Convenient inexpensive transportation from Midway to the downtown loop is available via elevated trains. The Chicago streets are on a rectangular grid Navigation in Chicago is not difficult as the city streets are laid out in a rectangular grid pattern with the downtown loop as its center. Four interstate highways radiate out from the center to facilitate cross-town travel. The Dan Ryan Expressway, an extension of I-90, heads due south. The distances across this metropolitan area can be quite far and rush hour traffic can be quite heavy, so it can take two hours or more to drive across the city.
Parking garages provide plenty of moderately priced parking in the downtown area.
In 1779, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a fur trader of French-African descent, created the first settlement at this strategic location. Since then, Chicago has attracted immigrants from all over the world. Their ethnic enclaves are reflected in the many culturally distinct neighborhoods throughout the city. Greek town, Little Italy, Chinatown, Little Saigon and the Ukrainian Village are all located near the downtown loop with German, Polish, Afro-American and Hispanic American neighborhoods not far away. Each neighborhood offers a distinct cultural flavor with many ethnic shops and restaurants.