Chicago Convention Center: Events, Parking, Hotels & Map
Visiting McCormick Place? Find the correct building, current parking prices, 2026 convention dates, floor plans, CTA and Metra connections, connected hotels and practical event-day directions.
When people search for the Chicago Convention Center, they are usually looking for McCormick Place, Chicago’s major lakefront convention complex. It is located on the Near South Side and comprises four interconnected buildings: the North Building, South Building, West Building and Lakeside Center. The complex provides approximately 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, making it one of the world’s largest convention facilities.
Chicago Convention Center Address & Map
McCormick Place is not a single entrance at one street address. The venue’s official directions identify different addresses for the four main buildings and nearby event facilities.
2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
Use this general address for McCormick Place North or South events when your organizer does not provide a more specific door or gate.
2301 S. Indiana Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
Best starting address for West Building conferences, meeting rooms, Skyline Ballroom and Hall F.
2301 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
The lakefront portion of the complex. Also the general location associated with Arie Crown Theater events.
200 E. Cermak Road
Chicago, IL 60616
A separate arena within the wider McCormick Square district. Do not assume convention admission includes arena events.
McCormick Place Buildings: Which Entrance and Parking Lot?
| Event building | Visitor address | Primary parking |
|---|---|---|
| North Building | 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive | Lot A |
| South Building | 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive | Lot A |
| West Building | 2301 S. Indiana Avenue | Lot A |
| Lakeside Center | 2301 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive | Lot C |
| Arie Crown Theater | 2301 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive | Lot C |
| Wintrust Arena | 200 E. Cermak Road | Check event parking directions; Lot A is a common option |
How to identify the right building
- Read your event registration confirmation.
Find the exact building, hall, room, entrance or gate rather than using only “McCormick Place.”
- Consult the official event calendar.
Verify the venue and dates; some conventions span more than one building.
- Check the building-specific map.
Identify the shortest route from your chosen parking lot or public transit station.
- Locate registration first.
Badge pickup may be in the concourse, hotel or entrance lobby rather than inside the actual exhibition hall.
- Allow time to move between buildings.
Indoor skybridges and concourses provide connections but do not eliminate walking distance.
Chicago Convention Center Events: October–December 2026
McCormick Place regularly hosts major industrial trade shows, medical conferences, association events and public exhibitions. The following late-2026 conventions appear on Choose Chicago’s official destination convention calendar. Organizer admission and detailed room schedules may differ.
How to check tickets and admission
- Locate your event in the official calendar.
Match its exact name and dates.
- Open the event organizer’s website.
Check whether the event admits the public, professional delegates, exhibitors or invited attendees.
- Confirm pricing and registration deadlines.
Some trade shows have different prices for advance registration, onsite purchases and specific attendee categories.
- Find your registration hall.
Look for the hall number, floor, building and assigned entrance.
- Save the ticket and transport details.
Keep confirmation codes, event maps and parking reservations accessible.
Chicago Convention Center Parking: Lots A, B and C
McCormick Place has three principal campus parking facilities, all within reach of the convention buildings. Lot A is normally the primary option for North, South and West Buildings. Lot C is recommended for Lakeside Center and Arie Crown Theater.
Current official McCormick Place parking rates
| Parking lot | Duration | Published charge |
|---|---|---|
| Lot A | Up to 16 hours | $27 |
| Lot A | 16–24 hours | $40 |
| Lot B | Flat daily fee | $18 |
| Lot C | Up to 16 hours | $27 |
| Lot C | 16–24 hours | $40 |
| Prepaid guaranteed parking | Per day, applicable facilities | $40 |
Where each parking lot is located
Lot A
2301 S. Prairie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
- 2,100 spaces
- Six-level garage
- 8-foot height clearance
- Covered pedestrian connections
- Overnight car parking available
- EV charging, additional fees apply
Lot B
3050 S. Moe Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
- Outdoor surface lot
- More than 1,800 spaces
- Published $18 daily rate
- No ordinary overnight car parking
- No regular in-and-out privileges
- Bus and RV arrangements available
Lot C
1801 Fort Dearborn Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
- Underground garage
- Approximately 1,900 spaces
- 6-foot-4-inch clearance
- Convenient for Lakeside Center
- Generally no overnight parking
- Prepaid parking when offered
Bus and RV Parking
Surface Lot B provides bus and RV parking options, subject to posted restrictions and availability.
The official published overnight bus/RV rate is $40 per day, with applicable in-and-out privileges.
Vehicle hookups are not available and recreational camping is prohibited.
Can I leave and re-enter the garage?
