things to do near union station chicago

I would recommend arriving 30 minutes early to Union Station at a minimum. Daily activities, such as the opportunity to meet a zoo animal and ape training sessions, teach children about the zoo's many residents. The Top 10 Things to Do Near Union Station, Chicago - Tripadvisor Today, the transportation hub runs Amtrak and Metra trains in and out of the city. 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? 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. 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. Top 10 Hotels Near Chicago Union Station from $76 | Expedia We are taking an Amtrak trip with a "layover" in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? What's the best way to see 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. They have free snacks, TV's, and comfy chairs. If you like art, you can visit the Chicago Art Museum and see among other. Users simply pick up a bike from a self-service docking station and return it to a station near their destination. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. I wasn't the only one there taking it all in. 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. Interesting how everyone still calls it the "Sears Tower". 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. 555 ratings. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. After a remodel and renaming in 1967, Portillos now has 17 Chicago locations. 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. I do wish they had clear marked parking for the facility. Yes, red caps service and handicapped transportation (wheel chairs or Tram carts) are available in the station. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. 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. 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. We never went anywhere by train. Millennium Park, The Art Institue and the Adler Planetarium are also on the trolley routes. The Skydeck entrance is located on Franklin Street (the east side of the building). Familiarize yourself with the Grand Hall and its location as this is where youll wait to board your connecting train. Try another? Amentities? It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. We went by Coach ride and were amazed at the leg room and comfortable atmosphere on the train. IlliniTrav: We were thinking of Greektown. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We followed the young generation and we felt that experience was amazing. If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. 12 Fun Metra Day Trips to Suburban Chicago Destinations - Time Out Chicago I was blessed to be born in the 80s, and grown up in the 90s, as a kid one of my favorite books (there was only 3 I was obsessed with) was The Polar Express I was a teenager when the movie with Tom Hanks came out in 2004. Bellemore. i need to know is there any place some one can wait if there lay over is after 12am? She didn't want to walk too far, so we took a cab over to Greektown and had a leisurely lunch at Greek Isles. $16.77 $12.00. Loading happens quickly and you should try to have luggage you can manage well and move quickly with. 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! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41530204', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Wendella River/Lake tour. What day of the week and what time of day is your layover? Sounds like a nice trip! We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. Her articles have been published on sites such as Goodkin, Go Green Street and Living the Healthy Way. Shedd Aquarium is one of the attractions for children near Union Station. 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. My aunt had a similar layover a few years ago. 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. People come from all over the world to take the train from Union Station. 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. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. The Polar Express journey begins with a visit to the Founders Room to collect our Golden Tickets. We always travel business class, so there is a nice lounge to take advantage of with free snacks and soft drinks. 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. I live in Chicago - Sears Tower, Greek Town for food are great ideas! Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. 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 . Go international with our nine tips for traveling Europe by rail. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Thanks so much! Thanks so much! This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. Passengers looking to grab a bite before taking off can expect airport-like fare including Nuts on Clark, Gold Coast Dogs, Robinson's No. 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-41529991', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Millennium Park and explore there. THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Union Station, Chicago, IL Travel + Trains. Chicago is an ideal city for a family vacation, featuring many attractions for young visitors to enjoy in all types of weather. Tickets are bought, but Im wondering if there are any ambulatory services available to take them to their train? These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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 Hop on board the Untouchable Tours Gangster Bus for the original Chicago gangster tour. Where to Go Near Union Station - Chicago Forum - Tripadvisor Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. 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. Luggage storage Union Station $6 / day | Bag Storage & Lockers 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. We arrived early enough so I could wander around the Grand Hall and study everything. Whetheryou're waiting on a train or passing through the building,you can't miss Union Station's crown jewel, the Great Hall. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Download a PDF of this 111 S. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. What else is there to do near Union Station? A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. 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. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University. I concur with the previous answer. This classic Chicago landmark opened in 1925 as a replacement for an 1881 train station. Chicago Amtrak Station. Heres amap to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty.Download aPDF of this map [link opens in anew window]. 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. 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. 376 N. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. I whiteness employees at the McDonalds twice a year giving these workers a hard time. http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html - a quick cab or bus ride. Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. 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. Clean restrooms. 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. 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. Just grab a RTA Visitior Transit Map and its all at your finger tips. One of the most beautiful stations in the United Stations, it opened in 1925 next to the Chicago Loop. You could visit the Art Institute if that's an interest. 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. Divvy, Chicago's bike-share program, offers over 580 stations and 5,800 bikes across the city, available for rent 24/7. 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. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. We will be arriving at about 3-4pm and leave at about 10pm. Drinks and snack items were offered. We were shuttled to our train car at the appropiate time, and helped with our luggage. All rights reserved. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. 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. Good Morning! I had the tickets and about to hang out for 6hours before ridding up to the train. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. Amata_(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Things to do around Union Station in Chicago - Trippy You have to walk slowly and just feel the history of the building seep into you. Wendella water taxi to Michigan Avenue and then a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Top 10 Things to Do Near Union Station, Chicago - Tripadvisor Having a compartment allows entry. 10Best Says. It is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from Union Station depending how fast or slow you walk. 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. Besides, Chicago is such a vibrant city; it would be a shame to pass through without taking in any of the sights and activities. Intersection of Clark and Ohio, ~9-minute drive from Union Station. All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. 1 Ribs and a bevy of fast food chains. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? The train boards 1/2 hour before train time. Do NOT forget the Peppers, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Tower, https://www.orderalsbeef.com/Media/Menus/adams%20web%20menu.pdf. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. There are cool boat tours up and down the Chicago River. 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 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 Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go This will be our 1st trip without kids in too many years to count, so we don't mind some splurges. If you have a lengthy layover and a love of food, this is the perfect Union Station layover activity for you. 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. Things To Do With Kids in Chicago | Groupon Established . Enjoy an immersive wine experience at City Winery. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Take a brisk walk to Portillos Hot Dogs for a classic Chicago hot dog. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. And Lou Mitchell's at 565 W. Jackson is walking distance. You are using an out of date browser. Based in Florida, Mandi Titus has been writing since 2002. Next to the Great Hall is the Metropolitan Lounge where we waited for our next train. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. A couple blocks away is the French market. 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. I use it always. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ). This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. We live in La Crosse, Wi. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? You can do more than merely catch a train at and near Chicago Union Station, such as: . Here you can be involved in the winemaking process from the crush and fermentation to the blend. The Chicago Riverwalk runs along historic Wacker Drive from Lake Michigan west to Lake Street, with access at street level from each major intersection. The last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing. Jill Dutton 5. But myself, I'd walk south on Michigan a few blocks to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. Along the Riverwalk, stop by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum. Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor These cruises sell out quickly, so consider purchasing tickets in advance. My luggage like a giant, it's 30inches. We usually take Amtrak to Chicago from Jackson Mi. 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 will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. the two floored amtrak club accommodations are also nice. The Best Luggage Storage in Chicago | $5.90 / Day | Bounce Check with your hotel to see if they will hold your luggage until check-in. Study the map before taking off on a train trip with a Chicago layover. The Great Hall with its soaring glass ceilings was quite spectacular. Our train arrives at 9am and cant check into the hotel until afternoon. 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 Field Museum is home to Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex and a range of other child-friendly exhibits, including the Underground Adventure, where children get the opportunity to experience life as a bug, and the Inside Ancient Egypt exhibit, focusing on Egyptian life, including mummies and tombs.The museum's Crown Family PlayLab gives young children the opportunity to explore their own exhibit, featuring hands-on attractions designed just for them. If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting.