Travel Information for

ASA Annual Meeting in 2019:

"The theme of ASA 2019 is Exploring Creation, combining the scientific aspect
of exploration with the theological concept of the natural world as creation.
This theme epitomizes the work of the ASA, focusing on understanding
science and related fields in the context of our Christian faith."

In this page you will find sections with useful information about...

where to go when you arrive on the campus of Wheaton College, after

Driving to Wheaton  or

Riding to Chicago (by Plane or Train or Bus) and then to Wheaton , plus

Travel Forums for Drivers (why should you use it ASAP?) and from an Airport.

Housing + Meals (these are two reasons why ASA Meetings are my favorites),

ASA Field Trips and Tourist Information for having fun in Chicago & Wheaton
    (this might give you another reason to decide “yes, I want to attend”),
and Travel Pages from previous ASA Annual Meetings, 2008 to 2018.

ASA's HomePage for the Meeting and Promotional Slide Show

When you arrive on the campus of Wheaton College,

Thursday go to the lobby of Fischer Hall for ASA Registration, and (if you're staying on campus) to get an access-card for your room in Fischer Hall.*

Friday thru Monday, if you'll have a room on campus, go to lobby of Fischer Hall for your room, and then to Meyer Science Center (Room 131) for ASA Registration;  if you'll stay off campus, just go to ASA Registration in Meyer Science Center.     {campus map with buildings & parking lots}

* Timings:  Thursday, July 18, check-in starts at 3 pm but rooms are limited, with more available at 5 PM.  Friday, July 19, room check-in starts at 8 am.  You must check out by 1 pm on Monday, July 22.   {iou - soon, I'll ask the ASA Office if Meeting Registration also begins at 3 & 8}   /   If you lose your room's access-card, Wheaton College will charge you $25.

GPS and Parking:  If you'll go to Fischer Hall, for GPS (or GoogleMaps) type "centennial dr wheaton il" and park in the lot south of Fischer Hall;  or for Meyer Science Center, type "430 howard wheaton il" and park in a lot north or south of Jenks Hall, east of Meyer.

Most MEETING ACTIVITIES will be in three buildings:  REGISTRATION (in Fischer Hall or Meyer Science Center),  HOUSING (Fischer Hall),  DINING (Anderson Commons in Todd M Beamer Student Center),  PLENARY SESSIONS (Coray Alumni Gym in Beamer Student Center),  GENERAL SESSIONS (Beamer Student Center or Meyer Science Center).    {campus map with buildings used for meeting}

Two of these – Beamer and Meyer – are among the buildings (with map) you'll see in Video Campus Tours.

To learn more about Wheaton College, visit its website and click links to explore, with museums that include Marion Wade Center (for British authors: Lewis, MacDonald, Sayers, Tolkien,...) & Billy Graham Center.     { for local 7-Day Predictions,  Weather Underground  Farmer's Almanac  Weather Network }    { Chicago & Wheaton are in the Central Time Zone, as you can see on a map of time zones }

DRIVING to Wheaton College

Directions and Parking:  For your GPS (or GoogleMaps) to find Fischer Hall (for Housing or Registration) type "centennial dr wheaton il", or for Meyer Science Center type "430 howard wheaton il".  Wheaton College provides driving directions (from 5 directions, 2 airports) & parking info and area map & campus map, and I've made a map to show three buildings used during the meeting.

Sharing Rides:  If you're driving from home or from an airport,* maybe you can help others get to the conference if you use our Ride-Forum Threads and do this ASAP.   Why might you want to share a ride?  and why use the forum ASAP?     * You can offer a ride to Wheaton College — by using the Airport Forum — if you'll fly into either airport and will be...

Renting a Car:  You can rent near your airport (O'Hare or Midway), or at another location where the cost will be lower.

RIDING to Wheaton College

You can ride to Wheaton College in a Car, or in a Plane or Train or Bus.

