"Quick" Tour of Chicago (Washington, Savanna: hotels, trip , house)

[FLHarleyGal]

We will have 3 hours to kill between trains @ Union Station and have never been to Chicago ... any suggestions as to "quick" tours or "must sees"? Was thinking about the trolley tour. Hubby cannot do any walking. Thanks!

[aragx6]

I think a trolley or boat tour would be a great idea.

[FLHarleyGal]

I thought so too. We did that the first time we were in Savannah and couldn't WAIT to plan our trip back, so that we could see more of the city! The map I saw made it look like Union Station was close to the river ... is that true? Thanks for your help!!

[aragx6]

Yes it's right next to the river. I'm not sure where the tours begin though...

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by FLHarleyGal

I thought so too. We did that the first time we were in Savannah and couldn't WAIT to plan our trip back, so that we could see more of the city! The map I saw made it look like Union Station was close to the river ... is that true? Thanks for your help!!

Union Station is next to the river, however most of the boat tours begin near the Michigan ave bridge, which is a bit of a hike from the station. However, I know there are grey line trolley tours which are right across from the Sears tower on Jackson - which is about a 3 minute walk from the Jackson exit of Union Station. You might want to search on the Grey Line tour website, maybe they have a trolley/boat combo tour.

Or just take a cab for the boat tour.

The other option is to just ride the Brown line. You'll get a unique view of the loop, and get a nice tour of some of the finer north side neighborhoods. Maybe a bit more unconventional, but a cheaper and cooler way to tour the city. And who doesn't like cheap/cool?

[FLHarleyGal]

I take it the Brown Line is a Chicago subway line? That's actually a pretty cool idea. We're originally from D.C., so are used to getting around in that mode and, you're right, who doesn't like cheap?? Great ideas from everyone ... I really appreciate it. We'll wave to y'all when we're there!!

I assume it is still cold there in the middle of February, right?

Thanks for your input!

[aragx6]

It will probably be very cold.
The brown line is elevated so you'll get to see what's going on.
I wouldn't have thought of that idea, but it's not a bad one.

[via chicago]

I dont believe the boat tours run in winter. They begin again in spring sometime.

[Avengerfire]

Well the Sears Tower is near enough.;-) Go up to the top (well almost the top) of the Tallest Building in North America and former Tallest in the World.

The Brown Line is elevated. It is a good idea, but you really cannot go too far north if you only have 3 hours and it will take you a bit of time to get to it from Union Station.

The free trolleys are probably your best bet, they can connect you to places where you can get a quick taste of Chicago.

Hopefully you do not have much luggage, if you have a lot lock them up at the train station, you dont want to caryy all that stuff around.

Here is the free trolley list you can get on by Union Station:

Metra/Shopping (red circle)
Trolleys operate between LaSalle, Union and Ogilvie Center stations and Water Tower Park with stops on State Street and North Michigan Avenue.

Stops:

Metra LaSalle Street Station, 131 W. Van Buren
Metra Union, 490 W. Adams
Metra Ogilvie, 5 N. Canal
Macy’s and Millennium Park, 25 E. Washington (just east of State Street)
Boulevard Towers/Illinois Center, 225 N. Michigan
Tribune Tower, 445 N. Michigan
Water Tower Park, E. Pearson at Michigan Avenue
Nordstrom North Bridge, 500 N. Michigan
Cultural Center, 222 N. Michigan
Office Depot and Millennium Park, 6 S. State
Palmer House, 112 S. State
Returns to LaSalle, Union and Ogilvie Stations


Metra/Navy Pier (yellow star)
Trolleys operate between LaSalle, Union and Ogilvie Center stations and Navy Pier with stops on State Street.

Stops:

Metra LaSalle Street Station, 131 W. Van Buren
Metra Union, 490 W. Adams
Metra Ogilvie, 5 N. Canal
Macy’s and Millennium Park, 25 E. Washington (just east of State Street)
Hyatt Regency Hotel, 235 N. Stetson
Navy Pier Headlands, 650 E. Grand
Behind 233 N. Michigan (Hyatt), 234 N. Stetson
Office Depot and Millennium Park, 6 S. State
Palmer House, 112 S. State
Returns to LaSalle, Union and Ogilvie Stations
Metra/Museum Campus (green triangle)
Trolleys operate between LaSalle, Union and Ogilvie Center stations and the Museum Campus (Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium), with stops at the three institutions, State Street and South Michigan Avenue.

Stops:

Metra LaSalle Street Station, 131 W. Van Buren
Metra Union, 490 W. Adams
Metra Ogilvie, 5 N. Canal
Macy’s and Millennium Park, 25 E. Washington (just east of State Street)
Art Institute and Millennium Park, 220 S. Michigan
Spertus Museum (hotels), 614 S. Michigan (Buckingham Fountain)
CTA Orange/Green, 10 E. Roosevelt
Adler Planetarium, 700 E. Solidarity
Shedd Aquarium, E. McFetridge (at Museum Campus Drive)
Field Museum, 434 E. McFetridge
CTA Orange/Green, 11 E. Roosevelt
Grant Park (south of Harrison), 601 S. Michigan (Buckingham Fountain)
Art Institute and Millennium Park, 70 E. Adams
Returns to LaSalle, Union and Ogilvie Stations

Go to http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/w...OID=-536896085

to learn more and tweak things a bit.

[FLHarleyGal]

Wow! Thanks for all the info, folks!! We're actually thinking of middle of February, but I guess y'all still consider that Winter, don't you? ha ha.

Thanks again for your responses ... you guys ROCK!!!