Ordinary daily parking generally does not include in-and-out privileges. The venue specifies that eligible prepaid Lot A and Lot C parking includes re-entry, while Lot B does not provide ordinary re-entry privileges.
How to reserve parking
- Determine your event building.
Use Lot A as the normal choice for North, South or West; Lot C for Lakeside Center.
- Check the official parking page.
Open the online parking purchase route and select the applicable date.
- Compare standard versus prepaid parking.
Consider whether guaranteed availability or re-entry benefits justify the $40 prepaid price.
- Check vehicle clearance.
Lot A allows eight feet; Lot C has a substantially lower 6-foot-4-inch limit.
- Follow your garage’s entry signs.
Keep any prepaid permit or payment confirmation ready.
- Save your vehicle location.
Record the lot name, level, row and pedestrian route.
Parking support: Lot A 312-567-8360 · Lot B 312-808-3125 · Lot C 312-567-8152.
How to Get to McCormick Place by CTA or Metra
Chicago offers three especially useful transit approaches: the CTA Green Line, Metra Electric commuter trains and multiple CTA bus routes serving McCormick Place.
Green Line: Cermak–McCormick Place
The station at Cermak Road and State Street is roughly 0.15 mile from the northwest corner of the West Building.
Published standard fare: $2.50 per CTA train ride.
Metra Electric: McCormick Place
Metra Electric serves a station inside the South Building’s Grand Concourse on Level 2.5.
Service from downtown Millennium Station can take approximately seven minutes, depending on the train.
#3 King Drive and #21 Cermak
These routes serve the convention area; additional nearby services include the #1, #4 and X4 routes where operating.
Published regular bus fare: $2.25.
Building-Specific Pickup Gates
For the West Building, Gate 40 is a useful taxi and rideshare loading zone. Other event entrances may have assigned transport gates.
Follow the organizer’s event transport plan and onsite wayfinding.
Transit decision table
| Starting point | Practical first choice | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Loop | Metra Electric or CTA Green Line | Choose based on station access and train schedule. |
| West Building events | Green Line to Cermak–McCormick Place | Short walk to Indiana Avenue entrance. |
| South Building events | Metra Electric to McCormick Place | Station connects to Grand Concourse. |
| Michigan Avenue | CTA #3 King Drive | Check actual stops and current frequency. |
| West of convention district | CTA #21 Cermak | Useful east–west connection. |
| O’Hare or Midway Airport | CTA rail with transfers or direct car transfer | No single rail line goes straight from both airports to McCormick Place. |
McCormick Place Floor Plans, Ballrooms & Exhibit Halls
McCormick Place provides about 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, including approximately 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space on one level. The campus includes 173 meeting rooms with approximately 600,000 square feet of space, four ballrooms, theaters and multiple large exhibition halls.
North Building
A major exhibit and conference building with access to the main North/South campus circulation system.
Use the organizer’s floor assignment and main venue planning PDF.
South Building
One of the campus’s largest exhibit sections, connected to the Grand Concourse and internal Metra Electric station.
Useful for conventions combining large exhibition space and multiple concurrent sessions.
West Building
Includes Hall F, meeting rooms and the large Skyline Ballroom. It has convenient access to Cermak Road, Indiana Avenue and Wintrust Arena.
Conference attendees can approach using the West Building’s own street address.
Lakeside Center
Lakefront-oriented building that includes exhibit and conference space, along with Arie Crown Theater.
Lot C is the primary recommended visitor parking option.
McCormick Place event space summary
| Facility feature | Published capacity or size |
|---|---|
| Total exhibition space | About 2.6 million sq ft |
| Contiguous same-level exhibit space | About 1.2 million sq ft |
| Meeting rooms | 173 |
| Meeting-room space | About 600,000 sq ft |
| Ballrooms | 4, ranging from approximately 21,000 to 100,000 sq ft |
| Large assembly seating | Up to 18,000 |
| Theaters | Three theaters seating about 300 each |
| Wintrust Arena | Approximately 10,000 seats |
| Arie Crown Theater | Approximately 4,192 seats |
Find the correct exhibition hall
- Open your event’s exhibitor or attendee map.
Confirm the building and hall number.
- Compare it with the venue floor plan.
Use the West, South, North or Lakeside Center official planning guide.
- Check the designated gate and registration lobby.
The public entrance may not be the closest route to your event area.
- Plan hall-to-hall movement.
Multiple buildings and large exhibit floors require more time between meetings than a standard hotel conference center.
