01Arrival by Air – O’Hare International Airport
O’Hare International Airport is a major hub with worldwide connections, making it the logical entry point for Elk Grove Village. The main terminal sits on Interstate 190, about one mile west of Mannheim Road, and is open 24 hours a day. While you wait for ground transport, families might enjoy the Brachiosaurus skeleton in Terminal 1, the WWII plate honoring Butch O’Hare in Terminal 2, the Urban Garden in Terminal 3, or the "Kids on the Fly" exhibit also in Terminal 2.
Suggestion: Choose a terminal based on interest—Terminal 2 for kids, Terminal 1 for a quick photo with the dinosaur.
After landing, decide whether to rent a car, use a rideshare service, or arrange a shuttle to the village.
Booking/Access Check: Verify the current terminal layout and any health‑related restrictions on exhibits via the official O’Hare website, and confirm the availability of airport‑to‑village transportation options before you travel.
02Driving from O’Hare to Elk Grove Village
The most direct drive from O’Hare follows I‑190 west to I‑90 (Kennedy Expressway). Two useful exits are Exit 70 for Arlington Heights Road and Exit 73 for Elmhurst Road (Route 83). Either exit leads you toward the village’s commercial corridor. For a straight shot to the Village Hall and main shopping district, use Exit 4 onto Biesterfield Road (Route 53); this road runs directly into the heart of Elk Grove Village. If your destination is the northern part of town—such as Lou Malnati’s Pizza on Higgins Road—take Exit 1B onto Higgins Road (Route 72) and head east.
Suggestion: Pick the exit that aligns with your first activity to minimize back‑tracking, and consider peak‑hour traffic on I‑90 and I‑290 when planning departure times.
Booking/Access Check: Review real‑time traffic and construction updates on the Illinois Tollway website, and confirm parking availability at your hotel or at any attractions you plan to visit.
03Public‑Transit Options (Rail & Bus)
Elk Grove Village has no Metra station within its limits, but four stations on the Milwaukee District West Line sit within five miles: Roselle, Medinah, Itasca, and Wood Dale. A Metra ride to Chicago Union Station takes roughly 50 minutes, and parking at the stations costs about $1.50 per day (no overnight parking). For intra‑suburban travel, Pace operates three routes that serve the village: Route 223 (Elk Grove – Rosemont CTA), Route 616 (Rosemont – Itasca Limited), and Route 757 (Oak Park – Schaumburg Limited).
Suggestion: Choose the Metra station closest to your lodging or planned activities, and use Pace buses to reach the Rosemont CTA station if you need to connect to Chicago’s broader transit network.
Booking/Access Check: Check current Metra schedules and fare tables on the Metra website, and verify Pace bus timetables and any service alerts before you set out.
04Dining Highlights – Lou Malnati’s Pizza & Portillo’s
Lou Malnati’s (1050 E Higgins Rd) is celebrated for its hand‑made deep‑dish pizza and fresh salads. From I‑90, exit at Arlington Heights Road, head south to Higgins Road, turn left (east) and travel about one mile; from I‑290, use the Higgins Road exit and continue east roughly three miles. Portillo’s (1500 Busse Hwy) offers a 1950s‑60s themed menu of hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, and shakes. To reach it, exit I‑90 at Elmhurst Road (Route 83), go south, cross Higgins Road, then turn onto Greenleaf Avenue and proceed two blocks.
Suggestion: Plan lunch at Lou Malnati’s if you’re in the northern part of town, or dinner at Portillo’s after exploring the elk pasture. Both spots can be busy on weekends, so consider early‑day visits or reservations where available.
Booking/Access Check: Confirm each restaurant’s current hours and reservation policies, and check for any indoor‑dining restrictions before you go.
05Outdoor Recreation – Busse Forest Elk Pasture & Ned Brown Preserve
The Busse Forest Elk Pasture, part of Ned Brown Preserve (Busse Woods), houses a small elk herd in a 17‑acre enclosure—a tradition dating back to 1925. The preserve also offers 11 miles of multi‑use trails ideal for running, biking, and bird‑watching. From I‑90, take the Arlington Heights Road exit, travel south about half a mile to Bennett Road, then turn right into the forest preserve.
Suggestion: Allocate at least an hour to view the elk and a longer slot if you want to tackle the trail network. Bring appropriate gear—running shoes, a bike, or binoculars—depending on your activity.
Booking/Access Check: Verify the preserve’s opening hours and any seasonal restrictions, and confirm parking availability at the Busse Woods entrance before you head out.
