Klam

We would apprecialte any suggestions for activities appropriate for a six hour layover at O'Hare Airport (ORD) in Chicago, ILL. We are outbound to Frankfurt Am Main, Germany, so we really have more like three hours for a small adventure either at or near the airport. How long does it take to travel into heart of Chicag by train? I noticed a Hilton Hotel at airport. Would there be any public facilities for us there? I didn't find any reference to day rooms. We are trying to make the airport experience enjoyable. Thanks to anyone who may have some original ideas.

beachkomer

There is a van just outside baggage claim that will take you downtown for $20 each person. It took about 35 min..but rush hour was 50 min. A cab would be about $50. (one Way) If you planned it very carefully you could zip into the city for lunch or dinner somewhere. Remember that security takes longer now, and figure this into any airport time. There is a Chili's at the airport and the usual shops, a bar or two. The train takes about an hour each way. (but for $1.50, it's a deal!) I don't know enough about the airport area to recommend something nearby. You could just take the train in, have a nice lunch and walk up Michigan Ave. then head back to the airport. Wearing yourself out may help you sleep better on the flight!

itswoody

The El (subway)from ORD to the Loop takes 45 minutes. Not much to do around the airport.

fussy_traveller

If you haven't been to Chicago before, try to figure out a way to go downtown. The architecture is stunning.

Kristi

The fastest way into the city is usually the CTA (el)which takes about 45 minutes and costs $1.50 each way. You can take the blue line from O'Hare to the Clark Street station and go see the Marshall Field's on State Street (between Randolph and Washington), walk around and see some of the public art (Picasso, Miro, Chagall, Calder), grab some popcorn at Garrett's on Randolph, pop into the Cultural Center on Randolph which has a really cool stained glass ceiling on the third floor.

Or from there it's a quick cab ride over to the shopping/restaurants on Michigan Avenue. Have the cab take you up to Michigan Avenue and the Chicago river so you can see two of the coolest buildings in Chicago-the Wrigley Building and the Chicago Tribune Tower. If you get out and walk from here, take a look at the Tribune building which has rocks from all over the world set in it. There's even a moon rock in one of the windows.

The Hilton, the closest hotel to O'Hare, probably has day passes to use at the health club/swimming pool and probably also has day rooms if they have availability. I'd give them a call to make sure

AAFrequentFlyer

If your incoming flight is on time, and you don't have to check-in, I would say you have about 4.5 hours, and that's on a safe side.
The Hilton O'Hare is connected, so you never have to leave the airport. They do have a great work-out facility and a lap pool. I don't know what kind of a deal you could get, but if it was me, I would do the downtown trip instead.
If it's a clear day, I would get a transfer, take the train to Chicago Ave. station, hop on a bus going east and get off at Michigan Ave. Walk over to the John Hancock building and take the FREE elevator to the 95th Lounge. DO NOT TAKE THE OBSERVATORY ELEVATOR!!!
You could have a nice lunch and a drink or 2 and see the city and surrounding areas like you never saw it before(after all you will be sitting at a table on the 95th floor). It's little pricey, but the OBSERVATORY(just 2 floors above) costs around $10 per just to go up.
If it's not a clear day, then follow KRISTI's advice.
The train takes about 45 minutes each way all the way downtown, and if you're taking the bus add another 15-20 each way, but subtract about 10 minutes from the train ride since you won't be going all the way.(Does that make sense?)
Have a great trip!

Kristi

AAFrequentflyer's advice is also good if you have a clear day. If he/she is suggesting getting off at the Chicago Avenue el station which is at Chicago and State, you could also easily walk the three blocks to Michigan Avenue and three blocks up to the Hancock. Here's a good CTA map for you to look at

http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/maps/F2002D.html

AAFrequentFlyer

Kristi,
When I said Chicago Ave. stop, I meant Blue line stop, which is somewhere around 1200 West Chicago ave., so they would have no choice but to take the Chicago avenue bus east. I believe you're thinking of the "other" el line, and since I moved to Florida many years ago, I don't remember what the color designation for that line is.

Kristi

Yep, I was thinking you'd change trains at Washington (1 stop past the Clark Street station, already in the Loop) and grab the red line which also stops at Chicago, very close to Michigan Avenue. That's mighty confusing having several different stops with the same name, isn't it? If you stop at Chicago on the Blue Line, indeed you would have to take a bus/taxi to get over to Michigan.

I don't ride the el much, much prefer to walk if I'm downtown or take a taxi if it's a little further.

Coskier

Klam, mind if I jump in on your thread? We will be in Chicago one night, changing planes. We arrive about 8:00 pm and depart early around 6:00 am. Can anyone recommend a place for dinner? Would like something unique to Chicago if possible. Thanks.

swalter518

Coskier, What type of place are you looking for? Where are you staying-downtown or at the airport? For casual, tourists seem to always want pizza. For that Lou Malnatis or Pizzaria Uno or Due are both great. Avoid Girodanos, despite what the tour books say, it is not good! Harry Caray's is a great steak place -actually a good "celebrity" restaurant. For more expensive, Rick Bayless' Topolobampo/Frontera grill is good-they don't take reservations though and are always packed.

Coskier

swalter, we will be staying near the airport. Not really Pizza people, odd I know Any type of place though not something terribly pricey. Good food, fun atmosphere. Something not found in my hometown of Denver.

AAFrequentFlyer

Coskier,
Try this great Chicago website:
www.metromix.com
You could do a restaurant search by location(O'Hare)/food type(?)/price($,$$,$$$,etc...), read reviews posted by regular folks, and also find a place to have a fun drink after dinner if that's something that interests you.
Have a great trip!

Kristi

Metromix doesn't come up with much for O'Hare for restaurants but if you try near Rosemont it comes up with a few restaurants that are close by.

I've eaten at the Harry Carey's out there and it's pretty good hearty Italian (also a steakhouse but I order Italian food there) and obviously very Chicago. Entree run from $10-$30+ but they give you a lot of food, I usually bring 1/2 or more home with me.

There's also a Gibson's Steakhouse, the one downtown gets good reviews, I assume the one out there is also good. But it's fairly expensive as most steakhouses are.

patg

Try Edison Park, about 15 minutes east of the airport. It's an old fashioned Chicago neighborhood with a number of good places to eat - Zia's for northern Italian, Don Juan's for upscale Mexican. Prices are very reasonable, and parking is free and easy. It's on Northwest Highway north of Devon Avenue.

Coskier

Thanks all!