so, tonitraveler- what DID you do in the city? Did you get your deep dish? Did you enjoy it? What was your favorite site in the city?

Hi sarge56, sorry to disappoint, but we didn't do much that's touristy, as we ended up meeting a friend for coffee and none of us was hungry enough for pizza. I did pick up some great shoes on sale at Nordstrom, and the weather and the city were beautiful. I've been before and I'm sure I'll be back. It was just nice to get out of the airport/airplanes for a few hours!

Help me with a variation on this theme - we have an 8 hour layover coming up. Arrive about midnight, leave about 8am. We don't really want to have to leave! Does the airport close? Someone told us recently we would be 'kicked out' - although obviously there is a hotel on-site. If true and had I known that, I would have not chosen the flights with the minimum layover in order to get more out of our (forced) hotel stay. Anybody know the real story?

Thanks, Mark

P.S. for bonus points - we're going from a domestic flight to an international flight. Do we have to collect baggage, go through customs etc. there?

Your bags should be checked all the way through, although I would double check when you check in at the first airport. As for being kicked out of O'Hare, I'm not sure. But why would you want to spend eight hours there?