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GPIA7R
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Really, crime in Chicago isn't that bad. I used to live in a neighborhood on the south side, and worked in Hyde Park, which aren't the best areas, but didn't have any problems for 3+ years (aside from being egged one halloween).
This is usually in the downtown areas during morning and evening rush hours. It's because a lot of the intersections either don't have turn lanes/arrows or they are far too short for the number of cars waiting, so to prevent huge backups, they put traffic cops at problem intersections to try to help reduce congestion during peak times. The effectiveness is up for debate. I personally don't think it's all that helpful, but who knows. It most likely won't be a problem for the OP because he's going on a weekend.
Even the worst neighborhoods in Chicago really aren't that bad these days, and you will be just fine in/near Lincoln Park. There aren't any bad areas to park as far as safety is concerned in the area of that venue, but actually finding a spot in that area on a Saturday night is difficult because of the proximity of one of the most popular strips of bars in Chicago, and the new parking regulations/payboxes are somewhat annoying, so a nearby lot may just be your best bet.
definitely plan on where you're going to park ahead of time, as it's not going to be easy around there. I know there's a garage in the Century Shopping Center, but that's like ten blocks (just over a mile) north of where you're going to be. not a terrible walk, but you should be able to find something closer.
Piper's Alley Mall is closer to the south on North Ave. and Wells, and I think they have a garage, but I'm not sure what the rates are or how crowded it is. It's on Wells, so I'm assuming it'd be pretty packed.
if you wanted to, you could park elsewhere in the city if you planned on doing any sightseeing or touristy stuff, or just eating somewhere that isn't Lincoln Park, and then hop on a Red Line train towards Howard and get off at Fullerton. it's about a 6 block walk from there down Lincoln Ave, which is where most of the nightlife is anyway.
I'm in Chicago's northwest suburbs; I drive through Chicago into Indiana quite frequently
Depending on when you plan to be driving - add up to two-three hours to account for traffic.
Chicago traffic isn't the worst in the country, but it sure isn't great. Saturday afternoon/night will probably be moderate traffic. Add at least an hour to whatever google maps tells you, two to be safe, three to be sure.
this is good advice
honestly I'd just plan to come into the city early afternoon, park your car in the underground lot at Millennium Park (which might actually be pricey now. used to be $14/day, but it went up and I'm not sure what they changed it to), go get yourself something to eat in the loop, then take the red line up to lincoln park for the show.
you're looking at a ~20 minute ride on the Red to Fullerton if you get on at Monroe, and then another ~25 minute walk, but at least you'll be in the city and won't be pressed for time or scrambling to find parking
it will also cost you $2.25 each way, and (this is important), the CTA transit card vending machines do not give change. if all you have is a $20, you're getting a card with $20 on it. you can just pass it back to pay for everyone else, but if it's just you and another person you only need $9 and you'll be stuck with the remaining balance
Yeah, this actually isn't a joke.
PSN: TheScrublet
Honestly man I never had a problem driving to Chicago in Saturday traffic conditions. You should be fine.
PSN: TheScrublet
The tolls could be worse. The way I hear it there are no Tolls to get into New Jersey but like one every couple miles to get out.
If you can take the train (say, from Northern Indiana) and stay in the city over night, I recommend that; its not much more expensive than parking. The South Shore Line runs from South Bend into the city (and right by my home! Be sure to wave as you pass through Hyde Park), is pretty quick, a pleasant right, and not very expensive. I take the in-city portion of the line all the time, and recommend it highly. Plus, this way, you can drink if it suits your fancy, get a good nights sleep, and see more of what I firmly believe to be the best city on the North American continent. (I'm an transplant. We're biased).
If you have to drive: come in early. Chicago traffic isn't awful, but its not great. Parking isn't that pricy, although I wouldn't use Millennium park. Its not so much that its pricy as that without a native guide (or at least a smart phone app and some experience with urban public transit) it could be a challenge to get to the Park West. Or not, its not hard to get to. But in any event, you don't need to park that far away; my old building at 1455 N. Clark[1] provides overnight garage parking for $20, which is not a bad deal at all, and from there its an easy walk or short bus right up Clark to the venue.
As for violence: Chicago, like any big cities, has it rough spots. But its really not that tough a town; for what its worth, the most horrific violence I ever experienced happened in Indiana. Certainly none of the places you plan to visit are all that rough. The usual rules of city safety apply: keep your wits broadly about you, avoid empty areas. But really: despite the best efforts of the LP neighborhood association, Lincoln Park is a perfectly safe area even for underage drunken DePaul girls[2].
[1]For pedantic Chicagoans: technically, Sandburg terrace, but that would be unhelpful in this context.
[2]Which I should unpack, again for Chicagoans: the success of rich 32nd Ward homeowners at keeping the street-lights out between Halsted and Clark will never cease to make me angry.
WTF?
How did this pop up as current? I swear, if I did something that caused it, I'm sorry. But I was just looking at the H&A thread, and it seemed like something I had useful advice on. Damnit. Again, sorry.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/photos/most-dangerous-neighborhoods/3657391/
Anyone actually from Chicago would tell you those are all part of the same neighborhood.
I can also say that while I wouldn't particularly want to spend time there, I used to take the Green Line el train to the Garfield stop 5 days a week. It's 4 blocks straight east of what's listed as the second most dangerous neighborhood. I would get off at that stop every morning and walk east from there to the U of C campus. Then I'd come back anywhere from 7pm-4am and take the train back home. In several years of doing so I only felt unsafe once. If that's actually the second most dangerous neighborhood in the country, well, we're all doing a lot better than I thought.