You feel the pain. You can do more than merely catch a train at and near Chicago Union Station, such as: . Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! 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. Chicago Attractions | Amtrak Once I get to the station, where do I go? Location Provided With Ticket Purchase, ~10-minute drive from Union Station. I'm going to look in to that too. That space, which lives up to its name, boasts a 219-food-long barrel-vaulted skylight that acts as the ceiling for the room. 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. more. We were here to take the amtrak Texas Eagle for first time but this building is worth a visit either way. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. 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. Sounds like a nice trip! 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 the United States. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. Once youre comfortable getting around the station, its time to check your bags for your day in Chicago. Where in Union Station do I catch the Amtrak to Princeton, IL? Union Station and the Metropolitan Lounge. It was late only 12 minutes from La Crosse and making it on time to Union Station, Chicago. Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture, and landscape design. There is also the free trolley to some of the shopping areas such as State Street and Navy Pier. 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 After a remodel and renaming in 1967, Portillos now has 17 Chicago locations. Look for the blue awning marking the stairway entrance. 1200 W. Randolph Street, ~7-minute drive from Union Station. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Dining, Retail & Amenities | Chicago Union Station Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? Study the map before taking off on a train trip with a Chicago layover. Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Things to do around Union Station in Chicago - Trippy Along the Riverwalk, stop by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum. Randlin: Oh the Exchequer sounds grea!. Does the train station provide any baggage storage lockers so that we could visit Willis tower without toting our bags? I had the tickets and about to hang out for 6hours before ridding up to the train. =) Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 12 replies Sorted by 1 2 Dave148 Illinois Destination Expert 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. Drinks and snack items were offered. You have to walk slowly and just feel the history of the building seep into you. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. Bellemore. If you like art, you can visit the Chicago Art Museum and see among other. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. What else is there to do near Union Station? Second City one of the world's premier improv comedy theatres has been delighting audiences for more than 50 years. Maybe it was a quiet weekend or time of day but very little people were walking through or sitting on any of the benches. People come from all over the world to take the train from Union Station. Union Station Train Travel. 28% discount_off. THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Union Station, Chicago - Tripadvisor Next to the Great Hall is the Metropolitan Lounge where we waited for our next train. Founded by Michael Dorf, City Winery is a unique facility that combines a fully functioning winery with intimate concerts, food and wine classes, and private events in their working winery. The station used to be a grungy zoo but over the past few years they have made some updates. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. The Polar Express journey begins with a visit to the Founders Room to collect our Golden Tickets. Chicago Union Station Luggage Storage | Bounce | $5.90 / Day | Book Open since 1925, Union Station remains Chicago's intercity rail terminal and the largest terminal for commuter trains. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This will be our 1st trip without kids in too many years to count, so we don't mind some splurges. So when it was in the school library it was still fairly new. What's the best way to see Union Station? Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? The actual book was published a year before I was born. Amata_(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Great breakfasts! They even texted me when the room was ready and allowed me to check in at noon with no additional charge. A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. Loading happens quickly and you should try to have luggage you can manage well and move quickly with. The Best Luggage Storage in Chicago | $5.90 / Day | Bounce We loved it and looking forward to going back to La Crosse with Amtrak, of course. Top 10 Hotels Near Chicago Union Station from $76 | Expedia IlliniTrav: We were thinking of Greektown. If you'd like to shop, walk north on Michigan (the "Magnificent Mile" area of high end stores). Hi, just want to check if the luggage storage is still available currently. It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. THE 10 BEST Restaurants Near Union Station in Chicago, IL - Tripadvisor We never went anywhere by train. Two things to see on Jackson Blvd other than Willis are The Federal Reserve Bank and the Chicago Board of Trade. 45 Credits, One Popcorn, and One Fountain Drink for One Person. Fulton Market, Randolph Market, Jackson Boulevard and Greek Town make up the West Loop. Interested in Chicagos diverse and iconic architecture? She didn't want to walk too far, so we took a cab over to Greektown and had a leisurely lunch at Greek Isles. As I walked to the train tracks there was a little more activity but passage was restricted to ticket holders. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Daily activities, such as the opportunity to meet a zoo animal and ape training sessions, teach children about the zoo's many residents. 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. Shedd Aquarium is one of the attractions for children near Union Station. The last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing. Complete Station Map | Chicago 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. The main attraction Whether you're waiting on a train or passing through. I do wish they had clear marked parking for the facility. Take a brisk walk to Portillos Hot Dogs for a classic Chicago hot dog. 