Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of two major airports connecting travelers to Chicago and beyond – and one of the busiest airports in the world. Much like the heart of the Windy City, there’s so much to see and do around Chicago O’Hare Airport if you’ve got time to spare.
Discover green spaces, quirky attractions, historical exhibitions and more with our list of the top things to do in Chicago Airport (ORD). We’ll uncover some of the best things to do near Chicago O’Hare Airport, as well as what to do while you’re waiting at the airport.
In this guide:
Top things to do near Chicago Airport (ORD)
- Enjoy the Vera Meineke Nature Center at Spring Valley
- Visit the Museum of Hummels
- Take a picture with the Leaning Tower of Niles
- Stroll Lilacia Park
- Head to downtown Chicago
Top things to do in Chicago Airport (ORD)
- Admire the public art exhibitions
- Visit the Butch O’Hare exhibit
- Say hello to the 72-foot-tall replica brachiosaurus skeleton
- Grab a bite before your flight
- Visit an airport lounge
Top things to do near Chicago Airport (ORD)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is only 17 miles away from downtown Chicago, northwest of the city.
If you’re staying local to the airport in a Chicago O’Hare hotel, or you’ve got a longer layover, there are plenty of things to do near Chicago Airport to keep you occupied. Between unique and wonderful attractions to picturesque parks, we’ve gathered a handful of the best things to see and do nearby.
Enjoy the Vera Meineke Nature Center at Spring Valley
Both an outdoor nature museum and nature reserve, the Vera Meineke Nature Center at Spring Valley in Schaumburg is one of the best things to do near Chicago O’Hare Airport for families.
Offering an educational look at nature and the great outdoors, this local gem is complete with historic buildings and farmhouses, forested groves, walking trails and bird watching areas.
Highlight: Don’t miss out on a visit to the Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, a living history exhibit where visitors can see what life was like in the 1880s. Once a German farming community, Heritage farm invite families and visitors to explore activities and play games while interpreters dressed in authentic 1880s attire offer tours of the farm.
Distance: Approximately 15.7 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Visit the Museum of Hummels
You might recognize these charming figurines from your grandmother’s trinket collection, or perhaps you have a village of vintage M.I. Hummels yourself. Only a seven-minute drive from Chicago O’Hare Airport, the Museum of Hummels in Rosemont is the largest public display of Hummel figurines in the world.
Once one of the most widely collected porcelain figurines of the 20th century, Hummels depict cheerful Bavarian characters innocently reading books, sitting on fences or playing musical instruments. The Rosemont Museum of Hummels is home to more than 1,000 rare figurines and woodcarvings for visitors to admire.
Highlight: This quirky attraction began when the former Mayor of Rosemont, Donald E. Stephens, started his own personal collection of Hummels after a trip to Europe. By 1984, he’d donated his collection of rare beauties to the public.
Distance: Approximately 3 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Take a picture with the Leaning Tower of Niles
Transport yourself to Pisa by visiting the Leaning Tower of Niles. A half-size replica of the Tower of Pisa, this local landmark had stood leaning in Niles since 1934. At 94 feet tall, it’s one of the best novelty attractions near Chicago O’Hare Airport.
If you find you have a sudden craving for Italian food, you’ll find the tower in the center of Niles, Illinois, with plenty of restaurants and amenities nearby.
Highlight: Time your visit to the tower to hear the restored bells ring at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Listen out for tunes such as Red River Valley, On Top of Old Smokey, My Favorite Things and more.
Distance: Approximately 8.3 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Stroll Lilacia Park
An oasis of flowers and green space, Lilacia Park is a regional landmark showcasing more than 700 lilacs and 35,000 tulips each year. Only a short drive from Chicago O’Hare Airport, this horticultural hotspot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 for being a historical treasure.
Lilacia Park is a four-season park, meaning it’s beautiful any time of year. However, if you’re fortunate to be in the area during the first two weeks of May, make sure to visit Lilacia Park for Lilac Time, where Lombard, Illinois celebrates its famous lilacs. As the flowers bloom, events and tours take place throughout the festival to soak up the spring phenomenon.
Highlight: Meanwhile, at Christmas, don’t miss the holiday lights from December 7th – where the park is filled with festive light shows and twinkling holiday decorations.
Distance: Approximately 15 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Head to downtown Chicago
If you find yourself with a longer layover at Chicago O’Hare Airport, easy transport links make it simple to visit downtown for a few hours.
Take the Blue Line from Chicago O’Hare and explore some of the best things to do near ORD Airport. Whether it’s a selfie in front of Cloud Gate (A.K.A “The Bean”) as you wander Millenium Park or a trip to the renowned Art Institute of Chicago, you won’t be disappointed by the beautiful Windy City.
