I have a long layover in Chicago this Friday. I have a free 1 day rental coupon from Avis. I am thinking of getting the car and driving around for 4 hours before I catch my connecting flight.

Any advice on where I should go? I've never been there. Is the airport area really congested? How about downtown?

Depending on what time Friday it may be a bit hairy coming into the city b/c it's the Crosstown Classic on the north side this weekend (Cubs v. Sox) so you'll definately want to avoid the north side. I'd head for the Lakefront via Lake Shore Drive to get the best view of the city - maybe a stop a Navy Pier for a quick spin on the ferris wheel if you have time.

I'll land at 10am and will need to back at the airport at 2pm. Is access in and out of ORD easy? Lake Shore Drive sounds very nice. I'll look up directions on MapQuest.

Thanks!

The airport won't get congested until Friday afternoon, but I wouldn't waste my precious few hours renting an auto. Plus Lake Shore Drive is about 40 minutes east of the airport (at that hour) on standard roads, no expressway - another time-eater.

I would recommend forgoing the car and catching the El train to downtown - 45 minutes, very reliable. You can see the skyscrapers and public art, catch a free noontime concert, visit the Sears tower.

I'm with patg on this one. By the time you rent a car, which are all at off terminal lots, figure out how to get out of the airport and get downtown, you'll have eaten up a good chunk of your time. Not to mention that driving midday through or around the city is just plain stressful. And if you have to park the car it will be expensive even for a short period of time.

Why not hop on the el for $1.50, have a walk around Michigan Avenue, go to the top of the Hancock for a nice view, grab some Garrett's popcorn, maybe pop into the Terra Museum (free until the end of the month). Or maybe visit the Art Institute. Or visit the Marshall Field's on State Street and then have a walk through the loop and see some of the architecture and public art.

Or if you wanted to spend some time near the lake, head over to Navy Pier, take a ride on the ferris wheel or a walk along the lakefront. I don't think you'd have enough time for one of the boat tours.

But I really wouldn't recommend driving. Although traffic isn't normally at it's worst during those hours, all it takes is a stall or an accident to mess things up.

patg and kristi gave excellent advice which you should follow. The El is fun to ride. You could put your coupon to much better use elsewhere.

Four hours is not enough.
Four days should be minimum to visit the greatest city in the world. Chicago has the best of everything.

I'm with you on this one Jimbo!!