more, Points of Interest & Landmarks Architectural Buildings. 1200 W. Randolph Street, ~7-minute drive from Union Station. Even if you're not catching a train to anywhere, you really need to just step into this building and feel the history. 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. Youll meet at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. Chicagos Union Station is the third-busiest rail station in the U.S., with about 140,000 passengers passing through each day. 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? 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. Hi. Heres amap to help guide you through this historic Beaux-Arts beauty.Download aPDF of this map [link opens in anew window]. Study the map before taking off on a train trip with a Chicago layover. Lou Mitchell's looks fun. Also located on the north side of the city is the Lincoln Park Zoo. 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. Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago, located just 12 minutes' walk from Chicago Union Station, is a 4-star hotel offering property cleaning with disinfectant, linens washed at a temperature of at least 60C/140F, and contactless check-in.If you're looking for a more affordable option, Hotel Chicago West Loop is a 2.5-star hotel offering enhanced cleaning measures that is 28 minutes walk from the . 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Then walk or cab back to the train station. i need to know is there any place some one can wait if there lay over is after 12am? We always travel business class, so there is a nice lounge to take advantage of with free snacks and soft drinks. Where in Union Station do I catch the Amtrak to Princeton, IL? Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. We were shuttled to our train car at the appropiate time, and helped with our luggage. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The tunnel from Union Station to Northwestern Station. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. 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! Open since 1925, Union Station remains Chicago's intercity rail terminal and the largest terminal for commuter trains. Grab a seat at the bar and order the "Fire-Bird" chicken sandwich, which is stacked with . That first layover wasnt my proudest moment as a solo traveler. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University. Kids of all ages and interests will find something exciting to do in Chicago, from the heights of the Willis Tower to the exotic fish of the Shedd Aquarium. Kids of all ages and. We may earn commission when you click on or make a purchase via our links. Union Station also features a variety of retail stores, eateries, and offers a grand ballroom for banquets and weddings. 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. Spend part of your layover on the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise. 201 E. Randolph Street, ~8-minute drive from 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. Thanks so much! 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. A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. There is also the free trolley to some of the shopping areas such as State Street and Navy Pier. Then, like now, the station was a major transfer point between passenger trains. I am bringing 2 elderly people (89 and 84) in late August for a trip to Seattle. 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. I'd really appreciate your help :). 28% discount_off. Chicago was most recently updated with new tips on June 28, 2017. 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. 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. Dj vu! 2) You MUST walk over to Millennium Park and see the Bean and the Fountains. 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 facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . I use it always. On the Mezzanine level there were some fast food options like Starbucks, Jersey Mikes. I concur with the previous answer. 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 . Would never recommend, terrible. Next to the Great Hall is the Metropolitan Lounge where we waited for our next train. If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. 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. 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 Can someone please tell me the process to board the train? 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I've not been to the museum, but the Wright homes are gorgeous. Millennium Park, The Art Institue and the Adler Planetarium are also on the trolley routes. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 233 S. Wacker Drive, ~5-minute walk or 2-minute drive from Union Station. 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. the two floored amtrak club accommodations are also nice. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Great breakfasts! Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? 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. You have the Sears Tower couple of blocks away. Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. 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. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ). My aunt had a similar layover a few years ago. JavaScript is disabled. Inside the station, be sure to take in the Grand Staircases in the Great Hall, made famous by the movie The Untouchables. We will have about 6 hours to spend near Union Station. 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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. Chicago is an ideal city for a family vacation, featuring many attractions for young visitors to enjoy in all types of weather. We arrived early enough so I could wander around the Grand Hall and study everything. Does the train station provide any baggage storage lockers so that we could visit Willis tower without toting our bags? During my first train trip from Kansas City to Washington, D.C., I arrived in Chicagos Union Station on my first layover with several hours to fill before departing. Users simply pick up a bike from a self-service docking station and return it to a station near their destination. 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. This classic Chicago landmark opened in 1925 as a replacement for an 1881 train station. It's kind of a giant food court. Amata_(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sears sold it years ago and it has been the "Willis Tower" for quite some time. 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. 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. 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.