The station is located at 225 S Canal St and the west side of the Chicago River between Adams Street and West Jackson Boulevard very close to the city center and just next to the Chicago Greyhound Bus station. Here's a map to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty. Chicago, Illinois 60606. Then, take a water taxi from the Madison St stop to Michigan Avenue, a nice way to see some of the buildings. And since you have 6 hours, if you are into Architecture, you might want to take a taxi to Oak Park to see some of Frank Lloyd Wright's homes and his house. We loved it and looking forward to going back to La Crosse with Amtrak, of course. 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. Do NOT forget the Peppers, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Tower, https://www.orderalsbeef.com/Media/Menus/adams%20web%20menu.pdf. 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. Uber ride came in no time and Asan from Bulgaria was friendly and professional. 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. The Lincoln Park Zoo offers free daily admission to all visitors. One of the most beautiful stations in the United Stations, it opened in 1925 next to the Chicago Loop. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. 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. If you'd like to shop, walk north on Michigan (the "Magnificent Mile" area of high end stores). The Polar Express journey begins with a visit to the Founders Room to collect our Golden Tickets. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Sounds like a nice trip! Thanks so much! Kids are able to observe a wide range of animals, including antelopes, lions, seals, tigers, wallabies and zebras. 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. Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture, and landscape design. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41527197', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? It was beautiful. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Dave148: We were thinking of breakfast. What day of the week and what time of day is your layover? That first layover wasnt my proudest moment as a solo traveler. Good Morning! 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. Considering this was a large transportation hub there was a lot of available metered street parking right along the street. Everyone's suggestions are really good. Readers of her USA by Rail blog have come to expect an intimate look at authentic experiences. 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. 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. 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? Not an ideal way to spend a layover. 555 ratings. 3. You have to walk slowly and just feel the history of the building seep into you. =). Familiarize yourself with the Grand Hall and its location as this is where youll wait to board your connecting train. But myself, I'd walk south on Michigan a few blocks to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? the two floored amtrak club accommodations are also nice. Everything you need to know about visiting Union Station(225 S Canal St, Chicago IL 60606). Other Attractions in Chicago. Bellemore's lunch menu is wildly underrated, which is great news for you, weary traveler. Jill Dutton 5. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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! Youll meet at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. Union Station and the Metropolitan Lounge. Absolutely beautiful architectural masterpiece! Union Station. Union Station is an iconic building and a marvel of modern transportation for nearly a century. 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. There is Metra train service from Union Station to "O'Hare Transfer" but it's (1) weekday only, (2) fairly infrequent, and (3) the "transfer" in the name means that you're a shuttle bus and airport tram . We already have this email. Grab some Giordino's Pizza and you won't need to eat on the train for a week! Rmrmber to be back at the station one hour before train time to check in with the Conductor and get your Boarding Pass. !" 11/06/2022 Cuisines: Bar Diner Pub Find a table Pret A Manger Be the first to review this restaurant 225 S Canal St You could visit the Art Institute if that's an interest. Having a compartment allows entry. The actual book was published a year before I was born. 111 S. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. 28% discount_off. Along the Riverwalk, stop by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum. The tunnel from Union Station to Northwestern Station. Now, she enjoys travelingand writing aboutthe U.S. and Canada by train. Maybe it was a quiet weekend or time of day but very little people were walking through or sitting on any of the benches. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The attached garage is best and less cost than hotel areas. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ). I've not been to the museum, but the Wright homes are gorgeous. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. Overall a nice place to visit or spend some extra time before or after your Amtrak or Metra train, the L or bus ride. Oops, forgot to tell you that the trip is in late December. Here you can be involved in the winemaking process from the crush and fermentation to the blend. 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. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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 never went anywhere by 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. You could even bottle a few cases of their wine with your own custom-designed label. http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html, http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/19923. I whiteness employees at the McDonalds twice a year giving these workers a hard time. The station used to be a grungy zoo but over the past few years they have made some updates. We went out to purchase our meals, and brought them back and ate them in comfort, while watching a huge TV. 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. Train Trips To Experience In 2023, My 9 Favorite Experiences On A Relaxing Weekend Train Trip From Denver To Moab, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum, Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise. 233 S. Wacker Drive, ~5-minute walk or 2-minute drive from Union Station. On the Mezzanine level there were some fast food options like Starbucks, Jersey Mikes. They may serve their brunch menu on Saturdays as well, not sure. Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. The Chicago Riverwalk runs along historic Wacker Drive from Lake Michigan west to Lake Street, with access at street level from each major intersection. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. And then our sons went by train one time and had an easy and nice ride. It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Download a PDF of this Go international with our nine tips for traveling Europe by rail. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41529991', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Millennium Park and explore there. You may have to clomb narrow stairs to board the train. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Chicagos Union Station is the third-busiest rail station in the U.S., with about 140,000 passengers passing through each day. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. The interior of the building is a classic, with the iconic stairway, the Great Hall and the glass ceilings. JavaScript is disabled. 