General Information
about the American Historical Association's
2003 Annual Meeting
Transportation
To make your trip as smooth as possible, we provide information below
on how to get to the meeting from wherever you might be in the country
or the world. Once you get to the airport or train station, we have information
on how to get to the hotels using public transit,
taxi, or by driving
yourself. Those who are concerned about the temperatures of Chicago
in Janaury, and the distances between the hotels, will be pleased to know
that a regular shuttle service will run
between the hotels.
Transportation to Chicago
Flight Information
Association Travel Concepts (ATC) has been selected as the official travel agency for the AHA's 117th annual meeting. As the official agency, ATC has negotiated discounts with United Airlines, Amtrak, Alamo, and Avis to bring you special air, rail, and car rental rates that are lower than those available to the public. By calling ATC, you will save 10 to 15 percent off on United (I.D. 510CK) tickets purchased more than 60 days prior to the meeting. For tickets purchased less than 60 days prior, the discounts will be 5 to 10 percent off of the lowest available fares. Some restrictions may apply. Discounts apply for travel Monday, December 30, 2002 through Wednesday, January 8, 2003.
ATC will also search for the lowest available fare on any airline serving O'Hare International and Midway Airports. ATC also provides personalized service, advance seat assignments, special meal requests, frequent flier programs, electronic ticketing, e-mail access for convenient booking of your tickets and more.
To take advantage of these rates and benefits, call ATC at (800) 458-9383, fax (858) 581-3988, or e-mail reservations@atcmeetings.com or visit the ATC website. ATC is available for reservations from 9:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
Train
To book a reservation on Amtrak, call (800) 872-7245 or contact ATC at (800) 458-9383. Make sure you refer to fare order number X32X-949 when making your booking; discount fares available December 30, 2002 through January 8, 2003. The offer is not valid on Auto Train, Club, or Custom Class service.
Car Rental
You can also arrange to rent a car through Alamo or Avis, with discounted rates effective from December 30, 2002 through January 8, 2003. Contact Alamo at (800) 732-3232, noting I.D. # 72620 GR or Avis at (800) 331-1600, noting ID # J992152. You can also call ATC at (800) 458-9383.
Ground Transportation
From Airports
The city is served by an international airport, Chicago O'Hare, and a smaller, close-in airport, Midway. Both airports offer excellent ground transportation throughout the day with service available between airports to the hotels. Taxis, vans, limousines, and rental cars are available. Both are served by Chicago Rapid Transit. To review terminal layouts and ground transportation availability, visit the airports' Web sites: O'Hare at http://www.ohare.com/ohare and Midway at http://www.ohare.com/midway.
Arriving at O'Hare: Chicago O'Hare International Airport handles more passengers than any other airport in the world. It has three domestic terminal buildings and one international facility which are linked on the upper level of each terminal to allow passengers quick and easy access between them and a new Airport Transit System. The ATS is a convenient way to get around the airport—it is a free 24-hour rail system operating between all domestic terminals, the international terminal, long-term parking, and the Metra station (a commuter rail line). O'Hare is approximately seventeen miles from downtown Chicago. Taxicabs are located on the lower level of each domestic terminal and are available from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. A ride from the airport to the hotels takes approximately 30 minutes and costs between $35 and $40, depending on traffic. A Shared Ride Program permits up to four passengers not traveling together to share a cab from O'Hare for a flat fee of $19 per person. Continental Airport Express Shuttle (http://www.airportexpress.com) provides daily van service between O'Hare and all downtown hotels, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Departures are as frequent as every 5 to 10 minutes. Continental's uniformed ticket agents and kiosk are located in the baggage claims areas of Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and outside U.S. Customs in Terminal 5. A one-way ticket from O'Hare is $20, round-trip is $37, and children's fare is $10. Two passengers traveling together to the same destination can purchase their tickets for $16 a person each way. Lift-equipped vehicles are available upon request, with advanced notice strongly urged. To make a reservation for a lift-equipped van, telephone (312) 454-7800 or (800) 654-7871.
Arriving at Midway: Midway Airport is located 10 miles from downtown Chicago. A new Midway Airport Terminal opened in March 2001 bringing expanded ticket counters and baggage claim areas. The airport is served by eleven airlines: Air Tran Airways, American Airlines, American Trans Air, Continental Airlines, ComAir, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, USAirways, and Vanguard Airlines. Taxis and shuttle services are located on the lower level of the three-level building. A ride from Midway to the downtown hotels takes between 20 and 30 minutes and costs between $25 and $30, depending on the time of day. A Shared Ride Program permits up to four passengers not traveling together to share a cab from Midway for a flat fee of $14 per person. Continental Airport Express Shuttle (http://www.airportexpress.com) also provides transportation to downtown hotels between 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Vans depart Midway every fifteen minutes, and should be boarded in front of the Southwest Airlines ticket counter. The trip takes 30 minutes. The ticket agent and kiosk is also located opposite the Southwest Airlines counter; a one-way ticket is $15, round-trip is $28, and children's fare is $10. Two passengers traveling together to the same destination can purchase their tickets for $12 a person each way. Lift-equipped vehicles are available upon request, with advanced notice strongly urged. To make a reservation for a lift-equipped van, telephone (312) 454-7800 or (800) 654-7871.
