We are taking Amtrak cross-country and will have a 6 hour stop-over in Chicago each way. Any suggestions for great lunch stops that are not too far away? Walking distance would be great but we could also do a cab ride. Also, what sites are not to be missed? We don't have much time but should be able to walk around a little bit.

I will do the same in September, going to Emeryville (San Francisco). Where are you going? When?

Union Station is right next to Sears Tower, so a visit to the observation deck there may be worthwhile, especially if it's a sunny day.

If you have time, head down Adams towards the lake to Millenium Park, it's beautiful and a great spot to see the city from. There's a restaurant at Millenium Park that is very nice.

Agree with Patten. If you have time, and want to stretch your legs, walk down Adams to Michigan Ave. and visit the park. Take your picture in the bean! http://www.millenniumpark.org/artand...loud_gate.html
It is a bit of a walk, but totally doable - I work right near Union Station and I've gone to the park and back on my lunch hour. Plenty of places to eat in Union Station too so you could grab a quick bite to go.

FainaAgain: We are taking the train from NYC to the Grand Canyon, so we won't quite make it to the other coast. We get off the train in Flagstaff and then drive from there to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Santa Fe, Taos, Vail and Denver and then train home to New York from Denver. We leave at the end of July. We have never been to Chicago so are looking forward to the brief chance to visit and will certainly return for a longer stay.

Ely, that's a wonderful trip! Please post a report when you come back, especially the train part.

I will fly to Chicago, stay there for 4 days, then take the train home. First time absolutely alone!

You could head west on Adams or Monroe about 7 blocks to Greektown. There are several restaurants within a couple blocks and many have outdoor cafes.

If you don't want to walk all the way to Michigan Avenue, you can catch the 151 bus in front of Union Station. It will take you through the loop and to the shopping district on Michigan Avenue. From Union Station, it's about a mile east to Millennium Park and another mile or so up to the end of the Magnificant Mile.

You could head to the lounge at the Signature Room on top of the Hancock Building for a drink then to one of the restaurants in the area. The buffet lunch at the Signature Room is priced reasonably but their food is just ok. (Dinner prices are outrageous.)

Rosebud on Rush has good Italian, if you need suggestions, there's a visitor center in the Waterworks Building at Michigan and Chicago, 2 blks south of the Hancock.

From there, window shop your way down Michigan Avenue to Millennium Park. If you don't want to walk back to Union Station, you can catch the Number 151 or Number 20 bus. The fare is $2.

greektown's a great idea... alternatively, walk east up adams 5 or 6 blocks to berghoff, chicago institution for german food. they closed their main dining room this winter but are serving a very large menu (sauerbraten, sausage, schnitzel etc) in the bar, which isn't too "bar-ie" around lunchtime.

I'm assuming the free trams are still running, as they were last summer? They come by every 15 min or so during non-rush hrs, and all the lines stop near Union Station. Our favorite stopover lunch is in the basement of the Art Institute, where there is a cafeteria and a nicer restaurant. Admission to the museum, one of the world's best, is self determined, and if you're mainly stopping for lunch you can give a pittance with easy conscience. You can walk or take the tram east, and take a tram down along the lake to the aquarium.