I just returned from my annual trip on Amtrak to celebrate my birthday. This year it was a day trip to Chicago starting in Cleveland. The LSL was about on-time on the way out but was delayed because of the problems with the CL. I think it was at Cleveland where the CL started alternate routing do to the mudslides outside Pittsburgh.
I want to thank the numerous posters that I've read about what to do for a layover in Chicago. I can now second the opinion of everyone that suggest that Lou Mitchells is the best breakfast place in the entire world.
Also, for those that suggested an round-trip on the Brown Line El, you people were right on. It's the first time I ever rode the El. My wife really enjoyed seeing the city from that perspective.
One snag did occur though and I'll leave it as a precaution for those that are considering the same type of trip. I had intended to get a couple one day CTA passes at CUS. However, the vending machine that dispenses them did not have one-day passes. It only had three-day passes. There was a slot for one-day passes but it looked like it had been taken out. My advise if you are considering that would be to get it online if possible.
We also planned to take the advise of the many posters here and have an afternoon meal at Giordano's. However, after the breakfast at Mitchel's we were still full and decided that we'd save that for the next time in Chicago. We were saving ourselves for dinner on the LSL on the way home. I know, I know, but I forgot there was no meal on the LSL. My fault. The wine and cheese tasting was pretty good though. It would have been nice for the cafe car attendant to have opened anywhere near on time but I'm saving that for another post.
Anyway, thanks to all the posters here that always help everyone.
I want to thank the numerous posters that I've read about what to do for a layover in Chicago. I can now second the opinion of everyone that suggest that Lou Mitchells is the best breakfast place in the entire world.
Also, for those that suggested an round-trip on the Brown Line El, you people were right on. It's the first time I ever rode the El. My wife really enjoyed seeing the city from that perspective.
One snag did occur though and I'll leave it as a precaution for those that are considering the same type of trip. I had intended to get a couple one day CTA passes at CUS. However, the vending machine that dispenses them did not have one-day passes. It only had three-day passes. There was a slot for one-day passes but it looked like it had been taken out. My advise if you are considering that would be to get it online if possible.
We also planned to take the advise of the many posters here and have an afternoon meal at Giordano's. However, after the breakfast at Mitchel's we were still full and decided that we'd save that for the next time in Chicago. We were saving ourselves for dinner on the LSL on the way home. I know, I know, but I forgot there was no meal on the LSL. My fault. The wine and cheese tasting was pretty good though. It would have been nice for the cafe car attendant to have opened anywhere near on time but I'm saving that for another post.
Anyway, thanks to all the posters here that always help everyone.
