Take a brisk walk to Portillos Hot Dogs for a classic Chicago hot dog. Even if you're not catching a train to anywhere, you really need to just step into this building and feel the history. 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 We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. 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. We did walk it once because we were dropped off at the wrong station. 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. 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. 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. I use it always. Check with your hotel to see if they will hold your luggage until check-in. The attached garage is best and less cost than hotel areas. more, Points of Interest & Landmarks Architectural Buildings. We never went anywhere by train. 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. If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? Chicago was most recently updated with new tips on June 28, 2017. Millennium Park Originally a tiny hotdog stand called The Dog House, this relic was opened by Dick Portillo in 1963. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g1-i12483-Train_Travel.html, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. 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. Do NOT forget the Peppers, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Tower, https://www.orderalsbeef.com/Media/Menus/adams%20web%20menu.pdf. http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html - a quick cab or bus ride. I think the Tribune Tower with its rocks from around the world is fascinating. 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 . Oops, forgot to tell you that the trip is in late December. One of the most beautiful stations in the United Stations, it opened in 1925 next to the Chicago Loop. more. I am bringing 2 elderly people (89 and 84) in late August for a trip to Seattle. lol. There's a bunch of touristy stuff to do near that area. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 10Best Says. Bellemore. Also Hemingway's house is there with a museum. 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. 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. Other Attractions in Chicago. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? We will be arriving at about 3-4pm and leave at about 10pm. You are using an out of date browser. Metra services areas like Wheaton, Barrington, Winnetka and Homewood, while Amtrak connects passengers to Denver, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, New York and othercities across the country. Two things to see on Jackson Blvd other than Willis are The Federal Reserve Bank and the Chicago Board of Trade. These cruises sell out quickly, so consider purchasing tickets in advance. There are cool boat tours up and down the Chicago River. Intersection of Clark and Ohio, ~9-minute drive from Union Station. We recommend booking Union Station tours ahead of time to secure your spot. 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. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. 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 second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. Users simply pick up a bike from a self-service docking station and return it to a station near their destination. All rights reserved. I live in Chicago - Sears Tower, Greek Town for food are great ideas! Hi. 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 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 food area was currently closed due to COVID but later an employee came around and offered to get us sodas, snacks, etc., from a list he said was available. Maybe it was a quiet weekend or time of day but very little people were walking through or sitting on any of the benches. Drive-Through Safari Adventure for 1 Adult (age 16+) Up to 35% Off on Arcade at Galaxi Fun Zone. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. 4.6. You can do more than merely catch a train at and near Chicago Union Station, such as: . $16.77 $12.00. They have free snacks, TV's, and comfy chairs. 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? Now, she enjoys travelingand writing aboutthe U.S. and Canada by train. While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. She didn't want to walk too far, so we took a cab over to Greektown and had a leisurely lunch at Greek Isles. Readers of her USA by Rail blog have come to expect an intimate look at authentic experiences. Our train arrives at 9am and cant check into the hotel until afternoon. 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. If you have a lengthy layover and a love of food, this is the perfect Union Station layover activity for you. On Second Citys three-hour foodie tour, youll sample classic Chicago tastes. 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. 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. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University. The Gage opens at 10. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41527197', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago. Chicagos Union Station is the third-busiest rail station in the U.S., with about 140,000 passengers passing through each day. The interior of the building is a classic, with the iconic stairway, the Great Hall and the glass ceilings. Download a PDF of this Get the Divvy app: Android and iOS. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Passengers looking to grab a bite before taking off can expect airport-like fare including Nuts on Clark, Gold Coast Dogs, Robinson's No. 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 youre comfortable getting around the station, its time to check your bags for your day in Chicago. Thanks for subscribing! Photo Credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Tavarius / Shutterstock. Other child-friendly accommodations include family bathrooms and ramps designed for easy stroller maneuverability. After a remodel and renaming in 1967, Portillos now has 17 Chicago locations. Just grab a RTA Visitior Transit Map and its all at your finger tips. 376 N. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from 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 . This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. Kids of all ages and. