Plane Spotting at O'Hare
 

Used to go check out operations of O'Hare from the NWA Cargo parking lot on the south side of the field. Would have tremendous views of takeoffs/landings of 32L/14R and taxi of Cargo jets. A Chicago Police Officer recently told me that although its technically legal to spot from there, people arent comfortable with it and kindly asked me not to return. What are some other good areas near or adjacent to the field where you can park and just watch? I hope someday they designate an area for us spotters to just hang out and watch the operations!

I do not think this is legal, but I go here all the time. All you need to do is go to the O'Hare Express Cargo Center. (They have different ones, go to the one with Alliance Airlines) and park your car at the Alliance building, right against the fence- there will be either take-offs or landings right there, usually by AA and UA but mostly commuter traffic.

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Sorry for dragging up an old thread, Any other, more recent, recomendations for getting some plane pics at Ohare? Either when I am traveling (ie where is the best places in the United terminal) or external for when I am not..
Thanks!

I've always liked the north side of Higgins Rd, 1/3 mile west of Manheim, there is a small triangle shaped parking lot next to an open field, great views of the most northernly east/west runway as well as the northern SW NE runway. (sorry I don't know the runway numbers).

Sometimes (rarely) I'll get kicked out of there, then I'll park near Allstate arena.

There's an industrial park west of ORD off York and Foster where the planes line up to land from the west. I was out there this noon and it was deserted.

& if you need gas you are close to what I've found to be one of most consistently lowest priced gas stations in the ORD area, let alone Chicago: Thorntons @ 2310 York Rd, Elk Grove, open 24hrs.

Thanks folks! Gas and a pic... nice...