Oh the glorious days of kid-free vacations…the hot coffee, the dry-cleaning-only clothes, and the chic, one-suitcase strut through the terminal. What magical times those were. Now, traveling with kids in tow often translates to extra luggage and extra opportunities for your stress level to skyrocket. Fortunately, tips and tricks exist to make your flight experience pleasant and relatively painless. Check out what Chicago parents have mastered when it comes to navigating O’Hare International Airport (which we named one of the best airports in the country for families!).
Get there early
O’Hare has a reputation for being one of the busiest airports in the world (grumble). General rule of thumb encourages family travelers to arrive two hours prior to a domestic flight, and three hours prior for an international departure. Given the sheer enormity of the place and the slow-but-giddy pace of kids, expect it to take a little longer than normal to get from point A to point B. Also, be sure to take advantage of the CTA Blue Line or Metra so you don’t have to pay for parking!
Come hungry
Adam Alexander Photography/Choose Chicago
When in an airport, it’s easy to resign oneself to the idea of lukewarm, lackluster lunch, but O’Hare boasts works from several culinary giants including Lettuce Entertain You and famed chefs Rick Bayless and Wolfgang Puck. Family-friendly favorites include Garrett Popcorn (Terminals 1 & 3), Hub 51 (Terminal 5), R.J. Grunts Burgers & Fries (Terminal 5), Summer House Santa Monica (Terminal 2), Sky Bridge Bar & Grill (Terminal 2), Tortas Frontera (Terminal 1, 3, & 5), Wolfgang Express (Terminal 1 & 3) and Wow Bao (Terminal 5). And don’t worry, there are plenty of spots to get caffeinated as well.
Keep the kids entertained
Take in a viewing of the grand Hall of Flags in Terminal 3, a location made famous during the filming of Home Alone. Each hanging flag represents a country that American Airlines serves non-stop from O’Hare. Encourage kids to count up the flags, point out the ones they recognize, or brainstorm ideas for an international family trip.
Chicago Department of Aviation
Let your youngsters burn off excess energy at the Kids on the Fly exhibit in Terminal 2 where children can play aircraft inspector or poke around a helicopter model (the exhibit is also accessible to those with disabilities). In the same terminal, go on a scavenger hunt to track down the fighter plane on display flown by Edward ‘Butch’ O’Hare (Sound familiar? Read exhibit inscriptions to learn how the airport gained its name).
Abel Arciniega/Choose Chicago
Terminal 1 caters to dinosaur-loving littles ones with a four-story high Brachiosaurus skeleton model on loan from the Field Museum of Natural History. Walk around to see the creature from different angles and then visit the nearby book store to inquire on their selection of dinosaur resources.
There’s actually tons of public art—and even an urban garden between Terminals 2 and 3—that you can scope out throughout the airport. Just look online to see which works are nearest to your terminal.
Know where to go with your baby
Chicago Department of Aviation
Rejoice and breathe easy because unisex family restrooms are present in each terminal (with changing stations in most restrooms throughout). Stalls are spacious enough to accommodate a single stroller and/or carry-on luggage. O’Hare also has designated Mother’s Rooms (Terminals 1, 2, 3 & 5) to give breastfeeding mamas a tranquil and relaxed environment to feed their babies. Features include privacy, comfortable seating and sink/wash areas. For members and families of the Armed Forces the USO offers a 24-hour lounge space in Terminal 2, and an additional lounge in Terminal 3 (6am-10:30pm).
Delay? It’s gonna be okay.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
If weather or lousy luck thwarts your travel plans, take the kids on a self-guided tour of Chicago’s Public Art Program which decorates each terminal with lively paintings, sculptures and murals all from local artists. Check out the myriad of painted benches and don’t miss “The Sky’s The Limit,” a 744-foot dazzling light installation that illuminates neon colors along the underground walkway (situated between Concourses B and C in Terminal 1).
If your delay turns into an all-day (or worse, all-night) kind of deal, you don’t even need to the leave the airport. Book a room at the on-site Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel whose amenities include a 4800-square-foot gym as well as pool, sauna, and steam room. For the weary traveling parents, reserve a family room and opt for room service. If your delay proves longer than expected, dry cleaning and laundry services are also available.
