From Wikitravel

The Midway Area is on Chicago's Southwest Side, which includes Chicago's second airport and the surrounding neighborhoods (Ashburn, Garfield Ridge, Clearing, Archer Heights, West Elsdon, and West Lawn). This section of town is ethnically diverse, home to a large, established Polish community and to recently arrived Mexican communities. The neighborhoods of Archer Heights, Garfield Ridge, and Clearing are important centers of Polish culture in the United States; you are likely to hear as much Polish as English while walking around these neighborhoods.

The Midway Area is a pretty quiet, mostly residential section of the city, and there is not a whole lot of interest to the traveler aside from the airport. But rest assured the surrounding neighborhoods are a lot more interesting, and their bars and restaurants of higher quality, than what you will find in the airport. So you might want to make a stop on the way to the airport, or perhaps an excursion to pass the time when stuck in a dull airport hotel. And then, if you have a craving for Croatian baked goods, where else are you going to satisfy it?

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Midway Airport (IATA: MDW) plays second fiddle to the Chicago giant that is O'Hare International, but it nonetheless services a lot of domestic flights and is a more convenient point of entry. Just about everyone coming into this part of Chicago goes through this airport, which primarily serves domestic flights on low-cost carriers Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airlines, and ATA Airlines.

Parking rates

• Hourly Parking: $4 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour
• Daily Parking: $4 for the first hour, each day is $25.
• Economy Parking: $2 for the first hour, $5 for two hours, and 12$ per day (or just over 2 hours!)

Note: parking charges are incurred after 10 minutes in all lots, save the cell phone waiting area.

Concourse	Airlines
A	Southwest, etc.
B	Southwest & ATA
C	Continental, Delta

[edit] By train

The CTA Orange Line will take you straight from the Loop to Midway Airport, but keep in mind that it's not a great way to get to much of anywhere else in the area — you'll need to catch a bus from either the airport or the Pulaski stop in West Elsdon.

The Metra Southwest Service goes straight from Union Station in the Near West Side to the Ashburn neighborhood, where it stops twice at "Wrightwood" and "Ashburn." Only take this train if you are going to Ashburn, not if you are going to the airport, as its stops are on the other end of the district.

[edit] By bus

#62 Archer is the one bus that runs directly from downtown to the Midway Area, but it actually doesn't stop at the airport, so if you're coming from that way, the L is a better option. From the West Side, there are convenient and direct routes along Cicero and Pulaski (#53 and #54). Bus route #55 is by far the best way to travel to Midway from the South Side, and there is an #55 express route that leaves from the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park.

[edit] By car

The Stevenson Expressway is the main highway in the area, and the two main exits are at Cicero Ave and Pulaski Rd. Cicero Avenue, 55th Street/Garfield Boulevard, and 63rd Street are the main roads leading into the airport. Archer Avenue and Pulaski Avenue are also main roads with things to do and places to eat.

[edit][add listing] See

The Midway Area's sights will appeal primarily to narrow sections of society. The Balzekas Museum is of obvious interest to Lithuanian-Americans, the Indian Building to Wayne's World fanatics and perhaps roadside kitsch-seekers, and the Archives to, well, archivists (and to those who want to trace their roots in the Midwest).

• Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S Pulaski Rd, ☎ +1 773 582-6500 (editor@lithuanianmuseum.org, fax: +1 312 582-5133), [1]. 10AM-4PM daily. The Balzekas museum is a prominent Lithuanian cultural center for the United States, with a fine collection of Lithuanian antiques, folk art, armor, coins, rare historical maps, amber jewelry, and other items exhibited chronologically. The center also includes a state-of-the-art audio-visual center and an impressive research facility for Lithuanian history and genealogy. And the gift shop is a great shopping spot for Lithuanian-related items. Adults: $4, seniors/students: $3, children: $1, free on Tuesday.  edit

• Capital Cigar Store Inc (The Indian Building), 6258 S Pulaski Rd. Forget the store and its cigars, this place is famous for the giant stereotypical-looking Indian statue of Wayne's World fame on the roof. In the movie, his hand is raised in greeting, but he has an arrow through his back. More recently, however, it appears that the Midwest Eye Clinic has adopted the Indian as a billboard — the arrow is gone, he now wears large glasses, and bears an odd sign reading "Eye can see now." edit

