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. I wasn't the only one there taking it all in. While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. Trains board quickly. 555 ratings. 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. 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. You could visit the Art Institute if that's an interest. $$ - $$$ 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. 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. We are taking an Amtrak trip with a "layover" in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Restaurants near Union Station 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606-5702 Read Reviews of Union Station Sponsored JoJo's Shake Bar - River North 27 reviews 23 W Hubbard St "JoJo's Doesn't Disappoint" 02/26/2023 "Best boozy milkshakes! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. Alternatively, you may use, Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels in Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton Hotels in Chicago, Hotels near Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, Hotels near Museum of Science and Industry, Restaurants near Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop, Restaurants near Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown West Loop, Restaurants near La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Downtown, Restaurants near Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown, an IHG Hotel, Restaurants near Corporate Suites Network at Presidential Towers, Restaurants near Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Loop, Restaurants near Hyatt Place Chicago / Downtown - The Loop, Restaurants near Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Central Loop, Restaurants near Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, Restaurants near Old St. Patrick's Church, Restaurants near Chicago Prohibition Tours, Restaurants near Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank, Restaurants near Columbia College Chicago, Restaurants near Loyola University Chicago, Restaurants near Chicago State University, Restaurants near Northeastern Illinois University, Restaurants near University of Illinois at Chicago, Restaurants near National Louis University, Restaurants near Illinois Institute of Technology. Clean restrooms. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. The station is huge and has many gorgeous areas. 111 S. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Older children, taller than 55 inches, are also able to participate in the aquarium's behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee. Hi, just want to check if the luggage storage is still available currently. Our train arrives at 9am and cant check into the hotel until afternoon. These cruises sell out quickly, so consider purchasing tickets in advance. 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 . Chicago Union Station is the size of nearly 10 city blocks, is the third-busiest rail terminal in the United States, and is Amtraks overall fourth busiest station, serving about 140,000 passengers on an average weekday. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The staff there are super helpful and can show you where to take luggage. Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. What day of the week and what time of day is your layover? 376 N. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Any of the architecture tours are just amazing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University. 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 were here to take the amtrak Texas Eagle for first time but this building is worth a visit either way. 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. The Shedd Aquarium puts kids face-to-face with more than 32,000 animals. Daily activities, such as the opportunity to meet a zoo animal and ape training sessions, teach children about the zoo's many residents. Jill Dutton 5. Maybe it was a quiet weekend or time of day but very little people were walking through or sitting on any of the benches. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. If you are looking for a good place for a sit down dinner. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Hi. The architecture of the Great Hall is worth seeing. Enjoy an immersive wine experience at City Winery. 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. Photo Credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Tavarius / Shutterstock. On the south side of town the Willis Tower . more. Thanks for subscribing! It was beautiful. Look for the blue awning marking the stairway entrance. 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 Chicago Union Station is the size of nearly 10 city blocks, is the third-busiest rail terminal in the United States, and is Amtrak's overall fourth busiest station, serving about 140,000 passengers on an average weekday. Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. Other Attractions in Chicago. Things to See and Do near Chicago Union Station What to See near Chicago Union Station Millennium Park McCormick Place Wrigley Field Willis Tower Chicago Riverwalk Things to Do near Chicago Union Station Navy Pier Art Institute of Chicago Michigan Avenue Civic Opera House Cadillac Palace Theatre Keep exploring Neighborhoods Landmarks Nearby cities The actual book was published a year before I was born. 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. Grab a seat at the bar and order the "Fire-Bird" chicken sandwich, which is stacked with . 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. There is also the free trolley to some of the shopping areas such as State Street and Navy Pier. 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! more. My luggage like a giant, it's 30inches. Bellemore. They even texted me when the room was ready and allowed me to check in at noon with no additional charge. Whetheryou're waiting on a train or passing through the building,you can't miss Union Station's crown jewel, the Great Hall. Even if you're not catching a train to anywhere, you really need to just step into this building and feel the history. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You may have to clomb narrow stairs to board the train. Thanks so much! I live in Chicago - Sears Tower, Greek Town for food are great ideas! 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. 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? Also located on the north side of the city is the Lincoln Park Zoo. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Is there wheelchair assistance available at Union Station? Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ). How long would that take? Then we just sat and enjoyed the beauty of the Great Hall right at the train station. We will be arriving at about 3-4pm and leave at about 10pm. Several sub-neighborhoods within West Loop make this a unique neighborhood to visit. Established . Tickets are bought, but Im wondering if there are any ambulatory services available to take them to their train? Good Morning! Now, she enjoys travelingand writing aboutthe U.S. and Canada by train. Union Station is an iconic building and a marvel of modern transportation for nearly a century. Check with your hotel to see if they will hold your luggage until check-in. Familiarize yourself with the Grand Hall and its location as this is where youll wait to board your connecting train. i need to know is there any place some one can wait if there lay over is after 12am? We went out to purchase our meals, and brought them back and ate them in comfort, while watching a huge TV. What else is there to do near Union Station? 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. Then walk or cab back to the train station. Dirty, dark & creepy. 