My aunt and I are thinking about taking the Amtrak train to Chicago. question inside.?

Question

what are some great things to see there? what are some good restaurants? are there taxi's there? we're only staying for a day. are there any cool shops to shop at? how about a mall? I've heard theres a navy pier but i don't know what thats all about. any historical monuments. i just want to have a great time there with my aunt.

hey everyone thanks for all the great answers. I'm thinking about showing this page to my aunt when she gets home. you guys rock!

Answer 1

I second the notion that Navy Pier is a tourist trap. The shopping on Michigan Avenue and State Street is FAR better than anything you'll find at Navy Pier. If you want to ride the big Ferris wheel or see an IMAX movie, Navy Pier is fine, but even the restaurants there aren't that good.

Since you're arriving at Union Station, I'd say take a bus or taxi to the intersection of State and Madison Streets. Hop off and take a look at the beautiful Carson Pirie Scott Building. It's cooler outside than inside.

For the best bargain shopping downtown, go to the huge Filene's Basement, H&M and Nordstrom Rack stores that are all within blocks of each other on State Street. Then head to the former Marshall Field's flagship store at State and Washington (it's now Macy's). Go inside and shop seven floors of department store, or just pop in to check out the beautiful Tiffany dome, one of the largest glass mosaics ever constructed.

After Macy's, walk east on Washington Street toward Michigan Avenue. There's a visitors center in the Cultural Building right on the corner. You can pick up maps, brochures, coupons and tips here, if you like. Also, check out Preston Bradley Hall to view another stunning Tiffany dome. There are free art exhibits on display here, too, if that's your thing.

Just across the street from the Cultural Center is Millennium Park, http://www.millenniumpark.org/, which is full of great sculpture and gardens, and also the site of lots of performing arts events.

Hungry yet? Go to Sopraffina Marketcaffe at 10 North Dearborn. It's a great place for a quick but delicious lunch, and it's always buzzing with activity. http://www.sopraffina.com/menu1/

There are 4 malls on Michigan Avenue, as well as tons of boutiques you're sure to love.

The one mall I'd say is a must is North Bridge at 520 North Michigan Avenue. Nordstrom is the anchor store, but there's also a Sephora (http://www.sephora.com/) and two of Chicago's best gourmet chocolatiers: Vosges Haut Chocolat and Ethel's Chocolate Lounge:
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com
http://www.ethelschocolate.com
They also have a decent food court.

Water Tower Place Mall, while certainly the most famous of Chicago's malls, isn't really anything to write home about. It has Victoria's Secret, Limited, Express, The Gap, and lots of other stores you likely have in your hometown.

The Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute, The Field Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo are all worth a visit. Each of them will take at least a half day to wander through.

Lincoln Park Zoo is free daily, and has recently been almost completely remodeled. If you go, be sure to visit the new Ape House and the Polar Bear underwater viewing window (the bears will sometimes play peek-a-boo). Regenstein African journey is really cool, too. http://www.lpzoo.com

The Art Institute and the Field Museum are open until 9 pm select evenings through Labor Day. Visit their web sites for details: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/plan_visit/default.htm, http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/index.html

If you're looking for something to do in the evening, Blue Man Group is a pretty fun show, though the music can get pretty loud: http://www.blueman.com/ticketinfo/chicago/index.shtml

Downtown restaurant recommendations:
Chicago-style pizza: most people love Gino's East (162 E Superior), Pizzeria Uno (29 E. Ohio St) or Pizzeria Due (619 N. Wabash Ave), or Giordano's (730 N. Rush St).

Foodlife at Water Tower Place has nearly a dozen ethnic food stations, most of which are pretty tasty. 835 N Michigan Ave

Johnny Rockets is a fun retro-styled diner (901 N. Rush St)

Volare, great basic Italian (201 E. Grand Ave)

Answer 2

I live in Chicago, and it's a great place to be! We have lots of stuff here. Let's see- the big tourist spots are: seeing Sears Tower, Navy Pier ( it's a big pier with a ferris wheel, the Children's Museum, and all kinds of shops-- Oh, you can also eat at the Bubba Gump Shrimp restaraunt there)
The art Institute of Chicago, The Natural History Museum, The Shedd Aquarium. We also have the Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the last free zoos in the country.
Lots of people like to visit Michigan Avenue for all the shopping there. Michigan Avenue is situated on the old Fort Dearborn, a historic place in itself.
There's an American Girl Place store that's REAL popular.
For restaraunts, you just got to have our famous Chicago Deep dish pizza! I think a place called Gino's East has the best, but a lot of others like a place called Giordano's, or Pizza Dué.
Oh, and taxis are everywhere. You can also grab buses, or take the famous "L" train.
One day is not enough to see all of our beautiful city, but you'll get a great taste of it in a day. Hope my tips help!

