Major city · United States
Alsip
Skip Alsip unless you have a specific reason to be there (a flea market, a hotel near the tollway, or visiting someone). Half a day is enough: see the Swap-O-Rama, launch a boat on the Cal-Sag Channel, then leave.
Alsip is a small village in Chicago's South Suburbs, settled by Dutch and German farmers in the 1830s and named after a brickyard owner. It grew after the Tri-State Tollway arrived in 1959. Today it has a flea market, a boat launch on the Cal-Sag Channel, and a couple of chain hotels. There is no downtown, no walkable sightseeing district, and no public-transit connection from Chicago that makes it a convenient day trip. Most travellers will pass through on the tollway without stopping.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, icy roads)
- Airports
- ORD · MDW
- Nights
- 0
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 Alsip911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Alsip Police (non-emergency)708-385-6902
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 Alsip, 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
- SafetyAlsip is a typical American suburb with low crime rates.
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 · 708-385-6902 Alsip Police (non-emergency)
- 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 Chicago O'Hare International (About 40 min by car via I-294, depending on traffic).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a diner$2–3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Midway to Alsip$35–50 (check)
- Museum or sight ticketSwap-O-Rama entry$2 (check)
- Budget bedRed Roof Inn (double room), a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedDoubleTree by Hilton (double room), a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedDoubleTree by Hilton (double room), a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
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 Chicago O'Hare International (About 40 min by car via I-294, depending on traffic) · MDW Chicago Midway International (About 20 min by car via I-55 and Cicero Ave)
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
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°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
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alsip: 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)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°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)
11 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)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°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 essential. The village has no train station and limited bus service (Pace bus 395 runs along Cicero Ave, but infrequent). Rideshare is available.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chicago
goDoor to door: 30–50 min
Car via I-294 or Cicero Ave, about 25–40 min to downtown
Full day for museums, architecture, food.
Door to door: 35 min
Car via I-80, about 30 min
Casino, Rialto Square Theatre, and the old prison.
Door to door: 15 min
Car via Cicero Ave, about 10 min
Midlothian Meadows and a small downtown.
Door to door: 15 min
Car via Cicero Ave, about 10 min
Shopping and dining along 95th Street.
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.
Cicero Avenue corridor
Hotels along Cicero Ave (IL-50) near the tollway; convenient for drivers, no walkable restaurants or bars.
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
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| DoubleTree by Hilton (double room)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Swap-O-Rama entry (per person)2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| Boat launch permit (per day)1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$36 |
| Trip total≈ US$200 per person per day, bed included | US$400 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Swap-O-Rama entry | $2 (check) |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
| Coffee at a diner | $2–3 |
| Pizza (large, carry-out) | $15–25 |
| Taxi from Midway to Alsip | $35–50 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No train station: the nearest Metra stop is Oak Lawn (about 5 min drive) on the SouthWest Service line.
- Swap-O-Rama is cash-only for entry; ATMs on site.
- Cal-Sag Channel boat launch requires a permit from the village (check the village website).
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Alsip Police (non-emergency)
- 708-385-6902
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AlsipAlsip
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Alsip Police (non-emergency)708-385-6902
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Midway Airport → Alsip (taxi): about $35–50, 20 min (check)
- O'Hare → Alsip (taxi): about $55–80, 40 min (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the flea market? — Where is the flea market?
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
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 Alsip. 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–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, icy roads) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area 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 Alsip
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