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. Chicago is an ideal city for a family vacation, featuring many attractions for young visitors to enjoy in all types of weather. =). 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. Everything you need to know about visiting Union Station(225 S Canal St, Chicago IL 60606). Take a brisk walk to Portillos Hot Dogs for a classic Chicago hot dog. All rights reserved. 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. You can't help but look up and around. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. Union Station Train Travel. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? The tour guides are actors who take on the personas of 1920s gangsters. JavaScript is disabled. Children and their families are able to see dolphins and beluga whales perform during daily shows, learn about animals living in ocean reefs during narrated dives, pet animals such as snakes, turtles and tarantulas during scheduled animal encounters and spend time observing animals, including otters, penguins and whales. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Download a PDF of this Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. It's less than half a mile from Union Station. 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. Its a massive train station nearly the size of 10 city blocks and I felt lost. Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. The main attraction Whether you're waiting on a train or passing through. I concur with the previous answer. Explore different ways to experience this place. Passengers looking to grab a bite before taking off can expect airport-like fare including Nuts on Clark, Gold Coast Dogs, Robinson's No. Step foot near Union Station during rush hour, and you'll witness how many Chicagoans depend on Metra and Amtrak trains to get them in and out of the city. Shedd Aquarium is one of the attractions for children near Union Station. Lou Mitchell's looks fun. This will be our 1st trip without kids in too many years to count, so we don't mind some splurges. If it were me, being the kind of person that doesn't like to spend a lot of money and enjoys walking, I would head east towards (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Rmrmber to be back at the station one hour before train time to check in with the Conductor and get your Boarding Pass. Her articles have been published on sites such as Goodkin, Go Green Street and Living the Healthy Way. 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. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. Besides, Chicago is such a vibrant city; it would be a shame to pass through without taking in any of the sights and activities. All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. Inside the station, be sure to take in the Grand Staircases in the Great Hall, made famous by the movie The Untouchables. lol. 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. It was late only 12 minutes from La Crosse and making it on time to Union Station, Chicago. What else is there to do near Union Station? Here you can be involved in the winemaking process from the crush and fermentation to the blend. Today, the transportation hub runs Amtrak and Metra trains in and out of the city. We already have this email. Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: Ride the Southwest Chief. 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People come from all over the world to take the train from Union Station. 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. Along the Riverwalk, stop by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum. Oops, forgot to tell you that the trip is in late December. Other child-friendly accommodations include family bathrooms and ramps designed for easy stroller maneuverability. The Gage opens at 10. I would recommend arriving 30 minutes early to Union Station at a minimum. Is it generally safe to walk from union station to millennium park during the day on the weekend? Also Hemingway's house is there with a museum. Interested in train travel? 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. I've not been to the museum, but the Wright homes are gorgeous. Sears sold it years ago and it has been the "Willis Tower" for quite some time. Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. W1612 Litchfield Rd, Lake Geneva. 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. Wendella water taxi to Michigan Avenue and then a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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 Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Amata_(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Millennium Park, The Art Institue and the Adler Planetarium are also on the trolley routes. 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. As a frequent train traveler located in Kansas City, I often pass through Chicago to get to my final destination. Dave148: We were thinking of breakfast. 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. A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. Film buffs will recognize the Great Hall from its appearances in movies like The Untouchables, My Best Friend's Weddingand Flags of Our Fathers, among others. It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. 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 Millennium Park Interesting how everyone still calls it the "Sears Tower". 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? Study the map before taking off on a train trip with a Chicago layover. My aunt had a similar layover a few years ago. 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. I did pass by a number of plaques (National Historic Railroad Landmarks, Great Public Spaces and American Institute of Architecture) recognizing the importance of this Station. Taxis; Rideshare; Bike Share; Hop on board the Untouchable Tours Gangster Bus for the original Chicago gangster tour. 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. 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. Specialties: We are proud to bring together a unique collection of local vendors that were hand selected for their individual passions and high-quality products. Loading happens quickly and you should try to have luggage you can manage well and move quickly with. We live in La Crosse, Wi. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. You could go to the Sears tower or go to millennium park to see the bean or the magnificent mile. 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. If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. We always travel business class, so there is a nice lounge to take advantage of with free snacks and soft drinks. As a Kansas City expert, Jills travel guide, The Best of Kansas City: 3-Day Itinerary, launched number one in its category on Amazon. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. We arrived early enough so I could wander around the Grand Hall and study everything. 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. more. If you like art, you can visit the Chicago Art Museum and see among other. 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. =). more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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* Things to Do at and near Union Station. We got there at the 30 minute mark and over 200 people were in line for our train. Not an ideal way to spend a layover. More adventurous foodies will want to pad their schedules with time to explore the surrounding neighborhood for light bites and boozy drinks. Not bad for a layover activity! =) Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 12 replies Sorted by 1 2 Dave148 Illinois Destination Expert Amentities? more, Points of Interest & Landmarks Architectural Buildings. The Windy City is more than just big sports stadiums and amazing museums.
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