CAR to Wheaton

Maybe you know someone who will drive.  Or if you continue checking the Driving Forum or Airport Forum you may find a driver who wants to share a ride.

Step 1.  PLANE to Chicago

Chicago has two major airports, O'Hare and Midway:  FlyChicago.com (Chicago Department of Aviation) hosts the official websites for O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW).  And you can get more information about O'Hare (from Wikipedia - iFly - airport.com - World Airport Guides) and Midway (Wikipedia - iFly - airport.com - World Airport Guides with Southwest Airlines).

Step 2.  PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION to Wheaton College

Private Transportation is probably a good choice if you fly to Chicago,  unless you arrive early and you want to sightsee for awhile in the downtown areas (The Loop plus nearby neighborhoods of Near North & Near South) before going to Wheaton using Public Transportation.   Otherwise,...

Wheaton College (in their web-page about traveling) "does not suggest taking public transportation from either airport, as it takes twice as long and involves multiple steps," and lists three companies — Airport Express (800-284-3826) & American Taxi (630-790-8294) & West Suburban (630-668-9600) — but "does not endorse any specific company."

You can find more information in the official websites of O'Hare ("getting to and from" by using a Shuttle or Taxi-Limo-Rideshare* or Rental Car or Public Transit or...) and Midway ("getting to and from" by using Shuttle or Taxi-Limo-Rideshare* or Rental Car or Public Transit or...)  —  and also from ChooseChicago (list of companies) plus iFly & airport.com & World Airport Guides and a big list of shuttles.     {* for taxis, from O'Hare to Wheaton is 23 miles, from Midway it's 25 miles}

You can use ASA's Airport Forum to find people for sharing a shuttle or taxi, or maybe find someone who is renting a car and will offer a ride.

Step 1.  TRAIN to Downtown Chicago

Amtrak says Chicago is "the center of our national system" (national map) so it has 12 Midwest Routes going to Chicago,* with "frequent daily departures between Chicago and key cities in the five-state area, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin" and beyond.  Each route-page describes the scenic route, along with lots of info, including practical how-to details (before you go, at the station, onboard), a Map (showing city-stops), Schedule, and more.     /     * Amtrak's page for Midwest Routes has 3 tourism links (for Chicago, History, Waterfronts);  also, Chicago Neighborhoods.

Amtrak Trains stop at Union Station (225 South Canal Street), a tourist attraction in downtown Chicago, close to the station where a local train-line goes to Wheaton.

Compared with bus fares (below), trains are usually more expensive (but still cheap), and it may be more difficult to find a convenient schedule (this depends on where you live), but train travel can be an enjoyable experience.

Step 1.  BUS to Downtown Chicago

Megabus (FAQ & Info) offers cheap-and-fast trips between many cities (maybe yours?) including Chicago, to downtown and both airports.   {it's much cheaper if you buy early}   {their tourist information for Chicago}

Greyhound (FAQ & Info) travels to downtown Chicago from almost everywhere.   {it's cheaper if you buy early}

Or does a regional bus travel from your city to Downtown Chicago?  To find out, visit a "bus to airport" page (for O'Hare or Midway) and click the link for a bus company's website, to see if they also have a "bus to downtown" from your city.     {e.g. when I'm living in Madison WI, CoachUSA-VanGalder is my cheap & convenient ride to either airport or to downtown, for $62 round trip}

Step 2, getting to Wheaton College:  After riding a bus (Megabus, Greyhound, regional) to Downtown Chicago, you can take public transit (a fast train) to Wheaton.

TIMES and PRICES — for Bus & Train & Plane

For short-to-medium distances, I think the time for a typical bus trip is reasonable;  and the price is low compared with flying,* especially if you buy a few weeks (or more) before your trip.   For example, Cleveland to Chicago riding Greyhound (on Thursday, July 18, 8:45am-2:45pm, for 7.0 hour trip) is $38 one way, and Megabus (7:00am-12:30pm or 1:30pm-7:00pm, for 6.5 hour trip) is $20 or $10;  of course, the route timings (and thus convenience) will differ, depending on your city.   For this trip, Amtrak is more expensive ($59 lowest price) but is cheaper than flying;  and probably it's less convenient (3:35am-9:50am, 7.25 hours) although from your city the timing might be better.

