Chicago Layover

[SUTTONK11]

My wife and I have a 5 hour layover in Chicago which is a little to much time to sit around the Metro Lounge so I thought I would ask if anyone has suggestions of what to see/do with this little amount of time. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[yarrow]

this question has been asked in other threads. my usual advice is that if you are walkers to walk down to millenium park/grant park. a lot to see in the parks, the art institute is there, michigan avenue is across the street, the chicago cultural center is across michigan ave from millenium park(it's the old library, a lovely buillding with a lot going on, all free)

 

[Green Maned Lion]

The best scenario I could give you is to walk up Jackson to the Sears Tower, experience the tallest building in the US, and then walk back, stopping at Giordano's for lunch or dinner. Regardless of everything else, you must go to Giordano's. Giordano's is so good I'd pay a grand to get a pizza there- and have considered doing so. (That is, train to chicago from New York, eat at Giordano's, train back!) Obviously it is for the train too, but still!

 

[p&sr]

My wife and I have a 5 hour layover in Chicago which is a little to much time to sit around the Metro Lounge so I thought I would ask if anyone has suggestions of what to see/do with this little amount of time. Thanks in advance for any help.

Another possibility is to ride the L.

Just three blocks east from Union Station (across the River and past the Sears Tower) there is a station at Quincy St and Wells St. Catch a Brown Line train southbound (counterclockwise around the Loop) and ride it around the loop to the end of the line at Kimball Ave (north and west from Downtown), and back again to view an interesting variety of neighborhoods and a scenic crossing of the Chicago River north of Downtown. Cost is about $2, allow 2 hours plus walking time to & from Union Station.

 

[Joel N. Weber II]

The problem I ran into eating dinner at Giordano's as a single traveler roughly 40 hours ago is that 2.something of the 6 slices of the small pizza were quite filling, and I didn't really feel like there was any practical way to bring the leftovers home to Boston with me, and seeing all that good food go to waste was painful.

 

[DaveKCMO]

better check http://transitchicago.com/ before hopping on the El during a layover. lots of work going on, especially on the nights and weekends, and you don't want to get stranded. we were there on saturday and the red line was rerouted above ground and it took us over 45 minutes to get to lakeview on the brown line.

basically, stay in the loop and on the ground. there's lots to see on foot.

 

[RRrich]

The problem I ran into eating dinner at Giordano's as a single traveler roughly 40 hours ago is that 2.something of the 6 slices of the small pizza were quite filling, and I didn't really feel like there was any practical way to bring the leftovers home to Boston with me, and seeing all that good food go to waste was painful.

On our trip to NOL, we were in CHI for several hours - I walked to Giordano's and purchased a small stuffed pie and we managed to eat 5 of the six slices. We left the last slice sitting on a table in the lounge in the Giordano's box. I hope it didn't go to waste.

On the return trip, I went to Giordano's and got an app and two sandwiches, which came with fries, salad or soup. We got their wonderful roasted garlic tomato soup. In the lounge, we ate the soup and slowly devoured the app (zucchini fritters??) - the sandwiches we ate on the train as we were in coach. No waste and fine food!

I sure am glad you guys turned us onto Giordano's

 

[Rail Freak]

The problem I ran into eating dinner at Giordano's as a single traveler roughly 40 hours ago is that 2.something of the 6 slices of the small pizza were quite filling, and I didn't really feel like there was any practical way to bring the leftovers home to Boston with me, and seeing all that good food go to waste was painful.

On our trip to NOL, we were in CHI for several hours - I walked to Giordano's and purchased a small stuffed pie and we managed to eat 5 of the six slices. We left the last slice sitting on a table in the lounge in the Giordano's box. I hope it didn't go to waste.

On the return trip, I went to Giordano's and got an app and two sandwiches, which came with fries, salad or soup. We got their wonderful roasted garlic tomato soup. In the lounge, we ate the soup and slowly devoured the app (zucchini fritters??) - the sandwiches we ate on the train as we were in coach. No waste and fine food!

I sure am glad you guys turned us onto Giordano's

Gotta leave ya, You Guys are making me HUNGRY!!!

 

[RobertF]

The problem I ran into eating dinner at Giordano's as a single traveler roughly 40 hours ago is that 2.something of the 6 slices of the small pizza were quite filling, and I didn't really feel like there was any practical way to bring the leftovers home to Boston with me, and seeing all that good food go to waste was painful.

On our trip to NOL, we were in CHI for several hours - I walked to Giordano's and purchased a small stuffed pie and we managed to eat 5 of the six slices. We left the last slice sitting on a table in the lounge in the Giordano's box. I hope it didn't go to waste.

On the return trip, I went to Giordano's and got an app and two sandwiches, which came with fries, salad or soup. We got their wonderful roasted garlic tomato soup. In the lounge, we ate the soup and slowly devoured the app (zucchini fritters??) - the sandwiches we ate on the train as we were in coach. No waste and fine food!

I sure am glad you guys turned us onto Giordano's

Yep, Giordano's is yummy!!

RIDE METRA if you have a long layover. Take a train to, say, Naperville, if you have time!!

 

[Green Maned Lion]

The problem I ran into eating dinner at Giordano's as a single traveler roughly 40 hours ago is that 2.something of the 6 slices of the small pizza were quite filling, and I didn't really feel like there was any practical way to bring the leftovers home to Boston with me, and seeing all that good food go to waste was painful.

I can relate. Trust me.

 

[SharonLPK]

I'm another new fan of Giordano's from this past Saturday (glad I read recommendations on this board before my trip!). Indeed the deep dish is very filling, luckily we had a group of 4. If I went again, I'd try an individual pizza...

Milennium Park was beautiful, definitely plenty to do within walking distance, taking in thearchitectural sights is quite amazing, and the tulips are wonderful

Friends went to Berghoff's (or something like that), a German restaurant within walking distance, which they said was very good also.

Make sure to pick up the Chicago pocket guide in Union Station's brochure rack, it would have helped us alot if we had picked it up when we arrived, instead of looking at it later haha!

 

[RailFanLNK]

Ever heard of the Billy Goat curse on the Chicago Cubs? Try going to the Billy Goat Tavern 430 N. Michigan Ave. This is where the SNL skit "Cheezeborger, Cheezeborger, CHIPS! No Fries! Coke No Pepsi!!!!! Came from. Just good greasy food. Its is located under Michigan Ave. so its a little hard to find. You have to walk down a stairwell that reminds me of a subway stairway.

Maybe hit the John Hancock Tower, on the ground level is the Cheesecake Factory. Personally, I liked the Hancock Tower more than the Sears Tower, but the location of the Sears Tower can't be beat. If you are in CHI for lunch or breakfast..Lou Mitchell's on Jackson Street is a dee-light! Been serving food since 1923, about 1 block from Union Station. Navy Pier is cool for shopping and that can be walked to as well. Or.....www.rtachicago.komm (sorry don't want to feed the spam bots) can tell you what bus to take from Union Station to where you want to go. Giordano's is SUPERB!!!! Also, maybe schedule a massage or facial at one of the massage schools. I have found this idea in "Cheap Bastards Guide To Chicago" books.