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Guide To Soldier Field
Filed Under:Bears, Best Of Football, Best Western, Box Office, Budweiser, CTA, dan ryan, Eisenhower Expressway, Grant Park, Green Line, Hilton, Lake Shore Drive, lakefront, Metra, Miller Lite, Old Style, Orange Line, Pace, Palmer House, parking, Red Line, Soldier Field, Super Bowl, Tailgating, Union Station
Soldier Field, Home of the Chicago Bears (photo credit: soldierfield.net)
(credit: Soldier Field)
SOLDIER FIELD FACTS / HISTORY:
1410 South Museum Campus Drive
Box office phone number and hours:
The box office is open only for game days.
Soldier Field is the current home of the National Football League's Chicago Bears. Solider Field (known at the time as Grant Park Municipal Stadium) was designed in 1919 and formally hosted it's first football game on October 4th, 1924. The name Soldier Field commemorates American soldiers lost in wars, and the historic colonnades, Doughboy statue, and Memorial Water Wall all pay homage to our fallen heroes.
Soldier Field became the official home of the Bears on September 19th, 1971, when fans were treated to a 17-15 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thirty years later as part of the Lakefront Redevelopment Project, the city and state approved a plan for a major renovation and reconstruction of Solider Field. Ground broke on the new stadium in January of 2002, forcing the Bears to relocate at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL for the 2002 season. The stadium renovation was completed in a historic 20 month timeframe, officially re-opening its doors on September 29, 2003 for a Monday night tilt against the rival Green Bay Packers.
Despite losing its status as a national historic landmark during the renovation and a reduction in seating capacity, the amenities and sightlines have dramatically increased the game day experience for fans. On average Soldier Field patrons are 37 feet closer to the field compared to the other 31 NFL stadiums, fans can view two 23'x 82′ video boards located in the north and south end zones, and the colonnades are open year round providing breathtaking views of the skyline and Lake Michigan.
Driving in from the North:
Take the Edens Expressway (I-94) eastbound until it merges into the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94). Continue on the Kennedy (I-90/94) to the Taylor Street/Roosevelt Road exit. Roosevelt Road is the second stoplight off the exit, turn left onto Roosevelt Road. Follow Roosevelt Road to Columbus Drive, and turn right onto southbound Columbus Drive. Stay in the right lane as Columbus Drive feeds into southbound Lake Shore Drive and proceed to the 18th Street/Museum Campus Drive exit, which is the first exit on the right after you pass Soldier Field.
Driving in from the South:
Travel northbound on Lake Shore Drive past McCormick Place, and proceed to the 18th Street/Museum Campus Drive exit. Follow the 18th Street exit to the bottom of the ramp and turn right onto Museum Campus Drive. Take Museum Campus Drive to the Waldron parking deck.
Driving in from the West:
Take the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) eastbound until it turns into Congress Parkway. Continue on Congress Parkway until it ends at Columbus Drive (Buckingham Fountain will be directly in front of you). Turn right onto Columbus Drive and proceed onto southbound Lake Shore Drive. Stay in the far right lane to the 18th Street/Museum Campus Drive exit, which will be the first exit on the right after you pass Soldier Field.
CTA "EL" trains:
• The CTA's Red, Orange, and Green lines stop at the Roosevelt Station, between State Street and Wabash Avenue. From here, patrons can either transfer to the #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express bus, or walk east on Roosevelt Road through Museum Campus to the stadium.
• For more information, visit to http://www.transitchicago.com or call 836-7000 (from any Chicago-land area code).
CTA Buses:
• Soldier Field can be reached on the #128 Soldier Field Express and the #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express buses. To exit Soldier Field after the game, board #128 and #146 buses along the west side of the Transportation Center ("East Museum Lot") at the corner of McFetridge and Museum Campus Drive, just northeast of the stadium.
• For more information on CTA buses, visit to http://www.transitchicago.com.
Metra Trains:
There are multiple Metra rail lines that connect the Chicago-land suburbs to downtown Chicago. These rail lines exit downtown at five stations:
• LaSalle Street Station exits on LaSalle Street between Van Buren Street and Congress Parkway.
• Union Station exits on Canal Street between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard. Patrons can take the #128 Soldier Field Express buses, which board on Jackson Boulevard east of Canal Street and begin leaving Ogilvie two hours before the game until 30 minutes after
• Ogilvie Transportation Center exits on Madison Street and Canal Street. Patrons can take the #128 Soldier Field Express buses, which board on Madison street and begin leaving Ogilvie two hours before the game until 30 minutes after
• South Shore Line runs on the Metra Electric Line from South Bend, Indiana to downtown Chicago, serving the southeast portion of Chicago and northwest Indiana. Exit at the McCormick Place stop at 18th Street and walk one block north to Soldier Field.
• Millennium Station exits on Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue.
• For more information regarding schedules, locations, and fares, visit http://www.metrarail.com or call 836-7000 (from any Chicago-land area code).
Pace – Soldier Field Express Buses:
Pace operates Soldier Field Express buses for Bears home games. These buses depart from the following locations:
• Northwest Transportation Center picks up at 1730 Kimberly Drive at the corner of Martingale Road in Schaumburg.
• Yorktown picks up at 138 Yorktown Shopping Center in Lombard.
• Bolingbrook picks up at 126 E. Old Chicago Drive near Bolingbrook Drive.
• Burr Ridge picks up at McClintock Drive near Lincolnshire Drive.
• Oak Lawn picks up at 9525 S. Tulley Drive, the bus stop is at the intersection 52nd and Yourell Drive.
• Palos Heights picks up at 11451 Southwest Highway. Bus stop is on upper level near the station.
credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
PARKING / TAILGATING:
All of the parking spaces in the on-site parking lots near Soldier Field are pre-sold for the entire season to Bears season ticket holders. For those who haven't secured a pre-paid parking coupon, here are some alternate options, some of which offer free shuttle bus service for three hours prior to kickoff and two hours after the game ends, parking fees are subject to change:
• 31st Street McCormick Place Lot B (located at 31st street and Moe Drive). When available, the cash parking fee at Lot B is $25. There are shuttle buses to bring you to the 18th Street Shuttle Turnaround, directly across from the stadium. You can also walk to the stadium from the 31st Street Lot. Tailgating is allowed.
• McCormick Place Lakeside Garage Lot C. Follow signs on 31st Street east of Lake Shore Drive. Entrance on Fort Dearborn Drive. Fee is $19. No tailgating allowed.
• East Monroe Street / Millennium Park Garages (entrance is on Columbus Drive). When available, the cash parking fee is $26 for the pre-season and regular season games. The shuttle is accessible from upper and lower Randolph Street and the drop-off and pick-up is at 18th Street. Tailgating is allowed.
• Adler Planetarium Lot (RVs, campers, buses, and cars allowed). Entrance located on Linn White Drive off of Museum Campus Drive. Fee is $46 for cars, and $121 for limousines, RVs, campers, and buses. Tailgating is allowed.
• Grant Park North & South Garages. North Garage entrance is on Michigan Avenue between Congress Parkway and Jackson Boulevard. South Garage entrance is between Monroe Street and Washington Street. Fee varies. No tailgating allowed.
• Burnham Harbor Lot. Entrance located on Waldron Drive off of Museum Campus Drive. Fee is $50. Tailgating is allowed.
• Presidential Towers Standard Parking Garage (555 W. Madison, adjacent to Ogilvie Transportation Center). On game days, Bear fans can park here and utilize the CTA's
#128 Soldier Field Express Bus to/from the stadium.
• You can also visit http://www.soldierfieldparking.com or call the Soldier Field Parking Hotline at (312) 235-7724 for more information.
FOOD & DRINK AT THE STADIUM:
• First Down Franks: Sections 108, 113, 123, 134, 142, 152, 231, 306, 312, 321, 323, 352, *432, *434, *438, and *444: Hot Dog, Polish Sausage, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Italian Beef Sandwich, Nachos (*No Italian Beef).
• Gridiron Grill: Sections 126, 151, 242, 349, 355, 431, 441: Hamburger, Cheeseburger, French Fries, Bratwurst, Hot Dog, Chicken Tenders.
• Second City Pizza: Sections 119, 132, 152, 205, 231, 316, 322, 351, 353, *435, *443: Pizza, Nachos (*Italian Beef also available).
• Southside Brats: Sections 143, 340, 433, 439: Italian Sausage, Bratwurst, Polish Sausage, Hot Dog, Chicken Tenders.
• Chicago Dogs: Sections 106, 319, 440: Chicago Style Hot Dogs.
• Smoke House BBQ: Section 122, 442: Turkey Legs, Brisket Sandwich, Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich.
• Third & Inches: Section 110: Pretzels, Ice Cream, Hot Dogs, Cookies, Candy.
Beer:
• Brews Brothers: (Domestic and Imported Beers, Wine and Specialty Beverages) Sections 113, 124, 140, 153, 242, 319, 350, 436. Heineken, Amstel Light, Becks, Coors Light, Labatt Blue, Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Select, Tecate, Guinness, Sharps (NA), Pilsner Urquell, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Mike's Cranberry, Honker's Ale, Leinenkugel Honeyweis, Leinenkugel Red, Wine, Flavored Drinks (124, 140, 319, 436 only).
Soldier Field is located in Chicago's trendy South Loop neighborhood which boasts a variety of bars and restaurants within walking distance from the stadium. Check out the CBS Local Directory for bars and restaurants near the stadium.
GO BEARS!
Dan Durkin / 670 The Score