Going to the Theatre in Downtown Chicago, a Guide, provided by Chicago Traveler

What's Playing?

To learn what shows are playing at any theatre, simply visit that theatre's website. You will find details about current and future performances, show timings and the cast of each show.

You can also visit Chicago Traveler's Theater Events Schedule to find what's playing at many of the most popular venues in Chicago as well as its suburbs.

How do I Buy Tickets?

In most cases, you can buy tickets either online via the web, or offline at a theatre or other ticket outlet. Tickets are commonly available from the theatre itself or through a third-party. Last minute tickets can sometimes be obtained at a discount.

Unless you can obtain last-minute tickets at a discount via Hot Tix or similar option, tickets purchased directly from the theatres are the least expensive option to use. Tickets obtained from third-party ticket brokers are usually the most expensive due to their acquisition costs and profit margin.

The Chicago Opera Theater strives to make opera more accessible to the public

• You can go to each theatre's individual website and order tickets for any show at that theatre. This is an easy option as long as you know beforehand which theatre you want to visit. See the individual theatre web sites appearing elsewhere in this article.
• Each theatre has a box office as well. You can phone or visit the box office and purchase tickets from a representative. For box office phone numbers, locations and hours, visit the individual theatre's web site. Again, the individual theatre web sites appear elsewhere in this article.

Through a Third-Party:

• When premium tickets are desired, or when a show is sold out, it is often best to seek a third-party ticket broker. Ticket brokers will have a wide selection of performances, show dates and times, as well as seating choices. All available from a single web site. One of the most popular ticket brokers in Chicago with a large inventory of tickets is Gold Coast Tickets. The website for Gold Coast Tickets is http://chicagotravel.goldcoasttickets.com .
• Another option is Hot Tix, an affordable option that is ideal if you have flexibility regarding shows and dates. Tickets for shows are sold at half-price and are taken off sale one hour before show time. You can access Hot Tix either online (www.hottix.org). or at one of their two locations in Chicago: 72 E. Randolph and 163 E. Pearson. Their website tells you what shows, dates and times are available.
• There are also several ticket sales locations throughout Chicago, such as Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, Carson Pirie Scott, Tower Records and selected Coconuts stores.

How do I Get There? Directions Please!

You have many options for getting to Chicago's downtown theatres. Here are some basic directions to get to downtown Chicago from the outlying areas. Once you reach the Loop, follow specific directions to each theatre.

For these directions visithttp://www.broadwayinchicago.com/planyourtrip.php, or find directions for any other theatre at its official web site.

By Car: Several Chicagoland expressways will take you to Downtown Chicago. Take the Kennedy (I-90/94), the Stevenson (I-55), the Eisenhower (I-290) or Lake Shore Drive for direct access to the Loop area.

By Rail: By CTA Rapid Transit Red Line, exit at Lake or Washington. By CTA Rapid Transit Brown, Green & Orange Lines, exit at any of the Loop stations, including State/Lake and Randolph/Wabash. After emerging from the station, you will be within walking distance to most theatres in the district.

By Bus: Several buses serve the downtown area. Take #29 State Street, #36 Broadway, #62 Archer, #145 Wilson/Michigan or #146 Marine/Michigan.

By Metra: Several Metra routes serve the downtown area. Take any line that ends in Chicago; lines will end at either Union Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center. From these stations, most theatres are a quick walk to the East. Alternatively, the South Shore Metra Line is another option; exit at Randolph and Michigan.

For more information, call CTA/Metra/Pace at 312.836.7000 or visit http://www.transitchicago.com.

Where do I Park?

Finding parking in the downtown area is not always easy; parking spots are scarce and finding them can take time. When you have a show to see, you can avoid the hassle of searching for a spot and simply park in one of the many parking garages downtown.

Interpark is the main parking garage for theatre in downtown Chicago. While there are other lots in the downtown area, InterPark offers several locations with close proximity to the downtown theatres. Their locations are as follows:

• Auditorium Theatre: Adams & Wabash Self Park, 17 E. Adams
• Cadillac Palace: Lake & Wells Self Park, 171 N. Wells
• Ford Center/Oriental Theatre: Wabash & Randolph Self Park, 20 E. Randolph
• Drury Lane Theatre: Olympia Centre Parking, 161 E Chicago and Water Tower Place Parking, 175 E Chestnut
• Goodman Theatre, Chicago Theatre and Ford Center: Theatre District Self-Park, 181 N. Dearborn
• LaSalle Bank Theatre: 55 East Monroe Self-Park, 55 E. Monroe
• Interpark offers a special theatre rate to patrons; just keep your ticket stub and present it at the garage.