* In late March, the cheapest plane flights (Cleveland to O'Hare, or to Midway) were $238 round trip, $119 each way.

Step 2.  PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION to Wheaton College

Private Transportation is probably a good choice if you ride a Train or Bus to Downtown Chicago — or if you fly and arrive early, want to sightsee for awhile in the downtown areas (The Loop plus nearby neighborhoods of Near North & Near South) — because a cheap-and-fast local train travels to the edge of campus,  but another option is Private Transportation.

PUBLIC vs PRIVATE:  Public Transit is cheap-simple-fast if you're already downtown, and if you can walk about 1.0 mile – first .3 to .7 while downtown, then .5 after you arrive in Wheaton.  If you're in an airport, a private service (like a shuttle bus) will be simpler-faster, with minimal walking.

INFORMATION:  ChooseChicago has an overview of "getting around Chicago" (as does Wikipedia) by using public transportation like the "L" trains (ELevated trains) of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) that is part of Regional Transit Authority.     {info about private transportation is above}

ACTION:

For Step 2, if you already have traveled (in Step 1b below) to Downtown Chicago, Metra has a fast train — UP-W (Union Pacific West) going from Downtown thru Wheaton to Elburn — leaving from Metra's Ogilvie Transportation Center (OgilvieTC, OTC) at 500 W Madison St (Madison & Canal).  The UP-W Train is cheap ($6.75) and fast (38-50 minutes on train, plus 0.5 mile walk in Wheaton), with departure times (with most trains stopping at "College Ave" but not all) more frequent during rush hours;  you should get off at "College Avenue Station" near the southeastern edge of campus, instead of the downtown "Wheaton" station.     {* from the station, for housing or registration the walk is about 0.7 mile (GoogleMap - station & buildings for ASA Meeting) to Fisher Hall, or 0.4 mile (GoogleMap) to Meyer Science Center}

Fares:  For Step 2, the UP-W from Downtown to Wheaton is $6.75.  For Step 1 if you go from an airport to Downtown using an L-Train (CTA's Orange Line from Midway, or Blue Line from O'Hare) it's $2.50 from Midway, but $5.00 from O'Hare.   You can most easily pay a CTA/Metra Fare by using Ventra (what - how - FAQ) (Metra's Info - FAQ) with a Card, or a Ventra App for your cell phone.   /   For CTA Fares (to ride L-Train or Bus) you can get a pass for 1, 2, or 7 Days for $10, $20, or $28.   Their reduced fares (for seniors, children,...) require using valuable time to get a permit.

Luggage:  Yes, carrying luggage is allowed, and is commonly done, on CTA's L-Trains (Step 1) and Metra Trains (Step 2).

For Step 1b (after getting to Chicago in Step 1a, going to Ogilvie Transportation Center so you can do Step 2), ...

if you ride a Train or Bus to Downtown:  OgilvieTC is close to Union Station (.3 mile, map) for Amtrak, but is a little further from Greyhound Station (.7 mile, map) and Megabus Stop (.7 mile, map);  and some regional buses stop near OTC.   In CTA's Trip Planner type "otc" & "wheaton college", and they'll suggest the UP-W Train to Wheaton for Step 2.

