So, what's the best way to get to the lakefront from West Town?


I've heard rumors of a "secret" route that one can take to get to the LFP, one which avoids major streets and allows you to slip past the really congested parts of downtown.  Apparently it runs parallel to Grand, or nearly parallel, but I can't figure it out.  (Most of the streets around there e.g., Hubbard, just end in weird industrial cul-de-sacs).

Any ideas?  How do people normally get to the lake from West Town i.e., is there an accepted route that everyone takes?





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Permalink Reply by Laurie Chipps on July 8, 2010 at 5:39pm
Can't say I know of any "secret" paths, but I've always just taken Chicago Ave straight east without any problems....Just before LSD there is an underground passage down to the lakefront path.
Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on July 8, 2010 at 5:52pm
I wonder if you're thinking of Kinzie Street.

Grab it starting at Milwaukee and Desplaines. It crosses the river. It passes under the Trump Tower and then the NBC Tower. It turns south and into North Water Street. Turn north on McClurg Court and then east onto Illinois Street.
Permalink Reply by spacemodular on July 8, 2010 at 5:55pm
Would it be Kinzie? I know it coming from the west till it hits Wabash - after that I get fuzzy. I usually end up on Illinois heading towards Navy Pier if I am east of Michigan. If you take Kinzie, you will need to head north to Illinois at some point to get to the Lake Front Path.
Permalink Reply by igz on July 9, 2010 at 6:28am
im sure you are thinking about your Hubbards and Kinzies. Tho they are a bit out of the way of traffic, they are by no means the 'promised land' of bike paths to the LFP. They are industrial corridors and the pavement is not currently maintained (i hear they are working on it), and then you do still have to do some meandering at the end like mentioned above.

i agree about chicago ave. its a decent straight shot down which places ya right near water tower and then you shoot up N Mich a hair and cross underneath in front of the Drake Hotel. And Chicago ave is mo betta than North Ave all the way down. North ave sucks after Ashland (going east).
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on July 9, 2010 at 6:55am
West of the river, Hubbard is currently ground down for repaving. East of the river, it's fine. Kinzie is in decent shape from the river east.

iggi said:
im sure you are thinking about your Hubbards and Kinzies. Tho they are a bit out of the way of traffic, they are by no means the 'promised land' of bike paths to the LFP. They are industrial corridors and the pavement is not currently maintained (i hear they are working on it), and then you do still have to do some meandering at the end like mentioned above.

i agree about chicago ave. its a decent straight shot down which places ya right near water tower and then you shoot up N Mich a hair and cross underneath in front of the Drake Hotel. And Chicago ave is mo betta than North Ave all the way down. North ave sucks after Ashland (going east).
Permalink Reply by Ricardo Cervantes on July 9, 2010 at 7:16am
You must stand on your left foot and chant, "Meca neca hi, meca hiney ho" 34 times. At that point, the secret path will open up to you.

Just being silly on a lazy Friday afternoon! :)
Permalink Reply by Matt Marque on July 9, 2010 at 8:58am
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'll just stick to Chicago Ave. for now, since it sounds like Hubbard/Kinzie isn't going to be much better, if at all. Maybe once they finish resurfacing that area I'll give it a whirl again.

In the meantime, if I do find a nicer route I'll post it here.
Permalink Reply by Amber K on July 9, 2010 at 9:17am
Once you pass Halsted, then it's ok.

iggi said:
North ave sucks after Ashland (going east).

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