• National Archives & Records Administration, 7358 S Pulaski Rd, ☎ +1 773 948-9050 (chicago.archives@nara.gov, fax: +1 773 948-9050), [2]. M, W-F 8AM-4:15PM, T 8AM-8PM. The enormous Midwest branch of the National Archives is hidden away in the middle of nowhere, but its collection of records is enormous. The public has free and instant access to the census records, for those interested in their family genealogy, while historic federal documents are searchable only by researchers who have applied for a pass in advance. edit

[edit][add listing] Do

Regardless of where you are staying in the city, consider heading out to Midway to take advantage of its Tri-Star Pilot Service Tours, 5700 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 773 229-1091. At the price, this tour is a steal. Surely there is no better way to see the Chicago skyline than in a prop plane. The pilot, Jerry Smith, has run these tours for 15 years and will make sure you see all the best sights. Book a night tour for truly spectacular views that will thrill your date. $125 for a couple, $160 for three adults.

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Midway Area is not an enticing shopping destination. Even Midway Airport lacks a duty free shop, as it only serves a few flights to Mexico. There really is no reason to come to the Midway Area to go shopping, but if you find yourself here, and need to get something, you can almost certainly find it along Cicero Avenue around the Ford City Mall, 73rd St & Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 773 767-6400, [3]. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-7PM, Su 10AM-6PM. This mall, by the way, has a bit of history to its name. In its former life it produced engines for bomber planes during World War II under Ford Company management, and later car engines. If the mall fails to satisfy your needs, rest assured the Cicero Avenue strip malls extending endlessly to the south will. edit

You also might want to take a gander at Izzy Rizzy's House of Tricks, 6034 S Pulaski Rd, ☎ +1 773 735-7370 (rizzys@aol.com, fax: +1 773 581-4626), [4]. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-7PM. The kids will love you if you take them here. Magic kits, fake dog doo, santa costumes, whoopie cushions galore. edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

The Midway Area excels in its Mexican and Polish/Bohemian offerings. If you're not in the mood, rest assured that you can find some tasty greasy Chicago food as well. Avoid the airport and airport hotel restaurants — there are far better (and more fairly priced) places to eat nearby. If you have a car, drop whatever you are doing and head down Pulaski Ave to Vito & Nick's for the perfect Chicago thin crust pizza.

[edit] Budget

• Bobak's Sausage Company, 5275 S Archer Ave, ☎ +1 773 735-5334, [5]. M-Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 8AM-7PM. It's unclear whether the restaurant will ever re-open, but there are tables inside the store for people who like to enjoy sausage at the source, along with other Polish favorites. $4.99/lb. of hot food.  edit

• New China Tea, 4024 W 55th St, ☎ +1 773 284-2463. T-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F noon-11PM, Sa noon-9:30PM. An Americanized Chinese restaurant less than a 1/4 mile east of Midway that is a good stop for its exotic cocktail lounge and cheap comfort food. $3-8.  edit

• Pticek & Son Bakery, 5523 S Narragansett Ave, ☎ +1 773 585-5500, [6]. T-F 4:30AM-6PM, Sa 4:30AM-5PM. Satisfy your Bohemian/Croatian baked goods cravings here. edit

• Racine Bakery, 6216 W Archer Ave, ☎ +1 773 581-2258 (fax: +1 773 581-2258). M-F 6AM-7PM, Sa 6AM-6PM, Su 6AM-5PM. Option number 2 for tasty East European baked goods, with a Polish specialization. edit

• Three Sons, 6200 S Archer Ave, ☎ +1 773 585-2767. 5AM-11PM daily. A very affordable outing for homestyle Polish and Bohemian dining plus a full bar. $3-8.  edit

• Windy City Hot Dogs, 4205 W 63rd St, ☎ +1 773 581-0332. M-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 11AM-8PM. The place in the area to get your Chicago-style fast food: hot dogs and Italian Beef. $2-4.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Giordano's, 6314 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 773 585-6100, [7]. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight. Located at the southeastern corner of Midway Airport, if you have a layover and want to try real Chicago pizza, take any bus south along Cicero Ave, or you could just walk, to the best Chicago chain around for stuffed Chicago pizza. $14-25.  edit

