If you have found yourself with a layover or flight delay at Chicago O’Hare Airport and trying to figure out how to make the most of your time there, instead of just waiting, you are at the right place.
Chicago is known for its vibrant music scene, unique parks and museums, and architectural marvels, making it a desired destination for both leisure and business travelers.
The area near Chicago O’Hare Airport is full of treasure troves, so rest assured the options will entertain you.
In today’s guide, we’ve rounded up the best things you can do near Chicago O’Hare Airport during a layover or flight delay.
Without further ado, let’s dive into it!
1) Have Fun at LEGOLAND Discovery Center
LEGOLAND Discovery Center is an indoor LEGO playground, located in Schaumburg, Illinois.
It’s the ultimate family vacation idea and some of its unique highlights include the following:
- Over 12 attractions, including rides, LEGO build & play zones, and a 4D cinema.
- Special events like Adult Night and Teacher Appreciation Month.
- MINILAND, a miniature version of Chicago built from over 1.5 million LEGO bricks.
Operating hours: The center is open daily, typically from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Prices start at $19.99 after 2 p.m. if you book online
Address: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago, 601 N Martingale Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173, United States
Proximity to Chicago O’Hare Airport: 12 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
2) Stroll Through the Chicago Botanic Garden
Spanning 385 acres, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a marvelous destination for nature lovers.
It features 27 distinct gardens and 4 natural areas, nestled on and around nine islands with six miles of lake shoreline,
Some of its unique highlights include:
- Bonsai Collection
- English Walled Garden
- Japanese Garden
Operating hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission:
- Individuals 13 years old and up: $22.95
- Children aged 3-12: $15.95
Address: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022, United States
Proximity to Chicago O’Hare Airport: 19 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
3) Visit the Kohl Children’s Museum
The Kohl Children’s Museum is an interactive museum that focuses on providing hands-on experiences to young children.
The museum features a wide range of exhibits that cover topics from science, art, and music to role-playing.
Some of the popular exhibits include:
- Water Works: An interactive exhibit that teaches children about the properties of water through play.
- Hands-On House: A miniature house where kids can engage in everyday activities like cooking in the kitchen or taking care of the garden.
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sundays and Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: Admission is $19 for children and adults, $18 for seniors, and free for infants under 12 months.
Address: 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026, United States
Proximity to Chicago O’Hare Airport: 12 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
4) Spend a Few Hours at Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Fashion Outlets of Chicago is a two-level indoor luxury outlet, located just five minutes from O’Hare International Airport.
The center features more than 130 top-designer brands, a contemporary art collection, and a variety of quick-service food options.
Besides that, it hosts many family-friendly and holiday-themed events, like visits from Santa during Christmas.
Opening hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Address: Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont, IL 60018, United States
Proximity to Chicago O’Hare Airport: 2 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
Without a doubt, spending a few hours at Fashion Outlets of Chicago is a must-do on your trip to Chicago, and one of the most convenient experiences since it’s that close to Chicago O’Hare Airport.
But, dragging your luggage and precious belongings while having fun at this unique place can quickly dampen the experience.
This is where Stasher comes in, offering a convenient, secure, and affordable luggage storage solution.
While we’ll elaborate on our services later, Stasher provides a comprehensive network of secure luggage storage locations near Chicago O’Hare Airport.
Also, it is super easy to use and store your bags and you can book a location either through our platform or app (Android or iOS) in under 2 minutes!
Go ahead and give it a go yourself in the interactive demo below.
Let’s move on to the next adventure on our list.
5) Live a Memorable Experience at iFLY Indoor Skydiving
If you are looking forward to living a memorable experience during your layover in Chicago, then iFLY Indoor Skydiving is your best bet.
iFLY offers an exhilarating experience where you can feel the sensation of free-fall in a vertical wind tunnel.
The experience includes a training session with a certified instructor, all necessary gear, and multiple flight sessions in the wind tunnel for participants of all ages.
Opening hours:
- Wednesdays: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Thursday – Sunday: 11 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Address: iFLY Indoor Skydiving – Chicago Rosemont, 5520 Park Pl, Rosemont, IL 60018, United States
Proximity to Chicago O’Hare Airport: 2 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
6) Unwind at Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a renowned urban park nestled in downtown Chicago. It is widely known for its stunning architecture and landscape design, providing a variety of attractions and activities year-round.
Some of its key attractions include:
- Cloud Gate: A large, reflective sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor, nicknamed “The Bean” due to its shape.
- Crown Fountain: An interactive video sculpture by Jaume Plensa.
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion: An outdoor concert venue designed by Frank Gehry.
Address: Millennium Park, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
Proximity to Chicago O’Hare Airport: 18 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
7) Connect with Wildlife at Lincoln Park Zoo
During a layover or flight delay in Chicago, tourists flock to Lincoln Park to enjoy its diverse attractions, such as the Lincoln Park Zoo.
More specifically, the Lincoln Park Zoo, which spans 35 acres and is home to over 1,200 animals, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and a family-friendly destination that appeals to visitors of all ages.
Admission: Free
Address: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Proximity to Chicago O’Hare Airport: 16 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport
Now that we covered some adventurous things to do near Chicago O’Hare Airport, let’s see how easy it is to get around Chicago O’Hare Airport.
Getting Around Chicago O’Hare Airport
Getting around Chicago O’Hare Airport is generally straightforward since there are numerous transportation options to choose from.
Travelers can easily leave the airport and go back to it, through transport means such as train, bus, and taxi.
Chicago O’Hare Airport has four main terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3 & 5) and there is an Airport Transit System (ATS), that connects all terminals and the remote parking lots.
Regarding public transportation, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line train runs directly from O’Hare to downtown Chicago, providing a quick and efficient route to Union Station and other key areas.
Moreover, taxis, rideshares, and shuttle services are also readily available to help travelers reach their destinations smoothly.
How to Store Your Luggage Near Chicago O’Hare Airport
As we previously mentioned, dragging your luggage around while immersing yourself in unique adventures in Chicago, is not a piece of cake.
That’s where Stasher is stepping in!
At Stasher, we’ve partnered with hotels, cafes, and local shops, in over 890 cities worldwide to cater to the needs of every traveler, looking to store their luggage for a few hours or days safely.
Let’s walk you through the simple step-by-step process of how to store your bags near Chicago O’Hare Airport with the help of Stasher.
After selecting Chicago, you need to choose the date or dates and the amount of bags that you’ll carry with you.
Next, all you have to do is press the search button and a map will be presented to you along with the available nearby hotels, Airbnbs, shops, etc.
Moving on, you can choose the desired place to store your bags (we call them “Stashpoints”) and then press the “book” button.
Up next, it’s time for your checkout; move forward with your payment and you are ready to go!
Based on the above facts, if you feel that Stasher is the best fit for you, you can head over to our homepage or download our app for Android or iOS, and store your luggage anywhere with Stasher!
