Navigating O'Hare Airport: Your Comprehensive Guide to ORD

February 16, 2024

ORD History and Evolution

O'Hare International Airport, or ORD, has a history stretching back to the 1920s, when the City of Chicago realized that the Chicago Municipal Airport needed help. By 1946, a site (former military production facility) was chosen, and the airport opened in 1949, named after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a well-known flying ace in World War II. Once the world's busiest airport, it is the fourth-most heavily used globally, and it hosts regional and international flights.

Over the nearly 100 years of its growth and development, ORD has continually expanded and improved itself. For example, it recently opened a public art project in Terminal 5 and even started the ORDering program to help make dining easier in the airport. Changes like these have helped make it one of the most popular airports in the world.

O'Hare International Airport Art and Sculptures

Traveling through ORD airport, you can check out its many fascinating art exhibits. These include the previously mentioned terminal 5 exhibit that features 20 Chicago artists. As a significant $3.5 million event, it was the largest purchase of Chicago artists' work in over 30 years. Over 150 signs, symbols, paintings, sculptures, and more are spread throughout this area.

However, many terminals have unique art, such as the giant brachiosaurus dinosaur provided by the legendary Field Museum in Terminal One. Terminal 2 has an exhibit called "Somewhere" by Jo Hormuth, while Terminal 3 includes extensive and attractive paintings by Ginny Sykes and Maria Gaspar that might capture your imagination.

Terminal One features a light sculpture illuminating the moving walkway between the B and C Concourse. If you have time, it is well worth the time.

ORD Terminal 1 Concourse C Light Sculpture

photo credit: Joseph Bare

ORD Parking / Transportation

O'Hare International Airport includes multiple parking options that let you reserve a parking spot before you visit. Parking at ORD airport may vary based on your terminals and have garages, open lot options, a daily lot and reserved parking. You can also reserve a parking spot at O'Hare International Airport by booking with The Parking Spot.

Hotels Near O'Hare International Airport

If you need to find an ORD airport hotel when you travel through ORD airport or simply need a place to stay if ORD airport delays keep you around longer than expected, here are a few options that you might want to consider:

Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport
10000 West O'Hare Avenue, O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL 60666
Ph. + 1.855.605.0316
Sheraton Suites Chicago O'Hare
6501 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
Ph. + 1.847.699.6300
Best Western at O'Hare
10300 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
Ph. + 1.800.780.7234
Marriott Suites
6155 North River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
Ph. + 1.847.696.4400
Sonesta Chicago O'Hare Airport Rosemont
10233 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
Ph. + 1.847.954.8600

Terminal Map for ORD

When you travel to ORD airport, you need an airport map ORD trusts to help its passengers. Thankfully, there's an in-depth, accessible, and interactive terminal map that you can use to find ORD airport food, ORD airport lounges, and ORD car rental during your travel. Bookmark this terminal map and use it regularly when visiting O'Hare International Airport. This step should ensure that you travel safely through O'Hare without any difficulty.

O'Hare International Airport - Wait Time and Flight Status

If you're worried about ORD airport delays, want to check your wait time, or know your flight status, you can visit this page at O'Hare International Airport's online site. It highlights every flight at the airport and helps make it easier for you to track whether yours will be late. As importantly, it can provide you with help planning any extra trips during your visit.

ORD Food/Dining

ORD airport food options include restaurants with vending machines, diners, fast food options, sit-down places, and more. This diverse array of options should help you stay hungry and kill time while checking on ORD airport weather. Just a few dining options for restaurants ORD airport offers include:

Canteen Healthy Food: This healthy dining option is excellent for avoiding fast food or other unhealthy and unappealing food types.
America's Dog: A simple hot dog and burger joint will provide you and your kids with a quick but tasty food option.
Auntie Anne's: Enjoy some delicious soft pretzels and a tasty lemonade in this nationwide pretzel chain.
B-Smooth, Smoothies & Salads: Here's another healthy dining option that will likely appeal to you and your kids if you want to eat well.
Beaudevin Wine Bar: Come here if you enjoy wine and want to enjoy some pub-style snacks and other types of fancy foods.
Berghoff Cafe: This simple care includes a variety of delicious foods, including salads, sandwiches, and other quick treats.
Big Bowl: Big Bowl provides simple Asian-styled meals that fit into a single bowl, providing you with a quick and tasty meal.
CIBO Express Gourmet Market: This airport favorite provides healthy and wholesome foods and quick meals you can take while on the go.
Chicago Cubs Bar & Grill: If you have time to catch a game, enjoy a burger, and have a fresh Chicago-style beer, check out this popular pub.
Manchu Wok: Manchu Wok serves healthy and tasty Asian-style meals that your family will likely love, no matter their taste.
McDonald's: When all else fails, and your kids just want something basic, McDonald's is available with its reliable favorites.