Hotels Near Chicago Convention Center
McCormick Square offers hotels directly connected to the convention campus, alongside South Loop and Chinatown accommodation options. A connected hotel is useful for winter trips, early sessions and visitors who need to return to their rooms during conference breaks.
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616
Full-service hotel connected to McCormick Place with restaurant, fitness and business facilities.
Best for: Guests seeking direct access to the main North/South convention complex.
Marriott Marquis Chicago
2121 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
Major modern convention hotel with a covered connection to the McCormick campus.
Best for: Business groups, large conventions and visitors prioritizing on-campus accommodation.
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place
123 E. Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60616
Convention-oriented hotel near the West Building, Wintrust Arena and the Cermak–McCormick Place Green Line station.
Best for: Conference travelers seeking access to both the venue and nearby transit.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Place
123 E. Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60616
Suite-style accommodation within the Cermak Road hotel complex, useful for longer stays or additional room amenities.
Best for: Families, groups and attendees staying multiple nights.
Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place
123 E. Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60616
Additional Hilton-brand accommodation in the same South Loop hotel complex.
Best for: Comparing breakfast and total pricing with nearby hotels.
SpringHill Suites Chicago Chinatown
2351 S. Wentworth Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
Suite-style hotel in the nearby Chinatown district, convenient to restaurants and local transit.
Best for: Visitors who prefer a hotel outside the immediate convention complex.
Choosing the right convention hotel
| Your priority | Hotel to consider |
|---|---|
| Direct North/South access | Hyatt Regency McCormick Place |
| Modern full-service convention stay | Marriott Marquis Chicago |
| West Building and Green Line | Hilton Garden Inn McCormick Place |
| Longer stay or kitchenette-style amenities | Home2 Suites McCormick Place |
| Breakfast-focused comparison | Hampton Inn McCormick Place |
| Chinatown dining district | SpringHill Suites Chicago Chinatown |
O’Hare and Midway Airport to Chicago Convention Center
Both Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) provide access to McCormick Place by public transit or road transportation. Airport transfers vary with terminal, arrival time, traffic and luggage.
O’Hare Airport (ORD)
Take the CTA Blue Line toward Downtown Chicago, then transfer through the CTA network toward a Green Line connection, or use an appropriate taxi or rideshare.
The CTA Blue Line airport boarding fare has different rules from the regular local CTA train fare.
Midway Airport (MDW)
The CTA Orange Line connects Midway to the Loop. Transfer toward the Green Line or use another suitable bus or taxi route to McCormick Place.
Confirm late-night and weekend service before choosing public transit.
Amtrak and Union Station
Chicago Union Station is west of the Loop. Continue by public transportation or a taxi/rideshare to the appropriate convention building.
Allow time for the final local transfer.
Suburban Commuter Rail
Metra Electric serves McCormick Place directly. Travelers using other Metra lines may need to transfer downtown.
Check fare zones and timetable before buying a commuter rail ticket.
McCormick Place Accessibility, Elevators & Guest Services
McCormick Place provides accessible entrances, parking, elevators, restrooms and visitor services throughout the campus. For attendees who use mobility devices, the correct lot-to-building route can make a substantial difference.
Accessible arrival planning
- Use Lot A for North, South and West Building events.
- Use Lot C for Lakeside Center events.
- Confirm the closest accessible entrance to registration.
- Check the available elevator route.
- Request event-specific seating or communication accommodations in advance.
Facilities and support
- Accessible entrances and restrooms
- Elevators between public floors
- Mobility equipment arrangements through available providers
- First aid and visitor-information desks
- Three Mamava lactation suites
- Food service and other event amenities
Where the nursing suites are located
| Building | Location |
|---|---|
| Lakeside Center | Level 2, near the Gift Shop |
| North/South | Level 2.5, across from Starbucks |
| West Building | Level 1, near the Indiana Avenue Main Information Desk |
The center provides information about accessibility support and third-party mobility equipment rentals. Confirm the availability and booking arrangements before arriving.
Official Accessibility and Guest Services FAQs ↗How to Book a Trade Show or Conference at McCormick Place
McCormick Place supports large national and international exhibitions, medical conferences, association meetings, technology events and special programs. Event planning requirements depend on the buildings used, scale of the exhibition and production needs.
- Define your convention.
Prepare desired dates, estimated attendees, hall size, room requirements and length of event.
- Compare building inventory.
Review North, South, West and Lakeside planning guides for floor areas and room configurations.
- Prepare detailed requirements.
List booths, utility services, audiovisual needs, food service, rigging, internet and security.
- Request venue availability.
Contact the official McCormick Place event sales team with your event specifications.
