Chicago is served by two international airports. O'Hare International Airport (ORD; 17 miles from the conference venue) is one of the world's busiest airport, with daily nonstop flights to 155 American cities and 55 international destinations. Midway International Airport (MDW; 12 miles from the conference venue) is a low-cost carrier hub, and has daily nonstop service to 77 American cities and 11 international destinations.
Both airports are directly served by Chicago's rapid transit system, with O'Hare having 24/7 service on the Blue Line train and Midway having service on the Orange Line train. You can also find ride share services (e.g., Uber, Lyft), taxis, and rental cars at both airports.
There are many transportation alternatives to get around the city of Chicago, As a major U.S. city, Chicago has extensive mass transit options, along with a range of individual transit options.
Mass transit in the city and nearby suburbs is coordinated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The Chicago "L", a mostly-elevated rapid transit train, has eight lines that radiate from downtown Chicago (the Loop). Two of these lines, the Blue Line and the Red Line, run 24 hours a day. Rides cost US $2.50 each, and unlimited ride passes are available as well.
You can see a map of the "L" lines near the conference venue. The nearest "L" stations are:
Both of these stations are a 6-minute walk from the Westin. From the Clark/Lake station, you can catch a train directly to O'Hare or to Midway.
Other mass transit options include CTA's bus service (US $2.25 per ride), and the Metra regional rail.
For individual rides, a number of options exist in Chicago. The city has a combination of ride share services (e.g., Uber, Lyft) and taxis. The city also has a bike share service, Divvy, that offers both regular bicycles and e-bikes for rental 24 hours a day.
While there is no exact count, Chicago is generally considered to have over 200 neighborhoods in the city, each with a unique character. The conference venue is located in the River North neighborhood, known for its fine dining and nightlife options. The venue is just across the river from The Loop, Chicago's downtown and the home of the majority of its famous skyscrapers (along with the Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park, and Millenium Park). Other nearby neighborhoods that may be of interest to attendees include Magnificent Mile (an upscale shopping district), Fulton Market and the Gold Coast (both noted for their restaurants), the Museum Campus (home to the Field Musuem of Natural History, and Streeterville (where the famed Navy Pier is located). We encourage you to explore all of what Chicago has to offer!