Chicago
Overview
Gaze up at Chicago's sweeping skyscrapers and soak up local culture at a Chicago Clubs baseball game. Take a break from fast-paced city life with a relaxed stroll by Lake Michigan.
Background
Chicago is the largest city in America's Midwest. Downtown Chicago meets the mighty Lake Michigan on its south-western shore, while the Chicago River divides downtown Chicago in two. You'll find most of Chicago's attractions south of the river, including the science-based Museum Campus, the sprawling lawns of Grant Park, and the skyscrapers of The Loop. Venture north of the Chicago River to browse designer shops along the Magnificent Mile, wander the lakeshore at Lincoln Park or ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier.
First-time visit
Chicago invented the skyscraper and the city's high-rise skyline is hard to beat. Take a trip up the iconic Sears Tower, the tallest building in the US, to get dizzying views over Chicago's skyscrapers and vast Lake Michigan. Wander past high-rise office buildings on your way to Grant Park. Here you can view Impressionist and American art at The Art Institute of Chicago. Take an afternoon shopping spree along the Magnificent Mile, then fill up on Chicago-style hot dogs at an evening baseball game and cheer on local teams, the Chicago Cubs and the White Sox.
Return visit
On your return trip to Chicago visit the Museum Campus to go stargazing at its planetarium or watch sharks swimming in the aquarium. Learn about three-dimensional photography at the quirky Museum of Holography. Take your family to Navy Pier for interactive dinosaur exhibits at Chicago Children's Museum and a spin on the Ferris wheel. Head outside of downtown Chicago for creatures big and small at the 216-acre Brookfield Zoo.
airports
Chicago O' Hare International Airport
Essentials
With connections to more cities around the globe than any other airport, Chicago O'Hare flies more than 77 million passengers a year from its four terminals. The airport is 17 miles north-west of the Windy City, 45 minutes by train.
Airport Facts
- Airport code
- ORD
- Airport website
- O'Hare International Airport website
- Airport tel
- +1 773 686 3700
- No. of terminals
- Four
- Distance from city centre
- 17 miles (27 km) north-west of Chicago.
- Transport between terminals
- Use the free 24-hour airport transit system (ATS) to move between terminals (allow 10 minutes to travel from Terminal 1 to Terminal 5). Services run every four minutes, and the train also connects to the long-term parking lot. If you want to stretch your legs it's possible to walk between Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (allow 30 minutes).
- Airport parking
- The airport has hourly, daily and valet parking conveniently close to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and short-term parking at international Terminal 5. The more remote long-term car parks are linked to the terminals by ATS shuttle bus. Payment is by cash or credit card. Prior reservation is not possible.
- Time zone
- GMT -6 (GMT -5 in summer).
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