Max

I do not know Chicago well at all, but here is my experience from last year. Parking sucks. A lot. There were a few lots on Lakeshore Dr, and they were all $16. All the nearby garages were full.

Toyota unveiled the Tundra there last year. It was downstairs from the main hall(s) but was available for anyone to see.

shorberg

I am guessing you can just walk up to them and take a look, some of the dealers are sending out people from the 8th all the way up to the 16th, so i am guessing any of those days it will be avaiable to see.

iyzmi

I'm planning on going on a Saturday so is there usually less people on the 2nd Saturday (Feb. 17.) then there are on the 1st (Feb. 9) or are the crowds pretty equal on both days? Maybe we should either move this topic or start a new one in OT to get more publicity and maybe get some parking questions answered.

shorberg

i vote to move to OT ;)

Max

I am thinking this thread belongs either where it stands, or in Regional: Great Lakes. For now, I am leaving it here since it is quite on-topic.

iyzmi

Is there anywhere out of downtown or at least out of the super busy downtown area where we can park and have a shuttle to McCormick? I'd like an area thats easy to find with little traffic.

toyotatodd

Here is another link to get everybody familiar with Chicago.
http://www.choosechicago.com/media/m..._overview.html
This can be SO much better than Miami could have ever been (no I did not win) that right there is my point.
Screw winning! I work hard to get a vacation. Chances are we all do. Chicago is a for sure thing.

If you live in a city that has no / crappie public transportation (I moved to Seattle from Chicago 4 years ago) you're going to love it. Days Inn has a cheap room about 80 and you can walk to McC in about 45min.



Felt good to vent. Hard to believe you read all that.

I started this thread to hopefully get a crew together nation wide. Typing is nice but let's not forgets Scion is a movement of togetherness.

shorberg

sure enough, we'll be there the 14-16th. look for the KC region then!

iyzmi

What time does the show open at and how early would I have to get there to be able to park in the McCormick parking lot?

toyotatodd

http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/faq/i...?CATEGORY_ID=1

If you don't have 20 min for the commercial on the front page, let me some it up by saying it's the 1st auto show and the largest. EVERYTHING is there.

It would b fitting for Scion to launch the super secret station wagon here.

When things get to be closer, like 2 weeks away
http://www.chicagoreader.com/listing...ic/dancem.html would be a good source for night clubs, blues clubs and whatever.

munkymonkjr

past years i went i showed up probably 10 to 20 minutes before the doors opened (see times on website) and i was easily able to park within a 5 to 10 minute walk. parking will cost you at least $15 to $20 for the day....just get used to that fact. parking downtown isn't cheap and traffic is heavy. there is quite a decent public transport system...you can take the bus ($1.85 i think) or Metra (about $5 to 8). there is a train station right inside the building where Metra makes a stop...so that is the most recommended way of getting to the show to avoid parking/traffic/walking

iyzmi

What are some possible parking location to use the bus or train? Will there be a shuttle from Soldier Field and how much does that cost?

Max

Last year the shuttle was free and it took us right to the door. There were some signs noting the pickup spots, and there were plenty or cops directing traffic around the parking lots who knew the pickup spots.

When I went, the windchill in Chicago was -30. Just a heads-up.

iyzmi

Does soldier field always have parking available or does it usually get full after a certain time? Do the shuttles run till the closing time of the show? Is there usually a line to get on the shuttles or no? Thanks for all the help guys. This will be my 1st time driving in downtown Chicago so I'm trying to get everything completely planned.

munkymonkjr

my recommended way to get there guys would be to take Metra. if you're coming from downtown just go to Union Station and board the train there, if coming from the burbs, check out metra station locations (and times) on metrarail.com.

if you're driving...don't worry. there are plenty of signs and cops directing traffic all around the convention center... they will show you the way to the nearest available parking location which will most likely be within a walking distance..if not, like max said...there will be signs in regard to FREE shuttle service.

as for the weather... last year (the -30 wind chill) the winter was pretty cold, so far this year we are unseasonably warm (today it reached mid-50s)... then again this is chicago so for all i know I can be waking up tomorrow to a foot of snow.

ciscob

Here we go again. Another Scion road trip. LOL

avus

be sure to check the post in the Great Lakes region
Scion Evolution:Chicago and Elmhurst Scion are teaming up again this year for this event.

more info HERE