Great breakfasts! Sounds like a nice trip! If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. i need to know is there any place some one can wait if there lay over is after 12am? Here's a map to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty. 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. If you'd like to shop, walk north on Michigan (the "Magnificent Mile" area of high end stores). There is also the free trolley to some of the shopping areas such as State Street and Navy Pier. Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. She didn't want to walk too far, so we took a cab over to Greektown and had a leisurely lunch at Greek Isles. On the Mezzanine level there were some fast food options like Starbucks, Jersey Mikes. What else is there to do near Union Station? Uber ride came in no time and Asan from Bulgaria was friendly and professional. I'll probably be nervous we'll miss boarding and will be way early. All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. We were shuttled to our train car at the appropiate time, and helped with our luggage. Travel writer and publisher of Evolving Magazine, Jill Dutton caught the train travel bug when she spent three months in Europe with a Eurail pass. Other Attractions in Chicago. Open since 1925, Union Station remains Chicago's intercity rail terminal and the largest terminal for commuter trains. Drive-Through Safari Adventure for 1 Adult (age 16+) Up to 35% Off on Arcade at Galaxi Fun Zone. You can't help but look up and around. Dirty, dark & creepy. Union Station and the Metropolitan Lounge. It is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from Union Station depending how fast or slow you walk. First time I opened this book I remembered it, looking at the beautiful artwork, I wanted to be one of the kids on the Polar Express. 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 . Union Station is an iconic building and a marvel of modern transportation for nearly a century. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. Our Chicagoeditorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of Chicagoat your fingertips. Chicago Transit Authority (L Trains & Buses). The artwork was eye pleasing and there are windows to look out to the Great Hall. 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. Where in Union Station do I catch the Amtrak to Princeton, IL? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. =). You have the Sears Tower couple of blocks away. Any of the architecture tours are just amazing. The last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing. 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. Now, she enjoys travelingand writing aboutthe U.S. and Canada by train. 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. 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. 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. Our train arrives at 9am and cant check into the hotel until afternoon. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ). Several sub-neighborhoods within West Loop make this a unique neighborhood to visit. the two floored amtrak club accommodations are also nice. Kids' Activities Near Libertyville, Illinois. 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 Chicago Riverwalk runs along historic Wacker Drive from Lake Michigan west to Lake Street, with access at street level from each major intersection. Then we just sat and enjoyed the beauty of the Great Hall right at the train station. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. We were here to take the amtrak Texas Eagle for first time but this building is worth a visit either way. We went out to purchase our meals, and brought them back and ate them in comfort, while watching a huge TV. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Fulton Market, Randolph Market, Jackson Boulevard and Greek Town make up the West Loop. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41530204', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Wendella River/Lake tour. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Tickets are bought, but Im wondering if there are any ambulatory services available to take them to their train? 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. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. 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. 1200 W. Randolph Street, ~7-minute drive from Union Station. Interested in train travel? 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. Amentities? I'd really appreciate your help :). Yes, red caps service and handicapped transportation (wheel chairs or Tram carts) are available in the station. If travel is on your agenda, there are plenty of options. Chicago Transit Authority ('L' Trains & Buses) Greyhound; Other Transportation. Would never recommend, terrible. Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: Ride the Southwest Chief. Daily activities, such as the opportunity to meet a zoo animal and ape training sessions, teach children about the zoo's many residents. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. 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. You are using an out of date browser. It's well worth a trip to 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. With 90 minutes notice until the train departed, we were informed by text that our tickets would be cancelled and we would be refunded. Up to 48% Off Drive-Through Safari at Safari Lake Geneva. Belmont, Cta, or CTA - Chicago can be used for nearby transit. As I walked to the train tracks there was a little more activity but passage was restricted to ticket holders. 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. 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. 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. It was beautiful. We arrived early enough so I could wander around the Grand Hall and study everything. Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. $$ - $$$ 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. 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? 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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. 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. 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. How long would that take? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I think the Tribune Tower with its rocks from around the world is fascinating. I found the lounge to be an oasis. Bellemore's lunch menu is wildly underrated, which is great news for you, weary traveler. That space, which lives up to its name, boasts a 219-food-long barrel-vaulted skylight that acts as the ceiling for the room. Also Hemingway's house is there with a museum. Wendella water taxi to Michigan Avenue and then a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? More adventurous foodies will want to pad their schedules with time to explore the surrounding neighborhood for light bites and boozy drinks. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. Then, take a water taxi from the Madison St stop to Michigan Avenue, a nice way to see some of the buildings. After a remodel and renaming in 1967, Portillos now has 17 Chicago locations. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I use it always. 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. 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* 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. 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? What's the best way to see Union Station? 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! Photo Credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Tavarius / Shutterstock. Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. 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 The attached garage is best and less cost than hotel areas. Oops, forgot to tell you that the trip is in late December. Its a massive train station nearly the size of 10 city blocks and I felt lost. What else is there to do near Union Station? 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 . more. The train boards 1/2 hour before train time. Thanks so much! Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk and watch the kayaks and tour boats float by. Two things to see on Jackson Blvd other than Willis are The Federal Reserve Bank and the Chicago Board of Trade. Union Station. Not bad for a layover activity! more, Points of Interest & Landmarks Architectural Buildings. Go international with our nine tips for traveling Europe by rail. In the downtown area (The Loop) the pizza place listed in The Thousand Places To See Before You Die book is the Exchequer: http://www.exchequerpub.com/ (The name comes from the fact that it is next door to a law school.). Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, gives children and their families the opportunity to take an elevator to the tower's 103rd floor and experience a bird's-eye view of the city. 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 found 1,456 things to do for you near Union Station Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower 17,661 Reviews 233 S Wacker Drive entrance on Jackson Blvd (south side of building), Chicago, IL 60606-7147 7 minutes from Union Station Experiences from $11 See 39 Experiences Chicago Riverwalk 3,034 Reviews Chicago, IL 60601 7 minutes from Union Station @2023 Chicago Union Station. Thanks so much! Shallow: Great reminder. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41527197', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago. 2) You MUST walk over to Millennium Park and see the Bean and the Fountains. 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. Overall a nice place to visit or spend some extra time before or after your Amtrak or Metra train, the L or bus ride. 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 . 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. The Skydeck entrance is located on Franklin Street (the east side of the building). 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 While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. 45 Credits, One Popcorn, and One Fountain Drink for One Person.