Photo Credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Tavarius / Shutterstock. There's a lot of good food to be had there, quite a few of the stands are outposts of good restaurants in the city. Good Morning! According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Union Station: journey begins with a visit to the Founders Room to collect our Golden Tickets. Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Things To Do Near Union Station Chicago? | Amtrak Unlimited Discussion As I walked to the train tracks there was a little more activity but passage was restricted to ticket holders. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41527197', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago. 12 Fun Metra Day Trips to Suburban Chicago Destinations - Time Out Chicago lol. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. People come from all over the world to take the train from Union Station. We found 1,458 things to do for you near Union Station Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower 17,712 Reviews 233 S Wacker Drive entrance on Jackson Blvd (south side of building), Chicago, IL 60606-7147 7 minutes from Union Station Experiences from 439 See 35 Experiences Chicago Riverwalk 3,055 Reviews Chicago, IL 60601 7 minutes from Union Station This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Once I get to the station, where do I go? Established . Today, the transportation hub runs Amtrak and Metra trains in and out of the city. Dj vu! Even if you're not catching a train to anywhere, you really need to just step into this building and feel the history. Taxis; Rideshare; Bike Share; Bellemore's lunch menu is wildly underrated, which is great news for you, weary traveler. Dave148: We were thinking of breakfast. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I'm going to look in to that too. The Polar Express journey begins with a visit to the Founders Room to collect our Golden Tickets. If youre a sleeping car or first-class passenger, spend some time relaxing in the Metropolitan Lounge (or, if youre a coach passenger, consider paying the daily fee for access) located in the Grand Hall. The Pritzker Family Children's Zoo area provides children the opportunity to view snakes and insects at their eye level, and there is a treetop-themed climbing area for them to explore. 255 South Canal StreetChicago, Illinois 60606, Open 7 days a weekUnion Station closes dailybetween 1am-5am. Study the map before taking off on a train trip with a Chicago layover. Chicago Transit Authority ('L' Trains & Buses) Greyhound; Other Transportation. You can do more than merely catch a train at and near Chicago Union Station, such as: . The food area was currently closed due to COVID but later an employee came around and offered to get us sodas, snacks, etc., from a list he said was available. Kids' Attractions Near Union Station, Chicago, Illinois 520 W. Taylor Street, ~13-minute walk or 4-minute drive from Union Station. Amata_(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? All rights reserved. If your timing is right, you can take part in neighborhood events like the West Loop Farmers Market, Craft Beer Fest, or the Randolph Street Market Festival. The architecture of the Great Hall is worth seeing. Lou Mitchell's looks fun. We always travel business class, so there is a nice lounge to take advantage of with free snacks and soft drinks. Great breakfasts! Her articles have been published on sites such as Goodkin, Go Green Street and Living the Healthy Way. As for chow, if you are not in a Pizza or Diner mood, Al's Beef just around the corner on Adams tosses out an excellent Italian Beef Sandwich. My aunt had a similar layover a few years ago. $16.77 $12.00. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I would recommend arriving 30 minutes early to Union Station at a minimum. Loading happens quickly and you should try to have luggage you can manage well and move quickly with. Indoor activities, like the city's many museums, ensure a respite from the windy winters while outdoor sights, like the Lincoln Park Zoo, offer a good reason to get outside. Metra services areas like Wheaton, Barrington, Winnetka and Homewood, while Amtrak connects passengers to Denver, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, New York and othercities across the country. Premier Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise, Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food & Walking Tour, Chicago in a Day: Food, History and Architecture Walking Tour, 45-Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile, 90-Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour, The Escape Game Chicago: Epic 60-Minute Adventures. The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. The Top 10 Things to Do Near Union Station, Chicago - Tripadvisor Union Station: Things to See & Do | Colorado.com 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Look for the blue awning marking the stairway entrance. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. During my first train trip from Kansas City to Washington, D.C., I arrived in Chicagos Union Station on my first layover with several hours to fill before departing. Along the Riverwalk, stop by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Interesting how everyone still calls it the "Sears Tower". Originally a tiny hotdog stand called The Dog House, this relic was opened by Dick Portillo in 1963. Also Hemingway's house is there with a museum. 555 ratings. Kids of all ages and interests will find something exciting to do in Chicago, from the heights of the Willis Tower to the exotic fish of the Shedd Aquarium. The Great Hall with its soaring glass ceilings was quite spectacular. One of the most beautiful stations in the United Stations, it opened in 1925 next to the Chicago Loop. IlliniTrav: We were thinking of Greektown. Chicago Union Station is the size of nearly 10 city blocks, is the third-busiest rail terminal in the United States, and is Amtrak's overall fourth busiest station, serving about 140,000 passengers on an average weekday. Getting Around Chicago | Trains, Parking, Taxis & Bike Sharing The Skydeck entrance is located on Franklin Street (the east side of the building). I was faced with about the same situation and my Hotel was more than accommodating in holding my luggage for me and had their house keeping staff tend to my room first. The Clinton station is two blocks south of Union Station, and the northwest terminal of the Blue Line is under the O'Hare Airport main garage. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. 