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

RickMP: The water taxi & lake tour sounds interesting. Chicago Transit Authority (L Trains & Buses). 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. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. We live in La Crosse, Wi. Amata_(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Take a brisk walk to Portillos Hot Dogs for a classic Chicago hot dog. My luggage like a giant, it's 30inches. I'm going to look in to that too. 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. It's kind of a giant food court. Specialties: We are proud to bring together a unique collection of local vendors that were hand selected for their individual passions and high-quality products. Inside the station, be sure to take in the Grand Staircases in the Great Hall, made famous by the movie The Untouchables. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting. 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. All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. 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? Also located on the north side of the city is the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Great Hall with its soaring glass ceilings was quite spectacular. The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. 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? Interested in Chicagos diverse and iconic architecture? Also Hemingway's house is there with a museum. Photo Credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Tavarius / Shutterstock. The Windy City is more than just big sports stadiums and amazing museums. Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. We went out to purchase our meals, and brought them back and ate them in comfort, while watching a huge TV. Do NOT forget the Peppers, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Tower, https://www.orderalsbeef.com/Media/Menus/adams%20web%20menu.pdf. Wendella water taxi to Michigan Avenue and then a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Thanks so much! Is the Metropolitan Lounge in full operation, that is, as it was before Covid reductions? You could go to the Sears tower or go to millennium park to see the bean or the magnificent mile. 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. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. We always travel business class, so there is a nice lounge to take advantage of with free snacks and soft drinks. 376 N. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. 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. The Station does have lockers that you can rent, or if you are eligible for Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge they have an open storage area inside the lounge area. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. the two floored amtrak club accommodations are also nice. I'd really appreciate your help :). 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. The neighborhood is best known as the location of Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios, but this downtown neighborhood is also an up-and-coming spot for Chicago's trendsetters. Maybe it was a quiet weekend or time of day but very little people were walking through or sitting on any of the benches. 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. Sounds like a nice trip! Thanks so much! 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. The tour guides are actors who take on the personas of 1920s gangsters. 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. 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. 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* Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. 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 You can't help but look up and around. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. How long would that take? =). What else is there to do near Union Station? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia. Once I get to the station, where do I go? The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . Maybe Wee Willie would work, I still refer to it as Sears Tower because that is how I remember it as a small watching it go up and visiting the Skydeck countless times with the folks. It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. 255 South Canal StreetChicago, Illinois 60606, Open 7 days a weekUnion Station closes dailybetween 1am-5am. W1612 Litchfield Rd, Lake Geneva. more. Once youre comfortable getting around the station, its time to check your bags for your day in Chicago. It is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from Union Station depending how fast or slow you walk. Union Station is an iconic building and a marvel of modern transportation for nearly a century. This will be our 1st trip without kids in too many years to count, so we don't mind some splurges. 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. 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. The attached garage is best and less cost than hotel areas. We usually take Amtrak to Chicago from Jackson Mi. Interesting how everyone still calls it the "Sears Tower". This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. But myself, I'd walk south on Michigan a few blocks to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 94% of travelers recommend this experience. You have the Sears Tower couple of blocks away. 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. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. Yes, red caps service and handicapped transportation (wheel chairs or Tram carts) are available in the station. Chicago is an ideal city for a family vacation, featuring many attractions for young visitors to enjoy in all types of weather. 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. 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Driehaus Museum: Tickets & Tours, Garfield Park Conservatory: Tickets & Tours, Two-Person BARRETT 50 BMG and AK-47 Package, Tamarindo Snorkel & Sunset Cruise with Lunch, Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh, Vatican, Sistine & St. Peter's Basilica Skip The Line & Small Group, Acetaia Cavedoni Balsamic Vinegar Tour Oldest Balsamic Vinegar Company in Modena, San Sebastian del Oeste 'Magic Town' from Puerto Vallarta, See all 5 Union Station tours on Tripadvisor, See all Union Station experiences on Tripadvisor, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Downtown, Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown, an IHG Hotel, View all hotels near Union Station on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Union Station on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Union Station on Tripadvisor. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. So callous and unapologetic in completely ruining part of our Christmas experience. 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! Here's a map to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty. Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive, ~8-minute drive from 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. Acquainting yourself with the layout of the station ahead of time will help. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Gets less confusing but it is at first when you arrive and try to figure out where things are here though. 233 S. Wacker Drive, ~5-minute walk or 2-minute drive from Union Station. Millennium Park is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the north and Monroe Street to the south. Dj vu! I would recommend arriving 30 minutes early to Union Station at a minimum. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. If you have time to poke around, find the two Henry Hering statuesone holding a rooster and the other holding an owlwhich represent the around-the-clock nature of an outpost like Union Station. JavaScript is disabled. Other child-friendly accommodations include family bathrooms and ramps designed for easy stroller maneuverability. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. We loved it and looking forward to going back to La Crosse with Amtrak, of course. 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. =) Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 12 replies Sorted by 1 2 Dave148 Illinois Destination Expert The Neoclassic exterior is dominated by the colonnades. The Shedd Aquarium puts kids face-to-face with more than 32,000 animals. We found 1,458 things to do for you near Union Station Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower 17,713 Reviews 233 S Wacker Drive entrance on Jackson Blvd (south side of building), Chicago, IL 60606-7147 7 minutes from Union Station Experiences from 669 See 36 Experiences Chicago Riverwalk 3,055 Reviews Chicago, IL 60601 7 minutes from Union Station 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. We followed the young generation and we felt that experience was amazing. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. She didn't want to walk too far, so we took a cab over to Greektown and had a leisurely lunch at Greek Isles. Millennium Park I concur with the previous answer. Would never recommend, terrible. Then, take a water taxi from the Madison St stop to Michigan Avenue, a nice way to see some of the buildings. 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. Devastated our child, who was already dressed in his Polar Express pajamas and ready to go. That first layover wasnt my proudest moment as a solo traveler. A couple blocks away is the French market. 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 . 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 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. 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. Try another? 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Other Attractions in Chicago. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Its a massive train station nearly the size of 10 city blocks and I felt lost. Explore different ways to experience this place. Dave148: We were thinking of breakfast. 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 station is huge and has many gorgeous areas. Hop on board the Untouchable Tours Gangster Bus for the original Chicago gangster tour. We went by Coach ride and were amazed at the leg room and comfortable atmosphere on the train. 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. Is there wheelchair assistance available at Union Station? Everyone's suggestions are really good. 28% discount_off. 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 Even if you're not catching a train to anywhere, you really need to just step into this building and feel the history. Randlin: Oh the Exchequer sounds grea!. 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. If you'd like to shop, walk north on Michigan (the "Magnificent Mile" area of high end stores). 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. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University. Enjoy an immersive wine experience at City Winery. While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. If you're just visiting Chicago and not taking the train, well worth the quick visit to see the interior. (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. You could even bottle a few cases of their wine with your own custom-designed label. Youll meet at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. And Lou Mitchell's at 565 W. Jackson is walking distance. Originally a tiny hotdog stand called The Dog House, this relic was opened by Dick Portillo in 1963. 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. The tunnel from Union Station to Northwestern Station. Amentities? As beautiful as our little town is driving 5 hours by car and paying for the parking hundreds of dollars or having someone to drive us and go back the same day results in 10 hours of driving in one day. Chicago, Illinois 60606. Taxis; Rideshare; Bike Share;