From Amtrak
Chicago is known as the "hub" of all Amtrak transportation with fifty trains arriving or departing daily. The main station is located downtown within Union Station at 210 South Canal Street. Cabs, the suggested means of transportation to the hotels, are available on the lower level of Union Station at Adams and Canal Streets. A cab ride from the terminal to any of the hotels runs between 10 and 20 minutes and costs approximately $5 to $10.
Public Transit
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) (http://www.transitchicago.com) offers rapid transit between downtown Chicago and O'Hare (45 minutes) and Midway (25 minutes) airports. The fare is $1.50.
At O'Hare, CTA's Blue Line provides 24-hour access to downtown Chicago. Trains run every eight minutes or less from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and every ten minutes after 8:00 p.m. weekdays and from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekends. The CTA station is located at the lowest level of the Main Parking Garage (next to elevator center 4) and is accessible by pedestrian tunnels located in Terminals 1, 2, and 3. From Terminal 5, take the Airport Transit System to Terminal 3 and follow the signs. After purchasing a ticket, board the Blue Line train to the Loop (downtown Chicago)—O'Hare is the beginning of the line so the only choice is downtown. For the Hilton Chicago, exit at Dearborn and Jackson (seven blocks from the hotel); for the Palmer House, exit at Monroe (the stop is one and a half blocks east of the hotel), and for the Sheraton, exit at Lake and Clark Streets (eight blocks from the hotel). For the Hilton Chicago and the Sheraton, you may prefer to take a short cab ride to your hotels, especially if the weather is bad or if you have bulky luggage. The Blue Line platform at O'Hare is accessible to people with disabilities. In addition, door-to-door, lift equipped transportation is available to and from O'Hare to out-of-town visitors who need extra assistance. To use this service, visitors are required to give one week's notice. For an application form or to make a reservation, call (312) 917-4357 (voice) or (312) 917-1338 (TTY).
At Midway Airport, CTA's Orange Line operates from 3:55 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sundays and holidays. Trains run every 5 to 7 minutes weekday rush hours, every 15 minutes late evenings, and every 10 minutes at other times. Purchase a ticket and board the train to the Loop (downtown Chicago)—Midway is the beginning of the line so the only choice is downtown. For the Hilton Chicago, exit at Roosevelt and Wabash (4 blocks from the hotel); for the Palmer House, exit at Adams and Wabash (1 block from the hotel); and for the Sheraton, exit at State and Lake (10 blocks from the hotel). For the Sheraton, you may prefer to take a short cab ride to your hotels, especially if the weather is bad or if you have bulky luggage.
CTA Passes: Riders can purchase CTA Visitor Passes or CTA One-Day Fun Passes for unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains. The Fun Pass is $5 and allows 24 hours of unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains from the date and time of the first use. The Visitors Pass activates the first time used and is good for the number of consecutive days shown on the front of the pass. Visitors can purchase a one-day pass for $5, a two-day pass for $9, a three-day pass for $12, and a five-day pass for $18. Once a pass is used, it is valid for the specified number of consecutive days. Value cannot be added and these types of passes cannot be shared. Fun Passes and Visitor Passes are available at O'Hare Airport, Visitor Information Centers, other tourist locations, and at some hotels. Passes can also be ordered in advance by calling (888) 968-7282 (weekdays) or online (http://www.transitchicago.com, click on "CTA Store" and go to the section marked "Transit Cards"). All major credit cards are accepted, and there's no charge for mailing. Allow ten days for receipt.
Taxicabs in Chicago
You may hail a cab, or prearrange a trip by calling any one of the hundreds of taxicab companies operating in Chicago. At O'Hare and Midway airports, an employee of the Department of Aviation called a starter is available in case of questions or problems in finding a taxi. Easily identifiable by a city identification, the starter will help arrange the ride. In Chicago, you pay the amount shown on the taximeter, plus any tolls. The meter should start at $1.90, then increase $1.60 for every mile, or $2 for every six minutes of waiting time. There is an extra $0.50 charge for additional passengers over the age of 12 and under the age of 65. There is no charge for baggage or using a credit card, and tipping is optional. Drivers are not required to carry or to change bills larger than $20. For trips over five miles, the driver may agree to charge either a flat rate or discount fare. However, the meter must continue to run, and an agreement must be made with the driver before the trip begins. Wheelchair accessible taxicabs are available. Call (800) 281-4466 for a list of all taxi companies operating wheelchair accessible cabs. An additional charge of $1.00 is added to the total fare on each trip to or from O'Hare or Midway Airports under the State of Illinois Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (MPEA) Airport Departure Ordinance. The tax should appear on the meter as an "extra" charge.
