The Family Lounge at O'Hare Terminal 2
O'Hare's Family Lounge is in Terminal 2's Main Hall near Gate F1, after security: a kids' play space with device charging and stroller parking.
The Family Lounge is in Terminal 2’s Main Hall, near Gate F1, after security. The airport describes a designated space for kids to play, with colorful seating, device charging stations and stroller parking for people traveling with an infant. The airport’s pages list one Family Lounge, and it’s in Terminal 2.
The airport says the lounge hosts musicians, caricature artists and other live entertainment at various times of year, especially around the holidays.
What does the airport say is in the lounge?
The airport’s Family Lounge page and its Traveling with Children page give the same description and no more. Neither gives an age limit, a capacity, house rules or a schedule for the entertainment. Our families and kids page lists the lounge with the other family amenities.
The airport’s map also labels the lounge a sensory room, but its Family Lounge page doesn’t mention sensory features. If a quieter space is what you need, our sensory resources page covers the sensory bags and the maps the airport publishes for each terminal.
Is it open at all hours?
The airport’s terminal map lists the lounge as open daily, 24 hours. The airport’s Family Lounge page prints no hours.
The lounge is after security, and Terminal 2’s gates clear security at Checkpoint 5 only. Our security page lists Checkpoint 5 opening at 3:15 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m. Terminals 1 and 3 join Terminal 2 on the secure side, and our guide to walking between terminals shows how.
What else is near the lounge?
The airport’s pages put these across from the lounge or at Gate F1 (the pod is also listed at Gate F3). The pod and the Mother’s Room are different places, and the Mother’s Room is the one the airport calls open 24/7.
| What | Where | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lactation pod | Gate F1 or Gate F3, near the Family Lounge | A Mamava pod for nursing or pumping, on the airport’s Mother’s Room and Traveling with Children pages (F1) and its accessibility page and map (F3) |
| Mother’s Room | Crossover between Gates E5 and F9 | Described as open 24/7, with seating, a sink, electrical outlets and a diaper changing surface |
| All gender restroom | Across from the Family Lounge | A single-user room |
| Companion Plus Restroom | Across from the Family Lounge | A private accessible room with a powered ceiling lift, an adult changing table rated to 330 pounds and two showers |
| Travelers Aid Chicago | Across from the Family Lounge | Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with limited baby supplies |
The Mother’s Room and Traveling with Children pages put the pod near the lounge at Gate F1. The Accessibility page and the airport’s terminal map list a pod near the lounge at Gate F3, so check the signs when you get there. Our nursing rooms page has every pod and room in the airport.
Diapers, snacks and the information desk
The airport’s page says Oops Diapers 2Go vending machines carry diapers, pacifiers, formula, bottles, wipes, snacks, activity kits and toys. It doesn’t say where in Terminal 2 they stand. It also says Hudson News & Gifts stores offer travel necessities and that diaper sizes and availability vary. The airport’s terminal map marks two Chicago Baby / Travel Essentials vending machines in Terminal 2 after security, described as a “vending machine with baby and travel essentials.” One is at Gate F1, the Family Lounge gate, and the other is in a hallway, and the map lists both as open around the clock. After security, Terminal 2’s Hudson stores are at Gates E6, E10, F4, F9 and F28.
Information desk volunteers hand out a free activity and coloring book while supplies last, according to the airport. The airport’s Travelers Aid page puts the Terminal 2 gate desk at Gate F4, open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The terminal accessibility page gives weekends as 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the airport’s terminal map puts the Airport Information Desk at Gate E2, so check both gates if you need a desk on a weekend evening. Our information desks page has the lower level desk near Door 2C.
For food, the airport’s page says most restaurants provide high chairs and children’s menus, and it names the McDonald’s Happy Meal. Terminal 2’s McDonald’s is at Gate F7, and its Chili’s and Dunkin’ are at Gate F9. Our food directory lists the rest of Terminal 2 by gate.
If the lounge isn’t enough
The lounge has device charging stations, and the airport doesn’t say how many. Terminal 2 also has power stations at Gates E8, F2 and F5, which our charging page covers. Our Terminal 2 page lists the gates on Concourses E and F.
Sources
- ORD Airport Guide: Families and kids, Nursing rooms, Sensory friendly resources, Information desks, Charging and power, Security checkpoints, Terminal 2, Food and shops directory
- Chicago Department of Aviation: Family Lounge, Traveling with Children, Mother’s Room / Lactation Pods, Travelers Aid and terminal accessibility pages, and the terminal map