Metra Offers 'Rails, Trails and Ales' On Heritage Corridor Line

LEMONT, IL — Metra will offer special service on five Saturdays this fall on its Heritage Corridor Line. The excursions, called Rails, Trails and Ales will provide two round-trip trains, each with bike cars, on Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, according to a release from Metra.

Metra said this special service will give Chicago area residents opportunities to explore bike and running paths, festivals, restaurants and craft breweries along the line.

The trains will leave Chicago Union Station at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and make all stops to Joliet, with the return trips leaving Joliet at 1:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and making all stops to Union Station.

“Fall is a great time in Chicago and we thought this special service would be a great way to help My Metra riders explore some areas that aren’t normally served by train on weekends,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a release. “Bring your bike onboard and ride a bike path. Check out a weekend festival. Ride a zip line. There are scores of possibilities along the Heritage Corridor Line.”

The Heritage Corridor Line parallels the Illinois & Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor, and stops in Joliet, Lockport, Romeoville, Lemont, Willow Springs, Summit and Chicago.

Here's a look at what to visit in each town:

Summit

• Chicago Portage National Historic Site

Willow Springs

• Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Bici Bicycle Shop, John Husar I&M Canal Trail, Centennial Trail, Palos Trail system, Imperial Oak Brewing, Ashbary Coffee House, Capri Lounge & Grill, The Irish Legend Pub

Lemont

• The Forge Adventure Park (which will give a 15 percent discount on an activity or food/beverage when you show or mention your Metra ticket), Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Heritage Quarries Recreation Area, SS Cyril & Methodius Church, Centennial Trail, Pollyanna Brewing Company

Romeoville

• Isle A La Cache Museum, Oak Hill Farm, Centennial Trail, I&M Canal Trail, Metal Monkey Brewing

Lockport

• Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery, Gaylord Building Historic Site, Will County Historical Museum and Research Center, Legacy Adventure Park, I&M Canal Trail, Tallgrass Restaurant, Mamma Onesta's Italian Restaurant, Honey Field Pancake House, Lock & Mule by Tangled Roots, Public Landing Restaurant, Hollingworth Candies

Joliet

• Rialto Square Theatre, Old Joliet Prison, Harrah's Joliet Casino, Joliet Museum, Elder Brewing, My Grain Brewing Company, Cut 158 Chophouse, Jacob Henry Mansion, The Reserve, Juliet's Tavern