The best things to do at O'Hare International Airport

Travel is stressful, especially air travel. Most people unwind and relieve the stress when they arrive at their destination, but passengers at O’Hare can get a head start on relaxation by visiting the airport’s Terminal Getaway Spa. There are two spa locations throughout the airport: One in Terminal 1 and another in Terminal 3. The spas offer manicures, pedicures, chair massages, as well as full-body Swedish and deep tissue massages. 

Both spas are open from 10am to 6pm on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday, and 1pm to 6pm on Saturdays. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the Terminal 1 location is open from noon to 6pm, while the Terminal 3 location is open from noon to 5pm.

Where to find: Terminal 1 - Gate B12; Terminal 3 - Gate H1

Air travel requires a lot of sitting, especially if you’re flying somewhere far. Before you sit on a plane for hours and hours, take an opportunity to get active at the O’Hare Hilton Health Club, a gym at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel, located directly across the street from the airport.

Travelers can sign up for a one-day membership to the hotel’s gym for $15, which includes access to all of the gym’s amenities, like Peloton bikes, a running track and a lap pool. The Hilton Health Club also has a locker room with full shower service, so you can clean up before it’s time to board. The hotel is connected through the airport by underground walkways that connect to Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

Where to find: Inside the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel

While some travelers head to the airport in pajamas or sweatpants to optimize comfort during a flight, others—especially business travelers—are dressed to impress. While shoes might seem like a minor fashion detail to some, if travelers want to look their sharpest when arriving at their destination, they should opt to get a shoe shine at O’Hare International Airport’s Shoe Hospital.

The Shoe Hospital has two locations in the airport: One in Terminal 1 and another in Terminal 3. Travelers can get their shoes polished and shined at the locations, but the Shoe Hospital can also repair luggage and other leather items. Both locations are open Monday-Friday, from 9am to 3pm.

Where to find: Terminal 1 - Gate B10; Terminal 3 - Gate K2

When planning a vacation, getting a haircut isn’t normally a top priority. But if you’ve ever arrived at the airport only to see that your hair isn’t at its best, and you know it’s going to ruin your vacation photos, then it’s time to head to The Barber Shop. O’Hare International Airport’s barber shop offers haircuts ($50), hot shaves ($40), line ups ($20) and beard trims ($15), as well as several other services.

The Barber Shop is located across the street from the airport, inside of the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel, which can be accessed via a walkway that extends from Terminal 2’s bottom level. The Barber Shop is open from 9am to 7pm, Monday-Friday, 10am to 5pm on Saturdays, and noon to 5pm on Sundays.

Where to find: Inside the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel

If anyone’s ever said that air travel is comfortable, they’re lying. Especially on a lengthy flight, sitting in an airplane seat for hours on end can result in some serious soreness. Take the time to stretch out before your flight in O’Hare’s Yoga Room.

First opened in 2013, the Yoga Room is available for travelers every day, from 6am until 10pm, and offers yogis mats to use, soothing music and instructional videos. To help maintain a calm environment within the room, the airport requires that guests take their shoes off upon entering and keep their cell phones, and other electronic devices, on silent while in the room.

Where to find: Mezzanine level of the Terminal 3 rotunda

Anyone who has flown out of O’Hare’s Terminal 1 has experienced "Sky’s the Limit"—a tunneled walkway with a mesmerizing display of colorful neon lighting that is between the terminal’s B and C concourses. But that’s not the only artwork on display at the airport. In October, the airport opened up a new public art collection in Terminal 5 with work from more than 20 Chicago-based artists. The collection, which cost $3.5 million in commissions, is the city’s largest single acquisition of works made by Chicago artists in at least three decades.

Artwork can be found almost everywhere in the airport, including the massive statue “The Runners,” by Greek sculptor Theodoros Papagiannis, which is displayed along the south embankment of I-190, and is visible when travelers are driving into the airport.

Where to find: Terminal 5

Most airlines at O’Hare International Airport offer an airport lounge, somewhere where travelers can go to rest, relax and even do things like take a shower or eat from a buffet. These lounges often come with hefty price tags, or membership fees, but the Butch O’Hare Family Lounge, which was opened in 2019, operates a little differently.

The lounge, which is free to utilize, isn’t as restful as other lounges. Instead, it’s available for families with children, who need to have their kids burn off a little steam before boarding a flight. Located just beyond security in Terminal 2, the lounge has toys, climbing equipment, live entertainment and video games.

Where to find: Terminal 2 - Gate F1

Unless a real-life Jurassic Park gets built one day, it’s not possible to ever see a living dinosaur. But there are a few places where you can see one’s fossil: An archaeological site, a museum or in Terminal 1 of O’Hare International Airport. The fossil sits in front of the Field Museum’s store, where travelers can shop for home goods, books and clothing, or they can always just stand and marvel at the massive cast of the dinosaur.

The fossil is a brachiosaurus, a species of dinosaur that lived during the late Jurassic period, roughly around 150 million years ago. The cast was found by a Field Museum scientist in 1900, and remained the largest dinosaur ever found for decades.

Where to find: Terminal 1 - Gate B8

Typically, airports are filled with the sound of TSA agents telling travelers what they can and can’t get through security and frantic passengers looking for their gate. But every once in a while at O’Hare, there’s also the sound of pianos playing. When wine bars Beaudevin (located in Terminal 1) and Bubbles (located in Terminal 3) were introduced in 2012, they each also came with baby grand pianos, so live music could be performed for customers and passengers walking by.

The pianos have become a hit with travelers, who can either enjoy music while there’s someone performing, or take a crack at it themselves. Whether you’re a concert pianist or just learning how to play “Chopsticks,” the pianos are open for anyone to try out their skills.

Where to find: Beaudevin - Terminal 1, Gate C17; Bubbles - Terminal 3, Gate H4

Sure, there are plenty of jokes about the quality of airplane food, but when it comes to airport food, there’s a world of difference, especially at O’Hare International Airport. The airport has a vast array of quick meals that can be eaten on the go, as well as non-perishable snacks, and there are also some exceptional dining options if you have time to waste before a flight. 

Tortas Frontera, Rick Bayless’ torta spot, has to be one of the airport’s most popular restaurants, serving up tortas, soups, salads and snacks like chips and salsa all day long. There seems to always be a line at the restaurant’s three O’Hare locations, but torta lovers and frequent fliers know that you can order ahead on the restaurant’s app. 

Whether you’re flying in or out of Chicago, travelers can sample the menu at one of the city’s best restaurants without stepping a foot out of the airport by stopping by Publican Tavern. The restaurant, which takes inspiration from European beer halls, offers grab-and-go options for those who are in a rush. If you've got time to sit down and enjoy a leisurely meal, the menu features favorites like a pub burger and roasted chicken with frites.

Where to find: Tortas Frontera - Terminal 1, Gate B11; Terminal 3, Gate K4; Terminal 5, Gate M18. Publican Tavern - Terminal 3, Gate K1