3 hours at Chicago airport
 

Help, we have a change over at Chicago airport and will be there with our two children for 3 hours, does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

If you mean O'Hare, don't even consider leaving the airport premises. But if it is O'Hare, there are plenty of concessions to feed and distract your kids -- you don't think they'll feed you on the plane, do you?

There is an overhead monorail between all the terminals they may enjoy riding. And (if you promise to watch them to make sure they don't get hurt themselves or get in others' way) you may be able to amuse them by riding on the moving walkways between the two United terminals with the music and all the neon overhead. It's kind of a very low-level fun ride, but pretty in a commercial sort of way. Even better have them walk along the sides -- takes longer, will tired them out for next leg of your trip.

If you are arriving and departing from some other terminal, yes, you will have to go through security again -- so take the extra time for that into account.

If your connection is at Midway, someone else will have to help you but I doubt if you'll have time to leave that airport either.

There are actually some decent places to get food at O'Hare. We usually grab Panda Express (Chinese) or Pizzeria Uno on our way out to avoid eating airplane food but there's also a Billy Goat's for burgers, Berghoff's for sandwiches, Eli's Cheesecake, etc. Look here for the whole list

http://www.ohare.com/ohare/passenger...vice_food.shtm

This website lists a Children's Museum and a Kid Port (for kids under 10)

http://www.ohare.com/ohare/passenger...acilities.shtm

One correction on Cassandra's otherwise excellent posting: You do NOT have to go through security again if you have to go to another terminal....at least, I never have between B, C and F.
I would not venture out of the airport, as you may encounter long lines at security on your reentry.

You don't really have time to leave Midway either if you're flying into there. The one good thing is since Midway's been renovated, it has way more restaurants to choose from.

The Children's Museum is in Terminal two (United flights go thru in terminal 1, American flies from terminal 3, but you should be able to access the museum without security problems.) It's a great facility for kids up to 12 years of age. There is also a Kidsport in the International terminal, a completely separate facility, for kids to age 10. The Chicago Historical Society has a shop at O'Hare, also.

Thanks everyone, sorry did forget to say it was O'Hare coming in on American from the UK.

O'Hare is one of the best airports for a layover, lots to do. A 3 hour layover is good with an international flight. By the time you go through customs and change terminals but may not have that much time to waste after you grab a bite to eat, especially if your flight to ORD is delayed.

For clarity's sake, you will be most likely arriving at the international terminal which is terminal #5 (for customs purposes). There are 4 terminals at O'hare...1 thru 3 and 5 (don't ask where's #4 terminal). Within these terminals are concourses with letters as the above poster mentioned (picture smaller "spokes" off the main terminal wing). If you have to change terminals, you must go thru security again. You will have no choice but to ride the airport transport (monorail) to get from the international terminal to your connecting flight terminal. American flights leave from terminal 3, United from terminal 1, and all the rest are sprinkled thruout. Check the list on the airport transport to confirm which terminal you'll need for you connecting flight. It may sound complicated, but it's really not and everything is well marked. Good luck.