Chicago Metropolitan Lounge re-entry?

[crescent-zephyr]

*edit to add - I wouldn't take the overnight bus for comfort / sleeping purposes. If it's the only thing that will work with your budget / schedule and you don't mind not getting a good nights sleep it can still work.

 

[NorthShore]

What is the best way to go to the Museum of Science and Industry from Union Station and how long does it take? My wife and I almost went there by city bus a few years ago but we found the bus directions to be confusing so we opted for an afternoon at the Art Institute instead.

There are a few options. For ease, I'd suggest taking the #151 or the #7 bus from Union Station to State Street (about half a mile or so.). You could walk this leg, if you prefer. Transfer on State to the #6 bus south. This will take you to a block from the museum (in plain sight ahead at about 56th Street.) On the return trip, the 6 runs along Michigan Ave north. You get a great view of the lake and the other grand museums along the way. Alight at Adams to return to Union Station via the 151 (or some other buses that get there too )

I'd figure up to an hour each way, but it could be as little as about 35 or 40 minutes if you make great bus connections.

 

[trainman74]

In case this is helpful to anyone discovering this thread later: between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, another option to get to the Museum of Science and Industry is the #10 bus, which is an express that runs about every half hour from Michigan Avenue directly to the front of the museum.

 

[Brian Battuello]

And when you get there, you'll find that it is now the "Griffin Museum of Science and Industry", courtesy of a $125 million donation. Somehow GMOSI doesn't have the same ring to it.

Flashing back to some old "Billions" reruns...

 

[Sauve850]

Grew up outside of downtown Chicago. Stop for a couple days every summer on way back home from Wy to Fl. Great museums. This year I went to Shedd Aquarium. Very cool. Love the Adler Planetarium and especially the Science and Industry Museum. I stay in hotel just off Michigan Ave and use my Ventra card for the bus to the museums. Easy and inexpensive ride.

 

[bearcruzer]

That's great! As I'm reading through the forum comments, it sounds like there's little in the way of food within the lounge itself. What are the food options like in the main station or outside the station within walking distance?

Walk west on Jackson, across the expressway to Halsted Street and you'll be in Greektown. There are still a few great restaurants and small grocery stores in the neighborhood. Opa!

 

[pi314]

One interesting place if you have a spare hour or so which was briefly mentioned in a previous post:

There's a food court kind of place called "The French Market" less than a 10 minute walk away. It's located below the Metra track platforms at the Ogilvie Transportation Center. It is NOT part of the Olgilvie Food Court (which BTW has more options than the Union Station food court).

Two ways to get there:

1. Walk North two blocks on either Clinton or Canal and go in the main Ogilvie entrance on Madison. Then take the escalator up to the Metra tracks on the second level, go through the doors to the train platforms (access is not restricted) and then walk North on the platform to a concrete stairway that goes back down to the street level.

2. If the weather is nice, it's simpler to just walk North three blocks on Clinton going just past Washington Street, and the entrance is on your right directly below the elevated tracks.

Among other options, there's a French bakery there that sells the best almond croissant and/or chocolate almond croissant you will ever have in your life. Go earlier than later because they will sell out.

With a little more time to kill, there's a bucket-list burger joint named "Au Cheval" nearby at 800 W. Randolph St.
Google it to see if it's your kind of jam.

An decent option to hang out for a while and have a casual cafeteria-style breakfast is The Corner Bakery only half a block away on Randolph (unlimited free coffee refills!).

 

[Rasputin]

The last that I knew the Ogilvie Transportation Center had a nice bookstore right by the main entrance. I don't know if it is still there or not. I don't believe Union Station has a bookstore - just newsstands. I cannot recall if there are other bookstores within reasonable walking distance of Union Station but I am sure someone can let us know.

 

[pi314]

The last that I knew the Ogilvie Transportation Center had a nice bookstore right by the main entrance. I don't know if it is still there or not. I don't believe Union Station has a bookstore - just newsstands. I cannot recall if there are other bookstores within reasonable walking distance of Union Station but I am sure someone can let us know.

Yes there was a Waldenbooks on the first floor which I guess went the way of the dinosaurs. There is a newly reopened Hudson bookstore at the street level entrance on Madison. I was there 3 weeks ago anyway.