Getting from Chicago Union Station to the Mag Mile

[al-in-chgo]

Hi, here's some contact information from metrarail.com: 

Please direct correspondence to:
Metra Passenger Services
547 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60661
[phone] - Weekdays 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 

 

[Jhanecker2]

 Best thing to do is call the CTA for information . I believe there is elevated and bus service at or near the station . If you don't mind spending more money ; there is taxi-cab service at the station . After having lived in Chicago for over fifty years , I don't take a car downtown unless absolutely necessary .   I now live in Marengo , McHenry County  and I don't miss the traffic congestion  and now have plenty of parking .  I do go back in town for necessary supplies.

[motor]

Check your PM, Bill. Hope it helps.

BTW I've never been closer to Chicago than Cincinnati, so I'm a Windy City neophyte myself.

motor

[william6]

motor, you mentioned that there are a couple of accomodations in the immediate vicinity of CUS. As my wife and I will be staying overnite in Chicago after arriving on the CZ and departing the next day on another train, what are the names of these hotels nearby and how expensive are they?

Thanks, Bill

[al-in-chgo]

Whoops!  According to MIDWEST LIVING magazine, free entry at Chicago's Art Institute is Thursday evenings.

Just a heads-up. 

Enjoy your trip! 

 

[MILW205]

The #151 bus runs 24/7 and can be caught on the west side of Canal Street up the stairs from the Great Hall.  Not only does it go up Michigan Avenue, but continues up through Lincoln Park to the zoo that is free.  Buses are $2 cash exact fare; but I recall a CTA Transit card vending machine at Union Station by the Metra ticket office that buys you a trip for $1.75 and $0.25 for the first transfer (and round-trip!) within 2-hours. 

Additionally, if you happen to be doing this during weekday rush periods, the #121 Union/Wacker Express bus will take you along Grand from lower Michigan to Navy Pier, and the #123 Illinois Center/Union Express bus will take you to Michigan+Wacker

http://transitchicago.com/maps/bus/bus/121.pdf

http://transitchicago.com/maps/bus/bus/123.pdf

Welcome and have a great time!

 

[al-in-chgo]

I second that emotion on the Art Institute.  If you're a little strapped, go on Tuesday (free day) but you'll have lots of kids from lots of summer camps and programs to contend with! 

If you were dying to stay in the Loop, the Midland hotel is quite nice -- it's about four blocks from CUS and two from the Sears Tower.  Tain't cheap, though. Over on State Street, there's the Palmer House about two blocks south of the big Macy's (former Marshall Field mother store).  There are also a couple of goodish-chain hotels whose names I can't remember on South Dearborn below Congress Parkway (which becomes Eisenhower Expressway aka I-290 after crossing the Chgo River). 

A note on the water taxi:  It's called the "Wendella" and while it is charterable by day during good months, in those same months it does most of its service hauling people back and forth at rush hours.  Get on after exiting CUS and crossing diag past the old Daily News Bldg (IOW just east of the Ovilvy Ctr [site of onetime CNW terminal]), and there's a boat slip right on the water.  It will take you around the bend of the Chicago River and ties up at Michigan Ave. and the River right at Wrigley Bldg. -- about 400 N. Block of Michigan (I guess--Trib Tower is 435 North).  Easy walking distance past all the luxe stores, ending up at Bloomingdale's which is around 900 N. Michigan or less than one full mile.  The Wendella is running now; I think it's schedule is May - October but you should go online and check. 

BTW don't freak out if old-timers call the Mag Mile Michigan "Boulevard."  Same street, just a different name. 

Enjoy your stay in the Windy City.  Beware of the ten percent sales tax that is even higher on the ritzy part of Michigan Ave.  Nonetheless, spend all the money you want.  The local economy needs a boost!   - a.s.

 

[HarveyK400]

Motor,

Depending on the amount of luggage and level of exhaustion, a cab may be the best bet for about $10 with tip to Water Tower-area hotels north of Chicago, extra for bags the driver loads into the trunk.  Current rates are supposed to be posted.  Always note the cab number - same as license plate - in the event of a complaint (the City deals harshly with bad cabbies) or to recover anything you may have left behind.

The #151 bus runs 24/7 and can be caught on the west side of Canal Street up the stairs from the Great Hall.  Not only does it go up Michigan Avenue, but continues up through Lincoln Park to the zoo that is free.  Buses are $2 cash exact fare; but I recall a CTA Transit card vending machine at Union Station by the Metra ticket office that buys you a trip for $1.75 and $0.25 for the first transfer (and round-trip!) within 2-hours. 

All rapid transit stations have ticket machines that take cash only; but bus-only passengers are sc*****.  I can't promise you'll find a station with an ATM or new ticket machine that accepts a credit or debit card.  There are no refunds, so plan carefully.

There is a water taxi on the Chicago River weekends for sure, maybe weekdays too, from Union Station to Michigan Avenue, maybe to Navy Pier as well.  There is tourist information, but I've never paid attention.

Speaking of Navy Pier, both the Chicago Avenue #66 and Grand Avenue #65 at Illinois & Rush (w) or St. Clair (e) go there.  It's a bit of a walk.  It's touristy and over-priced; but free to enter.

I highly recommend going through the Art Institute with the lions out front on the east side of Michigan at Adams.  First, go past the entrance to the courtyard on the corner at Jackson and take in the Loredo Taft bronze fountain sculpture representing the Great Lakes.  You can stop at Millennium Park on the way back. 

[motor]

My research indicates that the main cluster of accomodations in downtown Chicago is on the Magnificent Mile (Mich. Ave. north of the main stem of the Chicago River).

Unfortunately, CUS is on the opposite side of the Loop from the Mag Mile, west of the south branch of said river. (There are a couple, just a couple, of accommodations in the immediate vicinity of CUS.)

Wanting as I do in a couple of years (Lord willing) to take AMTK from the East Coast to the Windy City, I ask, what's the best way to get from CUS to the Mag Mile, once I disembark (and vice versa to catch the train home, of course)?

motor