McCormick Place — Attraction in Chicago

Okay, so I parked in lot B.not that far of a walk, but it was about 10 mins away. You pay $18 to park and it's one of the shittiest parking lots ever! It has so many pot holes, and it's like an off-roading experience. I pretty much killed my new suspension I got last year.

Yet the inside it very clean and nice looking. We'll put together... The signage was terrible. I got off the stairs and read the sign. It said offices to the right. NOT the show itself like the lady at the desk had said. So I ended up going too far because EVERYTHING was just behind me ot to the left or right. And when I went past the desk, I thought it was empty. Then, after passing it once, I went back and saw the girl had her head so far down her forehead was almost touching the desk. She was well hidden, trying to avoid helping people. After I got closer and saw her resting her head on her hand, I spoke to her. She said I went too far. So when I walked back, I noticed that I couldn't see anything when the car show was behind me. And there was no signage of where the car show was, just a sign about the offices. I was so mad. Then they have a food drive, but I couldn't find access to it before the metal dectors. So then I set them off because of my cans. But again, there is NO signage of where to buy tickets. So I asked the ones scanning phones. Then there was one about the ood drive and by tickets here. Now, where the metal detectors are the show is on the left, the food drive is on the right. There are a bunch of big gray boxes that look NOTHING like a ticket both, but those are it. But once I passed the metal detectors, there should have been a sign with arrows saying she to go. It was exactly across the middle of the entrance of the car show and 20-30 ft away from the detectors facing towards the car show NOT where you exitthe detectors and can see it.

The people at the food drive were very nice. The young guy next to the older guy printing tickets was rude and impolite! I mean, he was trying to be busy on his phone, so he didn't have to help anyone. No, smile, no words, but tap your card. How the hell can I reach it with a small space under the window?! Then I asked for a receipt because he clicked that I didn't want one. So he said while looking at his phone it'll come out from the bottom. As it was printing, he had an annoying sound and said pull to the left. Damn! If his job must be sooo hard. Grrr, why can't I get good paying jobs that are easy because I know I'm friendly and nice. The car show wasn't that good. That isn't Mccormicks fault. I just hate hot. The hot chocolate run won't come back here. But this place needs to fix their parking lot. People are paying. I remember not having to pay when I came for the hot chocolate run packet pick up. Now it's a fee, but the lot is crap. Anyone could pop a tire with all that chopped up ground. They make so much money at this convention center that there is no excuse. The lot...

As the last day of my trip to Chicago with my brother, visiting my nephew and mom, dawned, we decided to cap it off with a visit to the Chicago Auto Show, hoping for a better experience than our previous disappointment at the zoo. Little did we know, we were in for yet another letdown.

Arriving on family day, the event was bustling with crowds, making finding parking a nightmare. It took us a frustrating half-hour to secure a spot, made worse by a bumper-to-bumper accident exacerbating the traffic chaos. Finally parked, we made our way to the elevators, only to find them unresponsive. Forced to take the stairs through the throngs of people, our journey to the showroom floor was arduous and claustrophobic.

Upon reaching the crowded showroom, we found ourselves disoriented and overwhelmed. The quest for tickets led us on a detour through the packed area, adding to our frustration. Despite the fair ticket prices and efficient security, our hopes for an enjoyable experience were swiftly dwindling.

As we ventured onto the showroom floor, we were met with rows upon rows of modern, overpriced electric SUVs, all looking disappointingly similar. Even my nephew's dream cars were tantalizingly out of reach, locked and inaccessible. The chaos reached a crescendo at the supercar area, where a group of unruly kids scaled barriers and defiled expensive vehicles, prompting a swift response from security.

As the day wore on, the atmosphere grew increasingly chaotic. Lines stretched for what felt like miles, making it nearly impossible to navigate from one exhibit to another. My brother and nephew's excitement to see the new Cybertruck was dashed when they discovered the interminable line snaking around the entire showroom.

Attempting to view the Toyota exhibit, we encountered further disturbances. Individuals were stealing license plates by unscrewing bolts on the license plates and putting them in their bag. Petty arguments over access to vehicles, adding to the pervasive sense of chaos and disorder. Witnessing two teenagers come to a fist fight over who enters a blue sedan first was the final straw, prompting us to cut our visit short.

Finding the exit proved to be yet another challenge, and we wandered aimlessly in search of our parking area, only to discover we had exited from the wrong side of the building. Ultimately, leaving the auto show was just as difficult as entering it, leaving me deeply disappointed.

Hoping for a showcase of cool cars and a chance to learn about automotive history, I left the Chicago Auto Show feeling thoroughly disillusioned. What should have been a memorable experience turned out to be a chaotic and disheartening end to my trip. The event's organization and crowd management left much to be desired, and I couldn't help but feel that the potential for an enjoyable outing was squandered amidst the chaos...

McCormick Place: Where the Carpet is as Wild as the Crowds (and Just as Hard to Escape)

McCormick Place, oh McCormick Place. You're like the Grand Canyon of convention centers – vast, impressive, and slightly terrifying.

This place is a labyrinth of interconnected buildings, a rabbit warren on steroids. Getting lost here is practically a rite of passage. But hey, at least you'll have some interesting carpet to look at while you wander aimlessly. Seriously, the carpet in this place is a sight to behold. It's a psychedelic explosion of colors and patterns that could rival a 70s disco floor. I'm pretty sure I saw a hidden message in there somewhere...or maybe I was just hallucinating from sensory overload.

But let's give credit where credit is due. McCormick Place has some seriously impressive facilities. Need a bathroom? No problem! They're practically on every corner. Feeling parched after hours of walking? Water stations abound! And forget stairs, this place is escalator heaven. You can practically glide from one floor to the other without breaking a sweat (unless you count the sweat induced by navigating the crowds).

Speaking of crowds, be prepared to be swept away by the human tide. People amble around in packs, following the herd like a group of confused sheep. It's a mesmerizing spectacle, and slightly terrifying if you have any sort of personal space issues.

And then there's the ballroom. This thing is HUGE. I mean, you could probably fit a small village in there. It's the perfect place for a massive conference, a giant wedding, or maybe even a monster truck rally (just a suggestion).

So, should you visit McCormick Place? Well, if you have a conference to attend, you don't really have a choice. But even if you don't, it's worth a visit just for the sheer spectacle of it all. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring a map (and a compass), and maybe pack a lunch. You might be...