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Getting to Evanston

Northwestern is accessible in a number of ways and easy to navigate for visitors. Nestled in Evanston, a quintessential college town, and close to Chicago, a world-class city, the Arts Circle is open to all. Driving directions and a number of public transit options are below.

red line el train waiting at a platform

CTA "El" train

The Evanston campus is on the CTA Purple Line and is close to the Davis, Foster and Noyes stops.

The Foster and Noyes stops are both two and a half blocks west of Sheridan Road.

CTA bus service

#147 runs from Michigan Avenue to Foster Street in Chicago and then along Sheridan to Howard Station.

#22 also runs to the Howard Station from the Loop on Clark Street.

#201 runs from the Howard Station along Ridge Avenue to Davis Street and then continues north on Sheridan Road to Evanston Hospital and Ryan Field.

CTA bus turning
Metra train

Metra train

Metra has frequent service to Evanston from Chicago and the northern suburbs on the Union Pacific/North Line.

View the complete schedule the Union Pacific/North Line on the Metra website.

Driving directions

Visit our Driving Directions page for instructions from the north (via I-94), the west/northwest (via I-88, I-90 or I-190), the west/southwest (via I-55 or I-80) or from the south/southeast (via I-94, I-90, I-80 or I-57).

Lakeshore Drive seen from above
Segal Visitors Center

Parking Information

Our patrons may park in the Lakeside Parking Structure (1 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston) and the Segal Visitors Center, South Campus Parking Garage (1847 Campus Drive, Evanston) south of Arts Circle Drive on Campus Drive .

Parking is free weekdays after 4 p.m. and all day on weekends. All other times parking is $8.25. Individuals may purchase visitor permits at the Parking Services Office or pay the daily rate at pay stations located in the South Parking Garage.

If you use the Segal Visitors Center, South Campus Parking Garage, an access ticket will be dispensed at the gate and will be required for you to enter and leave the garage. Pull a ticket at the entrance of the garage and insert the same ticket at the exit. The gate arms will rise with this access ticket.

Arts Circle Drive is open to vehicles and patrons with disabilities. Accessible locations are available for pick-up and drop off.

For more information, visit the Parking Services Office website.