If you’re flying into Chicago, there are a variety of ways to get from the airports to the city. From O’Hare International Airport, you can commute via the CTA Blue Line. From Midway International Airport, you can commute via the CTA Orange Line. Both airports also offer airport shuttles and regional buses, rideshare apps are also an option.

It’s likely unnecessary to rent a car for the show, as there is a complimentary shuttle service that runs between McCormick Place and select Automate hotels.

Chicago has a convenient rail system, known as ‘The L’, which runs throughout the city. We have attached an image of CTA’s rail system, so you can familiarize yourself with the stops. We stay within walking distance from McCormick Place and using the ‘L’ to explore the city.

Where to eat with a large group

 The Exchange

• The Exchange offers a variety of gourmet American dishes with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Furthermore, making a reservation at The Exchange can be done easily online and they are willing and able to accommodate large parties.

Apolonia

• This upscale Mediterranean restaurant features a variety of unique appetizers, handmade pasta, and fish, along with a tasting menu. Another great feature of this restaurant is that it is within walking distance from McCormick Place. We recommend you make a reservation through their website.

Remington’s

•  This sleek, classic American grille is located Downtown and offers a variety of dishes from steaks to salads and sandwiches. With their semi-private dining, Remington’s is perfect for large groups and corporate dining.

La Serre

•  Inspired by the coastal regions of St. Tropez and Provence, Le Serre is a restaurant located in the West Loop that offers many traditional French dishes. La Serre is a great place to dine in a group with many options and a large dining room. We recommend making a reservation on their website.

Where to eat on an expense account

Monteverde

• This upscale Italian-inspired restaurant offers a variety of beautiful dishes from handmade pasta to wagyu beef cheek, as well as an entirely gluten-free menu. Located in the West Loop, Monteverde’s atmosphere is the perfect place for corporate dining.

Porter Kitchen & Deck

• Located right on the edge of the Chicago River in the new 54th skyscraper, Porter Kitchen & Deck is a great place to enjoy elegant American cuisine in a relaxed environment. The dinner selection includes entrees, sandwiches, and seafood. Moreover, the bar serves a variety of cocktails, beer, and wine.

Girl and the Goat

• As one of the restaurants on Chicago’s famed ‘Restaurant Row’ in the West Loop, Girl and the Goat started serving bold, global flavors to the community in 2010. With a great atmosphere, a delicious dinner menu, and an extensive craft cocktails list, as well as mocktails, Girl and the Goat is sure to please any guests.

More Choices

• Less than a year ago, Conde Naste Traveller did a special on Restaurants worth traveling to Chicago for just for the food. Link 

Where to eat for fun 

Mr. Beef

• This iconic, local sandwich shop located in Chicago’s River North serves a delicious Italian Beef sandwich and is the featured restaurant in the Hulu TV series The Bear (2022).

Chiu Quon

• Located in Chinatown and about a 25-minute walk from McCormick Place, Chiu Quon offers authentic baked goods for breakfast. A must-try is their ham & egg bun and milk tea. They also have a location in Uptown.

The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

• This stylish restaurant was once an old firehouse but they now are serving up traditional American fare and fun cocktails. With a wide selection of entrees from seafood to steak, this unique restaurant will sure to have something for everyone.

Where to get drinks 

LondonHouse Chicago

• This lovely rooftop bar in LondonHouse Chicago provides a spectacular view of the city with delicious drinks and a full menu. Drop by this gem located near the DeSable Bridge and grab one of their signature cocktails.

Pops for Champagne

• This sleek and cozy wine bar, with an impressive champagne and cocktail menu, is a great spot to grab a drink and enjoy some light snacks after a day on the show floor.

VU Rooftop

• Awarded “Open Table’s Diners’ Choice 2023”, the VU Rooftop is a great place to grab a drink after a long day on the show floor and take in panoramic views of the city. Make a night out of it and stay for one of their many delicious entrees that accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions.

Networking Events 

Automate Opening Reception 

• If you want to get the full Automate experience, you don’t want to miss the annual Networking Party, which will take place on Monday, May 6th, from 5:15-7:30 pm CT. There will be food and drinks, along with 1,000 attendees, speakers, and exhibitors. Get your tickets here.

