There is also Fish lake beach in Volo, it`s mostly seasonal, but does have some, (35?) sites for weekend/weelky/daily rental. it`s close to everything you want and to the chain-o-lakes and Volo automuseum.
Just a thought!
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This site has been so helpful, thanks to all of you for your valuable infomation.
We are leaning towards IBSP campground for it's location to everything, however I'm also looking at Fish Lake. I'm not sure if it would be practical for the train ride into Chicago from Fish Lake?? The only negative I see with IBSP is having to mail in your reservations, it would be nice to confirm over the phone. Any comments would be appreciated.
I noticed the train from IBSP brings you into Olgivie Station, can you walk to places like Magificient mile, Water Tower area and to the Wendalla boat tour location from the station or is a bus necessary? I'm sure if we got tickets to a Cubs game we would have to take a bus? I noticed in one of the replies that you need to purchase your return ticket right away? and is the latest the trains run going back on a Sunday or Monday?
sparky2331 wrote: This site has been so helpful, thanks to all of you for your valuable infomation.
We are leaning towards IBSP campground for it's location to everything, however I'm also looking at Fish Lake. I'm not sure if it would be practical for the train ride into Chicago from Fish Lake?? The only negative I see with IBSP is having to mail in your reservations, it would be nice to confirm over the phone. Any comments would be appreciated.
I noticed the train from IBSP brings you into Olgivie Station, can you walk to places like Magificient mile, Water Tower area and to the Wendalla boat tour location from the station or is a bus necessary? I'm sure if we got tickets to a Cubs game we would have to take a bus? I noticed in one of the replies that you need to purchase your return ticket right away? and is the latest the trains run going back on a Sunday or Monday?
Thanks
Sparky
I made reservations via mail to Chain O'Lakes SP, and while inconvienent it wasn't a problem and we had a nice site. And it's still early so you should be fine, I made reservations as late as April and got in just fine to two Illinois campgrounds, a July reservation and and August reservation and both CGs still had open sites for first come first serve campers. Maybe the demand is less because it's so hard to make reservations at Illinois campgrounds? Maybe call the park and see what advice they have?
You can walk to the "Mag Mile" and Water tower, from the Metra Ogilvie Station, tho it's a few miles walk to Water Tower. The boat tour is right near the Metra Station. I would get your return ticket at the Metra Station right away when you get off the train in Chicago, usually the lines are shorter at that time. If the station at IBSP has a ticket window buy a round trip.
Once you are in the city, you would take an CTA "El" train to Wrigley, I'm pretty sure it's easier to take the El then the bus. Check the CTA website for the trainline, I only did it once so I don't remember which line it is. You would buy your El fare in each direction, it doesn't work the same as Metra tickets, so you can't buy a round trip ticket. If you took a bus to Wrigley I think you have to make a couple transfers, could be confusing. I don't think there is a direct route to Wrigley from IBSP. You have to go downtown first and then backtrack on the El.
Not sure what you mean about return times? Check the Metra site, it has all the schedules. Also, maybe see if there is a Chicago tourism site, see if you can get a packet mailed out to you, it might have other things and specific maps and such....
* This post was
edited 02/04/08 08:49pm by DavesWife *
Volo is quite a bit farther, through some heavy suburban-style traffic, from Six Flags than IBSP is. Also quite a bit farther from the train. Tight sites, too, from what we observed, and LOTS of seasonals.
If you do choose Fish Lake Beach, you'll be using a different Metra line into the city, which will arrive at Union Station.
Yes, it's best to purchase your return train ticket on arrival at the station in the city. You can only buy one-way tickets from the conductor on the train, and I believe they're a bit more expensive that way. And you don't want to be waiting in line to buy the return ticket with minutes to go before the train leaves Chicago!
Union Station and The Metra Station (Union Pacific) are virtually right across the street from each other (Madison and Canal streets... You will be charged a "premium" of $2 per ticket if you buy it on the train when the ticket agent was in the train station - if there was no ticket agent available, the price is the same - no $2 premium... They still have weekend passes but I believe they have gone up to $7 per day as opposed to $5 per weekend... We just had an across the board 10% fare increase as of Feb 1... If you were taking the train in from ISBS it would be the North Line on Metra and I believe the Milwaukee North Line as well... HERE is the Metra web site
I don't care much for Fish Lake Beach - you would be better off with IBSP... And remember if your traveling during the work week on the trains they are COMMUTER trains and trains that start leaving the city from 3:30 on will be packed - I know - I ride it every day from downtown Chicago to the suburbs...
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Thanks again for all the info,
Doing some more research I've noticed that the Northwest KOA is a good 1/2 hr- 45 min. closer for us from where we are coming from so we are thinking of staying there. I'm told the Metra station is only 10 min. away from the KOA.
We are definitely going into Chicago one weekday (Monday or Tuesday?), is there a better of the two to travel in and what would be the best times to catch the train in and then back to try and beat the crowds? If possible? We hope to maximize on the day by going in as early as possible and then returning as late as possible.
sparky2331 wrote: Thanks again for all the info,
Doing some more research I've noticed that the Northwest KOA is a good 1/2 hr- 45 min. closer for us from where we are coming from so we are thinking of staying there. I'm told the Metra station is only 10 min. away from the KOA.
We are definitely going into Chicago one weekday (Monday or Tuesday?), is there a better of the two to travel in and what would be the best times to catch the train in and then back to try and beat the crowds? If possible? We hope to maximize on the day by going in as early as possible and then returning as late as possible.
Thanks
Sparky
The Morning Rush is usually over after 9am, and the afternoon rush begins about 3:30 and ends at 6:30 ish. So aim for a mid-morning train into the city and then catch one of the later 7-8pm or later trains back out. I don't think it will make a difference if it's Monday or Tuesday.
The KOA is OK, LOL. my brother stayed there last year and said it was a nice place. it is right next store to the wild west town and about 2 miles from the Illinois Railway museum. it`s in a nice quiet country location. during the day the wild west town can be loud I`ve been told. I`de say the time into the city is at least an hour with no traffic, it`s about a 1/2 hour from me.
If I had to drive in traffic into the city, I`de take the drive in from Union over over the drive in from IBSP any day, but thats just me.
And I'd take the train over ANY drive into the city. But that's just me.
The IL Railway Museum is a neat place. You might enjoy visiting that too. The KOA is decent, just rather tight sites. LONG drive to Six Flags, no "fast" roads in between, lots of small towns to slow down for.
Kind of off topic but.... If you want to go to a great restraunt, try the Weber Grill. The family and I go to Chicago once or twice a year to see my dad and his family and we always eat there. It is great. They grill most of there food of gaint weber grills.
Also, you didn't say how old you daughter is but you may want to try the American Girl Doll store. Thats another place we always try to see. My gilrs love American Girl Dolls and love going.
* This post was
edited 02/05/08 09:40pm by en3chix *
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