Consolidated "Layover at ORD - what to do? where to go? how much time?" thread
Oct 2, 2007, 7:13 am
#91
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
Yesterday-mid day took 1 hour 40 mins to get from Jackson station(downtown)to O'hare.A shuttle/cab would have taken a half hour at most(no traffic at noon)but the El was much cheaper.
EL construction is a major headach for local and visitor alike these days.
EL construction is a major headach for local and visitor alike these days.
Oct 2, 2007, 2:27 pm
#92
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: MSP (and will only fly NWA in re-routes if I HAVE to)
Programs: AA EXP (4.5MM), hotel programs as needed
Posts: 5,800
Most of us who commute thru there frequently just hang out at an airline club (membership or with AA for example they offer a $50 day pass) .. and make insightful comments here on FT while we are in the clubs bored out of our minds!
Oct 2, 2007, 2:29 pm
#93
Join Date: May 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 1,896
Sorry, probably forgot to mention I won't be alone
Oct 2, 2007, 6:34 pm
#96
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
Oct 3, 2007, 6:25 am
#99
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BRU
Programs: LH SEN, SN Gold, Eurostar Carte Blanche, BA, QF, AF
Posts: 6,856
Oct 3, 2007, 1:43 pm
#100
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,084
The machines take bills and I think the CTA has actually gone upscale and takes credit cards at the airport station now too.
I wouldn't try and do this in 5 hours especially with kids. The blue line is in a state of disrepair these days that makes it fairly useless. You might be able to pull it off with a cab assuming it's not Friday, you'd probably want to grab the cab about 1530 which would probably only give you two hours downtown tops but the advantage is you could have them drop you at Millenium Park or something and wander around there, get some lunch, and head back.
I wouldn't try and do this in 5 hours especially with kids. The blue line is in a state of disrepair these days that makes it fairly useless. You might be able to pull it off with a cab assuming it's not Friday, you'd probably want to grab the cab about 1530 which would probably only give you two hours downtown tops but the advantage is you could have them drop you at Millenium Park or something and wander around there, get some lunch, and head back.
Oct 3, 2007, 11:41 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, AS Mileage Plan, SPG Gold
Posts: 343
Not enough time.
[QUOTE=bdesmond;8503867]The machines take bills and I think the CTA has actually gone upscale and takes credit cards at the airport station now too.[QUOTE]
I was just there last week and the CTA machines do take credit cards at ORD.
Trust me, 5 hours is NOT enough time. The Blue Line is stop and go in the slow zone. Took over an hour to get from ORD to Washington Station. Probably takes that long to get back to ORD.
Stay longer. You'll be able to take more time to really see the city.
I was just there last week and the CTA machines do take credit cards at ORD.
Trust me, 5 hours is NOT enough time. The Blue Line is stop and go in the slow zone. Took over an hour to get from ORD to Washington Station. Probably takes that long to get back to ORD.
Stay longer. You'll be able to take more time to really see the city.
Oct 5, 2007, 3:47 am
#102
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Primary: “Its largest airport was named for a World War II hero; its second largest, for a World War II battle.”, Secondary: 88NV via RNO
Programs: Hilton Diamond*, UA ex-2P, Chase
Posts: 354
In Airport: Children's Museum play area T2, Dino Skeleton and Field Museum Gift Shop T1, Gold Coast Dogs (Chicago Hot Dog) T2/T3 Rotunda, Cafe Uno (Chicago Pizza) T5
Aviation related gift shop (forget the name) Hilton tunnel from T2 to CTA.
NW Side Chicago -
Cab to
1. Superdawg Drive in, famed drive in hot dog stand with giant wieners on top - isted in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdawg
(Alternate: Giordano's Stuffed Pizza )
(http://www.giordanos.com/locator/rec...er_ID=00000013)
2. American Science and Surplus store - Scientific Toys
http://www.sciplus.com/storeDetail.cfm?store=1
3. El ride from Jefferson Park back to ORD
1-2 and 2-3 are 3/4 mile long walks, or short cab hops (or ride the 56 bus
Or cab to Desplaines for either
Choo Choo Restaurant
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/sight...ttrId=%3D11515
McDonald's #1 Restaurant and Museum
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/ILDESmcd.html
Oct 5, 2007, 8:46 pm
#103
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DCA ZWU
Programs: AGR WOH
Posts: 1,785
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8100/4.2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)
There likely won't be construction on a weekday afternoon - the bus diversions are only on weekends and single track work is overnight. 70 minutes is realistic for ORD to the Loop. You could stop short of the Loop and go to Wicker Park (disclosure: where I live), about 45 min. from ORD. The food's better and there are interesting shops.
There likely won't be construction on a weekday afternoon - the bus diversions are only on weekends and single track work is overnight. 70 minutes is realistic for ORD to the Loop. You could stop short of the Loop and go to Wicker Park (disclosure: where I live), about 45 min. from ORD. The food's better and there are interesting shops.
Oct 8, 2007, 7:50 pm
#104
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 1,037
Thanks for the updates on the EL. I am heading back to ORD on the 23rd and sooooooo looking forward to it. I took the EL from the airport to my hotel and even though I knew where I was going and doing it took me about 2 hours from the time I got off the plane to the time I got to the hotel over by Wrigley/Boys Town 
A few months back when I was in ORD only took me about an hour from the time I got off the plane till the time I got to my hotel by the Hard Rock and that was by shuttle ^ Till they are done with the blue line there is no way I will get back on it. Now as far as paying for the el every machine I've seen credit cards are gladly taken ^Even if I only get one mile I am using my plastic. But that doesn't mean of course that every machine will take plastic. If all you got is plastic I think most stations have some kind of ATM around. It is too bad you aren't going to get a chance to see ORD. Are you changing planes in ORD on your way back? If so any way you could change your flight and stay the night? It really is a great American city. It is a big city with lots to do, see and EAT but still have a lot of good honest folk around that are super nice. *sigh* Wish the Mr. could get a transfer with his company out there 
But till then I'll just rack up those ff miles 
A few months back when I was in ORD only took me about an hour from the time I got off the plane till the time I got to my hotel by the Hard Rock and that was by shuttle ^ Till they are done with the blue line there is no way I will get back on it. Now as far as paying for the el every machine I've seen credit cards are gladly taken ^Even if I only get one mile I am using my plastic. But that doesn't mean of course that every machine will take plastic. If all you got is plastic I think most stations have some kind of ATM around. It is too bad you aren't going to get a chance to see ORD. Are you changing planes in ORD on your way back? If so any way you could change your flight and stay the night? It really is a great American city. It is a big city with lots to do, see and EAT but still have a lot of good honest folk around that are super nice. *sigh* Wish the Mr. could get a transfer with his company out there But till then I'll just rack up those ff miles
Oct 8, 2007, 8:33 pm
#105
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8100/4.2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)
There likely won't be construction on a weekday afternoon - the bus diversions are only on weekends and single track work is overnight. 70 minutes is realistic for ORD to the Loop. You could stop short of the Loop and go to Wicker Park (disclosure: where I live), about 45 min. from ORD. The food's better and there are interesting shops.
There likely won't be construction on a weekday afternoon - the bus diversions are only on weekends and single track work is overnight. 70 minutes is realistic for ORD to the Loop. You could stop short of the Loop and go to Wicker Park (disclosure: where I live), about 45 min. from ORD. The food's better and there are interesting shops.
Just no way to play this with 100% assurance.