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Next to the Great Hall is the Metropolitan Lounge where we waited for our next train. Do your job security your very poor at it .. We had purchased tickets weeks in advance, paid for a hotel room and made holiday plans for our 5 year old to ride the Polar Express. I think the Tribune Tower with its rocks from around the world is fascinating. 3. Open 7 days a week Union Station closes daily between 1am-5am. Indoor activities, like the city's many museums, ensure a respite from the windy winters while outdoor sights, like the Lincoln Park Zoo, offer a good reason to get outside. Would never recommend, terrible. 4.6. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! 1 Ribs and a bevy of fast food chains. Chicago Union Station is the size of nearly 10 city blocks, is the third-busiest rail terminal in the United States, and is Amtraks overall fourth busiest station, serving about 140,000 passengers on an average weekday. Based in Florida, Mandi Titus has been writing since 2002. Older children, taller than 55 inches, are also able to participate in the aquarium's behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee. If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting. Gets less confusing but it is at first when you arrive and try to figure out where things are here though. Its a massive train station nearly the size of 10 city blocks and I felt lost. In the downtown area (The Loop) the pizza place listed in The Thousand Places To See Before You Die book is the Exchequer: http://www.exchequerpub.com/ (The name comes from the fact that it is next door to a law school.). The station is located a short walk from Downtown Chicago and several famous attractions, such as The Loop and Art Institute of Chicago Chicago Riverwalk: at an 8-minute drive from the Union Station, Chicago Riverwalk is the perfect place to make the most of your vacation. That space, which lives up to its name, boasts a 219-food-long barrel-vaulted skylight that acts as the ceiling for the room. The tunnel from Union Station to Northwestern Station. A couple blocks away is the French market. A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. You have to walk slowly and just feel the history of the building seep into you. Youll hear about the 1920s and 30s in Chicago, learn about the exploits of famous gangsters, and view the sites of the St. Valentines Day Massacre, plus the Biograph Theatre and Holy Name Cathedral. With 90 minutes notice until the train departed, we were informed by text that our tickets would be cancelled and we would be refunded. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ). It is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from Union Station depending how fast or slow you walk. They may serve their brunch menu on Saturdays as well, not sure. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. That first layover wasnt my proudest moment as a solo traveler. I had the tickets and about to hang out for 6hours before ridding up to the train. The station used to be a grungy zoo but over the past few years they have made some updates. Drive-Through Safari Adventure for 1 Adult (age 16+) Up to 35% Off on Arcade at Galaxi Fun Zone. Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: Ride the Southwest Chief. more. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Founded by Michael Dorf, City Winery is a unique facility that combines a fully functioning winery with intimate concerts, food and wine classes, and private events in their working winery. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago, located just 12 minutes' walk from Chicago Union Station, is a 4-star hotel offering property cleaning with disinfectant, linens washed at a temperature of at least 60C/140F, and contactless check-in.If you're looking for a more affordable option, Hotel Chicago West Loop is a 2.5-star hotel offering enhanced cleaning measures that is 28 minutes walk from the . In any case, the interior is really a work of art, the big halls are especially beautiful and try to check out the smaller halls. Second City one of the world's premier improv comedy theatres has been delighting audiences for more than 50 years. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Chicago Amtrak Station | Amtrak Guide Explore different ways to experience this place. We are taking an Amtrak trip with a "layover" in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Best Restaurants Near Union Station Chicago - timeout.com Travel writer and publisher of Evolving Magazine, Jill Dutton caught the train travel bug when she spent three months in Europe with a Eurail pass. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. It's a building that fits the purpose in a visually pleasing way: very comfortable inside with more than a few places to eat in the food court. The outside of the station was a little grayish but it was so much more impressive inside. Complete Station Map | Chicago Union Station More adventurous foodies will want to pad their schedules with time to explore the surrounding neighborhood for light bites and boozy drinks. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Everyone's suggestions are really good. After a remodel and renaming in 1967, Portillos now has 17 Chicago locations. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41529991', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Millennium Park and explore there. 9 Things To Do On A Layover At Chicago's Union Station Chicago is an ideal city for a family vacation, featuring many attractions for young visitors to enjoy in all types of weather. Clean restrooms. I live in Chicago - Sears Tower, Greek Town for food are great ideas! Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Top 10 Hotels Near Chicago Union Station from $76 | Expedia Travel + Trains. December can be miserable in Chicago--really miserable. Here's a map to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty. Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Passengers looking to grab a bite before taking off can expect airport-like fare including Nuts on Clark, Gold Coast Dogs, Robinson's No. We came here to catch the Empire Builder Amtrak train to Seattle but I've always wanted to visit this station just to see its beauty in person. We never went anywhere by train. You may have to clomb narrow stairs to board the train. Now, she enjoys travelingand writing aboutthe U.S. and Canada by train. