)

• The Main Campus Building is located at 600 S. Michigan (the southwest corner of Harrison and Michigan)

I-90/94 E (Kennedy/Edens), coming from north Follow I-94 E Take exit 51G toward Jackson Turn left at Jackson (going east) Turn right at Michigan (going south)

• The Main Campus Building is located at 600 S. Michigan (the southwest corner of Harrison and Michigan)

From I-290 (Eisenhower) Exit on Congress Parkway (going east) Turn right at Michigan (going north)

• The Main Campus Building is located at 600 S. Michigan (the southwest corner of Harrison and Michigan)

Parking View our parking map Parking in Chicago is expensive. Rates vary between $15 to $35 per day.

Conference venues are conveniently located close to recommended hotels, campus housing, restaurants, bars, and many cultural and entertainment attractions. Public transportation and taxicabs are plentiful (any time of the day or night) – or even walking – is recommended while attending the conference.

Public Transportation

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) For information on the CTA, click here.