What to do in ORD for five hours (landside)
 

Hi,

I'm not sure this post goes in this forum, but I was unable to find an airport specific forum, so here it goes.

I'll be landing at the international terminal at ORD tomorrow. I'm meeting a friend who will land at T3 five hours later. What can I do in the meantime? I'll be carrying two big suitcases, so I'm thinking about finding one single place I can just stay for the five hours (as opposed to go here and there).

There used to be a small Starbucks near the baggage claim in T3, landside, but I'm not sure it's still there... Besides that? Is there anything inside the Hilton? Do they have a cafe or bar you can go without being a guest? Is there any lounge landside I can go even if I have to pay?

Thanks!

Asked the mods to move here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/midwest-455/

The Hilton ORD will store bags for a charge at the bellhop desk. Access to the hotel gym and swimming pool used to be available for a fee for non-guests, and maybe it is once again.

Are you a shopper? There is an outlet mall near the airport with an airport shuttle.
In Terminal 5 by the check-in area, there is a Goddess & The Baker, which has nice coffee and baked goods.

Sadly, the airport is otherwise not very fun landside.

I have heard that the ORD Hilton has a surprisingly good cocktail bar, if you feel like drinking. Else with 5 hours to kill I'd probably store my bags at the Hilton then hop on the Blue Line and walk around Wicker Park.

Is the Hilton attached to the terminal?

Yes, via the landside underground walkway from T1-3. Follow the signs at the terminals to get to the ORD CTA train station, and then close to where they sell CTA tickets by the CTA train gates, cut over to the side where the Hilton hotel sign is.