if you fly into O'Hare, use general information (about Blue Line) and...   To find the Bus & Shuttle Center, for public (or private) transportation, follow the "Trains to City" overhead signs.  When you type "ord" and "wheaton college" into CTA's Trip Planner it might — depending on the time of day, and whether you use Google Maps or RTA Planner — show you only one kind of trip (to Downtown on a Blue Train, and then a UP-W Train to Wheaton for Step 2), or also other options.  If you're considering public transit, you can use the Trip Planner when you're ready to leave O'Hare, to check the "connection timings" so you'll know, at that particular time, what the best options are and how long your trip will take.  If you decide to go Downtown, take a Blue Train and stop at a downtown station – e.g. get off at "Monroe" and walk north & west to OgilvieTC, 0.7 mile.  Or maybe you'll find a quicker trip, with convenient timings for transfer-connections, that doesn't go downtown.  In either case, the Trip Planner won't give you details about how to make transfers; [iou - I'll ask "locals from Chicago" what to do about this]   /   The airport's page for public transit begins with useful information about "CTA Blue Line" but you should ignore the section for "Metra" because its North Central Service (stopping at O'Hare) doesn't go to Wheaton.   {also, 54 "quora responses" for O'Hare-to-Downtown}

if you fly into Midway, use general information (about Orange Line) and...   To find the Midway Transportation Center, for public (or private) transportation, follow the overhead signs for "Trains to City" or "CTA Trains".  When you type "mdw" and "wheaton college" into CTA's Trip Planner using Google Maps or RTA Trip Planner, they probably will suggest an Orange Train to Downtown Chicago — stop at a downtown station (e.g. get off at "Washington/Wells" and walk southwest to OgilvieTC (map) — and then a UP-W Train to Wheaton for Step 2.

Or... to minimize your walking distance to OgilvieTC,* many CTA Buses stop there, and for an L-Train the closest stop is Clinton Station on the Green & Pink Lines.   {* or if you're coming from another part of Chicagoland}

Step 3.  Your RETURN TRIP

For your return trip from Wheaton College, the people of ASA will help you find a shared ride.  [[ iou -- at earlier meetings there was a physical Sharing Board to write information and requests;  in 2019 probably there will be a modern hi-tech version of this, and soon I'll tell you about it here. ]]

Travel Forums — for Flyers and Drivers/Riders

ASA has two web-forums to help you with your traveling:  from Airport to Wheaton and to Wheaton by Driving (or Riding).

WHY should you use these forums?

The Airport Forum could be useful if...  1) you want to share a shuttle to Wheaton, or   2) you are driving [your own car or a rental]* and you can offer a ride to Wheaton.

The Driving Forum could be very useful IF drivers post their plans, and they do this ASAP.  Why?  Here are two reasons:

Why share?  Sharing a ride is cheaper when you split the costs, and you can “start the conference early” (and make it last longer on the way back) with interesting conversations during your trips.     {* If you will rent a car in Chicago, you can post in the Airport Forum. }

Why ASAP?  Because posting in the Driving Forum might help others make their plans.  How?  If they frequently check the forum and discover they can ride with you, they may do this instead of buying a ticket for a plane or train or bus.  But they must know that you're driving before they buy their ticket — and usually the sooner a ticket is purchased the cheaper it is, and more scheduling options are still open — so if you post your “ride offered” information ASAP this may help someone make their plans.  Thanks!    :<)

HOW can you use a forum?  Click a link above, and read what's posted in the forum.  To write a post, Sign In (as a member of ASA, or register for free), read a forum's first post (about “how to post”) and other posts, then "Reply" by writing what you want.

LODGING and MEALS

Both are available at Wheaton College, in packages for Rooms-and-Meals or, if you stay off campus, Meals.     {three packages & info about the rooms in Fischer Hall and some options for off-campus lodging}

Social/Intellectual Benefits of On-Campus Lodging & Meals:  ASA's Annual Meetings are my favorite conferences, and one reason is the on-campus meals where we all eat together.  This is a great way for everyone to meet and get involved with informal conversations, 3 times each day. (in addition to discussions between talks and at night)   Most people stay on campus, which also makes meeting-and-talking easier, as I (Craig, writer of this travel-page) explain here.

