From one park to another
Catch a flight from Halifax to Chicago and spend some time exploring the Windy City.
No trip is complete without a visit to Lincoln Park. Notable Chicago points of interest in the park include the Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago History Museum. Explore this sprawling 1,208 acres of green space bordering Lake Michigan.
Drop by the Lincoln Park Zoo for a look at its nearly 200 animal species. Admire the wildlife as they spend most of their day basking in the sunshine; you may even hear the mighty roar of the zoo’s African lions. Take a peek at the long-legged pink flamingos wading through the Waterfowl Lagoon.
Nearby, the Chicago History Museum carefully binds together chapters of America’s storied past. Peruse the broad collection of artifacts and catch a glimpse of the old-world lives of pioneering Americans. Visit the American Civil War exhibit featuring the personal belongings of President Abraham Lincoln.
The museum’s walking tours include stops at popular Chicago landmarks. Explore the grand architecture of Chicago Union Station, while a tour guide gives a detailed account of the railway’s history. Opened in 1925, the station is still a busy transportation hub in Chicago.
You can easily hop on a bus and cross the Chicago River into the downtown core. The area is called the Loop, a reference to the elevated train that loops around the city. Standing out in the bustling business district are public works of art, slowly becoming iconic symbols of Chicago.
Cloud Gate, or more commonly referred to as the Bean, captures Chicago’s stunning skyline on its reflective surface. This masterpiece is part of downtown’s Millennium Park, where other jaw-dropping sculptures include Crown Fountain. You’ll marvel at the vivid video graphics on the waterworks’ 50-foot glass surface.
Get ready for some artful sightseeing when you fly from Halifax to Chicago.
Edgewater
On the edge of town
Bordering the serene waters of Lake Michigan, you won’t find a better-named neighbourhood than Edgewater. Visit this charming lakeside locale when you fly from Halifax to Chicago.
The community began as a playground of Chicago’s elite, before springing up into a popular summer destination. Different phases of Edgewater’s evolution can be seen in the historic districts that populate the area. However, the biggest draw to Edgewater is still its pristine beaches.
Swinging through the Jazz Age of the 1920s, Edgewater witnessed the arrival of hip nightclubs and chic hotels. You won’t be at a loss for welcoming places to stay during your visit from Halifax to Chicago. In the Bryn Mawr Historic District, choose from the Belle Shore Apartment Hotel or Bryn Mawr Apartment Hotel across the street.
The Andersonville section of Edgewater is renowned for its distinctively Swedish heritage. Within the Swedish American Museum is the archived history of Swedes in Chicago. Among the museum’s exhibits, you’ll also see the historic and contemporary artwork of renowned Swedish artists.
Move to the tree-lined streets of the Lakewood Balmoral Historic District. Walk by the charming turn-of-the-century residences, marking Edgewater’s shift to a Chicago suburb. From here, it’s only a few blocks until you pass Lakeshore Drive and arrive at the neighbourhood’s sandy beaches.
When searching for things to do in Chicago, put a trip to the beach on your list. Edgewater’s Foster Beach and Osterman Beach, frequented by locals, are highly favoured for swimming. Take a paddleboard onto the water and check out the scenic backdrop of the city skyline.
Catch a flight from Halifax to Chicago and live life on the edge in Edgewater.
Chinatown, Chicago
East meets Midwest
Fly from Halifax to Chicago and discover eclectic shopping and culinary escapades in Chinatown.
Stroll through the big red gates that mark the entrance to this enclave on Wentworth Avenue. You’ll see a different side of Chicago, decorated with restaurants and stores whose elaborate signs beg you to step through the doors.
A legendary mainstay of the area is Won Kow Restaurant. Opened in 1928, you can taste history in the delicious dim sum and steaming green teas. Even Al Capone was rumoured to have a favourite table tucked away in a corner of this restaurant.
Chart a course through the streets of Chinatown. Vendors are stocked in exotic delicacies and herbs that will help spice up your next home-cooked meal. This foodie trek will likely lead you to Chinatown Square.
Blending the lively streets into an indoor setting, Chinatown Square presents two storeys of retail therapy. A relatively new addition among Chinatown’s retro buildings, get lost in the maze of stores inside the complex.
In contrast, the Pui Tak Center, built in 1927 conveys the enduring spirit of the neighbourhood. The building displays the prominent features of Chinese architecture with ornately curving roofs and towers. You might think the Pui Tak Center belongs in the Forbidden City rather than Chicago.
Travel from the “Great Walls to the Great Lakes” at the Chinese American Museum. This permanent exhibit at the museum tells the inspiring story of Chinese immigrants in the Windy City. You’ll be blown away by their contributions to the United States, including the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Enjoy a modern display of Chinese customs and traditions in Chicago’s Chinatown. Join the festivities at the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade. Try your best to dodge the fiery dragons that run loose in the streets surrounded by crowds of onlookers.
Take a journey to the Midwest for an eastern experience with a flight from Halifax to Chicago.
How to get to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Porter’s check-in desk is located on the second floor, in the departures area.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) is about 35 km / 24 mi from downtown Halifax.
Transportation to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Take the Metro Transit 320 bus to the airport stop. The fare is $3.50 CAD.
The Airport Express shuttle bus provides service to the airport from downtown Halifax from May 1 to October 31, with a reduced schedule from November 1 to April 30. The fare is $22 CAD.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Taxi and car service from downtown cost about $55 CAD.
Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft offer services to Halifax Stanfield International Airport and can drop customers off alongside regular passengers and taxis.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Chicago Midway Airport Transportation to Downtown
There are many options for transportation to downtown Chicago from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
The trip is about 9 km / 6 mi from the airport to downtown Chicago.
Transportation to downtown Chicago
The Go Airport Express shuttle bus provides service from the airport to downtown Chicago. Reservations can be made online and fares start at $23 USD.
Uber and Lyft pickup is available at Chicago Midway Airport. To find your ride, exit at the baggage claims level, exit through door 4, and cross the street. Fares from MDW to downtown Chicago start at $23.
Car rental services are available at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Take the shuttle to the rental car area from the pick-up location at door 3 of the lower level, near the baggage claim area.
Taxis to downtown cost about $29 USD per person. Car service is available.
Take the Chicago Transit Authority orange line train from the Midway stop. The fare is $2.50 USD.
Chicago Midway International Airport Parking
Driving to Chicago Midway International Airport? There are many parking options at Chicago Airport. There are two economy parking lots with a rate of $2 USD for 30 minutes, $5 USD for 30 minutes to an hour, and a maximum of $15 USD for 24 hours. Or, choose the terminal garage, which offers hourly or daily rates. The daily lot has a 24-hour rate of $30 USD and is a long-term lot. You may also reserve a parking space ahead of time for a fee of $10 USD per space, per day.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