Joseph F. Engelberger Awards Dinner and Ceremony

• Join some of the leaders in the automation industry on Wednesday, May 8th, from 5:15-8:00 pm at this gala reception, which is followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. Conveniently located a few steps from this show floor, this is an exciting event worth attending. Tickets are required.

Activities 

Art Institute of Chicago

•  Located right in the Chicago Loop, the Art Institute is a must-see museum. With an extensive collection of pieces from a variety of mediums, artists, and periods, as well as one of the largest collections of Impressionist art outside of the Louvre, the Art Institute will surely impress attendees. The “Threaded Visions: Contemporary Weavings from the Collection” exhibit will be available in May. This exhibit showcases the ancient and comprehensive art of weaving, while also exploring pieces that use a variety of materials and techniques (https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/10262/threaded-visions-contemporary-weavings-from-the-collection). You can purchase tickets to the Art Institute of Chicago here.

Wrigley Field

• Located in the North Side of Chicago, Wrigley Field is the oldest ballpark in the National League, and the second oldest, after Fenway Park, in the majors. Catch a Cubs game at this historic baseball stadium, or schedule a tour at this National Historic Landmark. The Cubs will be playing home games the entire week of Automate including games against the Brewers, the Padres, and the Pirates. Tickets. The White Sox are out of town until Thursday evening when they host Cleveland.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

• Founded in 1986, the Theater is Chicago’s leading presenter of international works and has expanded to present 650 performances a year. If you’re looking for an evening activity, stop by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater located at Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier and catch the world premiere of Judgement Day starring Jason Alexander. You can purchase tickets here.

Cloud Gate

• Unveiled in 2004, Cloud Gate, or “The Bean” designed by artist Anish Kapoor, quickly became one of Chicago’s most iconic sites. This permanent art installation is located in Millennium Park and is one of the largest outdoor installations in the world. The shiny, reflective exterior of The Bean allows visitors to look at their reflection, as well as the reflecting lights and buildings from Michigan Avenue.

The Ledge at Willis Tower’s Skydeck Chicago

• Stand out on the 103rd floor of the third tallest tower in the Western Hemisphere and experience 360-degree views of Chicago. The Ledge is a glass box that extends four feet out from the Willis Tower and provides on-lookers with breathtaking views of the city and surrounding area. The Skydeck also offers an interactive experience that explores the history of the tallest building in Chicago. The Skydeck is open from 9 am to 10 pm every day of the week March through September.

Chicago River Architecture Cruise

• Being the birthplace of the American Skyscraper, it’s no secret that Chicago is famous for their architecture. To fully immerse yourself and experience all the wonderful and diverse building styles that Chicago has to offer, we recommend taking a river cruise that delves into each structure and its unique history.

What To Read

Robot Advisors’ Self-Guided RobotTour™

• Our Self-Guided Robot Tour is designed to help individuals, who are looking for a robot, navigate the trade show. The Self-Guided Robot Tour provides a map of the convention hall with a color-coded key that indicates which booth has what specific type of robot automation. For example, <insert example>. By previewing the Self-Guided Robot Tour before the start of Automate, you will get a better understanding of how the show is organized and what booths you should be visiting based on your needs. Email automate@robotadvisorygroup.com and we will send you a complimentary copy of the RobotTour when it launches in mid-April.

Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness, at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson 

• If you’re looking to learn a little about Chicago’s dark history, this novel by Erik Larson is a great place to start. Set in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Columbia Expedition, Devil in the White City tells the story of the fair’s architect Dan Burnham, and America’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes. 

What To Watch 

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) 

• This cult classic directed by John Hughes follows high school senior, Ferris Bueller, his best friend, and his girlfriend as they skip school and spend a day in the beautiful city of Chicago. While watching the movie, you will get a glimpse of some of the city’s most famous landmarks, like the Willis Tower, Wrigley Field, and the Art Institute of Chicago. 

My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) 

• This romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, and Cameron Diaz, explores the relationship between best friends, Jules, a food critic from New York City, and Michael, a sportswriter from Chicago. In a phone call, Michael surprises Jules by telling her that he’s getting married in four days to college student, Kimmy, who also happens to be 8 years his junior. Realizing that she is in love with Michael, Jules files to Chicago for the wedding but with an ulterior motive. The movie has great shots of the city with scenes that take place on the river.