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. If you want to take a bus from Union Station you could probably get on one on either Jackson or Adams which border Union Station. Absolutely beautiful architectural masterpiece! Chicago was most recently updated with new tips on June 28, 2017. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. Chicago Attractions | Amtrak 1200 W. Randolph Street, ~7-minute drive from Union Station. There's a bunch of touristy stuff to do near that area. Youll enjoy 360-degree views that span up to 50 miles and four states. First time I opened this book I remembered it, looking at the beautiful artwork, I wanted to be one of the kids on the Polar Express. Youll meet at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. THE 10 BEST Restaurants Near Union Station in Chicago, IL - Tripadvisor Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. Child-sized attractions and interactive floor displays keep kids entertained before they arrive on the 103rd floor, and the tower's website provides a printable scavenger hunt to help kids find Chicago monuments and attractions from the tower's deck. Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go What day of the week and what time of day is your layover? By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Having a compartment allows entry. There is also the free trolley to some of the shopping areas such as State Street and Navy Pier. I too sometimes call it the Sears Tower in a weak moment. You can't help but look up and around. The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station Founded in 1879, the Art Institute is one of the oldest art museums in the U.S. and boasts the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art outside the Louvre. Dining, Retail & Amenities | Chicago Union Station 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Other Attractions in Chicago. We will be arriving at about 3-4pm and leave at about 10pm. By the way Merlot, Since you are taking the Southwest Chief you might want to go to the train travel forum and do a search there for info on your train. As a frequent train traveler located in Kansas City, I often pass through Chicago to get to my final destination. These are free. When its time to board, an Amtrak attendant will make the announcement for passengers to form a line, then youll follow the attendant to the correct boarding track. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? Walk from the Gold Coast neighborhood to Old Town with a guided tour of the local architecture while sampling mom and pop specialty food items along the way. The train boards 1/2 hour before train time. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. When traveling within Chicago near Union Station, you may be close to some bus stations: CTA - 47th and Lake Park Terminal, CTA Bus Stop 1313, or Cta Bus . Its well worth the $10-per-bag charge to check my bags during a layover as it ensures the ease of getting around town hands-free. Wendella water taxi to Michigan Avenue and then a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I've not been to the museum, but the Wright homes are gorgeous. The artwork was eye pleasing and there are windows to look out to the Great Hall. We went out to purchase our meals, and brought them back and ate them in comfort, while watching a huge TV. Our train arrives at 9am and cant check into the hotel until afternoon. It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. Thanks for subscribing! 91% of travelers recommend this experience. I use it always. I did pass by a number of plaques (National Historic Railroad Landmarks, Great Public Spaces and American Institute of Architecture) recognizing the importance of this Station. Interested in train travel? Is there wheelchair assistance available at Union Station? Millennium Park, The Art Institue and the Adler Planetarium are also on the trolley routes. Do you need to book in advance to visit Union Station? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Union Station is an iconic building and a marvel of modern transportation for nearly a century. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University. Sears sold it years ago and it has been the "Willis Tower" for quite some time. Bellemore. The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . We found 1,736 things to do for you near Union Station Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower 17,721 Reviews 233 S Wacker Drive entrance on Jackson Blvd (south side of building), Chicago, IL 60606-7147 5 minutes from Union Station Experiences from $8 See 38 Experiences Chicago Riverwalk 3,057 Reviews Chicago, IL 60601 5 minutes from Union Station You are using an out of date browser. If you're just visiting Chicago and not taking the train, well worth the quick visit to see the interior. I do wish they had clear marked parking for the facility. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Shedd Aquarium is one of the attractions for children near Union Station. Amtrak trains on many different routes arrive and depart from the Chicago Union Station at 225 S Canal Street. It's kind of a giant food court. Kids' Activities Near Libertyville, Illinois. If it were me, being the kind of person that doesn't like to spend a lot of money and enjoys walking, I would head east towards (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? These are the best experiences near Union Station: These places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station: Which are the best experiences near Union Station? Multiple ziplines, climbing walls, a mountain bike course, hiking trails and more await you at The Forge: Lemont Quarries, a 300-acre recreation area stocked with just about every outdoor activity. The interior of the building is a classic, with the iconic stairway, the Great Hall and the glass ceilings. Just grab a RTA Visitior Transit Map and its all at your finger tips. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. But as folks have stated there are great dining options only a few block away-take advantage of one of them-bundle up and enjoy! Chicago Union Station Luggage Storage | Bounce | $5.90 / Day | Book I concur with the previous answer. Union Station. You could even bottle a few cases of their wine with your own custom-designed label. Not knowing where to go or what to see, instead of exploring the area, I filled the layover working on my laptop while eating at the food court, then sat on an uncomfortable wood bench in the Grand Hall for a few hours, waiting for my next train. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation.
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