Answer 3

I view Navy Pier as a tourist trap.

If you want to see the city from the top of a tall building, consider the John Hancock instead of the Sears Tower. It might be a little bit shorter, but it's much more pleasant.

With only one day, you should stick close to Michigan Avenue. Check out the Millennium Park, the River (take the river tour boat, not the lake tour boat), and the oodles of shopping between the Hancock and the Art Institute (also worth visiting). The Field Museum and She dd Aquarium are worth visiting if you like that sort of thing.

North Avenue Beach should have plenty of sexy people to watch.

Never wait in line for a restaurant. Those places cater to ignorant tourists and suburbanites, since there are a dozen excellent restaurants without a line for every "famous" one.

Answer 4

I'm from WI and Chicago is one of my favorite cities. Try Navy Pier. This place is pretty cool. Lots of good restaurants and places to shop. Michigan avenue is where all the rich people go so you might see someone famous. There used to be a really cool shoe store there called the 99th Floor. I was there about 5 years ago and I don't remember what street it was on. Try mapquest. it might not even be around anymore. Where are you from? Have you ever been to Great America? It's a theme park and it is in Gurnee. You probably already know that. Don't forget to check out the Sears Tower!

Answer 5

Union Station is almost downtown Chicago. Take a taxi to Michigan Avenue...there's the Sears Tower, Art Museum, Museum of Natural History, Rush Street (excellent restaurants and bars). Stroll Michigan Ave for all kinds of excellent shopping. If you pay attention you can still find the excellent hole-in-the wall cafes with great Chicago cuisine. Have fun but don't get too far of the beaten track, especially after dark, parts of Chicago (like any big city) can be dangerous.

Answer 6

You did not say where you were travelling from on Amtrak. I just had the worst trip ever via Amtrak (Chicago to SF and back) so I am not an Amtrak lover. Amtrak will probably be the worst part of your trip. Chicago however is a world of adventure. Navy Pier is nice and offers a lot of things of interest to most but is not all that. You need to explore Chicago's museums, theaters, downtown, take historical tours of various cultures, cruises ...Chicago will make itself your kind of town!!! Living in Chicago has spoiled me because it is so full of things to do and see....most for free....always some event happening outside from April to October....now visiting other cities cannot compare.

Answer 7

Chicago is a great place to go visit. The navy pier is cool, shopping is on the Michigan ave all the shopping you need. There is a great pizza place that celebrity's sometimes visit, but i can't remember the name, it is great pizza. Plenty of cabs. I spent my time there just walking around the city looking at everything. Hope you have a great time.

Answer 8

Chicago is wonderful and you will have a great time. Amtrak is not quite as wonderful. You don't say where you're taking the train from, but in any event, I can almost guarantee that Amtrak will be late. You will not arrive in Chicago on schedule - your train might get in several hours late. Amtrak is never on time. So make your plans flexible to accomodate this. On the bright side, Amtrak will take you to Union Station, in the heart of downtown.

Answer 9

i'm from wisconsin too and chicago has really improved. Its a fun city to visit. you've got great advise on the eats and shops. although i've been on amtrak over the years, and liked it, i haven't done it recently. One new gig is called MEGABUS. I haven't been on it, but people seem to like it. I think its www.megabus.com . If you are coming from the midwest, you might enjoy it just as much. Takes you to the same place the train does. Have a good time in Chicago, just don't tell anyone you are from Wisconsin.

Answer 10

We rode the train twice to Chicago from Bloomington. We stayed at a hotel on Michigan Ave.
We took a bus to China town for the day and shopped on Michigan Ave. Lots of fun.