Here are some resources primarily for out-of-town visitors to help with your time in Chicago for CAKE. If you have any questions, please contact us at cake at cakechicago dot com
Directions
CAKE will take place at the Zhou B Art Center (1029 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609). Zhou B Art Center is located on the south side of W 35th Street. Here’s how to get there:
PUBLIC TRANSIT!
We recommend taking public transit to CAKE (it’s easier and better for our city). Google maps is a reliable way of planning your trip via public transit.
By Train and Bus (and shuttle!):
Take the CTA’s Red Line El to the Sox-35th stop. Just outside the station, look for the CAKE shuttle, which goes directly to the Zhou B Art Center! The shuttle runs from 10am-6pm, Aug 24-25.
You can also take the Green Line El to the 35th-Bronzeville-IIT stop. Directly outside the station is a stop for the #35 31st/35th Bus. Take the 35 bus to 35th Street & Aberdeen.
By Bus:
#35 31st/35th Bus to 35th Street & Aberdeen (1 minute walk)
#8 Halsted Bus to Halsted and 35th Street (8 minute walk)
Parking:
Zhou B Art Center has a parking lot, and there is lots of free street parking in the area.
Lodging
There is no official hotel associated with CAKE. Here’s some information we’ve found (not that we’re recommending them or endorsing them):
Chinatown Hotel
214 W 22nd Pl, Chicago, IL 60616
312.225.8888
Near a Red Line stop
HI Chicago, The J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Hostel
24 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
312.360.0300
Near a Red Line stop
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place
123 E Cermak Rd Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60616
312.791.1121
Near a Green Line stop
Jaslin Hotel
261 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
312.566.4777
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Downtown
1 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606
312.558.1020
Near an Orange Line stop
The Polo Inn Bed & Breakfast
3322 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60608
773.927.1122
6 minute walk ( 0.3 miles)
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
65 E Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60605
312.574.3335
Near a Red Line stop
Villa Dubois and McCormick Place Guest House
3643 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60653
312.536.9423
0.2 miles from 35 bus stop, 10 minute bus ride to Zhou B.
You can also try these services:
Couch Surfing
Airbnb
Any hotel on the Red Line or Green Line isn't a bad choice if the CTA is your mode of transit.
Stores
Chicago is a hotbed of alternative comics. Here is an alphabetical list of stores that support alternative comics in Chicago.
Alley Cat Comics
5304 N. Clark St Rear Suite, Chicago, IL 60640
773.907.3404
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 11 am – 6 pm
Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday 11 am – 6 pm
Aw Yeah Comics
7925 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077
847.423.2916
Monday 12 pm – 5 pm
Tuesday 11 am – 6 pm
Wednesday – Friday 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday – Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
The Book Cellar
4736 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
773.293.2665
Monday – Friday 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
Challengers Comics + Conversation
1845 N Western Ave, Chicago IL 60647
773.278.0155
Monday – Tuesday 11 am – 6 pm
Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm
Thursday – Friday 11 am – 6 pm
Saturday – Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
Chicago Comics
3244 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
773.528.1983
Monday – Tuesday 12 pm – 6 pm
Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm
Thursday – Friday 12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday – Sunday 11 am – 7 pm
Comix Revolution
606 Davis St, Evanston, IL 60201
847.866.8659
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday 11 am – 6 pm
115 W Central Rd, Mount Prospect, IL 60056
847.506.0800
Monday – Tuesday 1 pm – 6 pm
Wednesday 10 am – 7 pm
Thursday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
Graham Crackers Comics
9 Locations throughout Illinois,
including one in Chicago’s Loop:
77 E Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602
312.629.1810
Monday – Friday 10 am – 7 pm
Saturday 11 am – 6 pm
Sunday 11 am – 6 pm
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
773.862.4882
Monday – Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm
Powell’s Books
Hyde Park:
1501 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637
773.955.7780
Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday – Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm
Quimby’s Bookstore
1854 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
773.342.0910
Thursday – Monday 12 pm – 6 pm
The Secret Agent Supply Co. (826CHI)
1276 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
773.772.8108
Tuesday – Saturday 11:30 am – 5:30 pm (subject to change, dependent on volunteer availability, recommended to call ahead)
Sunday – Monday CLOSED
Seminary Co-op Bookstore
5751 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
773.752.4381
Monday – Friday 11 am – 7:30 pm
Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
Third Coast Comics
6443 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60626
847.863.7450
Sunday – Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 11 am – 6 pm
Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 7 pm
Unabridged Bookstore
3251 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60657
773.883.9119
Monday – Sunday 10 am – 7 pm
Uncharted Books
5140 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm
Women & Children First
5233 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
773.769.9299
Monday 11 am – 5 pm (for curbside pickup or in-store browsing by private appointment)
Tuesday – Sunday 11 am – 6 pm