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. Amata_(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A couple blocks away is the French market. Intersection of Clark and Ohio, ~9-minute drive from Union Station. Dirty, dark & creepy. 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 Union Station Train Travel. 1 Ribs and a bevy of fast food chains. 45 Credits, One Popcorn, and One Fountain Drink for One Person. 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 ? Second City one of the world's premier improv comedy theatres has been delighting audiences for more than 50 years. 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. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. Check with your hotel to see if they will hold your luggage until check-in. I wasn't the only one there taking it all in. Shedd Aquarium is one of the attractions for children near Union Station. 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. I'd really appreciate your help :). While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. Clean restrooms. 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. Devastated our child, who was already dressed in his Polar Express pajamas and ready to go. The Neoclassic exterior is dominated by the colonnades. We arrived early enough so I could wander around the Grand Hall and study everything. Drinks and snack items were offered. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Hop on board the Untouchable Tours Gangster Bus for the original Chicago gangster tour. 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. Millennium Park Heres amap to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty.Download aPDF of this map [link opens in anew window]. 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. Wendella water taxi to Michigan Avenue and then a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: Ride the Southwest Chief. All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk and watch the kayaks and tour boats float by. Try another? 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. I think the Tribune Tower with its rocks from around the world is fascinating. 1200 W. Randolph Street, ~7-minute drive from Union Station. We usually take Amtrak to Chicago from Jackson Mi. It's less than half a mile from Union Station. These cruises sell out quickly, so consider purchasing tickets in advance. Here is what I would do: if you want to eat right away, breakfast at Lou Mitchell's is a good choice. The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. Photo Credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Tavarius / Shutterstock. Get the Divvy app: Android and iOS. Chicago Transit Authority ('L' Trains & Buses) Greyhound; Other Transportation. 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. 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. Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. My layovers typically range from four to six hours, leaving ample time to explore Chicago activities near Union Station, and Im proud to say that since my first layover, I have learned what to do with my luggage, how to get around, and what there is to do nearby, affording myself some enjoyment instead of a dreaded few hours to fill. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. You could go to the Sears tower or go to millennium park to see the bean or the magnificent mile. On Second Citys three-hour foodie tour, youll sample classic Chicago tastes. Her articles have been published on sites such as Goodkin, Go Green Street and Living the Healthy Way. 5 Smallest National Parks In The U.S. And The Best Experiences At Each, 7 Transportation Decisions Youll Need To Make Before Visiting Costa Rica, Our Favorite Hikes In All 50 States (2023), Celebrating Amtraks 50th: 8 Incredible Small Town Stops, 7 Tips For Riding Amtrak Across The Country, 14 Beautiful U.S. Users simply pick up a bike from a self-service docking station and return it to a station near their destination. Open since 1925, Union Station remains Chicago's intercity rail terminal and the largest terminal for commuter trains. W1612 Litchfield Rd, Lake Geneva. There's a bunch of touristy stuff to do near that area. 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. 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. If you're just visiting Chicago and not taking the train, well worth the quick visit to see the interior. Belmont, Cta, or CTA - Chicago can be used for nearby transit. Bellemore. We followed the young generation and we felt that experience was amazing. If you are looking for a good place for a sit down dinner. 2) You MUST walk over to Millennium Park and see the Bean and the Fountains. The attraction is open March to September from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and October to February from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. I'll probably be nervous we'll miss boarding and will be way early. Chicago Transit Authority (L Trains & Buses). So when it was in the school library it was still fairly new. The Skydeck entrance is located on Franklin Street (the east side of the building). Once youre comfortable getting around the station, its time to check your bags for your day in Chicago. 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. 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 lengthy layover and a love of food, this is the perfect Union Station layover activity for you. 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. 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. Location Provided With Ticket Purchase, ~10-minute drive from Union Station. Interested in Chicagos diverse and iconic architecture? The staff there are super helpful and can show you where to take luggage. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. i need to know is there any place some one can wait if there lay over is after 12am? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The station is huge and has many gorgeous areas. Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. $16.77 $12.00. Can someone please tell me the process to board the train? 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. RickMP: The water taxi & lake tour sounds interesting. I would recommend arriving 30 minutes early to Union Station at a minimum. Millennium Park, The Art Institue and the Adler Planetarium are also on the trolley routes. It's well worth a trip to Chicago. Open 7 days a week Union Station closes daily between 1am-5am. 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! You are using an out of date browser. Daily activities, such as the opportunity to meet a zoo animal and ape training sessions, teach children about the zoo's many residents. I use it always. If you like art, you can visit the Chicago Art Museum and see among other. You can do more than merely catch a train at and near Chicago Union Station, such as: . 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. The Shedd Aquarium puts kids face-to-face with more than 32,000 animals. Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? 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 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. Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. I had the tickets and about to hang out for 6hours before ridding up to the train. What else is there to do near Union Station? 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. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. All rights reserved. People come from all over the world to take the train from Union Station. Things to Do at and near Union 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. They need real working security at the union station I find many unmasked trouble makers also homeless asking for money in the mornings you have crack heads Asking for money. We live in La Crosse, Wi. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago.
