As I walked to the train tracks there was a little more activity but passage was restricted to ticket holders. Sounds like a nice trip! Open since 1925, Union Station remains Chicago's intercity rail terminal and the largest terminal for commuter trains. Daily activities, such as the opportunity to meet a zoo animal and ape training sessions, teach children about the zoo's many residents. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. Intersection of Clark and Ohio, ~9-minute drive from Union Station. lol. Other child-friendly accommodations include family bathrooms and ramps designed for easy stroller maneuverability. On Second Citys three-hour foodie tour, youll sample classic Chicago tastes. I would recommend arriving 30 minutes early to Union Station at a minimum. You can't help but look up and around. 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. What day of the week and what time of day is your layover? Open 7 days a week Union Station closes daily between 1am-5am. Readers of her USA by Rail blog have come to expect an intimate look at authentic experiences. 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? The last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing. 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. Two things to see on Jackson Blvd other than Willis are The Federal Reserve Bank and the Chicago Board of Trade. Union Station Train Travel. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. A couple blocks away is the French market. There's a bunch of touristy stuff to do near that area. Dirty, dark & creepy. 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. Thanks for subscribing! Check with your hotel to see if they will hold your luggage until check-in. It was late only 12 minutes from La Crosse and making it on time to Union Station, Chicago. The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . 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. Also Hemingway's house is there with a museum. Would definitely want to wait in the Metropolitan again if given the opportunity. I wasn't the only one there taking it all in. I whiteness employees at the McDonalds twice a year giving these workers a hard time. I've not been to the museum, but the Wright homes are gorgeous. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Even if you're not catching a train to anywhere, you really need to just step into this building and feel the history. If you have a lengthy layover and a love of food, this is the perfect Union Station layover activity for you. You feel the pain. 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 To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. $$ - $$$ 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. All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. 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 . 255 South Canal StreetChicago, Illinois 60606, Open 7 days a weekUnion Station closes dailybetween 1am-5am. I found the lounge to be an oasis. Divvy, Chicago's bike-share program, offers over 580 stations and 5,800 bikes across the city, available for rent 24/7. After a remodel and renaming in 1967, Portillos now has 17 Chicago locations. 45 Credits, One Popcorn, and One Fountain Drink for One Person. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Tickets are bought, but Im wondering if there are any ambulatory services available to take them to their train? =). I'm going to look in to that too. These are free. Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? 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. Do you need to book in advance to visit Union Station? If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting. Also located on the north side of the city is the Lincoln Park Zoo. 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. 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Then walk or cab back to the train station. Is the Metropolitan Lounge in full operation, that is, as it was before Covid reductions? Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. My luggage like a giant, it's 30inches. 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. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. Would never recommend, terrible. 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. 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. Interested in Chicagos diverse and iconic architecture? more. 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. Chicago was most recently updated with new tips on June 28, 2017. Sears sold it years ago and it has been the "Willis Tower" for quite some time. Chicago Amtrak Station. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Other Attractions in Chicago. Take a brisk walk to Portillos Hot Dogs for a classic Chicago hot dog. Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: Ride the Southwest Chief. We arrived early enough so I could wander around the Grand Hall and study everything. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. We got there at the 30 minute mark and over 200 people were in line for our train. If you like art, you can visit the Chicago Art Museum and see among other. Bellemore's lunch menu is wildly underrated, which is great news for you, weary traveler. i need to know is there any place some one can wait if there lay over is after 12am? Oops, forgot to tell you that the trip is in late December. Grab some Giordino's Pizza and you won't need to eat on the train for a week! The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. Rmrmber to be back at the station one hour before train time to check in with the Conductor and get your Boarding Pass. Besides, Chicago is such a vibrant city; it would be a shame to pass through without taking in any of the sights and activities. The staff there are super helpful and can show you where to take luggage. One of the most beautiful stations in the United Stations, it opened in 1925 next to the Chicago Loop. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? Whetheryou're waiting on a train or passing through the building,you can't miss Union Station's crown jewel, the Great Hall. 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. I use it always. You could visit the Art Institute if that's an interest. Youll meet at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. The attached garage is best and less cost than hotel areas. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Today, the transportation hub runs Amtrak and Metra trains in and out of the city. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Belmont, Cta, or CTA - Chicago can be used for nearby transit. Users simply pick up a bike from a self-service docking station and return it to a station near their destination. Here's a map to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty. We recommend booking Union Station tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Thanks so much! 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