Parking at the Hotels
All hotels have parking available. Current published rates for each 24-hour period are: Hilton—$29 self-park, $32 valet park; Palmer House—$23 self, $31 valet; Sheraton—$23.50 self, $32 valet. If you are a hotel guest, charges can be billed to your room or you can pay with credit card or cash. If you are not a hotel guest, you can still park in hotel garages, however, there will be no in-and-out privileges and you may be required to pay at an hourly rate.
Additional Parking Options
Street parking downtown is available, but finding a space can be difficult or impossible. Many streets have parking meters that cost $0.25 for each 15 minutes, with a maximum of two hours. Parking regulations in Chicago are strictly enforced through ticketing and towing. If you're driving into Chicago, parking can be found in the many downtown garages and lots. Parking costs for one to four hours can range from $7 to $17 and for five to twenty-four hours from $15 to $24. A less expensive option is the series of underground parking garages east of the Loop at Grant Park. There is a $5.74 flat rate for all-day parking. Enter from Columbus Drive or Michigan Avenue. Rates are generally lower at the Monroe Street Underground Parking Garage (350 East Monroe Street, 24-hour, underground, $10 to $13 for 24 hours) and the Lakefront Millennium Parking Facility (Columbus between Randolph and Monroe, 24-hour, underground, $10 to $13 for 24 hours). A city tax of $1.50 is added to each parking fare.
Driving Directions
The following roads are among the major highways leading into the city: Interstate 90 (the Chicago Skyway) runs northwest from the state of Indiana towards Chicago. It joins Highway 94 at which point it becomes the Ryan Expressway and then the John F. Kennedy Expressway. Highway 55 (the Adlai E. Stevenson Expressway) leads into the city from the southwest. Interstate 294 (the Tri-state Tollway) runs north-south about fifteen miles west of downtown. Highway 41 follows the lake shore and runs right through the city where it is known as Lake Shore Drive.
From O'Hare: For the Hilton Chicago, take the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) into downtown Chicago, traveling approximately eighteen miles and exiting Congress Parkway East. Follow the parkway roughly one-half mile to Michigan Avenue, turning right on the avenue. The hotel will be three blocks on the right. For the Palmer House, follow signs for I-190 out of airport, traveling east to downtown Chicago. Exit I-90/94 to Monroe Street, turning left on Monroe and driving approximately ten blocks to the hotel. For the Sheraton, travel the Kennedy Expressway and take the Ohio Street exit—it is a one-way street eastbound. Go east on Ohio for one mile to Fairbanks/Columbus and then turn right (south) on Fairbanks/Columbus. The Sheraton is three blocks on the left.
From Midway: Take I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) into downtown Chicago. I-55 will merge with Lake Shore Drive North, approximately three miles from the downtown area. When arriving on Lake Shore Drive North, drivers will pass Soldier's Field, the Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum. Shortly thereafter, exits will appear on the left hand side. For the Palmer House, take the third exit, Monroe Street; for the Hilton Chicago, continue on Monroe two blocks to Michigan Avenue. For the Sheraton, turn right on Michigan and proceed one-half mile across the bridge of the Chicago River.
Shuttle Service
A complimentary shuttle service will operate among the three meeting hotels between Thursday, January 2, 1:00 p.m. through Sunday, January 5, 2:00 p.m. A complete schedule will be included in your registration packet. Shuttles will operate on two routes, one with continuous service between the Hilton and the Palmer House Hilton and the other with service from the Sheraton Chicago to the Hilton hotels. Dispatchers will be at each hotel during all hours of servicee to maintain schedules and to assist attendees with information.
On Thursday, January 2, ten to fourteen buses will operate beginning at 1:00 p.m. From 1:00 to 6:30 p.m., buses will run every 10 to 15 minutes. Additional buses will be added and will run with greater frequency between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. to the Hilton Chicago for the plenary and CGE sessions from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. From 8:30 to 10:00 p.m., buses will run every 20 minutes and from 10:30 to 11:00 p.m., every 7 to 10 minutes.
On Friday, January 3, and Saturday, January 4, sixteen to twenty-two buses will operate from 7:30 a.m. to midnight. Buses will generally run every 7 to 10 minutes except between 8:30–9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., and 4:30–5:30 p.m. when they will operate every 5 to 7 minutes. Buses will continue to operate in 5 to 10 minute intervals between 5:30 p.m. and midnight each day.
On Sunday, January 5, twelve buses will operate between 7:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. They will run every 5 to 7 minutes an hour before and after sessions, and every 7 to 10 minutes at other times.
2003
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