Things to Do at Chicago's O'Hare Airport

Oh, the joys of traveling by plane. As much as you might prepare for your flight (including layovers, terminal locations, etc.), there will likely be an unexpected surprise awaiting you at your next destination. My husband and I flew from West Virginia to Utah, and we were aware we would have a layover in Chicago, IL, at the O'Hare Airport. It was very important that we found our flight terminal as soon as we landed so we could prepare for our next flight, but I don't think we expected to spend so much time waiting for our next flight.

Luckily, we were surprised with the amount of activities available as we waited to board our plane. We had a few hours before we made our way to Utah, so we decided to explore O'Hare and see what we could do.

Because we had a long day, we decided to get something to eat. O'Hare has an impressive amount of food options, including sit-down restaurants and a food court atmosphere to grab what you need and get to your gate on time. Keep in mind that airport restaurants may cost more than your local restaurants, and that some restaurants have limited menus. Also, some restaurants open at 5am, but all restaurants close by 10pm.

Options for quick and easy food options include the following: Starbucks, Cinnabon, Quiznos, Auntie Anne's, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's, Great American Bagel, and Salad Works. These restaurants are among the quickest and cheapest available, and are familiar to most travelers. If you would prefer to sit down at a restaurant, consider Chili's or Wolfgang Puck. You may pay a bit more, but you won't have to sit elbow-to-elbow next to other travelers waiting for their next flight. There are many more options available, and you can view the full list of restaurants here.

After we ate, we decided to get magazines for our flight. I enjoy listening to music and reading on the plane, and because I had already finished my first magazine during the previous flight, I needed additional entertainment. Luckily, O'Hare has a few bookstores and newspaper stands to choose from. Hudson News & Gift was our shop of choice, because their options were seemingly endless! The amount of magazines available included popular magazines, but also included magazines for niche readers such as computer, psychology, and home repair magazines. The books available were mainly hardcover and current bestsellers, and although some were on sale, most were full price. Gum, candy, and snacks are also available at these locations, but with a high markup.

If you have children with you and need additional entertainment during your wait, check out the children's museum, which has different exhibits you can enjoy. Keep in mind that only ticketed passengers are able to enter, and that the exhibits are only open during airport hours. There is also a dinosaur exhibit available on loan from the Chicago Field Museum, which will keep both young and old travelers occupied during your wait.

O'Hare airport has several other options available for you while waiting for your next flight, and they are listed on the main website. I'm glad we had a long layover there, because I was never bored or restless due to lack of choices. Have a safe trip!

*Note: For a full list of concessions, shops, and facilities, check out O'Hare's official website here.