So when it was in the school library it was still fairly new. Does the train station provide any baggage storage lockers so that we could visit Willis tower without toting our bags? Sounds like a nice trip! They have free snacks, TV's, and comfy chairs. 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. Any of the architecture tours are just amazing. If you are looking for a good place for a sit down dinner. Readers of her USA by Rail blog have come to expect an intimate look at authentic experiences. 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. 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. Besides, Chicago is such a vibrant city; it would be a shame to pass through without taking in any of the sights and activities. Grab some Giordino's Pizza and you won't need to eat on the train for a week! Two things to see on Jackson Blvd other than Willis are The Federal Reserve Bank and the Chicago Board of Trade. 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 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. Passengers looking to grab a bite before taking off can expect airport-like fare including Nuts on Clark, Gold Coast Dogs, Robinson's No. Thanks so much! 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The Polar Express journey begins with a visit to the Founders Room to collect our Golden Tickets. Not bad for a layover activity! We live in La Crosse, Wi. 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. 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. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. 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. This is the 1st leg of a total relaxation vacation. We loved it and looking forward to going back to La Crosse with Amtrak, of course. 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.). 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. i need to know is there any place some one can wait if there lay over is after 12am? W1612 Litchfield Rd, Lake Geneva. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Thanks for subscribing! the two floored amtrak club accommodations are also nice. more. Do your job security your very poor at it .. We had purchased tickets weeks in advance, paid for a hotel room and made holiday plans for our 5 year old to ride the Polar Express. 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. The main attraction Whether you're waiting on a train or passing through. What's the best way to see Union Station? It's well worth a trip to Chicago. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Union Station Train Travel. On the Mezzanine level there were some fast food options like Starbucks, Jersey Mikes. 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. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Hi, just want to check if the luggage storage is still available currently. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Our train arrives at 9am and cant check into the hotel until afternoon. 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 We explored the Great Hall and told our grandchildren about the Ubtouchables staircase and Elliot Ness, and took photos in front of a facsimile of the real Polar Express train engine. We usually take Amtrak to Chicago from Jackson Mi. There are cool boat tours up and down the Chicago River. 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. 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 . 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. Dave148: We were thinking of breakfast. Union Station and the Metropolitan Lounge. There is also the free trolley to some of the shopping areas such as State Street and Navy Pier. Interesting how everyone still calls it the "Sears Tower". Taxis; Rideshare; Bike Share; Second City one of the world's premier improv comedy theatres has been delighting audiences for more than 50 years. Once I get to the station, where do I go? Is this where you should park for an eleven day Amtrak trip? You could even bottle a few cases of their wine with your own custom-designed label. This classic Chicago landmark opened in 1925 as a replacement for an 1881 train station. If you have a roomette or sleeper car,you can hang out in the Metrpolitan Lounge while you wait. Intersection of Clark and Ohio, ~9-minute drive from Union Station. 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. Union Station. The Shedd Aquarium puts kids face-to-face with more than 32,000 animals. 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 lol. If you don't mind spending some money, the Willis Tower is right next door and would be interesting. You may have to clomb narrow stairs to board the train. Tickets are bought, but Im wondering if there are any ambulatory services available to take them to their train? 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. I wasn't the only one there taking it all in. Union Station is an iconic building and a marvel of modern transportation for nearly a century. People come from all over the world to take the train from Union Station. What else is there to do near Union Station? 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We already have this email. Youll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. $16.77 $12.00. 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. Explore different ways to experience this place. 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. Devastated our child, who was already dressed in his Polar Express pajamas and ready to go. Grab a seat at the bar and order the "Fire-Bird" chicken sandwich, which is stacked with . 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. 555 ratings. The facility cost $75 million dollars to build - more than $1 . Any restaurant recommendations or ideas on places to go (& best means of travel to get there) would be so appreciated. Enjoy an immersive wine experience at City Winery. That first layover wasnt my proudest moment as a solo traveler. We found 1,736 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 5 minutes from Union Station Experiences from $8 See 38 Experiences Chicago Riverwalk 3,057 Reviews Chicago, IL 60601 5 minutes from Union Station Dotted with factories and warehouses, West Loop is packed with various types of dining and nightlife options. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. 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. The outside of the station was a little grayish but it was so much more impressive inside. 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 . After a remodel and renaming in 1967, Portillos now has 17 Chicago locations. 2) You MUST walk over to Millennium Park and see the Bean and the Fountains. I will check their website out more. Dj vu! 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Acquainting yourself with the layout of the station ahead of time will help.