4 hours

we will be in chicago on an amtrak layover from 10 am till 2;30 pm. and suggestions on what to do in this short amount of time. i have 2 teens. just want to have fun. stretch legs get in some sun and air

4 hours

The Sears Tower is just a block or two from Union Station.

Actually, the whole Chicago Loop is just a few blocks away. If you just want to stretch legs and get some air, head east on Jackson or Adams and keep going. In about 3/4 mile you%26#39;ll get to Grant Park. You can meander on La Salle, Dearborn, State to see some amazing architecture, public art, or shopping. You won%26#39;t get too much sun %26#39;til you reach Grant Park though.

4 hours

pheslie, I wouldn%26#39;t be counting my chickens before they hatch. The Amtrak train route from NY is often late - and by hours, sometimes. I personally wouldn%26#39;t say anything to the teens just in case you have this situation.

By the way, are you traveling first class on Amtrak? If not, what would you do with your luggage during that layover?

Have lunch in Greektown. My favorite place - www.pegasuschicago.com

Are you taking the Lake Shore Limited in? If you are, that does have absolutely gorgeous scenery at times going through NY state. However, it also is somewhat infamous for not being on-time. You may not have the kind of layover you are scheduled to have.

Ooops, didn%26#39;t see the train%26#39;s lateness discussed earlier in the thread by chitown. The Lake Shore Limited to Chicago seems to have a little bit better on-time history than the Lake Shore Limited going to NYC though, so at least that%26#39;s in your favor.

If you%26#39;re traveling coach on the Lake Shore it%26#39;s not bad, but I wouldn%26#39;t want to travel coach for more than an overnight on Amtrak (it%26#39;s doable, but I%26#39;d imagine difficult). If you%26#39;re starting in NYC though, the scenery is unforgettable on the Lake Shore Limited for the first couple of hours, and pretty remarkable through the rest of NY state.

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