Major city · United States
Mount Prospect
Half a day is enough: walk the downtown, eat ramen at Ramen Misoya, then head to Schaumburg or Rosemont for more.
Mount Prospect is a quiet Chicago suburb 20 miles northwest of downtown and 4 miles north of O'Hare. It has a walkable downtown, a few good restaurants and Randhurst Village for shopping, but most travellers use it as a stopover near the airport or a base for exploring the Northwest Suburbs. One night is enough unless you have business at O'Hare.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow)
- Airports
- ORD · MDW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mount Prospect911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mount Prospect, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe suburb; typical risks are winter driving and traffic on Rand Road.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORD O'Hare International Airport (About 4 miles south; taxi or rideshare about 10–15 min).
- Getting aroundCar is easiest.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café$3–5
- Street or quick mealRamen bowl at Ramen Misoya$13–18
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from O'Hare to Mount Prospectcheck$20–30
- Budget bedBudget motel (near O'Hare), a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedBudget motel (near O'Hare), a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedBudget motel (near O'Hare), a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORD O'Hare International Airport (About 4 miles south; taxi or rideshare about 10–15 min) · MDW Chicago Midway International Airport (About 30 miles southeast; about 40 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mount Prospect: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest. Pace bus serves the village; Metra Union Pacific Northwest line connects to Chicago Ogilvie in about 40 min. Rideshare and taxi are available.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 15 min
Car, about 10 min via IL-58 (Golf Rd)
Woodfield Mall, IKEA, Legoland Discovery Center.
Door to door: About 15 min
Car, about 10 min via IL-72 (Higgins Rd)
Entertainment district, convention center, outlet mall.
Door to door: About 15 min
Car, about 10 min via IL-83
Arlington Park (check season), downtown dining.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Mount Prospect
Walk to restaurants and the Metra station; limited hotel options.
Near O'Hare (Rosemont / Des Plaines)
More hotel choices and free shuttles to the airport; 10–15 min drive.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel (near O'Hare)1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Taxi O'Hare to Mount Prospect, one way1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| Metra to Chicago Ogilvie, one way2 × US$7 · check | US$14 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$527 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Ramen bowl at Ramen Misoya | $13–18 |
| Coffee at a café | $3–5 |
| Taxi from O'Hare to Mount Prospectcheck | $20–30 |
| Metra one-way to Chicagocheck | $6–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter snow can delay flights and driving; check weather before booking.
- Downtown is small; most chain restaurants and shops are along Rand Road or near Randhurst Village.
- No direct public transport from O'Hare to Mount Prospect; taxi or rideshare needed.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Mount ProspectMount Prospect
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Embassies in Washington, DC; consulates in Chicago.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi O'Hare → Mount Prospect: about $20–30, about 10–15 min (check)
- Metra Mount Prospect → Chicago Ogilvie: about $6–8, about 40 min (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mount Prospect. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mount Prospect
Loading…
Was this useful?