Miles and miles of magnificence
The best of Illinois awaits, with flights from Sault Ste. Marie to Chicago.
From the heights of its acclaimed architecture to the depths of its deep-dish pizza, the Windy City will blow you away. Whether you’re surveying the city from the Willis Tower or catching a baseball game in Wrigley Field, Chicago’s points of interest include something for everyone.
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago boasts long stretches of shoreline, perfect for stretching your legs after a flight from Sault Ste. Marie. On the Chicago Lakefront Trail, the waterfront shines along 18 miles of paths and green spaces.
Get a new perspective on Chicago’s waterfront, with a spin on the Ferris wheel and carousels of the Navy Pier amusement park.
The Chicago Water Tower doesn’t have any waterfront views, but this art gallery features some of the only architecture to survive the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. Focusing on the work of Chicago photographers, this gallery looks at the city through the lens of the locals.
For a broader variety of art, the Art Institute of Chicago holds over 300,000 works curated across 10 departments, including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.
To experience art in the outdoors, head to Millennium Park. This green space within the larger Grant Park is home to one of Chicago’s most innovative entertainment venues. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion hosts concerts in the fresh air, under a metallic lattice frame.
If the weather takes a turn for the worse, see a show in one of Chicago’s indoor theatres. From the iconic Chicago Theater to the Briar Street Theater, Chicago knows how to put on a show.
Whether you spend your time on the waterfront or in art galleries, you’ll want to give Chicago a round of applause before you return to Sault Ste. Marie.
Oak Park
Home to Chicago’s brightest minds
Step inside some of Chicago’s most notable homes on your trip from Sault Ste. Marie in Oak Park.
Frank Lloyd Wright made a name for himself on Chicago’s streets with designs that defined a new era in architecture. Wright’s Unity Temple has been called the first modern building. Behind this church’s 1909 doors, you can see the innovation for yourself.
For a general survey of Wright’s work, take a walking tour of Oak Park, to see 10 of his works within the span of four blocks. Get closer to the architect himself with a tour through his home and studio.
After seeing the houses built by Wright, visit the childhood home of one of Chicago’s most prodigious writers. Ernest Hemingway may have only spent six years of his life in this Oak Park house, but this 1890’s home is filled with Hemingway history. The nearby Arts Centre of Oak Park contains an even more comprehensive museum, with special exhibitions and artifacts exploring Hemingway’s life and works.
For more arts in Oak Park, the Lake Street Theater is always ready to entertain. This movie theatre dates back over 75 years, with an art deco interior to match. Documentaries and art house movies make this theatre perfect for experimental moviegoers.
After a few hours in the dark of the Lake Street Theater, get some sun in Austin Gardens. Wildflowers and sculptures add a touch of whimsy to this 3.6-acre park. If the Windy City gets too breezy for your liking, seek shelter in the Oak Park Conservatory, where 3000 plants live in a warm Edwardian greenhouse.
Whether you visit Oak Park for the architecture, history, or greenery, this Chicago neighbourhood is sure to grow on you.
Magnificent Mile
Chicago’s chicest shopping spot
Bring an empty suitcase or two on your next visit from Sault Ste. Marie to Chicago, for the best shopping on Magnificent Mile.
Starting at the shores of the Chicago River, this area along Michigan Avenue stretches north all the way to Oak Street. With some of the best things to do in Chicago, along its easily walkable length, the Magnificent Mile is a favourite among Chicago visitors.
At the Mile’s southern end, Tribune Tower stands over the city, as one of the most architecturally distinct skyscrapers in Chicago. Originally constructed in 1868, the neo-gothic structure had to be reconstructed in the wake of the 1871 Chicago Fire. While this famous fire destroyed a vast amount of the city, it also acted as the impetus for Chicago’s architectural revolution.
If you keep walking north, the centre of Chicago’s shopping scene begins to open up. Close to 500 stores stock this stretch of the street with everything from global brands to luxury labels. With nearly 300 restaurants on the Magnificent Mile, you’ll never go hungry in this neighbourhood.
After a meal of deep-dish pizza or dumplings, stroll to some of the cultural attractions along the Magnificent Mile. On the Mile itself, the City Gallery focuses on Chicago and as seen through the eyes of local photographers.
With just a short walk from the Magnificent Mile, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Richard H. Driehaus Museum can take you on more delightful detours through Chicago’s cultural institutions.
To survey the city as a whole, visit 360 Chicago. The tilted windows of this observation deck in the John Hancock Building give you a bird’s eye view of the city from 94 floors (and 1,000 feet) up. While you won’t be able to see all the way back to Sault Ste. Marie, the sweeping vista of this viewing area stretches for miles beyond the Magnificent Mile.
Getting to Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in the departures area.
Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) is about 19 km / 12 mi from downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Transportation
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Taxi and car service from downtown costs about $45 CAD.
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.
