Highlights from the 2012 Chicago Auto Show
Chicago’s biggest new year’s charity took place February 9th at the annual auto show in the grand McCormick Place exhibit halls. The Preview showing raises upwards of $2 million for 18 organization on its opening night. A ticket to the debut opener is an expensive black tie event with celebrity special entertainment throughout the evening. The public shows follow from for a week.
The 2012 Chicago Auto Show plats out one million square feet of product line and conceptual vehicle displays. And not just flashing lights and hot cars on a turnstile (although they have plenty of that too.) You can do several vehicle ride-in events that give you a real time feel for product stability on rough terrain; as in the Jeep and Ram truck off road tracks and stop start action roadways for cars like the Dodge Charger and the new 2012 Fiat.
A full day’s worth of walk around exhibits provide plenty of opportunity to sit inside your dream car and try out the gadgets. Along with all the adult toys to play with they also have plenty of fun things for the kids to enjoy like rock climbing, tyke jeep rides and even the Marine’s supply kid-sized workouts for free t-shirts.
Food carts with lean-on tables grace the concourse or if you would rather take a load off there is optional pizza or Mickey D’s in the lower area. As a matter of comfort and convenience they offer a coat and bag check point for a mere $3 when you first arrive just follow the signs. It is highly recommended as the crowd and long day gets rather warm, even in chilly February. However if you do bring in bags or strollers they will stop and inspect before you are allowed into the show. Once you have your ticket pick a side on either the right or left of the concourse and take your first couple of hours to browse, when you exit they give you a hand stamp so you can enter the other side or return to look some more after a rest. In any event you’ll want to dress comfortably and be sure to hydrate often.
Parking is optimal if you get in early, but you might want to consider, as many do, parking outside the perimeters of downtown and taking $2.50 seat on the metro bus. Most of the main bus routes take you right to the McCormick’s front door during the show week. For ticket information, times and dates go online @www.chicagoautoshow.comor check out their Facebook page for more.
