MDW Airport Guide

Chicago Midway International Airport, 5700 S Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60638, (800) 832-6352, www.flychicago.com

The history of Chicago’s Midway International Airport and its expansion seems in parallel with the some changes in culture. The original Chicago Municipal Airport opened in 1926 for airmail services, and similar to the glamour of the time, it functioned as a theatre and an airport. People explored the excitement of travel vicariously through the comings and goings of aircraft on the tiny one runway facility.

Today Midway is operated by the City of Chicago’s Department of Aviation (CDA) and is a crucial and robust part of Chicago’s renewed air commerce and cargo. Despite being smaller than O’Hare International, MDW provides low cost services through Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and AirTran Airways. With more than 17 million passengers every year and only 8 miles from downtown Chicago, Midway still claims its fames as one the busiest airports in the United States.

Economic Impact
As an airport that continues to adapt with the times, Midway is critical to the economics of the Chicago area. It employs nearly 90,000 people and contributes billions to the local economy. In 2014, Midway began offering international flights to the Caribbean and Mexico. 

Children and Family Friendly 
Within the airport are numerous places to find tranquility, activities for children, and even a little exercise. The airport’s Concourse C has a Mother’s Room for nursing mothers, complete with a wash area and a TV, a Yoga Room, Chapel, and unisex restrooms. 

The Chicago Department of Aviation proudly displays permanent art exhibits throughout the airport including: The Battle of Midway Memorial, Remembering the Heroes of the Beirut Bombing, Honorary Plaques, Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel, Art of Science: Images from the Institute for Genomic Biology, and The Comforts of Home – After School Matters.

Dining at Midway: Culinary Masterpieces and Home Town Favorites
Whether passengers are held up from the weather or merely looking for a place to sit, relax, and grab a bite, Midway offers both take-out and fine dining options devoted to Chicago’s restaurant legacy. In Concourse A, Manny’s, a deli favorite for Chicago, has traditional sandwiches and famous potato pancakes. At Concourse B, the Potbelly Sandwich Shop opens at 5:00 am and serves its famous ‘sammies’ and steel-cut oatmeal.

For those on the run or who prefer ethnic samplings visit the Triangle Food Court’s Ben & Jerry’s for a coot treat, Pegasus on the Fly and Artopolis Cafe for Greek, Reilly’s Daughter an Irish bar, or try an authentic Chicago hot dog at Gold Coast Dogs. Harry Caray’s Seventh Inning Stretch, a full-service restaurant, is also found in the Food Court, with everything from salads to steak and seafood on the menu.

Unique to Midway
A recent addition to Midway’s contribution to the Chicago area is the ‘MIDWAY FLY AWAY 5K’. Held in September, runners trek alongside aircraft on the runway ready for takeoff. Midway is proud to support Special Children's Charities, the fundraising arm of Special Olympics Chicago.

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