Chicago dishes up art and entertainment
Make your way to the Windy City, with flights from Timmins to Chicago.
Ambitious architecture, experimental food, and an extensive art collection make Chicago shine. These features lead to just a few items on the almost endless list of things to do in Chicago. Whichever direction you point your shoes in, you’ll be heading towards more Chicago points of interest.
Give Chicago’s rich performing arts heritage a round of applause with a visit to its theatres. Chicago’s shows are spread across the city, from the 1921 Chicago Theater, to the modern Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the venues are often as impressive as the performances.
After the curtains close in Jay Pritzker, explore the surrounding Millennium Park. This green space in the so-called “City in a Garden” is part of the larger Grant Park. From the Buckingham Fountain, to the Petrillo Music Shell, this green space has more to offer beyond its gorgeous gardens.
Some of the city’s best art institutions border Grant Park, framing the area with cultural attractions. Whether you wander through the vast Art Institute of Chicago, or interact with the city’s art scene in the Chicago Cultural Center, the edge of Grant Park is just the start of the city’s educational activities.
Get started on the streets with a tour of the city’s most iconic structures from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, before going inside its other museums. Learn about the living world in the Field Museum of Natural History and Shedd Aquarium, two of Chicago’s favourite family-friendly stops.
Before you leave for your flight back to Timmins, stretch your legs on Chicago’s walking trails. Walk the waterfront on the Chicago Lakefront Trail and the Chicago Riverwalk, or follow the retail trail on the Magnificent Mile to get the most out of your trip from Timmins to Chicago.
Hyde Park
Seek out Hyde Park
Head to Hyde Park for a look into Chicago’s history and notable homes, on your Timmins trip.
Hyde Park made a name for itself in 1893, as the host of the Chicago World’s Fair. Also called the Columbian Exposition, this world fair was where the world was introduced to the Ferris wheel, the zipper, and Wrigley’s gum.
While many of the fair’s amazing exhibits were temporary, the Columbian Exposition has left a lasting mark on Chicago. The heritage of innovation is alive and well in Hyde Park at the University of Chicago. Behind the pretty facade of its Victorian Gothic buildings, dozens of Nobel Prize laureates are hard at work.
You don’t have to attend from this educational institution to do a little learning in Hyde Park. Many top Chicago museums populate this neighbourhood, from the Museum of Science and Industry, to the DuSable Museum of African American History.
For a notable piece of African American history, visit US President Barack Obama’s Chicago home. While you won’t be able to go inside, you will be able to capture a few photos of this gorgeous Georgian revival home that housed Obama during his term as Senator. You’ll also find memorable architecture in Hyde Park in the form of Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Robie House. Designed in the Prairie style, this home opens its doors for tours.
After all this time inside, get some sunshine in Hyde Park’s green spaces. With Washington Park on the west end, and Jackson Park on the east end, you can choose between shaded ponds and the shores of Lake Michigan to stroll. A relaxing walk through these urban gardens is the perfect way to end another day on your visit from Timmins to Chicago.
Oak Park
Home to Chicago’s brightest minds
From the childhood home of Ernest Hemingway, to the houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Oak Park is where Chicago preserves the history of its best and brightest.
The first six years of Ernest Hemingway’s life were spend in this 1890’s Queen Anne style home. Hemingway history fills the halls of this beautiful building, honouring one of Chicago’s most prodigious writers.
For a more in depth look into the life of this acclaimed American author, the Arts Centre of Oak Park contains an even more comprehensive museum. Special exhibitions and artifacts explore the works and life of Hemingway in this nearby museum.
During your visit from Timmins to Chicago, you’ve probably already passed some of Chicago's most famous structures, without even realizing it. Take a more structured approach to Chicago’s architecture with a tour of Oak Park. Within a four-block walk in Oak Park, you’ll see 10 houses designed by Chicago’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Go inside Wright’s 1909 Unity Temple church, often called the world’s first modern building. In Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio and home, you can get closer to the mind behind an architectural revolution.
After taking in the architecture, take in a show at Oak Park’s Lake Theatre. Shining a light on the cinematic arts, this theatre projects mainly art house and documentary films. With an art deco design, and 75-year-old structure, this theatre is another piece of Oak Park’s history.
After the curtain closes on your experimental movie experience, spend some time outside in Austin Gardens. Sculptures and wildflowers add a whimsical air to this 3.6 acre park.
If the Windy City is particularly gusty during your trip from Timmins, take shelter in the Oak Park Conservatory. Over 3000 plants live under the glass roof of this Edwardian greenhouse, thriving in this warm, well-designed conservatory.
Whether you come to Oak Park for the history, architecture, or greenery, you’re sure to remember this Chicago neighbourhood long after you return to Timmins.
Getting to Timmins Victor M. Power Airport (YTS)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in the departures area, near security checkpoint A.
Timmins Victor M. Power Airport (YTS) is about 13 km / 8 mi from downtown Timmins.
Transportation
Taxis from downtown cost about $25 CAD. Car service costs about $70 CAD.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
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.
