Bellemore. Chicago around Union station - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums You have to walk slowly and just feel the history of the building seep into you. Besides, Chicago is such a vibrant city; it would be a shame to pass through without taking in any of the sights and activities. A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. 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. You could go to the Sears tower or go to millennium park to see the bean or the magnificent mile. As a frequent train traveler located in Kansas City, I often pass through Chicago to get to my final destination. 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. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. Union Station Train Travel. Youll enjoy 360-degree views that span up to 50 miles and four states. Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Heres amap to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty.Download aPDF of this map [link opens in anew window]. It's well worth a trip to Chicago. December can be miserable in Chicago--really miserable. So when it was in the school library it was still fairly new. Overall a nice place to visit or spend some extra time before or after your Amtrak or Metra train, the L or bus ride. 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. One of the most beautiful stations in the United Stations, it opened in 1925 next to the Chicago Loop. Other Attractions in Chicago. 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. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. 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. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. Our Chicagoeditorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of Chicagoat your fingertips. 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 The last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing. Youll hear about the 1920s and 30s in Chicago, learn about the exploits of famous gangsters, and view the sites of the St. Valentines Day Massacre, plus the Biograph Theatre and Holy Name Cathedral. 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). People come from all over the world to take the train from Union Station. 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. First time I opened this book I remembered it, looking at the beautiful artwork, I wanted to be one of the kids on the Polar Express. Everything you need to know about visiting Union Station(225 S Canal St, Chicago IL 60606). Considering this was a large transportation hub there was a lot of available metered street parking right along the street. Enjoy an immersive wine experience at City Winery. While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. Kids of all ages and. Go international with our nine tips for traveling Europe by rail. We went out to purchase our meals, and brought them back and ate them in comfort, while watching a huge TV. 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. The Lincoln Park Zoo offers free daily admission to all visitors. On Second Citys three-hour foodie tour, youll sample classic Chicago tastes. 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. Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: Ride the Southwest Chief. Open since 1925, Union Station remains Chicago's intercity rail terminal and the largest terminal for commuter trains. It was late only 12 minutes from La Crosse and making it on time to Union Station, Chicago. That space, which lives up to its name, boasts a 219-food-long barrel-vaulted skylight that acts as the ceiling for the room. Bellemore's lunch menu is wildly underrated, which is great news for you, weary traveler. Taxis; Rideshare; Bike Share; Once youre comfortable getting around the station, its time to check your bags for your day in Chicago. 255 South Canal StreetChicago, Illinois 60606, Open 7 days a weekUnion Station closes dailybetween 1am-5am. 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Chicagos Union Station is the third-busiest rail station in the U.S., with about 140,000 passengers passing through each day. Multiple ziplines, climbing walls, a mountain bike course, hiking trails and more await you at The Forge: Lemont Quarries, a 300-acre recreation area stocked with just about every outdoor activity. 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. Drive-Through Safari Adventure for 1 Adult (age 16+) Up to 35% Off on Arcade at Galaxi Fun Zone. Intersection of Clark and Ohio, ~9-minute drive from Union Station. The tunnel from Union Station to Northwestern Station. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. As a Kansas City expert, Jills travel guide, The Best of Kansas City: 3-Day Itinerary, launched number one in its category on Amazon. Older children, taller than 55 inches, are also able to participate in the aquarium's behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee. Chicago Transit Authority ('L' Trains & Buses) Greyhound; Other Transportation. 3. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. 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! It's a building that fits the purpose in a visually pleasing way: very comfortable inside with more than a few places to eat in the food court. Hop on board the Untouchable Tours Gangster Bus for the original Chicago gangster tour. 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606-5702 Neighbourhood: West Loop Fulton Market, Randolph Market, Jackson Boulevard and Greek Town make up the West Loop. 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 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 Get the Divvy app: Android and iOS. They have free snacks, TV's, and comfy chairs. Today, the transportation hub runs Amtrak and Metra trains in and out of the city. Things To Do Near Union Station Chicago? | Page 4 | Amtrak Unlimited Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. After a remodel and renaming in 1967, Portillos now has 17 Chicago locations. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Spend part of your layover on the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise. Kids' Attractions Near Union Station, Chicago, Illinois I live in Chicago - Sears Tower, Greek Town for food are great ideas! Maybe it was a quiet weekend or time of day but very little people were walking through or sitting on any of the benches. The Best Luggage Storage in Chicago | $5.90 / Day | Bounce In the downtown area (The Loop) the pizza place listed in The Thousand Places To See Before You Die book is the Exchequer: http://www.exchequerpub.com/ (The name comes from the fact that it is next door to a law school.). 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 have a lengthy layover and a love of food, this is the perfect Union Station layover activity for you. The Top 10 Things to Do Near Union Station, Chicago - Tripadvisor Dj vu! Download a PDF of this There are cool boat tours up and down the Chicago River. Thanks so much! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41527197', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Chicago. 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. http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html, http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/19923. Trains board quickly. I do wish they had clear marked parking for the facility. The artwork was eye pleasing and there are windows to look out to the Great Hall. 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 . The Great Hall with its soaring glass ceilings was quite spectacular. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. The interior of the building is a classic, with the iconic stairway, the Great Hall and the glass ceilings. 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 Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! 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 attached garage is best and less cost than hotel areas. I use it always. Would never recommend, terrible. 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. lol. The train boards 1/2 hour before train time. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Does the train station provide any baggage storage lockers so that we could visit Willis tower without toting our bags? Study the map before taking off on a train trip with a Chicago layover. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia. 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. Dirty, dark & creepy. Lou Mitchell's looks fun. Passengers looking to grab a bite before taking off can expect airport-like fare including Nuts on Clark, Gold Coast Dogs, Robinson's No. Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. Walk from the Gold Coast neighborhood to Old Town with a guided tour of the local architecture while sampling mom and pop specialty food items along the way. Acquainting yourself with the layout of the station ahead of time will help. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. 45 Credits, One Popcorn, and One Fountain Drink for One Person. Is it generally safe to walk from union station to millennium park during the day on the weekend? Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. 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. Users simply pick up a bike from a self-service docking station and return it to a station near their destination. Daily activities, such as the opportunity to meet a zoo animal and ape training sessions, teach children about the zoo's many residents. What else is there to do near Union Station? Chicago is an ideal city for a family vacation, featuring many attractions for young visitors to enjoy in all types of weather. With 90 minutes notice until the train departed, we were informed by text that our tickets would be cancelled and we would be refunded. 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. 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. Youll find restaurants and concessions during the summer months, plus benches and lookout points, boat rentals, and water tours. I'd really appreciate your help :). They may serve their brunch menu on Saturdays as well, not sure. If your timing is right, you can take part in neighborhood events like the West Loop Farmers Market, Craft Beer Fest, or the Randolph Street Market Festival. Union Station Chicago | Chicago, IL | Things to do in West Loop, Chicago Top 10 Hotels Near Chicago Union Station from $76 | Expedia What else is there to do near Union Station? Jill Dutton 5. If travel is on your agenda, there are plenty of options. The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html - a quick cab or bus ride. The Shedd Aquarium puts kids face-to-face with more than 32,000 animals.