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. With 90 minutes notice until the train departed, we were informed by text that our tickets would be cancelled and we would be refunded. 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Spend part of your layover on the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise. The Chicago Riverwalk runs along historic Wacker Drive from Lake Michigan west to Lake Street, with access at street level from each major intersection. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. The Lincoln Park Zoo offers free daily admission to all visitors. I too sometimes call it the Sears Tower in a weak moment. 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. Chicago is an ideal city for a family vacation, featuring many attractions for young visitors to enjoy in all types of weather. So callous and unapologetic in completely ruining part of our Christmas experience. 1200 W. Randolph Street, ~7-minute drive from Union Station. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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 This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . No later train option, no accommodation, only that we would have a chance to ride AFTER Christmas. Sounds like a nice trip! Dj vu! Would definitely want to wait in the Metropolitan again if given the opportunity. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. 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. 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? These are free. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Shedd Aquarium puts kids face-to-face with more than 32,000 animals. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. Here's a map to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty. 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. The tour guides are actors who take on the personas of 1920s gangsters. Amtrak trains on many different routes arrive and depart from the Chicago Union Station at 225 S Canal Street. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. Hop on board the Untouchable Tours Gangster Bus for the original Chicago gangster tour. more. 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. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? 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. Amtrak; Metra Commuter Rail; Transfer Options. Randlin: Oh the Exchequer sounds grea!. You have to walk slowly and just feel the history of the building seep into you. Along the Riverwalk, stop by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum. 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. Kids' Activities Near Libertyville, Illinois. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Open since 1925, Union Station remains Chicago's intercity rail terminal and the largest terminal for commuter trains. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. I had the tickets and about to hang out for 6hours before ridding up to the train. Then we just sat and enjoyed the beauty of the Great Hall right at the train station. W1612 Litchfield Rd, Lake Geneva. You may have to clomb narrow stairs to board the train. If you are looking for a good place for a sit down dinner. Union Station Train Travel. IlliniTrav: We were thinking of Greektown. 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. Great breakfasts! Amata_(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I concur with the previous answer. JavaScript is disabled. Here is what I would do: if you want to eat right away, breakfast at Lou Mitchell's is a good choice. 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. 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. We went out to purchase our meals, and brought them back and ate them in comfort, while watching a huge TV. 520 W. Taylor Street, ~13-minute walk or 4-minute drive from Union Station. Union Station and the Metropolitan Lounge. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. Thank you so much for all the great suggestions & tips. 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Clean restrooms. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. I whiteness employees at the McDonalds twice a year giving these workers a hard time. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. Drinks and snack items were offered. We already have this email. Inside the station, be sure to take in the Grand Staircases in the Great Hall, made famous by the movie The Untouchables. What's the best way to see Union Station? Interested in Chicagos diverse and iconic architecture? We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. RickMP: The water taxi & lake tour sounds interesting. I do wish they had clear marked parking for the facility. 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. The last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing. !" 11/06/2022 Cuisines: Bar Diner Pub Find a table Pret A Manger Be the first to review this restaurant 225 S Canal St Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture, and landscape design. 28% discount_off. On the Mezzanine level there were some fast food options like Starbucks, Jersey Mikes. Shedd Aquarium is one of the attractions for children near Union Station. 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. Interesting how everyone still calls it the "Sears Tower". 111 S. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. The Neoclassic exterior is dominated by the colonnades. 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. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. As I walked to the train tracks there was a little more activity but passage was restricted to ticket holders. 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. Grab some Giordino's Pizza and you won't need to eat on the train for a week! i need to know is there any place some one can wait if there lay over is after 12am? Open 7 days a week Union Station closes daily between 1am-5am. The Skydeck entrance is located on Franklin Street (the east side of the building). 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Interested in train travel? Daily activities, such as the opportunity to meet a zoo animal and ape training sessions, teach children about the zoo's many residents. Find Divvy locations and rates. 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