things to do near union station chicago things to do near union station chicago

I do wish they had clear marked parking for the facility. 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? Does the train station provide any baggage storage lockers so that we could visit Willis tower without toting our bags? My luggage like a giant, it's 30inches. Amtrak; Metra Commuter Rail; Transfer Options. Chicagos Union Station is the third-busiest rail station in the U.S., with about 140,000 passengers passing through each day. Youll find restaurants and concessions during the summer months, plus benches and lookout points, boat rentals, and water tours. more. The main attraction Whether you're waiting on a train or passing through. Take a brisk walk to Portillos Hot Dogs for a classic Chicago hot dog. 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. 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. If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. 201 E. Randolph Street, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. Step foot near Union Station during rush hour, and you'll witness how many Chicagoans depend on Metra and Amtrak trains to get them in and out of the city. I use it always. 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. 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. 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. Do NOT forget the Peppers, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Tower, https://www.orderalsbeef.com/Media/Menus/adams%20web%20menu.pdf. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The staff there are super helpful and can show you where to take luggage. 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. 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. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ), Zoos & Aquariums Near Champaign, Illinois, Shedd Aquarium: Plan a Visit -- Hours and Calendar, Famous Tourist Attractions in the State of Illinois, Rock Climbing Walls for Kids in Central Illinois, Kids' Attractions Near Union Station, Chicago, Illinois, Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights. Devastated our child, who was already dressed in his Polar Express pajamas and ready to go. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Gets less confusing but it is at first when you arrive and try to figure out where things are here though. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. Also Hemingway's house is there with a museum. lol. The Neoclassic exterior is dominated by the colonnades. 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. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ). 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. We were shuttled to our train car at the appropiate time, and helped with our luggage. 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. Open 7 days a week Union Station closes daily between 1am-5am. Yes, red caps service and handicapped transportation (wheel chairs or Tram carts) are available in the station. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. 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. Shallow: Great reminder. Good Morning! Older children, taller than 55 inches, are also able to participate in the aquarium's behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee. I live in Chicago - Sears Tower, Greek Town for food are great ideas! Absolutely beautiful architectural masterpiece! Children and their families are able to see dolphins and beluga whales perform during daily shows, learn about animals living in ocean reefs during narrated dives, pet animals such as snakes, turtles and tarantulas during scheduled animal encounters and spend time observing animals, including otters, penguins and whales. 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. Oops, forgot to tell you that the trip is in late December. Thank you so much for all the great suggestions & tips. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. 1200 W. Randolph Street, ~7-minute drive from Union Station. 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. I would recommend arriving 30 minutes early to Union Station at a minimum. Would definitely want to wait in the Metropolitan again if given the opportunity. Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? Youll meet at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. 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 am traveling from Chicago to NY on the Lake Shore LTD and I've never used Amtrak before (i'm coming from New Zealand). Any of the architecture tours are just amazing. 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. Explore different ways to experience this place. While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. Thanks so much! Try another? For a thrilling view of the city, head to The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago to take in the cityscape from inside a glass box that extends 4.3 feet out from the Skydeck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower. There's a bunch of touristy stuff to do near that area. 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. If you have a lengthy layover and a love of food, this is the perfect Union Station layover activity for you. As a frequent train traveler located in Kansas City, I often pass through Chicago to get to my final destination. JavaScript is disabled. 3. 4.6. =). http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html, http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/19923. Also located on the north side of the city is the Lincoln Park Zoo. Jill Dutton 5. Taxis; Rideshare; Bike Share; We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Shedd Aquarium is one of the attractions for children near Union Station. My aunt had a similar layover a few years ago. Union Station. If you'd like to shop, walk north on Michigan (the "Magnificent Mile" area of high end stores). 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? 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. The neighborhood is best known as the location of Oprah Winfreys Harpo Studios, but this downtown neighborhood is also an up-and-coming spot for Chicagos trendsetters. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? IlliniTrav: We were thinking of Greektown. 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. Even if you're not catching a train to anywhere, you really need to just step into this building and feel the history. 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. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? Here's a map to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty. I've not been to the museum, but the Wright homes are gorgeous. 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* 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. That first layover wasnt my proudest moment as a solo traveler. Tickets are bought, but Im wondering if there are any ambulatory services available to take them to their train? The last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. If you like art, you can visit the Chicago Art Museum and see among other. $$ - $$$ Mediterranean Greek Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ International Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$$$ American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, Historic Sites Points of Interest & Landmarks, Points of Interest & Landmarks Monuments & Statues. Amentities? Interesting how everyone still calls it the "Sears Tower". 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 Based in Florida, Mandi Titus has been writing since 2002. Alternatively, you may use, Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown / Magnificent Mile, InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, an IHG Hotel, Best Western Chicago Downtown-River North, http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g1-i12483-Train_Travel.html. Safety is not a big issue IMHO. Thanks so much! The tour guides are actors who take on the personas of 1920s gangsters. One of the most beautiful stations in the United Stations, it opened in 1925 next to the Chicago Loop. After grabbing my luggage from the train, my first course of action was obvious: Follow the hoard of passengers from the tracks to the station. Then, take a water taxi from the Madison St stop to Michigan Avenue, a nice way to see some of the buildings. Here is what I would do: if you want to eat right away, breakfast at Lou Mitchell's is a good choice. 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. I whiteness employees at the McDonalds twice a year giving these workers a hard time. 45 Credits, One Popcorn, and One Fountain Drink for One Person. As I walked to the train tracks there was a little more activity but passage was restricted to ticket holders. 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. We already have this email. It is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from Union Station depending how fast or slow you walk. =). 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. On the south side of town the Willis Tower . 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Here you can be involved in the winemaking process from the crush and fermentation to the blend. The Gage opens at 10. 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