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. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. The main attraction Whether you're waiting on a train or passing through. Taxis; Rideshare; Bike Share; 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. 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 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. @2023 Chicago Union Station. We live in La Crosse, Wi. =). But myself, I'd walk south on Michigan a few blocks to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I too sometimes call it the Sears Tower in a weak moment. The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . With 90 minutes notice until the train departed, we were informed by text that our tickets would be cancelled and we would be refunded. Youll meet at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. 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. 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. 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. $16.77 $12.00. 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. IlliniTrav: We were thinking of Greektown. 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. 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. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Chicago Transit Authority ('L' Trains & Buses) Greyhound; Other Transportation. 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. Several sub-neighborhoods within West Loop make this a unique neighborhood to visit. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. Film buffs will recognize the Great Hall from its appearances in movies like The Untouchables, My Best Friend's Weddingand Flags of Our Fathers, among others. Things to Do at and near Union Station. (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. Top 10 Hotels Near Chicago Union Station from $76 | Expedia Do NOT forget the Peppers, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Tower, https://www.orderalsbeef.com/Media/Menus/adams%20web%20menu.pdf. Youll enjoy 360-degree views that span up to 50 miles and four states. 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. Chicago Attractions | Amtrak Amtrak allows two bags, a cooler, and a personal item per person, so I always have at least four pieces of luggage. I saw a sign that said the escalator would take me to the street, so I loaded my bounty of luggage onto the escalator, walked outside the door to the street, turned around, walked back in, and went down the escalator again. You can check your bags through to your next destination (if you didnt do so on the first leg of your trip) or leave them for the day, freeing you up to check out the city without lugging bags around. We went by Coach ride and were amazed at the leg room and comfortable atmosphere on the train. W1612 Litchfield Rd, Lake Geneva. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia. Dave148: We were thinking of breakfast. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. RickMP: The water taxi & lake tour sounds interesting. Today, the transportation hub runs Amtrak and Metra trains in and out of the city. The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. As a frequent train traveler located in Kansas City, I often pass through Chicago to get to my final destination. Just grab a RTA Visitior Transit Map and its all at your finger tips. Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. 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You have the Sears Tower couple of blocks away. If travel is on your agenda, there are plenty of options. So callous and unapologetic in completely ruining part of our Christmas experience. 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. December can be miserable in Chicago--really miserable. Thanks so much! Also Hemingway's house is there with a museum. 12 Fun Metra Day Trips to Suburban Chicago Destinations - Time Out Chicago There's a trip planner tool on the homepage of - http://www.transitchicago.com/, http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g35805-i32-k5480757-Union_Station_LAYOVER_Help_for_Amtrak_Trip-Chicago_Illinois.html. The interior of the building is a classic, with the iconic stairway, the Great Hall and the glass ceilings. Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. More adventurous foodies will want to pad their schedules with time to explore the surrounding neighborhood for light bites and boozy drinks. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. As I walked to the train tracks there was a little more activity but passage was restricted to ticket holders. Chicago Union Station Luggage Storage | Bounce | $5.90 / Day | Book Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Great Hall with its soaring glass ceilings was quite spectacular. Restaurants near Union Station 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606-5702 Read Reviews of Union Station Sponsored JoJo's Shake Bar - River North 27 reviews 23 W Hubbard St "JoJo's Doesn't Disappoint" 02/26/2023 "Best boozy milkshakes! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Here you can be involved in the winemaking process from the crush and fermentation to the blend. 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. 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. The Gage opens at 10. Hi, just want to check if the luggage storage is still available currently. Up to 48% Off Drive-Through Safari at Safari Lake Geneva. 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 . Traveling to San Francisco via Amtrak's California Zephyr from Chicago will take you through two mountain ranges; along the way, you can relax and watch bald eagles soar over . On the Mezzanine level there were some fast food options like Starbucks, Jersey Mikes. 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. You may have to clomb narrow stairs to board the train. Location Provided With Ticket Purchase, ~10-minute drive from Union Station. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. We were here to take the amtrak Texas Eagle for first time but this building is worth a visit either way. Uber ride came in no time and Asan from Bulgaria was friendly and professional. Once youre comfortable getting around the station, its time to check your bags for your day in Chicago. That first layover wasnt my proudest moment as a solo traveler. 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. 201 E. Randolph Street, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Is the Metropolitan Lounge in full operation, that is, as it was before Covid reductions? 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* 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. Kids are able to observe a wide range of animals, including antelopes, lions, seals, tigers, wallabies and zebras. 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. Hi. 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. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Go international with our nine tips for traveling Europe by rail. If you're just visiting Chicago and not taking the train, well worth the quick visit to see the interior. Fulton Market, Randolph Market, Jackson Boulevard and Greek Town make up the West Loop. 376 N. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from 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. How long would that take? =) Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 12 replies Sorted by 1 2 Dave148 Illinois Destination Expert While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. This will be our 1st trip without kids in too many years to count, so we don't mind some splurges. The architecture of the Great Hall is worth seeing. Considering this was a large transportation hub there was a lot of available metered street parking right along the street. Find Divvy locations and rates. 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.