O'Hare International Airport Amenities and Pet Support

Over the years, ORD airport has added multiple updates and amenities that make traveling with them more enjoyable. These amenities are designed to help you relax and enjoy your trip with less stress. Just a few of the most popular amenities at O'Hare International Airport include:

On-Site Hotel: If the hotels mentioned earlier don't appeal to you, ORD has an on-site option where you can stay if you don't plan on visiting the rest of Chicago.
Health Club: O'Hare's health club includes a fitness room and pool to exercise and run a few laps to start your day.
Yoga Room: If you're into yoga and want to relax while visiting O'Hare International Airport, check out this calming and soothing area.
Mother's Rooms: Each terminal in O'Hare has Mother's Rooms and Lactation pads where you can care for your child, use the included breast pumps, and change diapers.

ORD Fun for Kids and Teens

O’Hare International Airport provides multiple unique ways for your children to have fun. The biggest of these is the Family Lounge, an excellent area in Terminal 2 where you and your kids can sit, color, enjoy live entertainment, get a caricature painting, and much more. For teens, there are more limited options, but there are multiple shops throughout the airport where they can check out a few items, including:

Barbara’s Bookstore, where they can buy magazines, books, and other items to enjoy
Benefit Cosmetics vending machines for any teens who love to use makeup
CNN Newsstand Chicago for more serious-minded teens interested in current events
Dufry stores where teens can buy various duty-free items and save you money
Headphone Hub shops where they can purchase new electronic devices
Hudson News & Gifts locations that feature fun and memorable items

O'Hare International Airport Lounges

ORD airport lounges provide you with places to drink, meet new friends, watch TV, or just relax between flights. Typically, you must be flying with the airports that support these lounges and might need to join a club to enjoy this experience properly. These include:

United Clubs in spots throughout Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
Admiral's Clubs throughout Terminal 3
American Flagship Lounge in Terminal 3
Sky Club in Terminal 5
Swissport Lounge in Terminal 5
SAS Lounge in multiple terminals in the airport
British Airways Lounge in Terminal 5

ORD Moving Walkways, Lightrails, and Wheelchair Assistance

O'Hare International Airport provides the Airport Transit System (ATS) that helps take passengers throughout the grounds, including between concourses, terminals, and other sections of this sprawling and impressive airport. This system takes you through the airport quickly and efficiently, minimizes your walking times, and lets you rest a little.

O'Hare also provides the Terminal Transfer Bus or TTB system that moves large numbers of passengers between terminals throughout the airport. It runs every 15 minutes on two routes: one between Terminal 1 and Terminal 5 and another between Terminal 3 and Terminal 5. This system allows you to travel between stations within five minutes without excessive walking.

Furthermore, O'Hare International Airport offers support for people with medical accommodations, those with wheelchairs, and anyone else with medical conditions that limit their movement. ORD is proud to offer these services and believes they provide each passenger with the support needed to enjoy their time at O'Hare airport.

O'Hare International Airport Security

ORD airport provides multiple security options to ensure you get to your plane safely. These include many checkpoints throughout the terminal that will check you and other passengers to minimize risks. Each checkpoint is serviced by a fully trained and professional security expert who can ensure things run smoothly for you.

Services like Global Entry and Automated Passport Control streamline airport security and keep you and other passengers moving while minimizing unnecessary delays. Global Entry is different from a TSA Pre-Check, so make sure that you talk with your booking agent to learn more about these options and whether they're the right choice for you.

ORD Wi-Fi and Power Outlets

O'Hare International Airport offers complimentary Wi-Fi for all travelers. Simply activate your device's Wi-Fi settings and choose from the available networks to connect. Additionally, the airport is equipped with numerous charging stations across its terminals, ensuring your devices stay powered up.