Highlight: You can access the Blue Line right from Terminals 1, 2 or 3 or you can grab a free shuttle bus from Terminal 5. The Blue Line to downtown Chicago takes around 45 minutes, so if you have more than eight hours before your flight, you might have time to squeeze in a few sights. Meanwhile, driving can take between 30 minutes to an hour.
Distance: Approximately 18 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
Find driving directions on Google Maps
Top things to do in Chicago Airport (ORD)
It’s a good feeling to arrive at the airport early, knowing you’ve got plenty of time to relax, unwind and grab some food before your flight. If you’re arriving at Chicago O’Hare Airport with a few hours to spare before your flight, there are plenty of hidden gems to uncover while you wait.
From airport lounges to charming attractions, read on for our favorite things to do in Chicago O’Hare Airport.
Admire the public art exhibitions
Chicago has a renowned reputation for world-class public art, and its main airport is no different. Investment in public art at the airport has only grown in recent years, welcoming visitors to Chicago with mesmerizing art collections from the moment they arrive.
Look out for large-scale art exhibits along passenger concourses and throughout the terminals.
Highlight: You’ll find incredible art across the airport. However, key highlights include two gigantic arms outstretching from the walls in Hank Willis Thomas and Coby Kennedy’s REACH, and the tunnel of lights between concourses B and C in Michael Hayden’s Sky’s The Limit.
Location: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), IL, 60666.
Visit the Butch O’Hare exhibit
Calling all history enthusiasts at Chicago Airport – we recommend making your way to the Butch O’Hare exhibit for a lesson in wartime aviation.
Honoring the airport’s namesake, the Butch O’Hare exhibit in Terminal 2 showcases a replica of a F4F-3 Grumman Wildcat plane flown by U.S. Navy Lieutenant Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare in World War II. The plane is suspended off the ground as if landing on an aircraft carrier’s slight deck.
Highlight: You’ll also find artifacts from his Medal of Honor actions, which were restored to accompany the plane.
Location: Terminal 2, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), IL, 60666.
Say hello to the 72-foot-tall replica brachiosaurus skeleton
How many times will you see a dinosaur skeleton before you catch a flight? If you’re doing a spot of airport shopping at Chicago Airport, don’t be surprised if you find yourself face-to-face with a replica of a brachiosaurus.
Found outside the Field Museum store in Terminal 1, visiting this gentle giant is one of the most exciting things to do in ORD Airport for kids and grown-ups alike.
Highlight: The ginormous replica skeleton once belonged to the Field Museum of Natural History before it was relocated to Chicago O’Hare International Airport in 1997.
Location: Terminal 1, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), IL, 60666.
Grab a bite before your flight
Reflecting the rich culinary culture of Chicago, travelers can find more than 140 food and beverage options at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. From laid-back burger restaurants to flavorsome Mexican street food, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Explore some of our top spots for foodies with our Chicago O’Hare Airport food guide and pick out your next bite to eat before your trip.
Highlight: Receiving rave reviews from travelers passing through Chicago O’Hare, remember to add Tortas Frontera as a pitstop on your itinerary. Sample authentic Mexican cuisine from chef Rick Bayless, from delicious Cubana and choriqueso sandwiches to fresh guacamole cobb salads.
Location: Terminal 1, 2 & 5, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), IL, 60666.
Visit an airport lounge
Often offering unlimited food and drink, quiet work and lounge spaces, and shower facilities, airport lounges are the ultimate way to kill time at the airport. Chicago O’Hare has a selection of premium airport lounges, including American Airlines Flagship Lounges and United Polaris Lounges.
Meanwhile, the family lounge at Terminal 2 is one of the best things to do at Chicago Airport if you have a long wait or layover while traveling with kids. This free lounge offers kids and parents a place to rest, play, and watch planes take off and land in a family-friendly zone.
Highlight: If you’re flying with United Airlines in United Polaris business or first class, be sure to check out the United Polaris Lounge. Eligible passengers can access upscale amenities such as private rest areas with soft lighting, ambient white nose and relaxing day beds for a moment of peace before your journey.
Read more about the best airport lounges in the US with our complete guide.
Location: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), IL, 60666.
Travel hassle-free
Whether you’re staying close by ahead of your flight or you’ve got time to spare at the airport, there are plenty of amazing things to do near and in Chicago Airport (ORD).
At Airport Parking Reservations, we want to ensure you have everything you need to feel prepared for your journey. Explore our guide to wheelchair assistance and accessibility at Chicago O’Hare Airport for more details about getting around the airport if you require specific accommodations.
Meanwhile, booking your Chicago Airport parking even a week in advance can offer significant discounts compared to paying on the day.
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