• Rhythm & Spice Restaurant, 2501 W 79th St, ☎ +1 773 402-9666 (Rhythmrestaurant@sbcglobal.net, fax: +1 773 476-4153), [8]. T-W 10AM-4PM, F-Sa 10AM-9PM. A very friendly and authentic Jamaican restaurant with great fish dishes $8-14.  edit

• Szalas Restaurant, 5214 S Archer Ave, ☎ +1 773 582-0300, [9]. noon-11PM daily, bar til 2AM on F-Su. The name means "chalet" in Polish, and that's how the restaurant is designed; not a random quirk, though, because they serve food specific to the Polish highlands. To get in, you'll need to pull the rope over the door and ring the bell. $10-30.  edit

• Valentina's, 4506 W 63rd St, ☎ +1 773 284-5529. Su-Th 9AM-11PM, F-Sa 9AM-midnight. This place, just a few blocks from Midway, has a reputation for the best tacos in Chicago, distinguished by having all the details down to perfection, from the steak and fish fillings, to the hot corn tortillas, to the masterful garnishes. And the margaritas are just fine too. The decor is light and cheery, on-street parking is plentiful, and service is friendly, all making this a wonderful place to hang out, relax, and have some top-notch Mexican food. $8-15.  edit

• Vito & Nick's, 8433 S Pulaski Rd, ☎ +1 773 735-2050, [10]. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su noon-11PM. It's a quiet, family-style eatery with a few older patrons chit-chatting at the bar. Widely regarded on the South Side as serving the best thin crust pizza in the city. The South Side accents are thick, the decor with its carpeted walls and christmas lights is South Side chic in its purest form — this is an experience to be had. Cash only. $6-15.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

The area around Midway does not rank prominently in the minds of Chicagoans when they think of city nightlife, but there are a few nice spots worthy of note.

• Groucho's, 8355 S Pulaski Ave, ☎ +1 773 767-4838, [11]. M-F 2PM-4AM, Sa noon-5AM, Su noon-4AM; Kitchen open untill 3AM. A decent South Side rock club featuring better-known local and regional acts. As an added bonus, the kitchen serves bar food all night. Admission: $5, entrées: $5-11.  edit

• InnExile, 5758 W 65th St, ☎ +1 773 582-3510, [12]. Su-F 8PM-2AM, Sa 8PM-3AM. Gay nightclub that attracts all sorts of people passing through next-door Midway with occasional live performances. edit

• Tina's, 5440 S Narragansett Ave, ☎ +1 773 586-8767. M-Th 4PM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 2PM-10PM. A divey neighborhood sports bar that rises above the crowd for its thin-crust and stuffed Chicago style pizzas. Otherwise, cheap drinks and free pool are the draws. edit

• Tony O's Studio 31, 5147 S Archer Ave, ☎ +1 773 585-7512. Su-F 8PM-2AM, Sa 8PM-3AM. A bar/nightclub that is plenty friendly, packed on weekends, and miles away from the too-cool-to-sweat clubs downtown. No cover.  edit

• Touch of Class, 6058 W 63rd St, ☎ +1 773 586-8177. Su-F 9AM-4AM. A neighborhood pub just west of Midway that takes pride in turning off the ear-splitting music that kills conversation in bars across the city. The atmosphere is extremely friendly and laid-back (although Notre Dame games can liven the place up a bit). edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

As it is an airport neighborhood, the Midway Area has a ton of hotels, which mostly fall in to two categories: bland, mid-range, three star business/airport hotels and cheap, but not seedy, motels.

• Carlton Inn Midway, 4944 S Archer Avenue, ☎ +1 773 582-0900, +1 877 722-7586 (info@carltoninnmidway.com, fax: +1 773 582-2261), [13]. Check in: 3PM; Check out: 11AM. Located just northeast of Midway and conveniently right next to the Orange Line's Pulaski L stop. Free airport shuttle service operating by request. $100-160.  edit

• Crossroads Hotel, 5300 S Pulaski Rd, ☎ +1 773 581-1188. Tattered but cheap! Just a couple blocks south of the Pulaski Orange Line station. Rooms from $50.  edit

• Four Points Sheraton, 7353 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 773 735-4694 (fax: +1 773 581-8421), [14]. The Sheraton is comfortable enough, recently underwent a big-budget renovation, and the price is a better deal than the Midway Hotel Center offerings. $100-180.  edit

