Travel

Flight

O'hare International Airport

While you can fly into Midway if you're staying downtown, O'hare is much closer to the wedding events! In addition to Uber/Lyft, there is a bus from the O'hare Multi-modal Facility (MMF) to Evanston, dropping off at the Davis Street station (only blocks from the church/reception locations). The MMF is also where rental car pick-up is. The bus costs $2, and you don't need a physical ticket- you can just tap your digital wallet (apple pay, etc) against the card reader when you board. It averages about an hour to Evanston and departs about every 15 minutes. The bus is purple and will say Pulse on it, it's the "Dempster" line. Bethany takes this bus frequently! To get to the MMF you'll need to catch the shuttle between terminals, the MMF is the final stop (past Terminal 5). Click the link below to be taken to the "Pulse Dempster" website, where you can view the route/schedule.

Train

Chicago "L"

If you're staying downtown, you can take the "L" train system into Evanston. It will take a bit over an hour. You will have to take the red line to Howard (the northern end of the red line), where you will transfer to the purple line. The Davis stop is closest to the wedding events, about an eight minute walk to the church. If you're flying into Midway, the orange line will take you downtown. If you're flying into O'hare, the blue line will take you downtown. It costs $2.5 each time you take the "L". If you have a digital wallet on your phone, you can simply tap it against the scanner rather than buying a physical ticket.

Train

Chicago Metra

The Metra Union Pacific North (UP-N) line services Evanston. Metra is the Chicago commuter rail - it's much faster (and nicer) than the "L" , though it costs a little more to ride. The UP-N line ends inside the loop downtown at the Ogilvie Transportation Center. So if you're staying downtown towards the West side of the loop, this may be a better option than taking the "L".

Travel Note

Parking

There will be parking for the ceremony in First Presbyterian's adjoining parking lot. You may leave your car there until the end of the reception as well. If you'd prefer to drive to the Woman's Club rather than walk the couple of blocks, there is a garage right across from the Woman's Club at 525 Church St. (entry from Church St. or Clark St.). The garage charges $6 for up to 5 hours. If you need to leave your car in the garage longer, click the link at the bottom of this section for rates. To park on the street in Evanston, download the ParkEvanston app or pay by plate at a meter. Paid parking is in effect from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., Mon-Sat. Make sure to check parking signs for details. To park on the street in Chicago, we recommend paying at meters vs using the ParkChicago app (the app makes you preload a minimum of $20). If you're parking in downtown Chicago, we strongly recommend downloading the SpotHero app, which lets you book a spot ahead of time in a garage/lot for a steeply discounted price.

Hotel

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago - North Shore Conference Center

This hotel is located in Skokie, an 11 minute drive from the wedding festivities. The group rate is $149 per night, and an additional $10 is charged per person if there are over two occupants.

Discount Code - Call 800-222-TREE and ID yourself as part of our wedding

Hotel

Hyatt House Chicago/Evanston

Group rate is 225 per night, increases with more than two. Midway between the church and the reception (mere blocks from each)! We have 10 rooms reserved with them, first come first serve!

Hotel

Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore (Skokie), an IHG Hotel

Select group rate when booking, use discount code VDW. $155 a night, 16 min drive from wedding events.

Discount Code - VDW

Hotel

The GEM Museum Suites Evanston

Call the hotel to reserve and tell them you're with our wedding. Boutique hotel, 3 min drive from wedding events (.6 miles away). $250 a night. We have 10 rooms reserved here, so strike fast if you're interested!

Hotel

Holiday Inn Chicago North-Evanston, an IHG Hotel

This hotel is only a block away from the church. If you use the link here you'll get the Hilton "member" price. It's a percentage discount, so the rate will go up the closer we get to the date. So book far in advance if you want to go this route! At the time of writing this (in March) it's $261 for a king bed and $266 for two queens.

Hotel

Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-North Shore/Skokie

Book using the above link. Rooms at $189 a night, 15 min drive from wedding events.