There is also a Government Center Self Park at the corner of Clark & Lake, which offers a discounted rate to Goodman Theatre patrons.

See our Map of Chicago Downtown Theatre Dining & Parking.

Is there Dining Near the Theatres?

Before or after your show, have dinner at a restaurant near your theatre. The following restaurants are located near enough to various theatres to allow you to park in one place and be within walking distance of both your show and your restaurant. Several of these restaurants also offer a discount or a special menu for theatre patrons.

See our Map of Chicago Downtown Theatre Dining & Parking.

Auditorium Theatre:

• Custom House, 500 S. Dearborn, www.customhouse.cc, offers a discounted 3-course pre-theatre package.
• Trattoria No. 10, 10 N. Dearborn, www.trattoriaten.com, offers free dessert with entrée to Auditorium Theatre patrons.
• La Strada, 155 N. Michigan, www.lastradaristorante.com, offers a 3-course pre theatre package.
• The Atwood Café, 1 W. Washington, www.atwoodcafe.com.
• Rosebud, 70 W. Madison, www.rosebudrestaurants.com.

Cadillac Palace:

• ristorante we, 172 W. Adams, www.ristorantewe.com. ristorante we offers a discounted pre-theatre menu.
• La Strada, 155 N. Michigan, www.lastradaristorante.com, offers a 3-course pre theatre package.
• The Atwood Café, 1 W. Washington, www.atwoodcafe.com.
• Rosebud, 70 W. Madison, www.rosebudrestaurants.com.

Chicago Theatre:

• The Great Street, 1 W. Wacker.
• Catch-35, 35 W. Wacker, www.catch35.com, offers free valet for theatre patrons.
• South Water Kitchen, 225 N. Wabash, www.southwaterkitchen.com.

Ford Center:

• 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle, www.312chicago.com.
• La Strada, 155 N. Michigan, www.lastradaristorante.com, offers a 3-course pre theatre package.
• The Atwood Café, 1 W. Washington, www.atwoodcafe.com.
• Rosebud, 70 W. Madison, www.rosebudrestaurants.com.
• Catch-35, 35 W. Wacker, www.catch35.com, offers free valet for theatre patrons.
• South Water Kitchen, 225 N. Wabash, www.southwaterkitchen.com.

Goodman Theatre offers fresh, interesting plays that are often brimming with social commentary

Goodman Theatre:

• Petterino's, 150 N. Dearborn, www.leye.com.
• Catch-35, 35 W. Wacker, www.catch35.com, offers free valet for theatre patrons.
• South Water Kitchen, 225 N. Wabash, www.southwaterkitchen.com, offers free dessert to Goodman Theatre patrons.

LaSalle Bank Theatre:

1. Italian Village, 71 W. Monroe, www.italianvillage-chicago.com.
2. Nick's Fishmarket, 51 S. Clark, www.nicksfishmarketchicago.com.
3. La Strada, 155 N. Michigan, www.lastradaristorante.com, offers a 3-course pre theatre package.
4. The Atwood Café, 1 W. Washington, www.atwoodcafe.com.
5. Rosebud, 70 W. Madison, www.rosebudrestaurants.com.

Symphony Center:

• Rhapsody, 65 E. Adams, www.rhapsodychicago.com.

See our Map of Chicago Downtown Theatre Dining & Parking.

After the show, have a drink at one of the lounges or bars near your theatre. Try Encore Liquid Lounge, 171 W. Randolph, near the Cadillac Palace Theatre or Cavanaugh's, 53 W. Jackson, www.cavanaughschicago.com near the Auditorium Theatre.

What Other Theatres are near Downtown Chicago?

While the theatres in the downtown area get the most attention, there are dozens of smaller theatres scattered throughout the city. It is these smaller theatres that boldly test boundaries and truly bring Chicago's theatre scene forward. Some of these theatres include the Trap Door Theatre (www.trapdoortheatre.com), the City Lit Theatre (www.citylit.org), the Stage Left Theatre (www.stagelefttheatre.com) and the Neo-Futurarium (www.neofuturists.org).

Other noteworthy theatres outside of the Theatre District include the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Lincoln Park (www.steppenwolf.org), the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier (www.chicagoshakes.com), Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower (www.drurylanewatertower.com), the Lookingglass Theater at the Water Works building (www.lookingglasstheatre.org) and Marriott's Theatre in Lincolnshire (www.marriotttheatre.com).

For a description of theatres elsewhere in Chicago and in the suburbs, see Chicago Traveler's Theatre Directory. Also on this page, find a Map of Downtown Theatres.

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