Minneapolis, Minnesota · Downtown Venue Guide · 2026
Minneapolis Convention Center: Find Your Room, Parking and Entrance
Going to a trade show, conference, exhibition or meeting? Find the correct building address, floor level, meeting room, garage, parking price and accessible entrance before you arrive. Event planners can also compare room capacities and find the right booking contact.
Address, Entrance and Visitor Information
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Main telephone: 612-335-6000
General email: MCCInfo@minneapolismn.gov
Security and assistance: 612-335-6040
The main public approach is from 2nd Avenue South. The venue also designates the front of the building for rideshare, taxi, bus and accessible drop-off.
If you are arriving from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport or staying downtown, our separate Minneapolis Convention Center airport, hotel and parking guide explains the travel choices, skyway considerations and hotel planning in more detail.
Meeting Rooms, Exhibit Halls and Seating Capacities
The Minneapolis Convention Center has approximately 1.6 million square feet of overall facility space. The venue includes five exhibition halls, 87 meeting rooms, two main ballrooms and a fixed-seat auditorium.
Halls A–E
Five major exhibition halls support trade shows, conventions, public exhibitions, displays and large gatherings.
87 meeting rooms
Flexible meeting-room sections accommodate workshops, seminars, breakout sessions and business meetings.
Auditorium
A fixed-seat venue with approximately 3,400 seats for larger presentations and auditorium events.
Major space comparison
| Space | Location | Size / capacity | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibit Hall A | Lower Level | 99,000 sq ft; up to 7,000 theater-style | Large trade shows and exhibitions |
| Exhibit Halls B–E | Level One | Large configurable exhibit spaces | Expositions and convention floors |
| Ballrooms A and B | Level One | Approximately 18,000 and 9,000 sq ft respectively | Galas, receptions and general sessions |
| Auditorium | Level One | Approximately 3,400 fixed seats | Keynotes and staged presentations |
| Room 101 sections | Level One | 101A: 166 theater seats; 101ABCDE: 938 | Medium and large meeting sessions |
| Room 200 sections | Level Two | 200A: 138 theater seats; full 200ABCDEFGHIJ: 1,258 | Breakouts and larger conferences |
| Room L100 sections | Lower Level | L100A: 166 theater seats | Breakout sessions near Hall A |
Capacities depend on the exact room combination and seating configuration. Theater, classroom and banquet capacities are not interchangeable. Official room tables advise allowing capacity reductions for staging and audiovisual needs.
Floor-by-Floor Map: How to Find Your Hall or Room
Minneapolis Convention Center has several interconnected floors. Your event confirmation should identify the floor and room number. Save both before traveling.
Level Two
Contains 200-series meeting rooms, including the 200, 201–213 room groups, along with lounges and circulation spaces.
Look for: rooms such as 200A, 205AB, 208CD and 213B.
Level One
Main public entrance, Exhibit Halls B–E, Auditorium, ballrooms and 100-series meeting rooms.
Look for: 101, 102 and 103 room groups, auditorium entrances and ballroom signage.
Mezzanine Level
Contains the M100 and M101 meeting-room groups and connecting circulation areas.
Look for: the M prefix on your event confirmation.
Lower Level
Contains Exhibit Hall A and the L100 meeting-room group.
Look for: Hall A and rooms beginning with L.
Download the correct official floor plan
The venue publishes floor maps and capacity tables for each level. Use the instructions below to locate your event room:
- Read your event badge or confirmation. Find the meeting-room code, hall letter or auditorium designation.
- Identify the level. Match 200, 100, M or L prefixes to the floor descriptions above.
- Open the venue’s floor-plan collection. Choose the specific level rather than viewing every floor together.
- Select the seating arrangement. Event planners can compare theater, classroom or rounds configurations.
- Confirm the organizer’s room assignment. Temporary partitions and event-specific hall entrances can change your final route.
