Soldier Field is one of those stadiums that somehow feels both historic and slightly chaotic. It sits right on Chicago’s lakefront, with columns from another era on the outside and an NFL stadium dropped into the middle like somebody won an architectural argument halfway through the project.
For first-time visitors, that means two things. First, you are going to get a great atmosphere. Second, you need a bit of a plan, because showing up late, carrying the wrong bag and trying to park five minutes before kick-off is a very quick route to muttering darkly into a hot dog.
Where Soldier Field Is, and Why Getting There Takes Longer Than You Think
Soldier Field sits just south of downtown Chicago on the Museum Campus, right beside Lake Michigan. On a map it looks close to everything. On game day, it feels as though every car in Illinois has had exactly the same idea.
If you are staying downtown, the easiest move is usually to avoid driving altogether.
- The CTA Red, Green and Orange Lines all stop at Roosevelt Station.
- From there, you can either walk about 20 minutes through Museum Campus or jump on the #146 bus.
- The #128 Soldier Field Express also runs from Union Station and Ogilvie on Bears game days.
The walk is actually part of the fun. You get the skyline behind you, the lake beside you and hundreds of fans all heading in the same direction. Even if your team is about to lose by three touchdowns, for ten minutes everyone still looks optimistic.
Driving and Parking
If you are driving, buy parking in advance. Do not try to wing it. That strategy works for backyard barbecues and road trips, not for a stadium squeezed between a lake and a museum.
The main lots are:
- North Garage
- Waldron Deck
- South Lot
These are closest to the stadium, but they fill quickly and prices can be painful. Think of it as paying extra for the privilege of sitting in traffic slightly nearer to the building.
For cheaper parking, many fans use lots farther away and walk or take a shuttle. Garages around Grant Park or downtown can often save you money, especially if you book ahead.
If you are using Uber or Lyft, the designated pick-up and drop-off area is usually around 18th Street and Lake Shore Drive. Leaving after the game can take patience. Thousands of people all requesting a ride at once turns the app into a digital version of the Hunger Games.
When You Should Arrive
For a Bears game, try to arrive at least 90 minutes before kick-off. Two hours is even better if you want to tailgate, grab food or wander around without sprinting through the concourse like you are running the two-minute drill.
Gates generally open two hours before kick-off for Bears games.
Getting there early gives you time to:
- Watch warm-ups
- Take photos near the lakefront and the colonnades
- Explore the team shop
- Find your seat without accidentally ending up in the opposite end zone
The best first-time move is to arrive early, settle in, then spend the final few minutes before kick-off soaking up the atmosphere. Soldier Field gets loud, especially when the crowd senses something important is coming. Or when Green Bay is in town. In Chicago, those are often the same thing.
The Bag Policy, Read This Before You Leave the Hotel
Soldier Field follows the NFL clear bag policy.
You can bring:
- One clear bag up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches
- One clear one-gallon freezer bag
- A small clutch bag up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches
Backpacks, large purses and most normal bags are not allowed.
This catches out first-time visitors every single game. Somewhere outside Soldier Field, there is always at least one person staring sadly at a handbag that security has absolutely no intention of letting through.
If you bring the wrong bag, there are lockers near the south end of the stadium by 18th Street, but it is much easier to get it right before you leave.
The stadium is also cashless, so bring a card or use your phone to pay.
Best Seats for First-Time Visitors
Where you sit depends on what sort of experience you want.
For the Best View
The midfield seats on the 200 level are probably the sweet spot. You get a clear view of the whole field without feeling too far away.
For the Loudest Atmosphere
Sit in the lower bowl near the end zones, especially when the Bears are on defence. It gets loud, messy and wonderfully irrational. One incomplete pass suddenly convinces everyone that this is definitely the year.
For the Cheapest Seats
The upper level is the budget option. You are high up, and sometimes the players look as though they have been borrowed from a tabletop game, but the view is still decent and the atmosphere carries surprisingly well.
One thing to know, Soldier Field has tighter legroom than many newer NFL stadiums. If you are tall, or built like an offensive tackle, an aisle seat is worth every extra dollar.
What to Eat and Drink
You are in Chicago. This is not the place for a sad little pretzel and a bottle of water.
Soldier Field has the usual stadium staples, but there are also local options worth trying.
Look out for:
- Chicago-style hot dogs
- Italian beef sandwiches
- Deep-dish pizza slices
- Polish sausage
- Garrett Popcorn
The food lines can get long just before kick-off and during halftime, so if you want to avoid spending a quarter of the second quarter staring at a nacho stand, go earlier.
There are also plenty of bars and restaurants nearby if you want to make a day of it. Reggie’s, Kroll’s South Loop and The Scout are popular pre-game spots. If you want a proper Chicago sports bar experience, expect noise, televisions everywhere and at least one person loudly explaining why the Bears should have drafted somebody else three years ago.
Tailgating at Soldier Field
Tailgating is part of the experience, although Soldier Field is not quite as wild as some NFL stadiums with endless seas of parking lots.
The official tailgating lots open several hours before kick-off and fans set up grills, music and enough folding chairs to furnish a small village.
If you do not know anyone tailgating, there are organised fan events too, including the Miller Lite Chicago Bears Ultimate Tailgate near the Field Museum.
It is basically the easiest way to experience the pre-game atmosphere without needing your own truck, cooler and suspiciously large portable speaker.
Things to See Around the Stadium
Do not rush straight inside.
Soldier Field sits in one of the best spots in the city, and there are a few things worth checking out before the game:
- The historic colonnades outside the stadium
- The lakefront path
- The Field Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- Adler Planetarium
The skyline views from outside Soldier Field are excellent, especially close to sunset. Even if you are not usually the sort of person who takes photos of buildings, Chicago has a habit of changing your mind.
Tips That Will Make Your Day Easier
- Download your ticket before you arrive. Mobile signal can get patchy when thousands of fans are all trying to do exactly the same thing.
- Dress for the weather. Chicago near the lake can be colder and windier than you expect.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk more than you think.
- If you are attending a late-season game, bring layers and maybe a blanket.
- Pick a meeting point outside the stadium before the game in case your group gets split up.
And finally, do not leave early unless you absolutely have to. Soldier Field has seen its share of strange finishes, dramatic comebacks and moments where the crowd suddenly goes from muttering into their beer to roaring like the building is about to lift off the ground.
Sometimes you get a classic. Sometimes you get a fourth-quarter collapse so painful it should come with emotional support. Either way, you will remember it.
Takeaway
A first trip to Soldier Field is a little bit messy, a little bit loud and a lot of fun. It is not the newest stadium in the NFL and it certainly is not the easiest to get in and out of, but that is part of its personality.
Come early, bring the right bag, wear comfortable shoes and leave enough time to enjoy the atmosphere. Because once the crowd gets going and the lakefront lights up behind the stadium, you will understand why people keep coming back, even after a season that has tested their patience in ways that should probably qualify for medical research.
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