Tour of Chicago's stupendous Union Station and Metropolitan Lounge
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 жов 2023
- I visited Chicago's vast Union Station, where Amtrak, Metra, Greyhound, and other transportation services are based. In this video I walk all around the station, through its many corridors and waiting rooms and platforms. Also visited is the food court and, finally, the luxurious Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge (I had sleeper tickets on a departing Amtrak train). Chicago Union Station is one of America's great train centers, bold and noble with touches of grandeur and elegance all around you.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE → ua-cam.com/users/t1dwanderer?sub_confi...
👉 PATREON → / t1dwanderer
🌍 EMAIL NEWSLETTER → www.t1dwanderer.com/subscribe
I retired in 2016 after 40 years of riding the Burlington Northern Metra commuter line from the western suburbs into the downtown Chicago Loop area. Thank you for this trip down "Memory Lane." Taking the Burlington into the city is much less stressful than driving - especially after retirement.
There was a classic scene in the movie "The Untouchables" that was filmed at Union Station on that big staircase!
I just watched it on UA-cam. So weird to see it, after experiencing it in real life first ...!
Chicago Union Station is dear to my heart. I have taken so many Amtrak trains from there that I can't count them all. I also took many Metra trains just for fun.
I was in Chicago Union Station for the first time this past May. I never did find the food court, but I also didn't spend a lot of time looking for it--I had already planned on getting a deep dish pizza from Giordano's downtown that evening.
So, I'm a huge fan of Union Station. In fact, there's so many hallways, as you mentioned, and secret little parts. In fact, you could actually travel to Ogilvie. They actually have an underground tunnel that'll pretty much let you out right on Washington, where Ogilvie is, and where you could cross the street, and you're there. So, it's a wonderful place, and it has a nice, wonderful food court. My only issue with Union Station is the fact that they've tried to privatize parts of Union Station, such as the Grand Hall that you're currently in. Now, in the wintertime, sometimes trains may stop for a little bit. For example, the metro lines may shut down after a certain time, but start back up, depending on the line, or people will be waiting for an Amtrak train. Basically, they've started to kick people out of the station, so they could actually have functions in the Grand Hall. So, while the original purpose of Union Station's Grand Hall was a sitting area for travelers, what it's turning into is essentially an event area, which I am not a fan of, and I think it's wrong. Also, they've moved in Amtrak in some other stations within the Grand Hall, instead of having them in their older spot. If you walk around Union Station, and you go down to the old fountain area, that's where the Amtrak agents used to be, and they sort of closed that and they sort of closed that part off. So, it's kind of strange. They've created a private lounge in there for Amtrak customers, and okay, I can understand that, but they really need to keep the Grand Hall open, and open all night for passengers or travelers who are waiting for the next train.
I have been twice first in June 2011 and then again in August 2023.
I go for the bbq pork sandwich at Robinson ribs. And the sausage and peppers from sbarro and roasted potatoes. I'd also do Dunkin donuts for coffee if I was in coach but the free coffee at the Metropolitan lounge is as good. The showers at metropolitan lounge are clean and have great water pressure . the red caps are great unless you are inbound from the Zephyr they forget about that train.
Nice video do Grand Central in New York sometime
Country mouse from Indiana. Always impressed walking into the Great Hall
3:25 Incorrect, though Metra does service the Chicagoland area it goes far out from Chicago and it will go all the way into Wisconsin
I rode the Southwest Chief to Raton New Mexico way back in 91. Union Station is beautiful.
As someone who grew up near the original Robinson’s Ribs I appreciate they have one in the station.
This is my layover station. A very short walk will get you to Lou Mitchell’s diner - highly recommend it if you have the time and they are open. Next trip!
Definitely, I love Lou Mitchell’s
I have a 6 hr layover here end of Nov. First train ride.
@NickP16 YES! Lou Mitchell's - great omlettes and their little boxes of MILK DUDS.
They're finally doing renovations to the concourses where the exposed roofs were. Mostly in the hallways between the Great Hall, north/south concourses
You can also access the Metropolitain Lounge if you have Business Class ticket or an Amtrak Guest Rewards card.
NOUPT and CUPT are my favorite stations
Now famous for being the cover art for the band Shellac's last ever album 'To All Trains'.
I take Amtrak 2-4 times a year before I head to ORD to travel overseas. No matter how many times I go to this Station, i am always amazed at it. Oh and if anyone is into the 1920's look? Head to the "Palmer House Hilton" It's not too far from the Station here and it's on Monroe street. It's where the brownie was invented. Great video on the station too! You've gained a sub.
Good info! thanks
The Palmer House Hilton is a grand hotel. We've been staying there once a year almost every year for 20 years. A must see lobby.
i grew up in the Chicago area. I love the Metra trains. it's only way to go into the city for a day since parking is so expensive. the trains haven't really changed since I was a kid in the 60s/70s. Union Station is so beautiful.
