The Dark Knight Going to Chicago...

[gqxsensazn]

I need all of your expert advice. I will be in Chicago as a stopover for 3-4 hours in two weeks. I don't want to get stuck in the airport and I'd like see downtown since I've never been to the Windy City before. To be more specific I'm actually very interested in seeing parts of the city that were in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Do you guys know what buildings or landmarks are of interest?

Some off the top of my head:

1. The building behind the Joker when the Bat-pod races towards him. Was that the Sears tower?
2. Wayne Tower or whatever building it is in real life.
3. That underground highway we saw the Tumbler really in action

Any more ideas? I'd like to be able to say I've been to "Gotham City" t:

 

[maveholic31]

(Wayne Towers) Chicago Board of Trade Building: 141 W. Jackson Boulevard at the foot of the LaSalle Street canyon, in the Loop community area in Cook County

(Wayne Enterprises in TDK) Richard J. Daley Center

(Tumbler chase scenes) Wacker Drive: It's a MAJOR street in Chicago, trust me if you're going to Chicago you can't miss it even if you try.

(The bridge that opens and closes off the Narrows) Franklin Street Bridge over the Chicago River

(The Ferries scene docks) Navy Pier: It's the long pier on the shoreline off Lake Michigan

(Another backdrop to TDK Wayne Ent.) 330 North Wabash (formerly IBM Plaza also known as IBM Building) at 330 N. Wabash Avenue

(The street where Joker is caught and where Gordon shoots the supports for the monrail in Begins) LaSalle Street in the financial district

(The scene where Rachel and Harvey see the canceled poster of the ballet) The Berghoff restaurant at 17 West Adams Street

(The background to Wayne's penthouse and Harvey Dent's conference) Marina City

well, there you go have fun in Chicago

 

[Team Andino]

Damn now I really wanna go to Chicago and take photos at the locations

 

[frakkingoff]

If you only have 3-4 hours, I'd advise against it. O'Hare isn't exactly close to downtown - it'll take you maybe an hour on public transit to get there. Add in an hour back, and the hassle of going through security again, and I'd say you don't really have enough time to risk the trip downtown.

 

[gqxsensazn]

Okay, I'm definitely going to LaSalle Street because that was the building I remember the most from Batman Begins. I will check out the Richard J. Daley Center, Wacker Drive and the IBM Plaza and for the heck of it, Sears Tower. Was that the building Batman stood on the roof?

Are all these within walking distance of each other?

Oh good point, Frakkingoff. Damn, I forgot about that. I was thinking maybe my friend could pick me up and drive me around the city. Do you think that would save time?

 

[OctaviusINC]

Oh good point, Frakkingoff. Damn, I forgot about that. I was thinking maybe my friend could pick me up and drive me around the city. Do you think that would save time?

Depends on what day and time you're coming in. Anywhere between 4-7 is basically rush hour, so the expressway and downtown would be cluttered whether you're taking a train or not. If you drive from O'hare to downtown it'll probably take you 10-15 minutes to get down there with clear traffic. And when you do, you'll probably have to drive around to see the sights unless you want to pay $15+ for parking.

 

[Anita18]

I need all of your expert advice. I will be in Chicago as a stopover for 3-4 hours in two weeks.

Frankly, I don't think there's enough time, especially if you have to travel from the airport to the downtown area.

But I've never been to Chicago, - I'm speaking as an LA resident, where it takes you at least (hah remembered it now!) 20 minutes to get ANYWHERE and an hour to get out of and into LAX.

 

[Jonathan Crane]

You can use google maps and select option "street view". Amazing thing.

 

[gqxsensazn]

Depends on what day and time you're coming in. Anywhere between 4-7 is basically rush hour, so the expressway and downtown would be cluttered whether you're taking a train or not. If you drive from O'hare to downtown it'll probably take you 10-15 minutes to get down there with clear traffic. And when you do, you'll probably have to drive around to see the sights unless you want to pay $15+ for parking.

It's going to be on a Sunday and I would arrive I believe 9:30 a.m. and leave at 1:30 p.m. Thats an estimate, I'll have to find out the exact time I'll be there.

 

[Mr. Earle]

Frankly, I don't think there's enough time, especially if you have to travel from the airport to the downtown area.

But I've never been to Chicago, - I'm speaking as an LA resident, where it takes you 20 minutes to get ANYWHERE and an hour to get out of and into LAX.

How can you be anywhere in 20 minutes? I thought LA was supposed to be HUUGE!

 

[Anita18]

How can you be anywhere in 20 minutes? I thought LA was supposed to be HUUGE!

