As I am in the throes of sorting out my flights either of which (via points) leaves me with a five or six hour layover in either chicago or washington -
does anyone have a suggestion as to which might be a better bet.
Will be flying business class (points & cash) and either flight lands at lunchtime and takes off early evening.
Any thoughts appreciated...

I only did Ordway in the distant past. But its horrendously busy isn't it?

You could spend time in ORD at the Hilton, I believe you can get a day pass for the health club or a room for a few hours: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hote...inois/index.do

If it is Washington National there is alot to do since the airport is close to the city sll the muesems. You can catch a train at the airport. If it is Dulles,
they used to have a branch of the air and space museum near the airport, not sure if it still there.

It depends on what the OP means by "a better bet."

If looking for sleep or more food options to occupy the time at the airport, I'd go with ORD (someone above mentioned the O'Hare Hilton, a very nice hotel that's attached to the terminal). If looking for an opportunity to see the city, I'd definitely go with DCA and take the metro into the city to see some museums & monuments. The train is easy to find, cheap, and takes less then 10 minutes to get right into the heart of the city. Getting back in through security is easier at DCA as well.

The Udvar-Hazy center is still there at IAD and is well worth a visit. They have a free shuttle bus from the ground transportation area. That's probably the best option for a non-airport activity given the time frame.

Assuming an international arrival and mass transit for transfers to/from downtown ORD would leave about 2 hours to do something downtown; IAD might be less based on the terrible transit options there. But Udvar-Hazy is close and easy to get to and a great way to pass 2-3 hours. There are some pretty impressive planes on display.

http://gallery.millerworks.net/keyword/udvarhazy

Being a Washingtonian, I have to lobby for my area. Timing is better if you are at DCA for a layover because the Metro has a platform RIGHT THERE and you can visit Old Town Alexandria (and give me a shout out) just two stops away or sight see in DC just a couple of stops away. There's also several malls a stop or two away and with trains usually coming every 10-15 minutes during the day, you're pretty safe to take a few hours off "campus" during your layover. ORD was a NIGHTMARE for me last time I was there. So busy.

If you end up at IAD, it's not an awful place to be stuck for a few hours but I would almost put it around the same as ORD. So that would be a toss up.

If you're flying into BWI... Do. Not. Leave. The. Airport. MAYHEM. I try to steer clear even though the cost savings are better there.

I would guess if it's an international connection, we're talking about IAD. I'd have to agree the Udvar-Hazy museum is the way to go. If I went through ORD, I'm not sure what I'd do other than head to Lou Malnatti's and get my deep dish fix since downtown is just too far in that timeframe.

Thanks very much for the very helpful replies. Washington looks the likely choice then but Chicago could be okay as well.
Thanks again.

I'd personally vote for Chicago. Taking the train downtown, you'd still have about 2 hours to site-see, shop, eat at a great restaurant...

I agree. Udvar-Hazy is amazing. Go. I didn't see the free shuttle bus, but the local public transit has a bus that goes there for 50 cents. It departs from ground shelter 2E. Though it isn't much of a bus, so much as a hotel shuttle roped into public transit duty.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...h&start=0&z=13

http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/transpo...n/airports.cfm

Hmmm...maybe it wasn't free. I definitely saw the sign for it while in the terminal on Tuesday but didn't read it that closely.

I'd personally go for Chicago.

I'm based in CLE right now, and fairly frequently take advantage of the $79 r/t offers to spend a day in Chicago. I fly in on a 930-10am flight, arrive around 1030am, am in the city by 11am, have a wonderful brunch, go to a museum or gallery that interests me, have a drink in one of Chicago's great hotel bars around 3pm, shop for an hour or two down Michigan avenue or simply relax with a book, have an early dinner at 530pm, and catch a cab around 630pm to make the 840pm flight back to CLE.

Granted, this is a bit more than a five hour layover, but it's still quite possible to enjoy a wonderful museum or restaurant--it all depends on what your tastes are and what you're looking to do with your time.

Been through Chicago O'hare last year.. it was updated and looked rather new.. Good restaurants to hang out at, and seems like a few things to do during the layover. I would pick Chicago over LAX anyday.. SFO is nice.. Chicago is better then Denver.. like laying over in Vancouver with the Fairmont Vancouver Airport there.. I don't like Toronto very much. So Chicago is one of the better ones! Never been through Washington though, so can't fairly comment.