HELP! Info on Chicago

[vampirechick]

I'm planning on travelling to Chicago on July 18 via Amtrak. It's just a day trip. We know that we are wanting to go to Science & Industry Museum. My questions are what is the easiest way to get from union station to museum? And since we don't know how long it'll take to go through museum but we're interested in something for dinner besides the museum what restaurants are in the area? Maybe walking distance if possbile or are there shops in the area? We get back on the train at 9:45. I'm totally clueless as I have never been to Chicago. I have never even been in a taxi. So any help you have would be very appreciated.

 

[Chicago526]

I can't help with restaurants as we always just eat at the museum, but here's a link to the RTA's trip planner page. Just plug in Union Station and whatever your destination is, and it will tell you the best public transit route to get there (buses and el train).

http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/

Also, with Amtrak it's not a question on if the train will be late, just how much it will be late, so build delays into your schedule.

 

[RadioNate]

If it were me, I'd take a cab. The Museum of Science and Industry is not downtown and while there are busses *I* personally wouldn't hassle with it and just get a cab.

Unfortunately, the Science and Industry Museum isn't really near much that is easily walkable.

I think you'd have better luck taking a cab back into downtown and eating there.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I second the cab...every time I visit my family out in the suburbs, we take the train into Union Station and then get a cab to the Museum.

As far as restaurants, we also usually get a cab again after the museum and head for Navy Pier - I remember a particularly nice one where you could eat outside, overlooking the lake (I just don't remember the name) - or we go to Giordano's.

 

[MonorailDude]

You can never go wrong with the Rock 'n' Roll McDonalds.

 

[Geoff_M]

The MSI closes at 5:30, so unless you're wanting to eat a really early supper, I'd go with the idea to take a cab back uptown and eat there. The Navy Pier would be a great option.

As noted, the area around MSI is pretty much all park and residential space. It also pretty much borders the South Side of Chicago, not the best part of town.

I assume you'll be taking in the Harry Potter exhibit and/or IMAX film there. We saw the exhibit last Friday and thought it was awesome.

 

[geffric]

If it were me, I'd take a cab. The Museum of Science and Industry is not downtown and while there are busses *I* personally wouldn't hassle with it and just get a cab.

Unfortunately, the Science and Industry Museum isn't really near much that is easily walkable.

I think you'd have better luck taking a cab back into downtown and eating there.

MSI is nowhere near Union Station.. so a cab is the fastest and easiest.. if you have never been to Chicago, a bus is not the way to go for the first time..

lots of restuarants downtown or near west to go to.. check out http://chicago.metromix.com/facets/restaurants/loc.chicago_market.chicago.downtown.loop

 

[vampirechick]

Thanks to everyone for the info. Does anyone know how much it would cost for taxi service? I would like to make sure I have plenty cash. Also what is there to do any Navy Pier?

 

[Geoff_M]

Also what is there to do any Navy Pier?

Google, it's a beautiful thing! http://www.navypier.com/

 

[RadioNate]

Thanks to everyone for the info. Does anyone know how much it would cost for taxi service? I would like to make sure I have plenty cash. Also what is there to do any Navy Pier?

http://www.navypier.com/things2do/things_home.html

Taxi Fare Finder estimates the fare to be about $30 (including tip). But that seems high to me. However, it is about an 8 mile trip.

 

[Chicago526]

As noted, the area around MSI is pretty much all park and residential space. It also pretty much borders the South Side of Chicago, not the best part of town.

Nah, they'd be down there during the day, I think they'd be fine. Honestly I'm more scared by some of the cab driver's and how they drive...

Granted, I've been going to the city since I was little so I'm used to it, but I really don't think the buses and trains in Chicago are bad at all. But it's all about what an individual is comfortable with.

OP, I'm not sure what cab fare runs, but they all take credit cards, so you can charge it if needed and just have a few dollars on you for tip. They are required to provide you with a receipt but only if you ask, I think.

Cabs are easy to find near Union, but I'm not sure how much luck you'll have at the museum when you're ready to leave, so have a cab company's number handy so you can call one if needed.

 

[Geoff_M]

Cabs are easy to find near Union, but I'm not sure how much luck you'll have at the museum when you're ready to leave, so have a cab company's number handy so you can call one if needed.

I think they'll be OK, as we left MSI last weekend I noted a couple of taxis hanging out in the drop-off area by the old front stairs.

 

[eandesmom]

There is a direct bus and back from downtown that I know you can catch on Michigan Ave...very easy. Not sure if there are any stops closer to Unions Station though. You could cab there and then bus back, the Michigan Ave bus would get you within a nice walk to Navy Pier or Mag Mile Dining.

 

[NotUrsula]

How many people are in the group? If you have several, you may not all fit in a standard taxi and may need a van; in that case, get a phone number so that you can call when the train pulls in.

Do you have your tickets to the Harry Potter exhibit already? The tickets are timed, and weekend demand is very high. Be careful about how late your train may be; if you miss your ticket time you may have a bit of a problem on your hands. (If you don't have the tickets now, go to www.msichicago.org and follow the directions to order them.) Also, tickets to the museum itself can take up to an hour to buy when standing in line on a Saturday morning; take that into account, too. The exhibit is so popular that the museum is keeping it open past the regular closing time; it is located in a separate temporary building outside.

Also, just for guidance. The area of the city where Union Station is located is the Downtown/Loop area. MSI is in Hyde Park, near the University of Chicago (the President's old neighborhood.) You also might want to check out Millenium Park/Grant Park, which is at the Lakefront parallel to the Loop; that's where the Bean is; you should try not to miss seeing it. One Loop restaurant that is a classic that I know is open late is the Italian Village; it has a fascinating night-sky ceiling in the dining room. It's rather nice, but I still find it kid-friendly; the waiters are very kind.

If you are feeling brave about timing, there is a dedicated CTA express bus from the Loop to MSI, the #10 route. It picks up in the Loop and takes you dirrectly to the Museum. It picks up every 20 minutes and the trip to the museum takes about 30 minutes depending upon traffic. Here is the route: http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/busroute.aspx?RouteId=171 It's $2.25 per person each way if you pay cash, but I would suggest getting a CTA one-day visitor's card for each person for $5.75; you can ride any CTA bus or train all day for that price. You can order the passes online, they come in about a week. http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/fares/default.aspx

 

[Geoff_M]

Do you have your tickets to the Harry Potter exhibit already? The tickets are timed, and weekend demand is very high. Be careful about how late your train may be; if you miss your ticket time you may have a bit of a problem on your hands. (If you don't have the tickets now, go to www.msichicago.org and follow the directions to order them.) Also, tickets to the museum itself can take up to an hour to buy when standing in line on a Saturday morning; take that into account, too. The exhibit is so popular that the museum is keeping it open past the regular closing time; it is located in a separate temporary building outside.

An even better deal, and time saver, may be to just go ahead and buy an annual membership. You get free admission, free HP tickets, free Omnimax tickets. 10% discounts on food and souvenirs (even HP stuff). You also get free or discounted admission to other 270+ ASTC member science and nature museums around the US. And, a large percentage of the membership is tax deductible. You can become a member and order tickets over the phone and pick them up at the members desk instead of waiting in the general ticket queue.

 

[LK03]

There is a bus that goes to right by the Museum of Science and Industry, X28. It picks up at Wacker and Jackson. $2.25/person each way.

That's what I'd do, but then again, I like taking the bus in the city. Lots of things to see and it's cheap.