Things to do at O'Hare Airport

Things to do at O’Hare Airport. Once upon a time being stuck at O’Hare airport was agony with nothing to do and nothing to eat. How times have changed! While there are a number of free things to do there aren’t really any cheap eats options because O’Hare allows vendors to set their prices at whatever they like resulting in a 20 ounce soda costing $3.86 (regular retail price $2). Here I can only offer you the best places to dine. There are no luggage storage options at O’Hare. Hope you’re not stuck too long or just long enough. website There are some menus on the website but no prices. website Getting to/from O’hare.

Terminal 1

Beaudevin, Concourse C, Gate C17, (773) 686-6180. An outlet of an international wine bar also serving small plates.
Berghoff Cafe, Concourse C, Gate C26, (773) 601-9180. Breakfast, sandwiches, good beer on tap.
Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless, Concourse B, Gate B10. Tortas, salads, soups, margaritas. Prices at the airport are nearly identical to prices at downtown locations. Rated everywhere as some of the best airport dining in the US.
Tuscany Café, , Concourse B, Gate B18. Salumeria station, authentic Italian menu of soups and salads, pizzas, pastas, entrees, desserts, and a wide selection of wines.

O’Hare Hilton Health Club, 1-773-686-8000. This hotel is attached to the airport and accessed through the CTA/Subway level. You have to exit security for access. Non-hotel guests can purchase a day pass to the fitness center for $20, plus tax. Includes fitness center, indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room and sauna.
Terminal Getaway Spa, Concourse B, Gate B12, 773-686-8014. Quick mani/pedi’s and massages.
Hoypoloi An Uncommon Gallery, Concourse B, Gate B6. Browse local and international art for sale.
Art exhibit tour

Terminal 2

La Tapenade Mediterranean Cafe, Concourse E, Gate E9 and Concourse F, Gate F20. Faster service flatbread pizza’s, pastries and sandwiches.
Summer House Santa Monica, Salads, sandwiches, breakfast. A part of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant group which are generally good restaurants.
Wicker Park Sushi Bar, Main Hall. Named after the neighborhood fresh made sushi and full bar.

Hoypoloi An Uncommon Gallery, Concourse E, Gate E3. Browse local and international art for sale.
O’Hare Hilton Health Club, 1-773-686-8000. This hotel is attached to the airport and accessed through the CTA/Subway level. You have to exit security for access. Non-hotel guests can purchase a day pass to the fitness center for $20, plus tax. Includes fitness center, indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room and sauna.
Child Play Area, Ticketing Level.
Chapel, above the Delta Air Lines ticket counters and next door to the USO. Pre-security.
USO Mezzanine Level, pre-security. Open: 24/7 / (773) 686-7396
Art exhibit tour

Terminal 3

Bubbles Wine Bar, Concourse H, Gate H4.
ICE Dishes & Drinks, Concourse L, Gate L1. Drinks served on different types of ice, wine and small plates.
Publican Tavern, Before Concourse H/K, Excellent breakfasts and pub food.
Macaroni Grill, Concourse K, Gate K2. Acceptable chain Italian. Some decent salads in to-go cooler on outside wall.
Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless, Concourse K, Gate K4. Tortas, salads, soups, margaritas. Prices at the airport are nearly identical to prices at downtown locations. Rated everywhere as some of the best airport dining in the US.

O’Hare Hilton Health Club, 1-773-686-8000. This hotel is attached to the airport and accessed through the CTA/Subway level. You have to exit security for access. Non-hotel guests can purchase a day pass to the fitness center for $20, plus tax. Includes fitness center, indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room and sauna.
Terminal Getaway Spa, H/K Corridor – Near American Airlines Admirals Club 773-686-4836. Quick mani/pedi’s and massages.
Yoga Room, Rotunda Mezzanine near our Urban Garden.
Aeroponic Garden, In the mezzanine level of the Terminal 3 Rotunda over the corridor to Concourse G.
USO Mezzanine Level of the Rotunda, G Concourse, post-security. Open 6:00 am – 10:30 pm / (773) 601-9500.

Terminal 5

Hub 51, Concourse M, Gate M10, (773) 816-5269. Mexican and sushi.
R.J. Grunts Burgers & Fries, Concourse M, Gate M10.
The Goddess and Grocer, Ticketing Level, (773) 686-4830. Gourmet soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless, Concourse M, Gate M12, (773) 816 – 5261. Prices at the airport are nearly identical to prices at downtown locations. Rated everywhere as some of the best airport dining in the US.

XpresSpa, Concourse M, Gate M10, (773) 894-8719.
View O’Hare green roof – Take the Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 5. The Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility #3 green roof will be on your right. Note that the ATS is outside security so make sure to allow time to pass through the security check point if you have a flight to catch.

Other options:

Airport lounge Day Pass: If you’re really stranded you can splurge for a day pass to almost any airport lounge for $50-$55. However, many airlines have been restricting access to members-only when the lounges get crowded but it never hurts to try. Your day pass can include wifi, access to computers and printing, snacks, possibly some edible food, non-alcoholic beverages, select alcoholic beverages, and daily newspapers. Some include showers. The best benefit of airport lounges during massive delays is they have experienced agents available and shorter lines than in the terminal. Lounge locations.

Ride the rails – If you’re really bored you can ride the Airport Transit System (ATS), aka the People Mover between terminals. You have to exit security to access it so leave plenty of time. The People Mover is the free, 24-hour rail system that operates between the three domestic terminals (1, 2 and 3), the international terminal (5).

Wifi – Free Access: 30 minutes of complimentary service in exchange for watching an advertisement. If you have a phone, tablet and laptop voila 1.5 hours free.

FlightAware KORD Flight Tracker Watch flight arrive and depart via radar in real time. This is also an app. I use this app to track my flights and for flight notification when tra

Gamble at Rivers Casino, 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL, (888)-307-0777. Hours 9AM-7AM: This is really only viable if you have a very long layover. It could take you an hour or more each way to get to the casino depending on the timing of the train and the free shuttle bus plus you’ll have to get back through security. There are three ways to get there:

Take the CTA Blue Line to the Rosemont stop and catch the 24 hour free shuttle to the casino every 15 minutes. Shuttle picks up at the bus terminal area where the cab station is located. CTA round trip $7.25 ($5.00 from O’Hare and $2.25 return).
A possibly faster option is to take the Casino Shuttle from/to the airport. Cost is $24 round trip.
Take a taxi. This is estimated at around $16 each way depending on traffic. Pick up a taxi at the taxi stand at ORD. To return order a taxi from 303 Taxi.

This is really only viable if you have a very long layover. It could take you an hour or more each way to get to the casino depending on the timing of the train and the free shuttle bus plus you’ll have to get back through security. The Mall offers luggage storage at the concierge desk. There are three ways to get there:

Take the CTA Blue Line to the Rosemont stop and take the complimentary Rosemont Entertainment Circulator shuttle Bus 811 operated by Pace. Schedule here. Or walk 10-15 minutes from the Blue Line. Follow River Road south to Technology Boulevard and turn right. CTA cost $7.25
A possibly faster option is to take the Casino Shuttle from/to the airport. Cost is $24 round trip.
Take a taxi. This is estimated at around $16 each way depending on traffic. Pick up a taxi at the taxi stand at ORD. Order a taxi from 303 Taxi.