Minneapolis Convention Center Parking Rates (2026)
The 3rd Avenue Parking Ramp is a primary convention-center parking option. The official 2026 parking document lists the following standard rates.
| Parking duration | 2026 rate | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 hour | $5 | Quick pickup or short visit |
| 1–3 hours | $8 | Short meeting |
| 3–6 hours | $10 | Half-day visit |
| 6–12 hours | $15 | Full conference day |
| 12–24 hours | $20 | Extended visit |
| Event parking | $20 | Special-event posted rate |
| Early bird | $9 | Enter 6–8 a.m.; exit by 5 p.m. |
| Lost ticket | $25 | Published lost-ticket charge |
Which nearby parking ramp should you choose?
3rd Avenue Parking Ramp
1401 3rd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN
Published rates begin at $5. Use this ramp when convenient access to the convention center and known pricing matter.
Vehicle height: 8 ft 2 in maximum.
Find ramp on mapPlaza Parking Ramp
117 South 12th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Across from the convention center and connected to the skyway system. It has a separate operator and parking prices must be checked independently.
Find Plaza Ramp on mapBefore paying, check the event parking rate, vehicle clearance, skyway access and whether your event provides a parking voucher.
For broader advice on how to identify the correct garage when a venue or city has several similarly named facilities, read our convention center parking garage comparison. Parking systems are venue-specific: for example, San Antonio’s Henry B. González Convention Center parking guide explains a different set of nearby garage choices, while our New Orleans convention center parking guide covers venue-operated surface lots. Neither city’s rates apply to Minneapolis.
Getting There: Driving, Airport and Downtown Transit
Driving from I-94
From the applicable I-94 approach, use Exit 233A for 11th Street, continue along South 11th Street and turn left onto 2nd Avenue South. Follow local signs for the venue and parking ramps.
Driving from I-35W
Use the downtown approach described on the official directions page. From the south, the listed route leads toward the 11th Street exit; from the north, it connects via I-94 westbound.
From MSP Airport
Use Metro Transit or a taxi/rideshare. For rail travel, check current Blue Line service and transfers to downtown Minneapolis; continue from a suitable downtown stop by walking or local transit.
Taxi and Rideshare
Set your destination to the main venue at 1301 Second Avenue South. Public pickup and drop-off locations are designated along 2nd Avenue South.
Public transit checklist
- Open the Metro Transit trip planner.
- Enter your starting location and use Minneapolis Convention Center as your destination.
- Compare bus and rail options for your exact arrival date.
- Check route alerts, transfer locations and walking instructions.
- If your session ends late, check the return journey before entering the event.
Minneapolis Convention Center Location Map
The center is in downtown Minneapolis near hotels, restaurants, public transportation and event facilities. Use the map for your street-level arrival; use your event’s floor plan for navigation inside the venue.
Main destination: 1301 Second Avenue South. For parking, navigate directly to the chosen ramp rather than assuming the venue address is the garage entrance.
Accessibility, Wheelchair Rentals and Visitor Services
Visitors can use accessible building entrances, elevators, restrooms and dedicated seating facilities. Both the 3rd Avenue and Plaza ramps offer accessible parking, and curbside drop-off is available along 2nd Avenue.
| Service | What is available | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Manual wheelchair | $20 per day rental | Request at the Level One Visitor Information Center |
| Mobility scooter | $50 per day rental | Call 612-335-6040 to check availability |
| Accessible parking | 3rd Ave and Plaza ramps | Use designated accessible parking spaces |
| Wheelchair routes | Automatic/power-assist entrances and elevators | Ask staff for the most direct accessible route |
| Accessible restrooms | Accessible stalls; family restrooms on multiple levels | Use floor signage or ask Guest Services |
| Lactation facilities | Two designated lounges | Ask Visitor Information or call the Command Center |
| Vision support | Braille signage and Aira visual interpreting | Use venue accessibility services |
| Hearing support | Event-specific devices or interpreting arrangements | Ask the event organizer in advance |
Rental payment: Wheelchair and scooter rental transactions accept Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Equipment cannot currently be preregistered and must be returned each day.