Sorry, that should have said "at least" 20 minutes. It takes me 20 minutes to take local roads to go 5 miles and 20 minutes to take the freeway to go 10 miles, so..there we go.

 

[YsoSerious]

sorry-you won't have enough time to go downtown.Better just enjoy your stay at Ohare airport.

 

[Lightning257]

It's going to be on a Sunday and I would arrive I believe 9:30 a.m. and leave at 1:30 p.m. Thats an estimate, I'll have to find out the exact time I'll be there.

Sunday would probably be one of the best days to do it - there's significantly less traffic downtown and the expressways shouldn't be too bad either. Certainly much better than trying to do this during the week.

 

[TheSpyAssassin]

(The scene where Rachel and Harvey see the canceled poster of the ballet) The Berghoff restaurant at 17 West Adams Street

Sorry, but this is incorrect. They are actually in front of the Chicago Theatre on 175 N State St. There were reports of them shooting that scene in front of the Chicago Theatre. Also...My dormitory building is in the background of that scene, thats how I know...haha.

 

[Chris Wallace]

How can you be anywhere in 20 minutes? I thought LA was supposed to be HUUGE!

No kidding. Chicago traffic is a nightmare. I'm a Chi-Town native & I never got anywhere in 20 minutes Unless it was on foot & less than 4 blocks away.

 

[PyroChamber]

If you have time don't forget to check out Millenium Station at the corner of Michigan and Randolph, that's the place where the Bat-pod goes through when he's chasing Joker.

 

[gqxsensazn]

Okay so my flight arrives around 9:45 and leaves again at 1:15 p.m. You think that's enough time to just check out LaSalle Street, the Richard J. Daley, Wacker Drive, and the IBM Plaza?

 

[Anita18]

Okay so my flight arrives around 9:45 and leaves again at 1:15 p.m. You think that's enough time to just check out LaSalle Street, the Richard J. Daley, Wacker Drive, and the IBM Plaza?

I personally wouldn't chance it. Missing a flight is a SERIOUS pain in the butt. I mean, I've missed a connection before, but it was because my first leg was delayed and I had to call the airline to rebook right away. Luckily I was going home and thus didn't have to call my friends/pickup ride to let them know I'd be late.

I also think it would shortchange your experience in Chicago if you're going around in such a hurry. I definitely plan to stay several days to really get a feel for the city.

 

[gqxsensazn]

I personally wouldn't chance it. Missing a flight is a SERIOUS pain in the butt. I mean, I've missed a connection before, but it was because my first leg was delayed and I had to call the airline to rebook right away. Luckily I was going home and thus didn't have to call my friends/pickup ride to let them know I'd be late.

I also think it would shortchange your experience in Chicago if you're going around in such a hurry. I definitely plan to stay several days to really get a feel for the city.

Good points. It's funny because I'm more excited about being in Chicago for those few hours than where I'm really supposed to go.

 

[Booznian]

Chicago is a great city, but it's nothing special. I go to Chicago every couple of weeks (I live 60 miles away), and it's just the Windy City. I wouldn't advice going to all those places. I would suggest just going on Michigan Avenue for an hour, buy a few souviners, then head back to O'hare.

 

[Chris Wallace]

Okay so my flight arrives around 9:45 and leaves again at 1:15 p.m. You think that's enough time to just check out LaSalle Street, the Richard J. Daley, Wacker Drive, and the IBM Plaza?

They're all in relatively close proximity. If you take the "L" both ways instead of screwing with traffic, you should be alright.

 

[DesertBat86]

Go up Sears, and you have that nice pano shot. Looks like the Prewitt Building (Trump) is just about finished.

marielise vw/FLICKR

 

[byte19]

Sorry, but this is incorrect. They are actually in front of the Chicago Theatre on 175 N State St. There were reports of them shooting that scene in front of the Chicago Theatre. Also...My dormitory building is in the background of that scene, thats how I know...haha.

actually, it's the LaSalle Theater between State and Dearborn streets on Monroe. I was there when they shot it, and use to work at 55 E. Monroe.

 

[Mr. Earle]

Chicago is a great city, but it's nothing special. I go to Chicago every couple of weeks (I live 60 miles away), and it's just the Windy City. I wouldn't advice going to all those places. I would suggest just going on Michigan Avenue for an hour, buy a few souviners, then head back to O'hare.

So its nothing special? I mean what's the difference between Chicago and NY? To me they look about the same.

 

[Chris Wallace]

Only someone who's never been to either would say that.