Familiarize yourself with the Grand Hall and its location as this is where you’ll wait to board your connecting train. If you’re a sleeping car or first-class passenger, spend some time relaxing in the Metropolitan Lounge (or, if you’re a coach passenger, consider paying the daily fee for access) located in the Grand Hall. Inside the station, be sure to take in the Grand Staircases in the Great Hall, made famous by the movie The Untouchables. You’ll feel more confident when you detrain and will be able to focus on having fun during your time in Chicago. Study the map before taking off on a train trip with a Chicago layover. Acquainting yourself with the layout of the station ahead of time will help. Chicago Union Station MapĬhicago’s Union Station is the third-busiest rail station in the U.S., with about 140,000 passengers passing through each day. Besides, Chicago is such a vibrant city it would be a shame to pass through without taking in any of the sights and activities. My layovers typically range from four to six hours, leaving ample time to explore Chicago activities near Union Station, and I’m 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. As a frequent train traveler located in Kansas City, I often pass through Chicago to get to my final destination. That first layover wasn’t my proudest moment as a solo traveler. 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. 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. Once inside, I stood for a few minutes taking in the enormity of the station as other passengers moved past me, not knowing where to go next. It’s a historic gem and bustling hub of activity. The Grand Hall’s majestic columns and marble floors impress visitors, while the Great Hall’s soaring ceilings evoke a sense of grandeur. Serving as a gateway to the city, it bustles with commuters and travelers. Union Station in Chicago is an iconic transportation hub, showcasing stunning Beaux-Arts architecture. 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. It’s a massive train station - nearly the size of 10 city blocks - and I felt lost. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.ĭuring my first train trip from Kansas City to Washington, D.C., I arrived at Chicago’s Union Station on my first layover with several hours to fill before departing. Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers.
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