How to Book a Meeting Room or Exhibit Space
Space rental is quoted according to room layout, dates, staffing, services and the event’s requirements. There is no single publicly applicable room-rental price for every event.
Micro-step booking guide
- Define the event. Record your preferred dates, attendee count, event type and the number of breakout rooms required.
- Choose your room type. Use the room tables above to shortlist a meeting-room block, ballroom, auditorium or exhibition hall.
- Choose seating. Specify theater, classroom, banquet/rounds or exhibition layout. Leave room for staging, accessibility and AV equipment.
- Prepare service requirements. Include catering, power, internet, audio, staging, security, registration and setup/teardown needs.
- Contact the venue sales team. Send an RFP or discuss the proposed layout, availability and event specifications.
- Review the quotation. Confirm base rental, labor, equipment, cancellation terms, payment schedule and contracted access times before signing.
Sales telephone: 612-335-6035
Sales email: SalesMCC@minneapolismn.gov
Before You Attend: Practical Event-Day Checklist
For visitors
- Confirm the event date and door-opening time.
- Save your hall, room and floor designation.
- Check event-specific ticket and bag rules.
- Save your parking-ramp address separately.
- Bring your badge, QR code or required identification.
- Check transit alerts and weather conditions.
- Allow time for registration and security screening.
For exhibitors and planners
- Verify contracted move-in and move-out windows.
- Check loading and marshaling instructions.
- Confirm booth dimensions and approved floor plans.
- Order electrical, internet and other services.
- Arrange labor, staging and accessibility requirements.
- Review applicable deadlines and event policies.
- Confirm the final contact for on-site changes.
Official Information and Useful Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Minneapolis Convention Center located?
It is located at 1301 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403, in downtown Minneapolis. The main visitor approach and designated curbside pickup/drop-off are along 2nd Avenue South.
2. How many meeting rooms does Minneapolis Convention Center have?
The venue lists 87 meeting rooms, distributed across several levels. They can be configured for different event sizes and seating arrangements.
3. How much is parking at Minneapolis Convention Center in 2026?
At the 3rd Avenue Parking Ramp, published standard rates are $5 for 0–1 hour, $8 for 1–3 hours, $10 for 3–6 hours, $15 for 6–12 hours and $20 for 12–24 hours. The published event rate is $20.
4. Is there an early-bird parking rate?
Yes. The official 2026 3rd Avenue Ramp sheet lists a $9 early-bird rate when entering between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and exiting by 5 p.m., subject to posted conditions.
5. Which floor is Exhibit Hall A on?
Exhibit Hall A is on the Lower Level. Exhibit Halls B–E are on Level One. Check the event-specific exhibit map for exact entrances and booth locations.
6. Where can I download Minneapolis Convention Center floor plans?
Use the official floor-plan section of the Minneapolis Convention Center website. It has separate floor maps, dimensions and room capacities for Level Two, Level One, Mezzanine and Lower Level.
7. Is Minneapolis Convention Center wheelchair accessible?
Yes. It provides accessible entrances, elevators, restrooms, designated parking, curbside drop-off and wheelchair seating. Manual wheelchairs and scooters can also be rented, subject to availability.
8. How much does a wheelchair or scooter rental cost?
Officially published rental rates are $20 per day for a manual wheelchair and $50 per day for a mobility scooter. Rentals are handled through the Level One Visitor Information Center.
9. Can I travel from MSP Airport by public transportation?
Yes. Metro Transit provides airport-to-downtown transit options, including light rail under normal operating conditions. Check current service alerts and the final walking or bus connection before traveling.
10. How can I book a meeting room at Minneapolis Convention Center?
Prepare your event dates, expected guest count, room setup and service needs, then contact the convention center sales team at 612-335-6035 or SalesMCC@minneapolismn.gov to request availability and a quote.