Question about missed connection in Chicago

[Lonnie]

The CZ is by now seven hours late. It may or likely may not get us into Chicago in time to catch the 9:30 LSL. And the only other train that would take us home is the same LSL tomorrow, getting us home too late for a gig. A) is it true the LSL would not be held for all the passengers needing to get on that train? And B) if we're stuck an extra 24 hours in Chicago, what is there to do there? Will our lodging kick us out at 11am and we have to wander around for 10 hours? We are not prepared to spend money there!

 

[pennyk]

Will our lodging kick us out at 11am and we have to wander around for 10 hours?

When I missed a connection in Chicago from the TE to the CL, I was provided a hotel room, a cab voucher to and from the hotel, and a small voucher for food in the station. I checked out of my hotel on time and stored my luggage in the lounge in Chicago and walked around Chicago (which is one of my favorite things to do). If you do not want to walk around, you could stay in the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago. Your hotel may give you a late checkout, but not that late.

 

[Lonnie]

When I missed a connection in Chicago from the TE to the CL, I was provided a hotel room, a cab voucher to and from the hotel, and a small voucher for food in the station. I checked out of my hotel on time and stored my luggage in the lounge in Chicago and walked around Chicago (which is one of my favorite things to do). If you do not want to walk around, you could stay in the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago. Your hotel may give you a late checkout, but not that late.

Thanks so much for your quick reply!

 

[joelkfla]

• Ride the "L" around the Loop downtown. The Brown Line north of downtown also goes through some older neighborhoods that I found visually interesting.
• Check out The Bean in Millenium Park.
• Explore the Riverwalk along E. Wacker Dr.

 

[John Bobinyec]

I would make sure that your conductor knows you have to connect with the LSL.

As of right now, 6(29) is due to arrive in Chicago at 8.53 p.m.
48(31) is due to depart at 9.30 p.m.

They might want to escort you right from one train to the other.

Don't forget to tell the conductor if you've got checked baggage that needs to be transferred as well.

Good luck.
jb

 

[river]

Keep us posted Lonnie--crossing my fingers you make your connection!
Good thing your layover in Chicago was as long as it was!

 

[Lonnie]

I would make sure that your conductor knows you have to connect with the LSL.

As of right now, 6(29) is due to arrive in Chicago at 8.53 p.m.
48(31) is due to depart at 9.30 p.m.

They might want to escort you right from one train to the other.

Don't forget to tell the conductor if you've got checked baggage that needs to be transferred as well.

Good luck.
jb

Yes, they've announced a couple times that they're trying to get us to our train. From what the conductor just said, we should arrive between 9:05 and 9:20. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Lonnie]

Keep us posted Lonnie--crossing my fingers you make your connection!
Good thing your layover in Chicago was as long as it was!

Will do! There I was thinking we'd have hours for a delightful Chicago dinner. But instead... Dinty Moore!

 

[Lonnie]

• Ride the "L" around the Loop downtown. The Brown Line north of downtown also goes through some older neighborhoods that I found visually interesting.
• Check out The Bean in Millenium Park.
• Explore the Riverwalk along E. Wacker Dr.

Thanks! If we don't do it tomorrow, Chicago is on our list of cities we have yet to explore.

 

[NorthShore]

Well, if I had seen this sooner, my suggestion would have been to drop by Cafe Caio on Madison (not too terribly far from Union Station) and sit in with the musicians playing there. Last night, including one of the city's finest vocal artists at Brazilian song, along with classic jazz standards. Or, you might have headed up north to the Green Mill for the big band that puts on a show like it's a classic radio broadcast (complete with an announcer and commercial reads) Thursday nights. If you're ever in town long enough, I'm sure you'd appreciate the Old Town School of Folk Music. There are numerous jazz clubs, including the Jazz Showcase in an old train station and Andy's, where you might still have dinner before heading to Union Station for the LSL.

What's there to do in Chicago? What's there NOT to do?

But, I hope these are, ultimately, suggestions for your next time through and that you made your connection and get to the gig.

 

[NorthShore]

Oh....if you don't want to spend money...you've come to the right city! There's all kinds of free and cheap offerings. Check out Lincoln Park Zoo, for instance. Go to the Garfield Park Conservatory (Spring Flower show time.) Stroll through Millennium Park or along Navy Pier. Head to the Oriental Institute. See historic Pullman. Often, there are free concerts at various venues, inside and out. You may find one at the Cultural Center, a beautiful building with a grand Tiffany dome. You can hear the Chicago Symphony Friday afternoon for as little as 25 bucks with the discount code MUTI. Or there may be a free noontime recital at 4th Presbyterian Church. Do you like birds? Head up to the magic hedge off Montrose and see migrants at one of the best places to find them in the country. A CTA day pass is just 5 bucks! Or just stroll around downtown and see amazing architecture. Stop in the Marquette building on Dearborn for historic murals.

 

[Fenway]

Bad things always seem to happen with Train 6 in Nevada and Utah

I have tried to connect with the LSL 3 times and only once did I make the connection.

Customer service at Chicago-Union does their best but as we all know they can't really allow the eastbound trains to miss their slots.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

#6 arrived in CHI at 8:59 pm last night, so she made the connection with a little time to spare.

 

[BlackDiamond]

Go to the Garfield Park Conservatory (Spring Flower show time.)

