Help Me Find My Way, Please! (Chicago, Union: car rental, rentals, hotel)

[kori24601]

My husband and I are going to Chicago in February for our Anniversary and we're not sure the best way to get around. We are taking the train (Amtrak) in and won't have a car. We'd love to ride the L (or is it El?) the whole time, but we're not sure how to get from Union Station to our hotel, which is the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on the river downtown. I have looked at other threads and have seen a lot of advice on transportation, but the map of the L/El confuses us. I guess I just want someone to hold my hand and tell me "Ok you go here and then here and then here..." Should we just take a cab, or is there an easy way to take the L/El from the train station into downtown? Thank you!

[Damage Control Freak]

L or EL, both is commonly used. However, you can't expect that the train will take you just any corner of the city. For your trip from Union Station to the hotel you would have to take the bus.
Your best shot would be the 124 bus, you can check the route on google maps. However it will cost yoy $2.25 each and taxi will be less than $10, so if you don't know your way around, just take a cab.

PS: The trip on google maps:
from: 210 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606 (Union Station Chicago) to: 301 E North Water St, Chicago, IL 60611 - Google Maps

[oakparkdude]

If you've got luggage just take a cab. It won't be expensive, and a lot less hassle than taking the bus.

[kori24601]

Thank you very much! I thought that we'd have to take a cab or bus. I guess we'll have to ride the L just for fun (we live in Flint, MI. there's not much here and we don't get out much, lol). Thanks again!

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by kori24601

My husband and I are going to Chicago in February for our Anniversary and we're not sure the best way to get around. We are taking the train (Amtrak) in and won't have a car. We'd love to ride the L (or is it El?) the whole time, but we're not sure how to get from Union Station to our hotel, which is the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on the river downtown.

I agree with the others that you need to take a cab. Otherwise, you will be walking the 1.8 miles to the Sheraton carrying or dragging your bags. Been there, done that.

Google "CTA Trip Planner" and it will provide you with door-to-door transportation from the Sheraton to most places in the city. The Milwaukee Ave bus runs right past the Sheraton. Michigan Ave is 3-4 blocks away. You can take a number of buses to the various EL and subway stations in the area.

Avoid car rentals in the Loop like the plague. Parking is extremely costly.

[IloveLoganSquare]

The Sheraton is magical, it is one of my favorites, excellent choice. When you get in at the Atrak station, you will likely need to cab as others have posted. Once you cab it to the Sheraton, check and see if they don't have a shuttle to the Redline to teleport around town and see Wrigley field, Comiskey, Soldier field, Etc. without having to pay for a cab. There is a water taxi to Navy Peir at the Wrigley building on Michigan avenue not more than 4 blocks from there. Mandatory. This is how you should get there.

Originally Posted by kori24601

My husband and I are going to Chicago in February for our Anniversary and we're not sure the best way to get around. We are taking the train (Amtrak) in and won't have a car. We'd love to ride the L (or is it El?) the whole time, but we're not sure how to get from Union Station to our hotel, which is the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on the river downtown. I have looked at other threads and have seen a lot of advice on transportation, but the map of the L/El confuses us. I guess I just want someone to hold my hand and tell me "Ok you go here and then here and then here..." Should we just take a cab, or is there an easy way to take the L/El from the train station into downtown? Thank you!

[Damage Control Freak]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

The Milwaukee Ave bus runs right past the Sheraton.

Hm? I don't think so.

[jessiegirl_98]

I would take a cab to the hotel with your luggage (that's not even fun to manuver for us Chicagoans), but then you can take the el up to another neighborhood to check it out later, for fun. What are your plans for the city?

[lincolnparker]

Anniversary in chicago in feb? you love the cold, dont u?

[kori24601]

Thank you all so much!

jlawrence01, we were going to avoid driving at all costs, so thanks for the encouragement!


IloveLoganSquare, thank you! I had read some reveiws of the sheraton that said it was noisy and the service was bad, but I didn't really believe it. I'm glad to hear it's magical, that's just what we need! And thanks for the water taxi tip, I hadn't thought of that. :-)

jessiegirl_98, we don't have any plans. We just want some time away from life. Away from our two year old, away from our familes. Just together alone. We've talked about the aquarium or a museum. My husband's brother and his wife live near chicago so we'll spend an evening with them. And we're going to get pizza! Any suggestions?

lincolnparker, I hate the cold. I despise the cold. I abhor the cold! But I love big cities and I love trips and I love the idea of getting away from my son for a couple days. The cold will be worth it!