This is a station we are yet to tour. I was there many years ago taking the Amtrak from Toledo to Chicago but that was long before cell phones and UA-cam! 🤣🤣
Another great vlog, we love all of your content but especially your train related content. We will get to this station sooner rather than later! Thanks for taking us along!
I've never been upstairs in the Metropolitans Lounge. The ground level area was mostly empty - with a plug nearby - and no stairs to climb. Plus refreshments also close. I see I didn't miss much. Thank you.
Beautiful station! Looking forward to part 2 and seeing the sleeper car.
8:29 you should of left out of the west entrance of Union station and head over to Beggars Pizza which is a famous south side pizza joint with THICK PIZZA.
Great video. Very detailed. Thank you for sharing
Another terrific video. That is a such a classic train station. Thank You.
Pretty amazing place. Thanks!
Very interesting. Thanks!
With food choices so amazing in Grand Central Station it's hard to believe the choices in Chicago aren't better
Nice vixedo, as usual. I realize you are showing what's offered at union station, but so many wonderful places to eat within walking distance of the station.
Yeah I didn't explore Chicago's eating options; will have to go back for that someday
4:13 Again, Metra isn’t simply for Chicago and it goes all the way into Wisconsin. Metra sadly has older cars those cars you see were made in the 70s and are falling apart. The good thing about Metra though is you have bathroom services and conductors on the train whom will fight off hoodlums who try to get on the train. There are UA-cam videos showing it. It’s basically a way to get people who work far out from Chicago back into Chicago and have a safe way out.
Chicagos blue line or L system sadly is in worse shape and has homeless and people who do their business in the train
Looking forward to the review…that is on my list for next year. Next month I’m doing the Zephyr and Empire Builder at the end of the month.
How do you plan on doing that trip being there both parallel routes?
@@jaywatt8728 I leave out of Emeryville on November 28th and arrive in Chicago on the 30th. I spend the night in Chicago and leave December 1st and arrive in Seattle on December 3rd.
Kansas City MO's Union Station is also beautiful, and storied - "KC Massacre" 1933.
One of those staircases you were on @1:20 was the spot of the iconic "Shootout" scenes in the movie "The Untouchables" with Kevin Costner... You know, the one with the baby carriage. There are four staircases, and I'm not sure which one was the exact one, but you can easily imagine it happening in front of you...
The southeast staircase was the Untouchables movie scene.
Nice video. This is quite the station! My dream is to start there, take the California Zephyy to Emeryville, the Coast Starlight to Seattle, and the Empire Builder from Seattle back to Chicago. Of course this has to be in an Amtrak bedroom, reading most of the way... And wasn't part of the movie The Untouchables filmed in this station?
Thanks. Yes, I think that movie had a scene on the very staircase I climbed up (but I didn't realize it at the time I was there)
9:05 Robinson’s is good in fact very good sadly some of the restaurants right next to them ended up closing down due to rising costs and with lower ridership due to crime and COVID Robinson’s is the last to really stay.
Metra system is NOT "light rail". The CTA-El ( elevated ) system IS light-rail, but the Metra system is definitely heavy-rail, i.e. full-size, full-weight, full-capability commuter rail system...
Pete C., in NH
Oh thanks for the clarification
Metra is not light rail.
I probably would have asked directions to the Food Court -- but my husband would probably have just wandered around the station until he stumbled upon it, like you did. (Of course, if one doesn't mind nibbling on snacks for a meal, the offerings in the Metropolitan Lounge MIGHT suffice . . .)
I did actually ask the attendant in the main waiting hall for directions; she told me so I vaguely knew where to go but still got lost 😊
@@T1DWanderer My husband and I got lost trying to find the KC Streetcar stop after arriving in Kansas City on the Missouri River Runner. I was walking too fast for my husband through the skywalk from the platform to the station, but then he was walking too fast through the station, and wouldn't slow down so I could ask directions until we got outside and had no idea which way to go. Then we had to walk all the way back through the station to the Amtrak ticket booth (the only place still open that we could see in the station that evening), ask directions, and then go back the way we had come, only this time knowing which way to turn once we were outside of the station. (We were both VERY tired after 9 hours or so on the train, even in the fairly comfortable Business Class seats!)
New subscriber here
Welcome!
Thanks for sharing. Do they have security/metal detectors to board the trains?
I don't believe so
@@T1DWanderer Was always concerned to travel by Amtrak but I suppose it’s pretty safe … never really hear about problems on Amtrak trains. Thanks
I see from your about tab on your channel that you are a type 1 diabetic. I have type 2 diabetes.
That's right. Welcome fellow 'betic!
I wish the Chiefs would stop making the Super Bowl.
OK but I always like watching Mahomes