James C. Petrillo Music Shell
Photo: Torsodog · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons — see photo credits
17 min walk
from 311 S Wacker
5 min bike
via downtown streets
1366 m / 4482 ft
straight-line distance
16 places
within a 5-min walk
James C. Petrillo Music Shell is an entertainment venue at 251 South Columbus Drive, about 1366 m (17 min walk) from 311 South Wacker Drive. Check current schedules for shows and events during your visit to downtown Chicago.
James C. Petrillo Music Shell sits in the Chicago Loop. The nearest CTA 'L' stop is Adams/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Purple & Pink lines), about a 6-minute walk, and Union Station's Metra and Amtrak trains are 21 minutes away on foot — so reaching it without a car is easy.
Map & Location
Dashed line shows the straight-line route to 311 South Wacker Drive (1366 m · ~17 min walk).
Getting to James C. Petrillo Music Shell
From 311 South Wacker Drive
Head east — it's about 1366 m on foot (17 min at a city pace). The dashed line on the map above shows the direction.
By 'L' Train
Ride to Adams/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Purple & Pink lines); from the platform exit it's roughly a 6-minute walk. A Ventra card or contactless bank card works on all CTA trains and buses.
From Union Station (Metra / Amtrak)
Exit toward Jackson Boulevard and walk 21 minutes; taxis and rideshare pickups are on Canal Street.
From the Airports
O'Hare: CTA Blue line to the Loop (~45 min) or 30–60 min by car. Midway: CTA Orange line to the Loop (~25 min) or about 20–30 min by car.
If You're Driving
The nearest public garage in this directory is Grant Park South Garage, about 4 min away on foot — reserve ahead through a parking app for the best rate, or see the 311 S Wacker parking guide.
Walking Times to Chicago Landmarks
| The Art Institute of Chicago | 312 m | 4 min walk |
| Buckingham Fountain | 354 m | 4 min walk |
| Millennium Park (Cloud Gate) | 505 m | 6 min walk |
| Chicago Theatre | 966 m | 12 min walk |
| Chicago Board of Trade | 1027 m | 13 min walk |
| Chicago Riverwalk | 1258 m | 16 min walk |
| Willis Tower & Skydeck | 1312 m | 16 min walk |
| Union Station | 1677 m | 21 min walk |
| Navy Pier | 1717 m | 21 min walk |
Everyday Essentials Near James C. Petrillo Music Shell
| Nearest coffee | Starbucks | 5 min walk |
| Nearest pharmacy | CVS Pharmacy | 5 min walk |
| Nearest bank branch | Bank of America | 8 min walk |
| Nearest public garage | Grant Park South Garage | 4 min walk |
| Nearest print/ship shop | The UPS Store | 7 min walk |
| Nearest dry cleaner | Plymouth Court Cleaners | 11 min walk |
Within a 5-Minute Walk of James C. Petrillo Music Shell
Live counts from this directory — every link is a full detail page.
- 1 restaurants: Russian Tea Time
- 1 cafes: Starbucks
- 10 attractions: The Art Institute of Chicago, Sir Georg Solti Bust, Flying Dragon, Lion “in an attitude of defiance” (+6 more)
- 1 parking: Grant Park South Garage
- 1 pharmacies: CVS Pharmacy
- 1 corporate services: Spaces
The Neighborhood: The Chicago Loop
The Loop is Chicago's beating heart — the elevated trains that give the district its name rattle overhead past century-old skyscrapers, LaSalle Street's canyon of banks, State Street's flagship stores and the Theatre District's glowing marquees. By day it hums with office workers; by evening the riverfront, Millennium Park and dozens of restaurants keep it alive.
Staying Overnight? Hotels Near James C. Petrillo Music Shell
The closest guest-rated hotels to this spot — live photos and ratings via Booking.com.
★ 9/10 · 1 reviews · 6 min walk from here
Check Rates
★ 10/10 · 1 reviews · 6 min walk from here
Check Rates
★ 9/10 · 2 reviews · 6 min walk from here
Check RatesGood to Know: Local Tips
For shows and live music downtown, buy ahead — Broadway in Chicago runs and weekend concerts sell out regularly. Rush and day-of lotteries can yield serious discounts if your dates are flexible, and pre-theatre dinner reservations around the district go fast from 5:30pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is James C. Petrillo Music Shell from 311 South Wacker Drive? +
James C. Petrillo Music Shell is about 1366 meters from 311 South Wacker Drive — roughly a 17-minute walk through downtown Chicago.
What is the nearest CTA 'L' station to James C. Petrillo Music Shell? +
The closest 'L' stop is Adams/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Purple & Pink lines), about 494 m away — a 6-minute walk.
More Happening Places & Entertainment Nearby
Symphony Center
220 South Michigan Avenue
12 min from 311 S Wacker
Studebaker Theater
410 South Michigan Avenue
12 min from 311 S Wacker
Auditorium Theatre
50 East Ida B. Wells Drive
12 min from 311 S Wacker
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
100 North Columbus Drive
17 min from 311 S Wacker
Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 East Randolph Street
18 min from 311 S Wacker
Chicago Cultural Center
78 East Washington Street
15 min from 311 S Wacker
Other Places Near James C. Petrillo Music Shell
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue
15 min from 311 S Wacker Attractions
Sir Georg Solti Bust
Downtown Chicago
13 min from 311 S Wacker Attractions
Grant Park South Garage
325 South Michigan Avenue
13 min from 311 S Wacker Parking
Flying Dragon
Downtown Chicago
14 min from 311 S Wacker Attractions
Lion “in an Attitude of Defiance”
Downtown Chicago
13 min from 311 S Wacker Attractions
Lion "On the Prowl"
Downtown Chicago
13 min from 311 S Wacker Attractions