It's well worth a trip to Chicago. =) Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 12 replies Sorted by 1 2 Dave148 Illinois Destination Expert And Lou Mitchell's at 565 W. Jackson is walking distance. You have the Sears Tower couple of blocks away. Look for the blue awning marking the stairway entrance. Familiarize yourself with the Grand Hall and its location as this is where youll wait to board your connecting train. Interested in Chicagos diverse and iconic architecture? So callous and unapologetic in completely ruining part of our Christmas experience. 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. We arrived early enough so I could wander around the Grand Hall and study everything. Jill Dutton 5. Be sure to take a selfie at Anish Kapoors Cloud Gate sculpture, fondly referred to as The Bean because of its kidney bean-like shape. Millennium Park They have free snacks, TV's, and comfy chairs. We already have this email. We were shuttled to our train car at the appropiate time, and helped with our luggage. 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. We live in La Crosse, Wi. A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk and watch the kayaks and tour boats float by. Take a brisk walk to Portillos Hot Dogs for a classic Chicago hot dog. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. Safety is not a big issue IMHO. Study the map before taking off on a train trip with a Chicago layover. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41531863', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago: It will be on a Saturday - mid morning to early afternoon. Kids' Activities Near Libertyville, Illinois. Chicago Scavenger Hunt 1 Self-guided Tours from $8.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Chicago City Driving Tour Bus Tours from $595.00 per group (up to 1) Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in Chicago 2,223 Recommended City Tours from $35.00 per adult Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 851 Bus Tours from $44.99 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Belmont, Cta, or CTA - Chicago can be used for nearby transit. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Tickets are bought, but Im wondering if there are any ambulatory services available to take them to their train? Would definitely want to wait in the Metropolitan again if given the opportunity. You could go to the Sears tower or go to millennium park to see the bean or the magnificent mile. Its a massive train station nearly the size of 10 city blocks and I felt lost. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. the two floored amtrak club accommodations are also nice. The cruise, which lasts an hour and 30 minutes, will treat you to a view of the city from the water aboard Chicagos First Lady. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We explored the Great Hall and told our grandchildren about the Ubtouchables staircase and Elliot Ness, and took photos in front of a facsimile of the real Polar Express train engine. More adventurous foodies will want to pad their schedules with time to explore the surrounding neighborhood for light bites and boozy drinks. Chicago was most recently updated with new tips on June 28, 2017. Millennium Park, The Art Institue and the Adler Planetarium are also on the trolley routes. @2023 Chicago Union Station. Bellemore's lunch menu is wildly underrated, which is great news for you, weary traveler. Chicago Transit Authority ('L' Trains & Buses) Greyhound; Other Transportation. And then our sons went by train one time and had an easy and nice ride. Youll enjoy 360-degree views that span up to 50 miles and four states. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Gets less confusing but it is at first when you arrive and try to figure out where things are here though. 555 ratings. There's a bunch of touristy stuff to do near that area. 201 E. Randolph Street, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. What's the best way to see Union Station? Also located on the north side of the city is the Lincoln Park Zoo. With 90 minutes notice until the train departed, we were informed by text that our tickets would be cancelled and we would be refunded. Great breakfasts! Amentities? Established . You can do more than merely catch a train at and near Chicago Union Station, such as: . Here's a map to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Older children, taller than 55 inches, are also able to participate in the aquarium's behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee. The outside of the station was a little grayish but it was so much more impressive inside. Maybe it was a quiet weekend or time of day but very little people were walking through or sitting on any of the benches. That space, which lives up to its name, boasts a 219-food-long barrel-vaulted skylight that acts as the ceiling for the room. I've been told that I don't need to check in as such but I have luggage so do I just head to where the train is and find a person or is there a counter I need to go to? Union Station is an iconic building and a marvel of modern transportation for nearly a century. Other child-friendly accommodations include family bathrooms and ramps designed for easy stroller maneuverability. more. I will check their website out more. 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. Things to See and Do near Chicago Union Station What to See near Chicago Union Station Millennium Park McCormick Place Wrigley Field Willis Tower Chicago Riverwalk Things to Do near Chicago Union Station Navy Pier Art Institute of Chicago Michigan Avenue Civic Opera House Cadillac Palace Theatre Keep exploring Neighborhoods Landmarks Nearby cities Divvy, Chicago's bike-share program, offers over 580 stations and 5,800 bikes across the city, available for rent 24/7. Enjoy an immersive wine experience at City Winery. I am bringing 2 elderly people (89 and 84) in late August for a trip to Seattle. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. All rights reserved. Lou Mitchell's looks fun. If you have a business class ticket you can store your luggage for free in the Metropolitan Lounge - if not go near the Greyhound bus desk and across from there they have the baggage check. As a frequent train traveler located in Kansas City, I often pass through Chicago to get to my final destination. 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. 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. The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . Go international with our nine tips for traveling Europe by rail. Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. Her articles have been published on sites such as Goodkin, Go Green Street and Living the Healthy Way. 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 ? 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. 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. While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. lol. Here is what I would do: if you want to eat right away, breakfast at Lou Mitchell's is a good choice. Youll meet at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. You have to walk slowly and just feel the history of the building seep into you. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. That first layover wasnt my proudest moment as a solo traveler. Just grab a RTA Visitior Transit Map and its all at your finger tips. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. I whiteness employees at the McDonalds twice a year giving these workers a hard time. I'll probably be nervous we'll miss boarding and will be way early. Hi, just want to check if the luggage storage is still available currently. The inside of Union Station is absolutely beautiful, but the best part for my friend and I was the Metropolitan Lounge, which we had access to by virtue of being "sleeping car" customers on our AMTRAK trains, both coming and going. more, Points of Interest & Landmarks Architectural Buildings. 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? I've not been to the museum, but the Wright homes are gorgeous. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. The train boards 1/2 hour before train time. Photo Credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Tavarius / Shutterstock. We got there at the 30 minute mark and over 200 people were in line for our train. The tunnel from Union Station to Northwestern Station. Rmrmber to be back at the station one hour before train time to check in with the Conductor and get your Boarding Pass. If you are really into architecture, and Chicago is world famous for its, I would recommend perusing this site for all kinds of tours and other info. We who live in Chicago wouldn't dream of calling it Willisor Willie. 111 S. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Announcement were regularly made for boarding trains and when ours was called, everyone socially distanced in the hallway near the front and were led by an employee to our train. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. If you are looking for a good place for a sit down dinner. Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. We found 1,474 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 7 minutes from Union Station Experiences from RM 36 See 38 Experiences Chicago Riverwalk 3,057 Reviews Chicago, IL 60601 7 minutes from Union Station We will be arriving at about 3-4pm and leave at about 10pm. The Skydeck entrance is located on Franklin Street (the east side of the building). 45 Credits, One Popcorn, and One Fountain Drink for One Person. 10Best Says. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. I too sometimes call it the Sears Tower in a weak moment. Check with your hotel to see if they will hold your luggage until check-in. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606-5702 Neighbourhood: West Loop Fulton Market, Randolph Market, Jackson Boulevard and Greek Town make up the West Loop. You feel the pain. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Heres amap to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty.Download aPDF of this map [link opens in anew window]. A nearby restaurant I'd recommend is The Gage, a gastropub across from Millennium Park, either for lunch or just drinks/snacks if you had a big breakfast at Lou Mitchell's. 3. Luggage storage near Union Station Luggage storage near Art Institute of Chicago Luggage storage near Greyhound Chicago Luggage storage near McCormick Place Luggage storage near Millennium Station Luggage storage near United Center Luggage storage near Lincoln Park Zoo Luggage storage near Millennium Park Luggage storage near Wicker Park It was beautiful. Next to the Great Hall is the Metropolitan Lounge where we waited for our next train. Do you need to book in advance to visit Union Station? Chicago Transit Authority (L Trains & Buses). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41533587', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Millennium Park and stroll around the park. Other Attractions in Chicago. 233 S. Wacker Drive, ~5-minute walk or 2-minute drive from Union Station. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41530204', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Wendella River/Lake tour. Thank you so much for all the great suggestions & tips. Once inside, I stood for a few minutes taking in the enormity of the station as other passengers moved past me, not knowing where to go next. Devastated our child, who was already dressed in his Polar Express pajamas and ready to go. Also, we will be storing our luggage in a locker during the layover Just FYI, when I checked on the Sears Tower last summer for my family, it was pretty expensive. 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Bringing together the best-of-the-best from Chicago neighborhoods and outlying areas, Chicago French Market is largely comprised of entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses and accomplished purveyors and established in 2009. Acquainting yourself with the layout of the station ahead of time will help. Loading happens quickly and you should try to have luggage you can manage well and move quickly with. 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