• Mainway Midway Motel, 4849 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 773 735-0550. Another budget option located about a half mile north from Midway along Cicero Ave, an easy bus ride. Rooms from $52 Su-Th, $67 F-Sa.  edit

• Skylark Motel, 5435 S Archer Ave, ☎ +1 773 582-2100. Slightly more expensive than the other budget motels, but the extra cost may be worth it — it really is a good deal nicer. Rooms from $75.  edit

[edit] Midway Hotel Center

The Hotel Center is a hotel campus of seven individual options, located two blocks south of the airport (about a half mile from baggage claim) at 65th St and Cicero Ave. Shuttles run between all the hotels and the airport, although you cannot always get a shuttle to/from the L station, so expect to have a long trip if you are heading to the city center. If you're here and looking for food, it would be a travesty of taste to go to the center's chain restaurants. Walk a block north to Giordano's for some quality Chicago-style pizza or solid Italian dishes.

• Chicago Marriott Midway, 6520 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 708 594-5500, +1 800 228-9292 (fax: +1 708 594-5510), [15]. Check in: 3PM; Check out: noon. A fine business hotel, albeit a small step down from the usual Marriot standards. $140-220.  edit

• Courtyard Chicago Midway Airport, 6610 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 708 563-0200 (fax: +1 708 728-2841), [16]. Check in: 3PM; Check out: noon. Recently renovated, but not quite as nice as the Marriott itself. $110-220.  edit

• Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Midway Airport, 6630 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 708 594-0090 (fax: +1 708 728-2842), [17]. Check in: 3PM; Check out: noon. This location is notably nicer than most Fairfield Inns, probably closer to a three-star than a two-star. Free wireless. $110-210.  edit

• Hampton Inn Chicago Midway Airport, 6540 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 708 496-1900 (fax: +1 708 496-1997), [18]. Check in: 2PM; Check out: noon. Recently renovated, bland three star hotel. $130-240.  edit

• Hilton Garden Inn Midway Airport, 6530 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 708 496-2700 (fax: +1 708 496-8820), [19]. Check in: 3PM; Check out: noon. Three star hotel with free high speed wireless. $110-200.  edit

• Holiday Inn Express, 6500 S Cicero Ave, [20]. Check in: 3PM; Check out: noon. Probably the best option of the seven (although the differences between them are pretty slight), and has a curious New Orleans theme. $140-210.  edit

• Sleep Inn, 6650 S Cicero Ave, ☎ +1 708 594-0001 (fax: +1 708 594-0058), [21]. Check in: 3PM; Check out: noon. The most price competitive option in the hotel center has a few less frills, and like the others is a bit overpriced, but perfectly sufficient. And the continental breakfast is actually good (waffles!). $85-180.  edit

[edit] Contact

Midway Airport offers high speed wireless in several lounges, restaurants, and Air Tran gates, but it is only available to Boingo[22] subscribers. There are also four area public libraries offering free public internet access:

• Clearing Branch Library, 6423 W 63rd St, ☎ +1 312 747-5657. M-Th 9AM-9PM F-Sa 9AM-5PM.  edit

• Scottsdale Branch Library, 4101 W 79th St, ☎ +1 312 747-0193. M-Th 9AM-9PM F-Sa 9AM-5PM.  edit

• West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W 63rd St, ☎ +1 312 747-7381. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F-Sa 9AM-5PM.  edit

• Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch Library, 8530 S Kedzie Ave, ☎ +1 312 747-2696. M-F 9AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-5PM.  edit

[edit] Get out

• If your flight is not on the departures display, perhaps you were looking for O'Hare International Airport? If so, grab a cab and hope for the best. There's no direct link between the two airports on public transportation, but most taxis have special rates for the MDW-ORD trip.
• Hop on the CTA Orange Line and head downtown to the Loop to escape the outskirts and see the city you recognize from the postcards.
• For more Polish culture, the motherlode is on Chicago's Far Northwest Side.
• If you are one of the proud few tourists who actually intend to get to know the Southwest Side, hop in your car (or a bus) and head a couple miles due east to see the old Union Stockyards or some bonafide South Side Chicago blues clubs.

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