Clarion Hotel Executive Plaza

71 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
312-346-7100

Location Rating: T-D-x

Ask for river-view room on an upper floor (we were on 23rd); view to the Union Pacific (ex-CNW)/Metra yard throat and Metra West commuter line, Union Station north Tracks and a couple of CTA (EL) routes. Looking west down the main channel of the Chicago River gives a spectacular view (binoculars help -- action is about a half-mile away).

Submitted by Unknown

Hilton Chicago Towers

720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
312-922-4400

Location Rating: x-x-x

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Holiday Inn Chicago - Mart Plaza

350 North Orleans Street
Chicago, IL 60654-1515
312-836-5000

Location Rating: T-B-x

Here's the "engineer's view." It is the tan bulding in the center, with the windowless center band. The hotel windows are the top ones above the band. The photo was taken 5/2/04, from an inbound Harvard train on the former C&NW. One can get nice "engineer views" from the lead car of inbounds.

Submitted by Bill Hakkarinen

The hotel is located atop the Fashion Center, directly across the river from CY Tower / Clybourn Junction (UP/CNW North and North West lines) and overlooking the MILW north line out of Chicago Union Station. Out-of-service street trackage runs through the structure at ground level. Ask for a room on the West side of the building.

Submitted by Unknown

These shots show the typical morning rush, a constant parade of Metra suburban trains (serving the station as well as deadhead moves to and from coach yards), along with occasional Amtrak Hiawatha Service, Empire Builder #'s 7 & 8 to and from Portland / Seattle.

Submitted by George Paine

Not far from Union Station, I asked for a room facing the tracks. I was on the top floor (Room#2337) and had birds eye view of the approach to Union Station. Three routes converge here and there is constant Metra and Amtrak traffic. At one point I was watching 12 different trains moving at the same time. Also, switching movements and occasionally a UP switcher bringing coaches into the station. Non-stop action.

Submitted by Gregory Mazzie