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. The Lincoln Park Zoo offers free daily admission to all visitors. 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. You could visit the Art Institute if that's an interest. Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk and watch the kayaks and tour boats float by. It's less than half a mile from Union Station. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. 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 . Millennium Park RickMP: The water taxi & lake tour sounds interesting. $16.77 $12.00. Things To Do With Kids in Chicago | Groupon Then walk or cab back to the train station. Everyone's suggestions are really good. 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. Readers of her USA by Rail blog have come to expect an intimate look at authentic experiences. 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. We got there at the 30 minute mark and over 200 people were in line for our train. Interested in train travel? JavaScript is disabled. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. 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. 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 . Sears sold it years ago and it has been the "Willis Tower" for quite some time. Other Attractions in Chicago. Explore different ways to experience this place. 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. Familiarize yourself with the Grand Hall and its location as this is where youll wait to board your connecting train. All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. Clean restrooms. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. 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? I too sometimes call it the Sears Tower in a weak moment. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I use it always. Kids' Attractions Near Union Station, Chicago, Illinois It was beautiful. Kids of all ages and. Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. There's a bunch of touristy stuff to do near that area. 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. 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. 12 Fun Metra Day Trips to Suburban Chicago Destinations - Time Out Chicago 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 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Amtrak; Metra Commuter Rail; Transfer Options. Travel + Trains. The Skydeck entrance is located on Franklin Street (the east side of the building). Luggage storage Union Station $6 / day | Bag Storage & Lockers Then we just sat and enjoyed the beauty of the Great Hall right at the train station. If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting. 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. Download a PDF of this These are free. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. I live in Chicago - Sears Tower, Greek Town for food are great ideas! We are taking an Amtrak trip with a "layover" in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Thanks for subscribing! 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. Reddit - Dive into anything I whiteness employees at the McDonalds twice a year giving these workers a hard time. The staff there are super helpful and can show you where to take luggage. Is there wheelchair assistance available at Union Station? Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go 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 1,458 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 Kids are able to observe a wide range of animals, including antelopes, lions, seals, tigers, wallabies and zebras. Grab some Giordino's Pizza and you won't need to eat on the train for a week! 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? Where to Go Near Union Station - Chicago Forum - Tripadvisor Older children, taller than 55 inches, are also able to participate in the aquarium's behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee. Oops, forgot to tell you that the trip is in late December. Can someone please tell me the process to board the train? Find Divvy locations and rates. Chicago is an ideal city for a family vacation, featuring many attractions for young visitors to enjoy in all types of weather. I am traveling from Chicago to NY on the Lake Shore LTD and I've never used Amtrak before (i'm coming from New Zealand). 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. 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. My luggage like a giant, it's 30inches. 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? 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Having a compartment allows entry. =). They have free snacks, TV's, and comfy chairs. Several sub-neighborhoods within West Loop make this a unique neighborhood to visit. Millennium Park, The Art Institue and the Adler Planetarium are also on the trolley routes. One of the most beautiful stations in the United Stations, it opened in 1925 next to the Chicago Loop. I am bringing 2 elderly people (89 and 84) in late August for a trip to Seattle. Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. Shallow: Great reminder. Her articles have been published on sites such as Goodkin, Go Green Street and Living the Healthy Way. You are using an out of date browser. If you are looking for a good place for a sit down dinner. 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. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. You have the Sears Tower couple of blocks away. Rmrmber to be back at the station one hour before train time to check in with the Conductor and get your Boarding Pass. There are cool boat tours up and down the Chicago River. Grab a seat at the bar and order the "Fire-Bird" chicken sandwich, which is stacked with . We always travel business class, so there is a nice lounge to take advantage of with free snacks and soft drinks. A couple blocks away is the French market. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The station is huge and has many gorgeous areas. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Photo Credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Tavarius / Shutterstock.