Contact Us if you have questions:

about registration & other info, Chelsea Church (chelsea@asa3.org),
about this page or travel forums, Craig Rusbult (craigru178-att-yahoo-daut-caum).

Tourist Information  —  Having Fun in-and-around Chicago

If you will attend, you can take advantage of opportunities to explore the area.  And if you haven't yet decided, knowing about the many interesting things to see-and-do (before and/or after the meeting) may give you another reason to say “yes, I want to attend.”

ASA Field Trips are (on Friday) Fermilab Tour & Architectural Boat Tour of Chicago & Local Geology Tour and (Monday) Morton Arboretum and...

Special Activities During the Meeting.

You can get useful information from Choose Chicago — Things to Do - for kids - for free (or cheap) - in Downtown Chicago or beyond Chicago (and in Wheaton) – Museums & Art - Museum of Science & Industry (wikipedia) - Field Museum of Natural History (w) - Shedd Aquarium w - Adler Planetarium w - Art Institute of Chicago w - fun facts & maps) and more (when you explore by clicking links) — and from WikiVoyage & GoChicago & Expedia & TravelChannel & View of Chicago (with interactive map) and TripAdvisor (overview - things to do - museums - tours - travel guides) and more and...

videos about things to do & attractions & tourism & more;

O'Hare has Airport Art (mouseovers → info) including Sky’s the Limit and Corridor Gallery plus an exhibit honoring Edward O'Hare as a war hero.

The sections for Riding a Train or Bus have tourist information from Megabus and Amtrak: Chicago, History, Waterfronts & Chicago Neighborhoods & Union Station that is a tourist attraction.

Downtown Chicago (if you arrive by Train or Bus, or Plane-plus-EL) is The Loop plus (see map) Near North & Near South.

The meeting chairs (Darren, Robin, Danilo, Ray) list popular museums (Shedd, Field, Science & Industry, Art Institute) and sightseeing spots (Millenium Park, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, Michigan Ave Shopping) in Chicago, and tell you about...

things to do in Wheaton, for attendees and/or their family:  the campus of Wheaton College has museums that include Marion Wade Center for British authors (Tolkien, CS Lewis, MacDonald, Sayers,...) and Billy Graham Center with Archives & Museum (about evangelism in America) and more;  you can do things in downtown Wheaton, walking distance from campus (go west .6 mile on College Ave, map - or follow train tracks or Prairie Path) with two parks & many stores, and Saturday morning (8am to 2pm) a French Market has fresh produce and other local products;  walk, jog, or bike to French Market & beyond, on the Prairie Path Trail running parallel to railroad tracks,* with a trail map showing "points of interest" (5-9, 15) within 2 miles of Wheaton (near center of map), among other trails.   {* cross over the tracks on President St, or go thru tunnel at Chase St on west end of football field}

Robin says "water taxis on the Chicago River can take you from Ogilvie to Michigan Ave, Navy Pier, and Chinatown; the river ride is fabulous.  I also HIGHLY recommend the architecture boat tours" that is one of ASA's Field Trips.

events - MetroMix - Chicago Music Guide - Chicago Jazz - a great song about Chicago's Lake Shore Drive,

music of Chicago (jazz & blues & more) - history of Chicago's Jazz (Festival) & Blues (Festival);

baseball — Cubs (play at Wrigley Field with home games July 12-17, 19-21) and White Sox (at Comiskey Park with home games July 22-28);  last year ASA offered a field trip to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game, but this year there is no trip to Wrigley Field, maybe because they don't play Thursday, July 18? (or Monday, July 22)

history and architecture - up close - Wrigley Field & Soldier Field - History Museum and...

history videos — Chicago History → Coolest Historical Spots (3:07) - brief history (7:29) - Expo: Magic of the White City (1.9 hours about Chicago World's Fair in 1893) - Chicago: City of the Century (4.4 hours - PBS, American Experience), and more.

25 Things you might not know About Chicago