Owais Crawford
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a bustling hub, notorious for its unpredictable wait times. If you're facing a long layover, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained. Terminal 3 is a great place to start, with its Aeroponic Garden and yoga room. You can also grab a slice of classic Chicago deep-dish pizza or, if you're feeling adventurous, try a Chicago dog. For art lovers, the airport offers a rich cultural experience with its art trail and kinetic neon sculpture. Those seeking relaxation can visit the O'Hare International Airport Chapel or take advantage of the spa facilities. With a longer layover, you might even venture into the city, with downtown Chicago just a 45-minute train ride away.
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What You'll Learn
- Explore the city's top landmarks, like Millennium Park and the Chicago River
- Take a 2-hour walk through all three main terminals, including Terminal 3's Aeroponic Garden
- Enjoy Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza at the airport or in the city
- Relax in the airport's quiet spaces, including the interfaith chapel and the upper floor
- Take a dip in one of the airport's pools or visit the Getaway Spa
Explore the city's top landmarks, like Millennium Park and the Chicago River
The Chicago River and Millennium Park are two of the city's most iconic landmarks. The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a total length of 156 miles, flowing through the heart of downtown Chicago and connecting the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River Basin. The river is celebrated for its scenic beauty, architectural marvels, and historical significance. Explore the river's plants, animals, and ecology, or simply admire the geography and urban planning that has transformed the river's course over time. The riverfront is also a great place to engage in recreational activities like canoeing and boat tours.
Millennium Park, located in downtown Chicago, is a 3.5-acre urban sanctuary that offers a plethora of attractions. The park boasts iconic sculptures like Cloud Gate ("The Bean"), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, and public art installations. It hosts a variety of free events, festivals, and performances throughout the year, including the beloved Summer Music Series and Summer Film Series. Millennium Park also features skating rinks, a climbing wall, mini-golf, and ample green space for picnics and relaxation. The park is easily accessible via public transportation, making it a convenient destination for visitors.
The Chicago River and Millennium Park are easily accessible from Chicago's airports, providing visitors with a great opportunity to explore the city's top landmarks. Visitors can opt for scenic boat tours or stroll along the riverwalk to admire the architectural majesty of the surrounding buildings. Millennium Park, with its diverse offerings, is a great place to spend a few hours or an entire day, participating in the various activities and events that cater to all ages.
To get to Millennium Park from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), located at 201 E. Randolph St., you can take public transportation or drive. The park is accessible via the elevated lines by exiting at Washington/Wabash and walking east. Alternatively, you can take the subway and exit at Lake (Red Line) or Washington (Blue Line), also walking east. Bus services are also available, with several bus lines serving the park, including buses 3, 4, 6, J14, 20, 56, 60, 124, 146, 147, 151, and 157. For more information on travel and transportation, visit www.transitchicago.com.
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Take a 2-hour walk through all three main terminals, including Terminal 3's Aeroponic Garden
If you're looking to stretch your legs and get a feel for Chicago O'Hare Airport, consider taking a leisurely 2-hour walk through all three main terminals. This walk will take you through Terminals 1, 2, and 3, offering a great way to explore the airport's diverse offerings and get some light exercise during a long layover. Here's a suggested itinerary for your walk:
Begin your walk at Terminal 1, the main terminal for United Airlines. Take in the impressive four-story-high brachiosaurus display and visit the Field Museum. Don't miss the "Sky's the Limit" exhibit, a 744-foot-long kinetic neon sculpture of light and sound. You can also explore the $1.2 million underground tunnel connecting Terminals 1 and 2, providing a unique backdrop for photos.
As you make your way to Terminal 2, you'll find the interfaith O'Hare International Airport Chapel located on the mezzanine level. This peaceful space is open 24 hours and provides materials for worship for people of various faiths. Terminal 2 also offers a glimpse into WWII war hero Butch O'Hare's story and displays the F4F-3 fighter airplane.
Next, head to Terminal 3, home to the iconic American Airlines. Admire the display of world flags, representing every country American Airlines services from Chicago. One of the highlights of Terminal 3 is the Aeroponic Garden, a unique feature where various herbs and vegetables are grown sustainably without soil. The produce from this garden is even used in some of the airport's restaurants! Terminal 3 also offers a yoga room if you feel like stretching after your walk.
Throughout your walk, keep an eye out for interesting art exhibits and unique features that make Chicago O'Hare Airport a fascinating place to explore. With pedestrian walkways and tunnels connecting the terminals, you'll be able to easily navigate your way through this walk, discovering hidden gems and must-see spots along the way.