- Plan exhibitor logistics.
Coordinate loading docks, truck marshalling, move-in schedules, freight forwarding and booth approval.
- Review all contracts and rules.
Confirm dates, payments, cancellation terms, authorized contractors and operational deadlines.
Things to Do Near McCormick Place
Museum Campus
Home to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. Useful for visitors adding sightseeing time to their convention trip.
Soldier Field
Major stadium near McCormick Place. Games and concerts may increase traffic and area parking demand.
Chinatown
Neighborhood west of the convention district with restaurants, bakeries and cultural destinations.
Lakefront Trail
Scenic Lake Michigan walking and cycling routes near the campus. Conditions can be windy and cold outside summer.
Wintrust Arena
Nearby arena within McCormick Square hosting sporting events, shows and concerts. Admission is separate from convention tickets.
South Loop Dining
Restaurant and hotel district north and west of McCormick Place, useful for business lunches and evening meals.
Chicago Convention Center Event-Day Checklist
- Confirm the exact event and date.
- Find your assigned building and hall.
- Choose Lot A, B or C appropriately.
- Check current parking charges and re-entry rules.
- Save the actual garage entrance address.
- Confirm your vehicle height clearance.
- Consider CTA Green Line or Metra Electric.
- Download the organizer’s floor plan.
- Save tickets or badges for registration.
- Check event-specific bag and security rules.
- Arrange accessibility needs in advance.
- Allow extra time for campus walking and Chicago weather.
10 FAQs About Chicago Convention Center
1. What is the main convention center in Chicago?
Chicago’s main convention center is McCormick Place, a four-building lakefront complex comprising the North Building, South Building, West Building and Lakeside Center.
2. Where is Chicago Convention Center located?
McCormick Place is on Chicago’s Near South Side. The main North and South Buildings use 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, while West Building and Lakeside Center have separate visitor addresses.
3. How much is McCormick Place parking?
Current official rates are $27 for up to 16 hours in Lots A or C, $40 for 16–24 hours, and $18 as the daily flat rate in Lot B. Applicable prepaid guaranteed parking is $40 per day.
4. Which parking lot is best for Chicago Convention Center?
McCormick Place recommends Lot A for North, South and West Building events. Lot C is normally the primary parking option for Lakeside Center and Arie Crown Theater.
5. Can I park overnight at McCormick Place?
Regular overnight car parking is available in Lot A. Lot B does not allow ordinary overnight car parking, and Lot C generally does not permit overnight parking unless specifically authorized for a show. Bus and RV arrangements have separate rules.
6. Which train goes to McCormick Place?
The CTA Green Line serves Cermak–McCormick Place station near the West Building. Metra Electric serves McCormick Place station inside the South Building’s Grand Concourse on Level 2.5.
7. What hotels are connected to McCormick Place?
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and Marriott Marquis Chicago offer direct pedestrian connections to the convention campus. Additional nearby convention hotels operate around Cermak Road.
8. How large is Chicago Convention Center?
McCormick Place provides approximately 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, including about 1.2 million square feet on a single level, and contains 173 meeting rooms.
9. Where can I find McCormick Place events?
Check the official McCormick Place events calendar and the individual event organizer’s website. Trade shows and professional conferences can require advance registration or special credentials.
10. How do I book a convention at McCormick Place?
Contact the official McCormick Place event planning and sales team. Provide proposed dates, expected attendance, exhibit hall requirements, breakout meetings and needed services to request availability and a proposal.
More Detailed McCormick Place Visitor Guide
McCormick Place Official Maps, Events, Parking and Transit
- McCormick Place official website — venue overview and event resources.
- Official events calendar — show dates and convention listings.
- Official building entrance addresses — North, South, West and Lakeside directions.
- Current parking rates — Lots A, B, C, prepaid parking and vehicle restrictions.
- Public transportation guide — CTA buses, Green Line, Metra Electric and rideshare gates.
- Floor plans and building specifications — exhibit halls, meeting spaces and campus maps.
- Venue FAQs and accessibility — visitor services, accessible facilities and family amenities. Some parking prices on this older FAQ differ from the dedicated parking page.
- Choose Chicago Convention Calendar — major 2026 conventions and conferences.
- CTA official transit website — train and bus timetables, fares and disruptions.
- Metra official website — commuter train tickets and schedules.
Information reviewed October 16, 2026. Event assignments, parking prices, transit fares, service schedules, hotel availability and venue policies may change. Confirm purchases and time-sensitive details with the responsible organizer or operator. This is an independent convention visitor guide.