Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears Travel Guide: Soldier Field

Getting to Chicago & The Stadium

• Flying In: Chicago is serviced by two massive airports. O'Hare International (ORD) is a massive global hub for United and American. Midway International (MDW) is slightly closer to downtown and is heavily dominated by Southwest Airlines.

• Airport Transit: Do not rent a car. Chicago's public transit is elite. Take the CTA Blue Line directly from O'Hare, or the CTA Orange Line directly from Midway right into downtown (The Loop).

• The Neighborhood: Soldier Field sits right on the edge of Lake Michigan on the Museum Campus. It is incredibly scenic, surrounded by parkland, and just a short walk south of downtown.

Where to Stay

Because Soldier Field is located on the Museum Campus, staying in the nearby South Loop puts you within a very easy walk of the stadium while giving you great access to restaurants and transit.

Budget Options

• Best Western Grant Park Hotel: Located right on Michigan Avenue in the South Loop, this is a highly dependable, budget-friendly launchpad. It puts you right across from Grant Park, making the walk to the stadium incredibly easy.

• Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/South Loop: This modern, clean hotel sits right by the Roosevelt CTA station. It features a free hot breakfast and keeps you perfectly positioned for both transit access and a short walk to Soldier Field.

Higher-End Options

• The Blackstone, Autograph Collection: This historic, absolutely stunning luxury hotel sits right on Michigan Avenue. It features incredible views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park, a fantastic tapas restaurant, and a highly refined urban atmosphere.

• Hilton Chicago: A massive, classic Chicago staple. It is famously accommodating to sports fans and visiting teams. Located right on Michigan Avenue, it features a massive indoor pool, great bars, and is a straight, easy walk down the lakefront path to the game.

Nearby Activities

• The Museum Campus: You are literally walking right past some of the best museums in the world on your way to the stadium. Spend your morning exploring the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, or the Adler Planetarium.

• Millennium Park: Head slightly north into the Loop to see the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (The Bean) and walk through the stunning Crown Fountain and Lurie Garden.

Pregame Food and Drink

• The Classic Bears Bar: Kroll's South Loop is the absolute quintessential Chicago Bears pregame spot. Located just a short walk from the stadium, it gets absolutely packed with fans grabbing burgers, cheese curds, and beers before kickoff.

• Pizza & Pierogis: Hit up Flo & Santos in the South Loop. It is a fantastic tavern serving incredible tavern-style thin-crust pizza and Polish classics in a lively, game-day atmosphere.

• The Tailgate Scene: If you want to brave the Chicago elements, the South Lot and the Waldron Deck outside Soldier Field are legendary tailgating spots. Bring some beer and wander the lots to experience the incredible Bears tailgate culture.

Getting to the Event

• Walking: If you are staying in the South Loop or on Michigan Avenue, walking is by far the best method. Follow the crowds through the Museum Campus pedestrian paths straight to the gates.

• Public Transit: Take the CTA (Red, Green, or Orange line) to the Roosevelt Station. From there, it is about a 15-minute walk east through the park to the stadium.

• Driving: Driving to Soldier Field is notoriously difficult. The parking passes are expensive, the lots sell out instantly, and traffic on DuSable Lake Shore Drive bottlenecks heavily. Rely on the CTA!

Where to Sit at Soldier Field

Soldier Field is one of the smallest stadiums in the NFL, meaning almost every seat keeps you surprisingly close to the field—though this limited capacity also drives ticket prices up significantly.

• The Premium Experience: The United Club spans the 200 and 300 levels behind the visitor's sideline. These seats offer prime midfield views and access to massive, climate-controlled lounges.

• Away Fans: Look for tickets in sections 107-111, which sit directly behind the visitor's sideline. Rows 15-19 offer the best views, and sitting in rows 12-19 provides the added benefit of being under cover from the brutal Chicago weather. Sections 101 and 155 are also excellent, sitting right next to the visitor's tunnel so you can watch the team run out onto the field.

• The Skyline Views: Sections 319-321 are perfectly elevated above the opposite end zone to offer decent views of the field while looking straight out at the towering Chicago skyline.

• Family-Friendly: If you are bringing the kids, check out corner end zone sections 148 and 155. These are alcohol-free zones and are some of the only dedicated family sections located on the lower level in the entire NFL.

• The Budget Seats: The cheapest tickets are usually found in sections 351-354 above the end zone. As a bonus, these seats put you right in front of an outdoor patio that overlooks Lake Michigan and is a great spot to socialize.