I second the suggestion of the conservatory. Easy to get to on the Lake St. L (Green line),

 

[Lonnie]

Well, if I had seen this sooner, my suggestion would have been to drop by Cafe Caio on Madison (not too terribly far from Union Station) and sit in with the musicians playing there. Last night, including one of the city's finest vocal artists at Brazilian song, along with classic jazz standards. Or, you might have headed up north to the Green Mill for the big band that puts on a show like it's a classic radio broadcast (complete with an announcer and commercial reads) Thursday nights. If you're ever in town long enough, I'm sure you'd appreciate the Old Town School of Folk Music. There are numerous jazz clubs, including the Jazz Showcase in an old train station and Andy's, where you might still have dinner before heading to Union Station for the LSL.

What's there to do in Chicago? What's there NOT to do?

But, I hope these are, ultimately, suggestions for your next time through and that you made your connection and get to the gig.

OMG now I'm almost wishing we had not caught the LSL! We are musicians who love doing jazz and Brazilian. But believe me, we will be going back to Chicago when we can stay a few days. I'll be keeping all your suggestions.

 

[Lonnie]

Oh....if you don't want to spend money...you've come to the right city! There's all kinds of free and cheap offerings. Check out Lincoln Park Zoo, for instance. Go to the Garfield Park Conservatory (Spring Flower show time.) Stroll through Millennium Park or along Navy Pier. Head to the Oriental Institute. See historic Pullman. Often, there are free concerts at various venues, inside and out. You may find one at the Cultural Center, a beautiful building with a grand Tiffany dome. You can hear the Chicago Symphony Friday afternoon for as little as 25 bucks with the discount code MUTI. Or there may be a free noontime recital at 4th Presbyterian Church. Do you like birds? Head up to the magic hedge off Montrose and see migrants at one of the best places to find them in the country. A CTA day pass is just 5 bucks! Or just stroll around downtown and see amazing architecture. Stop in the Marquette building on Dearborn for historic murals.

You've given me so many wonderful ideas, I'm thinking we'll have to spend a whole week there! We're really enjoying the roominess of the roomette in the Viewliner and will welcome another trip as far as Chicago. Thanks so much for all this information!

 

[Asher]

Even though Chicago is a great destinatio the weather there today is 38° and rainy. Probably best you made the connection to the LSL. Like you say, those viewliners roomettes are far better for napping during the day.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

I second the suggestion of the conservatory. Easy to get to on the Lake St. L (Green line),

As an FYI you still need to make a reservation to visit the conservatory (free however): Visit - Garfield Park Conservatory

Even though Chicago is a great destinatio the weather there today is 38° and rainy. Probably best you made the connection to the LSL. Like you say, those viewliners roomettes are far better for napping during the day.

Wait, what? It's raining out? But I have my shades down to keep out the sun!!! Say, what day is it today?

 

[NorthShore]

As an FYI you still need to make a reservation to visit the conservatory (free however): Visit - Garfield Park Conservatory


Wait, what? It's raining out? But I have my shades down to keep out the sun!!! Say, what day is it today?

Realistically, you can make the reservation at the door, though...but still online. Hopefully, this doesn't portend eventual admission charges for the future. It's upseting, for instance, that there's now an admission cost to go to the botanic garden.

 

[NorthShore]

OMG now I'm almost wishing we had not caught the LSL! We are musicians who love doing jazz and Brazilian. But believe me, we will be going back to Chicago when we can stay a few days. I'll be keeping all your suggestions.

Let me know if you're ever headed here, and I'll clue you in about anything of particular interest around the music scene occurring at that time.

 

[Asher]

As an FYI you still need to make a reservation to visit the conservatory (free however): Visit - Garfield Park Conservatory


Wait, what? It's raining out? But I have my shades down to keep out the sun!!! Say, what day is it today?

What a difference a day makes. Rain one day, sunny the next.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

What a difference a day makes. Rain one day, sunny the next.

Yeah, woke up this morning to snow on the surrounding rooftops - which I didn't totally expect.

 

[Gary Behling]

Oh....if you don't want to spend money...you've come to the right city! There's all kinds of free and cheap offerings. Check out Lincoln Park Zoo, for instance. Go to the Garfield Park Conservatory (Spring Flower show time.) Stroll through Millennium Park or along Navy Pier. Head to the Oriental Institute. See historic Pullman. Often, there are free concerts at various venues, inside and out. You may find one at the Cultural Center, a beautiful building with a grand Tiffany dome. You can hear the Chicago Symphony Friday afternoon for as little as 25 bucks with the discount code MUTI. Or there may be a free noontime recital at 4th Presbyterian Church. Do you like birds? Head up to the magic hedge off Montrose and see migrants at one of the best places to find them in the country. A CTA day pass is just 5 bucks! Or just stroll around downtown and see amazing architecture. Stop in the Marquette building on Dearborn for historic murals.

Don't forget the restored Silver Streak in the basement of the Museum of Science and Industry and the miniature train layout on the top floor

 

[joelkfla]

Don't forget the restored Silver Streak in the basement of the Museum of Science and Industry and the miniature train layout on the top floor

But at $22 per person, I don't think it falls into the free or inexpensive category.

 

[Deni]

It's upseting, for instance, that there's now an admission cost to go to the botanic garden.

Really annoyed about that as well, especially since they drastically lowered the parking fee encouraging more driving and less transit.