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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The station used to be a grungy zoo but over the past few years they have made some updates. Download a PDF of this The attached garage is best and less cost than hotel areas. If you have a lengthy layover and a love of food, this is the perfect Union Station layover activity for you. 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. We loved it and looking forward to going back to La Crosse with Amtrak, of course. 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. As a Kansas City expert, Jills travel guide, The Best of Kansas City: 3-Day Itinerary, launched number one in its category on Amazon. If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting. We recommend booking Union Station tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Even if you're not catching a train to anywhere, you really need to just step into this building and feel the history. Sears sold it years ago and it has been the "Willis Tower" for quite some time. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. Check with your hotel to see if they will hold your luggage until check-in. Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. 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Driehaus Museum: Tickets & Tours, Garfield Park Conservatory: Tickets & Tours, Two-Person BARRETT 50 BMG and AK-47 Package, Tamarindo Snorkel & Sunset Cruise with Lunch, Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh, Vatican, Sistine & St. Peter's Basilica Skip The Line & Small Group, Acetaia Cavedoni Balsamic Vinegar Tour Oldest Balsamic Vinegar Company in Modena, San Sebastian del Oeste 'Magic Town' from Puerto Vallarta, See all 5 Union Station tours on Tripadvisor, See all Union Station experiences on Tripadvisor, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Downtown, Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown, an IHG Hotel, View all hotels near Union Station on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Union Station on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Union Station on Tripadvisor. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Which places are best for bars & clubs near Union Station? Other child-friendly accommodations include family bathrooms and ramps designed for easy stroller maneuverability. 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. @2023 Chicago Union Station. Just grab a RTA Visitior Transit Map and its all at your finger tips. Chicago Transit Authority ('L' Trains & Buses) Greyhound; Other Transportation. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Chicago around Union station - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Loading happens quickly and you should try to have luggage you can manage well and move quickly with. Inside the station, be sure to take in the Grand Staircases in the Great Hall, made famous by the movie The Untouchables. 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. 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. The Great Hall with its soaring glass ceilings was quite spectacular. 1200 W. Randolph Street, ~7-minute drive from Union Station. We already have this email. Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk and watch the kayaks and tour boats float by. The second floor was currently roped off but the main floor was large and the seating comfortable with numerous electronic outlets. 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. Older children, taller than 55 inches, are also able to participate in the aquarium's behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images News/Getty Images ), Zoos & Aquariums Near Champaign, Illinois, Shedd Aquarium: Plan a Visit -- Hours and Calendar, Famous Tourist Attractions in the State of Illinois, Rock Climbing Walls for Kids in Central Illinois, Kids' Attractions Near Union Station, Chicago, Illinois, Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Oops, forgot to tell you that the trip is in late December. Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: Ride the Southwest Chief. These cruises sell out quickly, so consider purchasing tickets in advance. Jill Dutton 5. We were here to take the amtrak Texas Eagle for first time but this building is worth a visit either way. Interested in train travel? 255 South Canal StreetChicago, Illinois 60606, Open 7 days a weekUnion Station closes dailybetween 1am-5am. Up to 48% Off Drive-Through Safari at Safari Lake Geneva. http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html - a quick cab or bus ride. 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. You have to walk slowly and just feel the history of the building seep into you. Once I get to the station, where do I go? 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. Two things to see on Jackson Blvd other than Willis are The Federal Reserve Bank and the Chicago Board of Trade. Alternatively, you may use, Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown / Magnificent Mile, InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, an IHG Hotel, Best Western Chicago Downtown-River North, http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g1-i12483-Train_Travel.html. We got there at the 30 minute mark and over 200 people were in line for our train. Union Station: Things to See & Do | Colorado.com Shedd Aquarium is one of the attractions for children near Union Station. Where in Union Station do I catch the Amtrak to Princeton, IL? 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. That space, which lives up to its name, boasts a 219-food-long barrel-vaulted skylight that acts as the ceiling for the room. Our train arrives at 9am and cant check into the hotel until afternoon. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Union Station, Chicago - Tripadvisor 91% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. We arrived early enough so I could wander around the Grand Hall and study everything. 4.6. Based in Florida, Mandi Titus has been writing since 2002. The Neoclassic exterior is dominated by the colonnades. It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. Bringing together the best-of-the-best from Chicago neighborhoods and outlying areas, Chicago French Market is largely comprised of entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses and accomplished purveyors and established in 2009. 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. What else is there to do near Union Station? You can do more than merely catch a train at and near Chicago Union Station, such as: . You have the Sears Tower couple of blocks away. 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. The staff there are super helpful and can show you where to take luggage. These are free. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. On the south side of town the Willis Tower . 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 ? Absolutely beautiful architectural masterpiece! Also located on the north side of the city is the Lincoln Park Zoo. A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. Dave148: We were thinking of breakfast. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I do wish they had clear marked parking for the facility. Not an ideal way to spend a layover. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41530204', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Wendella River/Lake tour. Rmrmber to be back at the station one hour before train time to check in with the Conductor and get your Boarding Pass. Union Station. While killing time before heading to Ohare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station. 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Besides, Chicago is such a vibrant city; it would be a shame to pass through without taking in any of the sights and activities. If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. 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. $16.77 $12.00. 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. They even texted me when the room was ready and allowed me to check in at noon with no additional charge. What day of the week and what time of day is your layover? 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 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. 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. 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. We always travel business class, so there is a nice lounge to take advantage of with free snacks and soft drinks. Trains board quickly. She didn't want to walk too far, so we took a cab over to Greektown and had a leisurely lunch at Greek Isles. Clean restrooms. Open 7 days a week Union Station closes daily between 1am-5am. 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. Overall a nice place to visit or spend some extra time before or after your Amtrak or Metra train, the L or bus ride.