# Need ideas for stuff to do in Chicago during a 3-hour layover at O'Hare **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565 "2023-03-01T21:39:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/1 "2023-03-01T21:39:30Z")
In a couple of weeks, I’ll have a layover from 2pm to 5pm at Chicago O’Hare. Rather than just sit around the airport, I thought it could be fun to head to the city. I see they have trains, so I figured I could just take one of those. My ideal trip would be to take a train somewhere (direct from the airport to the location. no transfers, no taxi, no Uber) where I could get something Chicago-ish to eat and meander around someplace interesting until it was time to take the train back to the airport. I like walking around, so anyplace within walking distance of the train stop is fine. Anyone from Chicago have any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/2 "2023-03-01T21:54:05Z")
Honestly, I’m not sure 3 hours is really enough time to leave the airport. Considering you need you leave enough time to get back through security and get to your gate when you return to the airport, I think you’ll pretty much be getting off the train and immediately turning around and getting back on the train to go back to the airport. ETA: I’m not sure what terminal you will be in, but I would recommend getting something Chicago-ish to eat in the the airport. When I had a layover there last fall I got an Italian beef sandwich from the Billy Goat Grill in the food court in United’s terminal. I’m sure there’s somewhere in the airport where you can get a Chicago dog, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/3 "2023-03-01T22:03:57Z")
Yeah, if you conservatively assume an hour to get through security that gives you just enough time to take the Blue Line downtown and then immediately return, assuming the timing works out and you enjoy being hassled by panhandlers. O’Hare is out in the ‘burbs and there really isn’t that much of great interest or particularly walkable nearer the airport. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/4 "2023-03-01T22:18:41Z")
Oh no. Just 3 hours? Approaching prime commuter rush hour time? No way! Now if you had say 6 hours maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/5 "2023-03-01T22:18:52Z")
I was in a similar situation a few months ago. There’s a “Chicago Style Hot Dogs” in Terminal 2. I _hope_ they really aren’t, because I wasn’t impressed. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/6 "2023-03-01T22:24:39Z")
To pile on, if this a weekend trip, they’re doing construction work on the Blue Line (train line from O’Hare). That means track closures and slow zones. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/7 "2023-03-01T22:30:08Z")
I agree three hours is cutting it close. According to the [CTA timetable](https://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/6/rail-tt_blue.pdf), at that time of day it takes 40 minutes to get from the airport to the Loop, and 45 minutes to get back to the airport. If you wanted to ride to Wrigley Field (Addison) you could subtract maybe 20 minutes in each direction. But walking around Wrigley Field on an afternoon when there’s no game isn’t particularly exciting, either. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/8 "2023-03-01T22:33:05Z")
Thanks for all the info. Doesn’t sound like it would be worth the effort to try to get to the city. Looks like I’ll using my three hours to explore the wonders of the O’Hare airport. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/9 "2023-03-01T23:11:36Z")
Rick Bayliss’ [Frontera](https://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/tortas-frontera/) is WELL worth a visit. Come hungry! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/10 "2023-03-01T23:28:04Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Thanks for all the info. Doesn’t sound like it would be worth the effort to try to get to the city. Looks like I’ll using my three hours to explore the wonders of the O’Hare airport. If you’re a drinker, three hours at an airport bar is nothing. If not they might have a good 60 minute massage option. I usually just hang out in the airline lounge and have a glass of wine. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/11 "2023-03-01T23:28:06Z")
Others have said it already @filmore but sadly that won’t give you enough time to go into the city. However, here is a good list of places to eat or drink in the airport if that is of interest. Others have said Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless and I wholeheartedly agree. Publican Tavern is another very good option. [Here is a list of the best places to eat in O’Hare](https://www.timeout.com/chicago/restaurants/where-to-eat-and-drink-at-ohare) chosen by Time Out. I think it’s a pretty solid list of options. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/12 "2023-03-01T23:37:00Z")
The Berghoff Cafe is very good. Other than eating, just wander up and down the terminal. Three hours isn’t very long. Garrett’s Popcorn os good, although I prefer Nuts on Clark. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/13 "2023-03-02T00:02:05Z")
Maybe it’s just a difference in approach, but for 3 hours at O’hare…why not just stay in the terminal, charge the smartphone, read and relax, get something to eat, and take a photo of the ceiling glow-worm? If it were 13 hours, then sure, go out into town, but it’s just 3. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/14 "2023-03-02T00:32:13Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I’m not sure 3 hours is really enough time to leave the airport. The last transfer I had at O’Hare (granted this was an international arrival which is always the worst) I barely _made_ a connection with an on-time arrival and a 2-hour layover. It’s a horrible airport, I would pay $300 more on an airfare to avoid it as a connection hub. ---
**Author:** ![doc481](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@doc481](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doc481)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/15 "2023-03-02T00:47:45Z")
3 hours is deffently not enough time to even bother leaving the airport. As far as airports go I think O’Hare is a decent one. There are some good restaurants, (like all other airports very expensive) but you can get in some interesting people watching time. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2023, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/16 "2023-03-02T01:02:35Z")
I don’t mind O’Hare for domestic connections. I concur with the post above; there are some decent restaurants, people watching, and plane spotting if you’re into that. But I agree that international arrivals at O’Hare suck. International flights all arrive at Terminal 5, and if you’re connecting to a domestic flight you’re going to have to get to a different terminal, and go through security with all the local travelers. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/17 "2023-03-02T01:24:55Z")
Is it the same for international departures? Contemplating flying from my local airport internationally via ORD. Thanks Brian ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2023, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/18 "2023-03-02T01:45:47Z")
As I understand it, it depends on the airline. If you’re flying on a US based airline, it will depart from that airline’s terminal (Terminal 1 for United, Terminal 3 for American). I believe Lufthansa flights depart from Terminal 1 as well. IIRC all the other foreign airlines depart from Terminal 5, which will require taking a train over there and going through security again. Not sure about British Airways. Maybe they depart from Terminal 3, but I am not sure about that. ETA: Apparently they have a bus now that will take you to Terminal 5 from the secure sides of Terminals 1 and 3, to avoid having to re-clear security. That improves things a little bit. [https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/tofrom/connecting/pages/default.aspx](https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/tofrom/connecting/pages/default.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2023, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/19 "2023-03-02T12:44:02Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > If you’re a drinker, three hours at an airport bar is nothing. Indeed. On two different occasions we spent a few hours at an airport bar and then had to run to our gate for last call there. Charlotte, I’m looking at you. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565/20 "2023-03-02T15:08:53Z")
Yeah, my wife and I would never try to cut something that close. We plan on getting to the airport 3 hours early. Ya just never know. Traffic delays weather whatever. Gives us about an hour to just hang out and read while we wait for the flight. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-ideas-for-stuff-to-do-in-chicago-during-a-3-hour-layover-at-ohare/980565.md?page=2)