I'll be doing a run this weekend AMS-LHR-ORD on BA and will be in ORD from 13:50-20:15 (on sunday). Can anyone offer some tips on what to do?

I love shopping, mainly for electronics and gadgets and would like to drop by a CompUSA, are stores open on sunday? A full blown meal will be a little time consuming so some fast-food tips will do fine (no McD's as we have plenty of them here)

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Scott

Depends on the weather, but you can take the subway into the city, visit Michigan Ave that has just about any store you would be looking for, then over to the places like navy pier or the top of the Hancock or Sears Tower for the view up there, then back to the airport.

If it's a nice day then the pier is a good place to eat, have a few beers, kill some time, etc.

Most stores & malls in Chicago are open until at least 5 or 6PM on Sundays. If you're going into downtown, you'll be taking the Blue line train from ORD. If you're going to Michigan Ave (note: There's a CompUSA on Chicago Ave. about 1 block west of Michigan Ave.), the Blue line doesn't stop right in that area so I would recommend changing to a Red line train going north at Washington taking it to Chicago Ave. Normally, when it's nice out it'd be a great walk but (you'll understand this more if you're familiar w/ downtown Chicago) Wacker Dr. is closed due to major reconstruction which makes one of the nicer and faster routes to Michigan Ave. not available.

If you decide to skip Michigan Ave. & go to Navy Pier, the Blue line can take you to Grand Ave. & you can get a bus that will take you to Navy Pier. If you need any other public transit info, go to the CTA website , it's pretty good.

Email me if you need more info...

(edited to fix website link)

------------------
Regards,
- Anna

[This message has been edited by AnnaS (edited 05-30-2001).]

Follow AnnaS quote, it's right on.

Be aware that Chicago Ohare airport does NOT have luggage LOCKERS where you can keep your luggage! They took them out about a year ago. They claim it was a City of Chicago security issue. All the other airports I've traveled to have lockers for luggage. I changed planes in Chicago last Friday & they cancelled my flight to Cincinnati. I asked them to put me on a flight later in the day so I could go to Michigan Ave., etc. How I got around the no lockers situation was that I checked my carry on bags to CVG at the UA checkin counter. They said it will go out on next available flight. It is not advisable to carry bags on Michigan Ave. (I asked a Chicago policeman at the airport & he said although the area is relatively safe, carrying lots of luggage is not suggested). Check you bags going back to AMS & carry just a light amount. (ie. small pack). Have fun & best success!

Excellent tip thanks, I already checked the airports site and couldn't find them there either so I was expecting the worst..

travelling light it is then!

For Chicago area electronics, I recommend "Best Buy". It's a chain with PCs, TVs, CDs, etc. Look for their flier in Sunday paper. MANY locations in Chicagoland. Impressive if you've never been in one before.

During your shopping excursion down Michigan
pop into the John Hancock centre for a great view of Chicago, some say more impressive and varied than that available from Sears, anyway. I don't know as your have time to do the Sears Tower on a weekend day, 2hr + queues !!

ScottC:

Don't know if you are monitoring both threads you started but I had already replied in your other thread on this topic:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/005212.html

Yes bbinchi, I was monitoring both, thanks!

------------------
A friend is like a parachute, if he aint there the first time chances are you will never need him again - DILBERT

ScottC: Looks like you'll only have about 6 hrs layover. If you like to arrive 2 hrs prior to departure of your outgoing flight then that leaves you only about 4 hrs. On a sunday afternoon, traffic to downtown chicago driving takes about 30 mins. If you take the "El" -- the elevated train, then you can reach downtown in about 40 mins.

Assuming the worst 1 hr each way, that leaves you with 2 hrs to spare once you reach downtown.

Here are my suggestions:

• From O'Hare, follow the signs labelled CTA or ask someone how to get to the "El" stop. Once there, take the Blue Line trains towards downtown (there are 2 lines, one labelled Forest Park, and the other labelled Cermak, it doesn't matter which one you get on).
• Get off at the Washington Ave or Jackson Ave stops.
• Follow the signs and transfer to the Red line trains going north (should be labelled Jarvis/Howard).
• Get off at Chicago Ave stop. Leave the station and walk onto the street.
• Walk 2 blocks east until you hit Michigan Ave. You will now be at the heart of the "Magnificent Mile/Water Tower Area". This is some of the best shopping in the city.
• To return to O'Hare, simply reverse the above directions.

My suggestions would be to visit the mall in the Water Tower place, there are plenty of electronic shops there. You will also be within a few blocks walking of the Hancock tower, Water tower, dozens of department stores. Shopping generally ends around 5-6 PM (CST). I lived in downtown Chicago for 2 years and loved it. Taking the trains to/from ORD is the best way to go, as unexpected traffic jams can occur even on the weekends.