Planning your visit to the iconic Lyric Opera House? Ensuring a smooth journey and finding the perfect parking spot is key to a stress-free experience. Located at the corner of Madison Street and Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago, the Lyric Opera House is accessible via various transportation methods. This guide will detail your options for driving, public transportation, and convenient parking solutions, including discounted parking at the Poetry Garage on Madison Street.
Driving to Lyric Opera House
For those driving to the Lyric Opera House, several routes provide easy access to the venue located at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606. Remember the entrance is conveniently positioned at the corner of Madison Street and Wacker Drive.
Driving Directions from Major Interstates:
- From Interstate 290 (Eisenhower) or Interstate 55 (Stevenson): Head towards the Loop and merge onto 90/94 (north). Exit at Washington Street (east). Continue east on Washington Street for five blocks until you reach Wacker Drive. The Lyric Opera House will be on your right, at the corner of Madison Street and Wacker Drive.
- From Interstate 90/94 (Dan Ryan): Take the exit for Washington Street (east) towards the Loop. Drive east on Washington Street for five blocks to Wacker Drive. You’ll find the Lyric Opera House one block ahead on the right, situated at Madison Street and Wacker Drive.
- From Interstate 90/94 (Kennedy Expressway from O’Hare): Follow signs for the Loop and exit at Washington Street (east). Proceed east on Washington Street for five blocks to Wacker Drive. The Lyric Opera House entrance is just one block ahead on the right, at the intersection of Madison Street and Wacker Drive.
Reaching Lyric Opera House by Train
The Lyric Opera House benefits from excellent public transportation links, particularly for those arriving by train. Both Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center are within easy walking distance.
From Union Station: Utilize the Madison Street exit at Union Station. This exit places you almost directly across Madison Street from the Lyric Opera House. A very short walk eastwards will bring you to the Opera House.
From Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC): Exit the station onto Madison Street and walk east. Continue along Madison Street until you reach the corner of N. Wacker Drive. You will have arrived at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, perfectly located on Madison Street.
For detailed train schedules and further information, please consult the Regional Transportation Authority’s website or contact METRA Train Information/Passenger Services at 312.322.6777.
Public Transit via CTA to Lyric Opera House
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers numerous convenient routes to the Lyric Opera House via the ‘L’ train and bus services.
CTA ‘L’ Train Stations:
- Washington/Wells (Brown/Orange/Pink/Purple lines): A short 6-minute walk west will bring you to the Opera House from this station.
- Clinton (Green/Pink lines): Expect about a 10-minute walk southeast to reach the Lyric Opera House.
- Monroe or Washington (Blue line): Both stations are approximately a 10-minute walk west of the Lyric Opera House.
- Lake or Monroe (Red line): These stations are around a 15-minute walk west of your destination.
Bus Routes Near Lyric Opera House:
Bus stops for routes 20, 56, 60, 124, 157, and J14 are conveniently located across the street from the Opera House at Madison & Franklin (westbound) and Washington & Franklin (eastbound). These stops offer excellent connectivity to various parts of the city.
For comprehensive information on CTA routes and schedules, please visit the official CTA website at transitchicago.com or call 1.888.968.7282.
Parking Solutions Near Lyric Opera House: Including Poetry Garage
Finding parking near the Lyric Opera House is straightforward with several options available, ranging from discounted garages to valet services.
Discounted Parking at Poetry Garage on Madison Street
Joffrey Ballet patrons, and indeed all visitors to the Lyric Opera House, can take advantage of a special discounted parking rate at The Poetry Garage, situated at 201 W. Madison Street. This garage is ideally located and offers a significantly reduced parking fee of $13 per performance for those who purchase discounted parking vouchers in advance.
Reserve Parking at the Poetry Garage
This discounted rate is valid on weeknights from 3pm–2am and for up to 12 hours on weekends. Weekday matinee parking is also available at a rate of $25 for 12 hours. To benefit from these discounted rates, parking permits must be purchased online before your visit. Please note that the Joffrey does not validate parking directly.
Self-Park Options Near Lyric Opera House
For a wider selection of self-park garages in the vicinity of the Lyric Opera House, you can use platforms like ParkWhiz.
This service allows you to compare prices and locations of various parking garages, ensuring you find a spot that suits your needs and budget.
Valet Parking Service
For premium convenience, valet parking is available for Joffrey patrons starting at 5:00 PM on performance evenings, regardless of the performance start time. For weekend matinees, valet service begins at 12:00 PM. Please be aware that valet parking is not offered for weekday dress rehearsals or weekday matinee performances. The valet parking service is priced at $35, payable in cash only.
Visit ParkWhiz to reserve your valet parking in advance or explore other parking alternatives.
Planning your transportation and parking in advance is highly recommended to ensure a relaxed and enjoyable visit to the Lyric Opera House, especially when aiming for discounted options like the Poetry Garage on Madison Street. Whether you choose to drive, take public transit, or utilize valet services, various convenient options are available to enhance your experience at the Lyric Opera House.
