things to do near union station chicago

I wasn't the only one there taking it all in. 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. The Lincoln Park Zoo offers free daily admission to all visitors. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. 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. On the south side of town the Willis Tower . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41530204', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Wendella River/Lake tour. 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. 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Devastated our child, who was already dressed in his Polar Express pajamas and ready to go. IlliniTrav: We were thinking of Greektown. lol. All products featured on TravelAwaits are independently selected by our writers and editors. 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). 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. Union Station (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. 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. 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Jill Dutton 5. 2) You MUST walk over to Millennium Park and see the Bean and the Fountains. Having a compartment allows entry. 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 . 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 Kids' Attractions Near Union Station, Chicago, Illinois Then walk or cab back to the train station. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Yes, red caps service and handicapped transportation (wheel chairs or Tram carts) are available in the station. And since you have 6 hours, if you are into Architecture, you might want to take a taxi to Oak Park to see some of Frank Lloyd Wright's homes and his house. Getting Around Chicago | Trains, Parking, Taxis & Bike Sharing Explore different ways to experience this place. Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? 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. What else is there to do near Union Station? The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . I found the lounge to be an oasis. 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. Up to 48% Off Drive-Through Safari at Safari Lake Geneva. We did walk it once because we were dropped off at the wrong station. Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk and watch the kayaks and tour boats float by. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. Does the train station provide any baggage storage lockers so that we could visit Willis tower without toting our bags? I'd really appreciate your help :). The last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. more. If you want to take a bus from Union Station you could probably get on one on either Jackson or Adams which border Union Station. Union Station is an iconic building and a marvel of modern transportation for nearly a century. Luggage storage Union Station $6 / day | Bag Storage & Lockers It's well worth a trip to Chicago. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. They have free snacks, TV's, and comfy chairs. Interested in train travel? A family-friendly museum highlight tour is given daily, and hands-on learning activities are offered on the weekends. If you have a lengthy layover and a love of food, this is the perfect Union Station layover activity for you. December can be miserable in Chicago--really miserable. Just grab a RTA Visitior Transit Map and its all at your finger tips. Other Attractions in Chicago. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41529991', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Millennium Park and explore there. 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. 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. Acquainting yourself with the layout of the station ahead of time will help. Uber ride came in no time and Asan from Bulgaria was friendly and professional. Find Divvy locations and rates. Then we just sat and enjoyed the beauty of the Great Hall right at the train station. Check with your hotel to see if they will hold your luggage until check-in. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. Kids are able to observe a wide range of animals, including antelopes, lions, seals, tigers, wallabies and zebras. I'm going to look in to that too. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. The tunnel from Union Station to Northwestern Station. Along the Riverwalk, stop by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum. Open since 1925, Union Station remains Chicago's intercity rail terminal and the largest terminal for commuter trains. Once youre comfortable getting around the station, its time to check your bags for your day in Chicago. 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. 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. We got there at the 30 minute mark and over 200 people were in line for our train. Is there wheelchair assistance available at Union Station? I whiteness employees at the McDonalds twice a year giving these workers a hard time. And then our sons went by train one time and had an easy and nice ride. Go to the Concourse level where youll find the baggage check. Chicago Amtrak Station | Amtrak Guide I will check their website out more. The staff there are super helpful and can show you where to take luggage. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. If you like art, you can visit the Chicago Art Museum and see among other. 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 ? Considering this was a large transportation hub there was a lot of available metered street parking right along the street. Our train arrives at 9am and cant check into the hotel until afternoon. 201 E. Randolph Street, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. Union Station: Things to See & Do | Colorado.com Several sub-neighborhoods within West Loop make this a unique neighborhood to visit. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Once I get to the station, where do I go? She didn't want to walk too far, so we took a cab over to Greektown and had a leisurely lunch at Greek Isles. Second City one of the world's premier improv comedy theatres has been delighting audiences for more than 50 years. 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 Thanks so much! Try another? Good Morning! The Best Luggage Storage in Chicago | $5.90 / Day | Bounce Chicagos Union Station is the third-busiest rail station in the U.S., with about 140,000 passengers passing through each day. If you'd like to shop, walk north on Michigan (the "Magnificent Mile" area of high end stores). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41533587', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Millennium Park and stroll around the park. Millennium Park, The Art Institue and the Adler Planetarium are also on the trolley routes. Train Trips To Experience In 2023, My 9 Favorite Experiences On A Relaxing Weekend Train Trip From Denver To Moab, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum, Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise. 520 W. Taylor Street, ~13-minute walk or 4-minute drive from Union Station. 3. Not an ideal way to spend a layover. I concur with the previous answer. 10Best Says. Where in Union Station do I catch the Amtrak to Princeton, IL? Safety is not a big issue IMHO. Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture, and landscape design. Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. Older children, taller than 55 inches, are also able to participate in the aquarium's behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee. 111 S. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station. Kids of all ages and. I am bringing 2 elderly people (89 and 84) in late August for a trip to Seattle. Chicago Transit Authority (L Trains & Buses). The Top 10 Things to Do Near Union Station, Chicago - Tripadvisor 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. Drive-Through Safari Adventure for 1 Adult (age 16+) Up to 35% Off on Arcade at Galaxi Fun Zone. There's a bunch of touristy stuff to do near that area. The architecture of the Great Hall is worth seeing. Interested in Chicagos diverse and iconic architecture? 255 South Canal StreetChicago, Illinois 60606, Open 7 days a weekUnion Station closes dailybetween 1am-5am. Spend part of your layover on the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise. 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. 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. Do NOT forget the Peppers, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Tower, https://www.orderalsbeef.com/Media/Menus/adams%20web%20menu.pdf. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Rmrmber to be back at the station one hour before train time to check in with the Conductor and get your Boarding Pass. The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan Avenue, ~8-minute drive from Union Station 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. Showers were available, but I never saw them, we didn't even go upstairs, we just settled into a comfortable spot. Wendella water taxi to Michigan Avenue and then a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Then, take a water taxi from the Madison St stop to Michigan Avenue, a nice way to see some of the buildings. My aunt had a similar layover a few years ago. The station is located a short walk from Downtown Chicago and several famous attractions, such as The Loop and Art Institute of Chicago Chicago Riverwalk: at an 8-minute drive from the Union Station, Chicago Riverwalk is the perfect place to make the most of your vacation.