Baird Center Convention Guide: Parking and Hotel
By the Local Limo Network editorial team · Sources: Baird Center, Visit Milwaukee, Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, MCTS · Local Limo Network is operated by Eagles Media; some companies mentioned are paid listings.
Quick answer: The Baird Center is downtown Milwaukee’s convention center, with about 300,000 square feet of exhibit space and entrances on W. Kilbourn and W. Wisconsin Avenues. Three skywalk hotels (Hilton, Hyatt Regency and SpringHill Suites) offer 1,300-plus rooms. Park in the Baird Center garage or nearby garages through the Interstate Parking app. From MKE, it’s about 15 to 25 minutes by car; from O’Hare, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Booth teams and executives often book a Sprinter or hourly chauffeur.
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In this guide
- Where the Baird Center is and what’s nearby
- Getting there from MKE
- Group and exhibitor transportation
- Quick facts
- Frequently asked questions
- About Local Limo Network
Where the Baird Center is and what’s nearby
The Baird Center is Milwaukee’s convention center, in the heart of downtown. Its main entrances are at 405 W. Kilbourn Ave. (North Building) and 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. (South Building), with loading docks at 850 N. 6th St., according to the Baird Center. After its expansion, it offers about 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, per Visit Milwaukee.
| On the convention campus | What it is |
|---|---|
| Baird Center | About 300,000 sq ft of exhibit space |
| UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena | 12,700 seats; 24,000 sq ft floor for shows |
| Miller High Life Theatre | 4,087 seats, the largest theater in Wisconsin |
Fiserv Forum, the Theater District, the Riverwalk and the Historic Third Ward are all within a short walk or ride.
Getting there from MKE
Milwaukee Mitchell Airport (MKE) is about six miles south of downtown, off I-94 at Exit 318. From the airport, attendees can take:
| Option | Time to the Baird Center | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private car or chauffeur | About 15 to 25 minutes | Door to door, flight-tracked, room for sample cases |
| Rideshare or taxi | About 15 to 25 minutes | Rideshare pickup near Carousel 2; taxis at Baggage Claim 3 |
| MCTS GreenLine bus | Longer, with stops | $2.75; runs from the airport through downtown |
| Rental car | About 15 to 25 minutes | Add downtown parking costs |
Pickup locations are from MKE’s ground transportation page. Drive times are estimates for normal traffic.
Group and exhibitor transportation
Conventions create transportation problems that individual travelers don’t have:
- Booth staff arriving at different times on different flights.
- Exhibitors with sample cases, displays and luggage.
- Executives and VIP clients who need a car between the show, dinners and the airport.
- Client dinners and hospitality nights across downtown, the Third Ward and beyond.
An SUV fits up to about six with bags; a Sprinter van moves a booth team together. Hourly service suits show days with several stops. See which vehicle fits your group and what a limo quote should include.
In Milwaukee, Pharaoh’s Transportation runs airport transfers, hourly chauffeur service and Sprinter vans for convention teams and executives downtown. See corporate car service in Milwaukee or a Milwaukee Sprinter limo for booth teams.
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Quick facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Main entrances | 405 W. Kilbourn Ave.; 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. |
| Exhibit space | About 300,000 sq ft |
| Skywalk hotels | Hilton, Hyatt Regency, SpringHill Suites (1,300+ rooms) |
| Garage entrances | 500 W. Wells St.; 501 W. Kilbourn Ave. |
| Loading docks | 850 N. 6th St. |
| From MKE | About 6 miles |
| From O’Hare | About 75 miles |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Baird Center in Milwaukee?
Downtown, with entrances at 405 W. Kilbourn Ave. (North Building) and 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. (South Building).
Which hotels connect to the Baird Center by skywalk?
The Hilton Milwaukee, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee and SpringHill Suites Milwaukee Downtown, with more than 1,300 rooms combined.
Where do you park for the Baird Center?
In the Baird Center garage, with entrances at 500 W. Wells St. and 501 W. Kilbourn Ave., or other garages through the Interstate Parking app.
How far is the Baird Center from MKE airport?
About six miles, roughly 15 to 25 minutes by car in normal traffic.
Is there a bus from MKE to the Baird Center?
Yes. The MCTS GreenLine runs from the airport through downtown; an adult fare is $2.75.
How do I get from O’Hare to the Baird Center?
By private car, the Airport Express bus or the Amtrak Hiawatha from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukee Intermodal Station.
How do exhibitors move booth teams around Milwaukee?
Many book a Sprinter van or several SUVs for airport pickups and show-day shuttles.
When should I book convention transportation?
As early as you book hotels, especially for large shows and winter dates.
About Local Limo Network
Local Limo Network is a directory of limousine, black car and airport transportation companies across the United States, with travel guides written by our editorial team. Riders book directly with the companies listed. Local Limo Network is operated by Eagles Media, a marketing agency for transportation companies; some companies mentioned in our guides are paid listings or agency clients, and links to their websites are marked as sponsored. We update guides when schedules, rules or prices change. See about us or contact the editors.
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