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The nearest airport is Chicago's O'Hare Airport. If you're heading directly to Evanston from the airport, ask your hotel if they can arrange an airport shuttle. Otherwise, you'll have to take a taxi. American Taxi offers reasonable flat rates between O'Hare and Evanston (and many other North Shore towns), but a pick-up must be arranged by phone. Another alternative is to take the CTA Blue Line to the Clark/Lake station, then transfer to the Purple Line express (during rush hour) or transfer to the Red Line at Jackson and then go north to Howard station where you can take the Purple Line the rest of the way to Evanston. A cheap way of going to Evanston is by Pace bus 250, which runs directly from O'Hare Kiss-and-Fly to Evanston Davis Street.
Interstate I-90/94, known locally as the Edens Expressway, runs about 5 miles to the west of Evanston.
The Metra Union Pacific North Line [url=http://metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_n/cnwn.shtml#STATION]]runs from downtown Chicago, with stops in Evanston at Main and Davis (Both right next to the Purple Line) and Central (a few blocks further west).
* The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) [url=http://transitchicago.com/[/url]]runs the Purple Line from Chicago. It can be accessed during morning and evening rush hours from most elevated train stops in the [[Chicago/Loop|Loop[/url]]. It runs express from Belmont on Chicago's [wiki=f00f5ecc9b11015202edf6d7900b680b]North Side[/wiki] to the Howard station in [wiki=37d5c84095d367d4dce3feccf23d5caf]Rogers Park[/wiki], at the northern border of Chicago. Then, it becomes an all-stops train for Evanston. When the Purple Line Express is not running (mid-day and late evening), take the Red Line north to Howard and then transfer to the Purple Line. The Davis station is in the midst of the downtown business and shopping area and is accessible.
Pace & CTA [url=http://pacebus.com/]]runs buses from neighboring suburbs such as [[Wilmette[/url]] and [wiki=b2ee1572ad5e4893e4cfa2dc10489f6b]Skokie[/wiki]. Many routes connect at the Davis CTA station.
93 California/Dodge[http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/busroute.aspx?RouteId=257]
*97 Skokie[http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/busroute.aspx?RouteId=262]
*201 Central/Ridge[http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/busroute.aspx?RouteId=304]
*205 Chicago/Golf[http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/busroute.aspx?RouteId=305]
*206 Evanston Circulator [http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/busroute.aspx?RouteId=306]
208 Golf Road[http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules/route_detail.asp?RouteNo=208]
*213 Green Bay Road[http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules/route_detail.asp?RouteNo=213]
*215 Crawford-Howard[http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules/route_detail.asp?RouteNo=215]
*250 Dempster Street[http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules/route_detail.asp?RouteNo=250]
Buffalo Joe's offers their wings at three heat levels: mild, hot, and "suicide" (topped with jalapeño peppers). Some people swear that this place has the best wings and burgers in the city.
* An Evanston favorite for many years, Gigio's offers up thin-crust pizza by the (huge) slice, as well as other fare, at reasonable prices.
* Regarded by many as the best sandwiches in Evanston. Pizza, soups and salads compliment the famous sandwiches. Catering to Northwestern students, the eatery offers excellent food fast, and has plenty of cute seating in their store to stop and enjoy a meal. Beware: on gamedays (Northwestern Football games), lines may stretch down the street; its a good idea to call ahead and pick up your order.
* This tiny, French-inspired cafe near the Noyes Arts Center is a favorite of locals. Bob Pottinger and his brother, aided by a succession of Northwestern students, serve homemade soups (one per day) and hand-crafted sandwiches, along with cookies voted Chicago's best. The baguettes are provided by a local bakery, made with a recipe developed by Mr. Pottinger based on his travels in France. The soup/sandwich combo is almost enough food for two, but save room for the luscious, vanilla-rich buttercream cookies or the new and delicious Belgian chocolate cookies.
Try the stuffed spinach pizza.
* Warm atmosphere and hearty food at a local favorite, in Evanston for more than 35 years. Enter in a hurry and you'll leave relaxed.
* Another local favorite: Creole barbecue since 1983.
* Eggs in a variety of ways.
* Indian, Tibetan, and Vegetarian.
* Best Chicago pizza! Order the ice cream pizza for dessert when you arrive, it takes time.
* Spanish tapas cuisine with a big menu, including a long list of imported booze.
Popular, long-standing restaurant with fresh, flown-in seafood, including the Raw Bar.
* Fine Italian cuisine and a renowned wine cellar in the historic Margarita European Inn.
*Great restaurant for high-end cuisine, especially seafood, with an amazing tasting menu and incredible wine pairings. Outdoor seating is available during the summer.
Thanks to the hordes of Northwestern students and non-student residents who value a good coffe shop environment, downtown Evanston has plenty of good, non-chain coffee shops.
* One of the original grunge-wave coffee shops, Kafein has more of a lazy bohemian vibe these days, and serves terrific desserts.
* Linz and Vail has two location in Evanston - 922 Noyes Street just east of the El stop and a newer one at 2012 Central Street (one mile west of purple line). Both are open, airy coffee shops that also serve an array of gelato. They brew Intelligentsia coffee and offer a fourth shot of espresso free with any drink, for serious caffiene junkies. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and all seem to have liberally sampled their products.
*
Wireless internet, fitness room.
Opened in the late 1990s, otherwise just like any other Hilton Garden Inn outlet.
The fanciest hotel in Evanston, it underwent a major remodel in 2004, and a couple years later joined the Hilton chain.