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Enjoy Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza at the airport or in the city
If you're spending time in Chicago, you'll want to sample the city's famous deep-dish pizza. This local speciality is a far cry from the pizza you may be used to. Imagine a towering, molten masterpiece, with a thick layer of bread, melted cheese, and a bright, sweet-tart tomato sauce.
If you find yourself at O'Hare International Airport, either passing through or during a layover, you can get a taste of this iconic dish without even leaving the terminal. Head to Reggio's Pizza in Terminal 3, Concourse G, Gate G8, for a classic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza with sausage. At just $7.95, it's an affordable way to sample this local treat.
Now, if you have a longer layover or the time to explore the city, there are numerous pizzerias serving up their own unique takes on deep-dish. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is a popular choice, with its crispy crust and chunky tomato sauce. My Pi is another excellent option, especially if you're looking for something a little different. They offer a spinach deep-dish pizza that's a refreshing change from the traditional sausage, mushroom, onion, and bell pepper combination. For a true Chicago experience, order your pizza with sausage. You'll be treated to a disc of meat spanning the entire pizza, topped with a chunky, acidic layer of tomatoes.
Other pizzerias worth considering include Pequod's Pizza, known for their dark, burnt-looking cheese rim, and Labriola, conveniently located near Michigan Avenue if you're strolling the Magnificent Mile. Bartoli’s is another great choice, with a bright and inviting atmosphere, serving up a crunchy-crusted spinach deep-dish pizza.
So, whether you're grabbing a slice at the airport or venturing into the city, be sure to indulge in Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza. It's a delicious way to experience a local favourite and a true taste of Chicago culture.
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Relax in the airport's quiet spaces, including the interfaith chapel and the upper floor
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport offers a few quiet spaces for relaxation, including the interfaith chapel and the upper floor.
The O'Hare International Airport Chapel is located on the mezzanine level of Terminal 2, directly above the ticket counters for JetBlue and Alaska. The chapel is open 24 hours a day and caters to people of various faiths, including Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Muslim travellers. Here, you can find bibles, Korans, rosaries, and carpets for prayer or meditation.
The upper floor of the airport is another quiet space with contemporary, movable chairs. This area provides a peaceful environment for resting, making calls, or checking emails while enjoying the free airport Wi-Fi. Large floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the space in natural light, creating a calm atmosphere. Military families can also find solace in the USO area on the same floor, which offers complimentary refreshments in a quiet lounge setting.
In addition to these quiet spaces, the airport also has a private "Mother's Room", located next door to the chapel. This room is equipped with facilities for breastfeeding, diaper changing, and personal hygiene, providing a tranquil space for parents and their young children.
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Take a dip in one of the airport's pools or visit the Getaway Spa
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a bustling hub, full of life and activities to keep travellers entertained during long layovers. While the airport itself offers many interesting things to do, like visiting the Aeroponic Garden in Terminal 3, seeing the four-story-high brachiosaurus in Terminal 1, or simply enjoying the view from the quiet upper floor, there are also pools and spas located nearby that can be accessed with a day pass.
The Chicago Club Inn & Suites is a hotel located just 7 miles from Brookfield Zoo in Westmont, Illinois. It offers an indoor pool, a fitness centre, and comfortable rooms with views of the garden courtyard. Day passes to hotels like this one are a great way to access luxurious facilities, including pools and spas, without the need for an overnight stay.
If you're looking for a spa located directly in the airport, the Getaway Spa has locations in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. While reviews are mixed, with some mentioning a lack of typical spa amenities, others praise the professionalism of the staff. Services include manicures, pedicures, and massages.
With Chicago being a vibrant city full of attractions, a longer layover may be the perfect opportunity to explore. The Blue Line train can take you downtown in 45 minutes, and with a layover of 7-8 hours, you can visit famous sites like Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Chicago River.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have a long layover, you could leave the airport and explore the city. The Blue Line train will take you downtown in around 45 minutes. You could also stay in the airport and visit the Aeroponic Garden in Terminal 3, or the O'Hare art trail.
There are plenty of restaurants in the airport where you can try classic Chicago deep-dish pizza. You can also find Chicago's famous Garrett's Popcorn between Terminals 2 and 3.
The upper floor of the airport is a quiet space with lots of comfortable seating and free WiFi. Military families can also relax in the USO area, which serves free refreshments.
The only onsite hotel is the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport, but there are many other hotels nearby that offer free shuttles.
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