Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to check out the Chicago Auto Show before it opened to the public. The Chicago Auto Show is so much more than just checking out new cars (although that is a very cool part of it). The show also offers opportunities for education, interaction, and even entertainment.
1) You will learn a ton about lots of things – not just cars.
Yes, you will absolutely learn about the new vehicles and their features at the Chicago Auto Show, but you can also learn about things like car seat safety, license plate registration and renewal, educational programs like the Icebox Derby.
2) You will have the chance to interact with the vehicles and other simulators first hand.
You can have all kinds of interactive experiences – everything from riding in a Jeep over tilted and rocky terrain to maneuvering a Toyota in and out of parking spots to try out the various electronic aids. You can virtually drive several of the vehicles with state of the art 4D video games and most car displays allow you to view different options and features with just a tap of a finger on a screen.
3) You will see one-of-a-kind vehicles.
A Spongebob Squarepants minivan. Need I say more?
4) There’s a cool app.
If you’ve never been to the Chicago Auto Show, you probably cannot even conceive of how huge it is. It is very easy to get lost or miss something you wanted to see. This year, the Auto Show has added a mobile app which makes navigating the show soooo much easier and can be downloaded in iTunes or Google Play.
The all-new Chicago Auto Show mobile app provides everything fans need to know about the show – right at their fingertips – including:
- On-demand, daily schedule of events
- Detailed map of manufacturer exhibits on the show floor
- Comprehensive lists of vehicles on display
- Interactive videos
- Chicago Auto Show Blog posts
- Aggregated social media feeds with real-time news updates and sharing capabilities
5) Over a quarter of a million people can’t be wrong!
Two days before the show even opened, over 250,000 tickets had already been sold! That’s a lot of people who know how cool attending the Chicago Auto Show really is.
Plus, you get all this under one roof!
Once you arrive at McCormack Place, you can park your car in the attached garage and see everything here (plus a whole lot more), hit Starbucks, grab lunch, and more without ever having to go back outside into the subzero temperatures!
As part of the media preview event, I took part in a video contest. The objective was to capture the essence of the auto show in 15 seconds or less. Here’s what I took away from the show:
Huge thanks to the Chicago Auto Show for making it possible for me to attend this exciting event! You can purchase tickets here until February 22nd at 6 pm. Have fun!!
Dawn says
That looks like so much fun. A Spongebob Squarepants minivan is AWESOME!
Courtney says
How fun! Auto shows are the coolest. My daughter would loose it if she saw that Spongebob Squarepants minivan.
valmg @ Mom Knows it All says
I’ve been to a few auto shows, and they are SO much fun. It’s so neat to be able to get up close to all of the cool concept cars, and the demonstrations are really interesting.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I went to the auto show when it was in Boston and I loved it.
Shauna says
I have been following along on Instagram and have been drooling over everything I have seen. What a great show. I will have to check it out one day 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Amy says
I would love to attend! All these cars and simulators look awesome!
Liz Mays says
The auto show sounds like a really good time. I like being able to see the vehicles in action.
Stacey- Travel Blogger says
This looks like such a fun thing to attend! The Spongebob car is super cool!
Jenny Temcio says
I love the Spongebob Squarepants car. I wonder if I can slip that out of there. 😛
Dawn McAlexander says
I love that they had a free seat belt check. It’s crazy how many people think they are hooking them up right and aren’t.
Oh, and I want that SpongeBob car! Yes!
Autumn @Mamachallenge says
If only Chicago wasn’t so far away! It seems like a lot of fun!
lisa says
We love the Chicago Auto Show. I am a car girl (well trucks actually) but I love looking at all the new cars to come!
Shelley Zurek says
The CHicago Auto Show is great as well because it is in the McCormick Place which is a great size for such a fab show.
Kristin says
oh man if I was closer to Chicago I would love to attend the Auto Show. It looks like a lot of fun!
Ann Bacciaglia says
A car show is a great way to spend the day. I would love to go to one this summer with my Dad.
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) says
Interesting! If I lived closer I would totally go!