Planning Your Stay

Sleeping Accommodations

Booking a room at voco Chicago downtown (link forthcoming!) will be the most convenient choice for Convention and Symposium participants. What's more, these bookings help the MMLA meet its obligation to secure a minimum number of guests staying at the hotel. The nightly rate for meeting participants is $189 (excluding tax), but the final day to reserve a room at this reduced price is Thursday, October 22. Please Note: A major credit card is required at the time of booking to confirm the room reservation.

In the event that you prefer more space, a kitchen, or a different price point than a traditional hotel, short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo offer a range of options in and around River North, the Loop, and nearby neighborhoods such as Streeterville and the West Loop, all within easy reach of the meeting venue. Rates and availability vary widely depending on dates and demand, so it is worth booking early. When choosing a listing, look for proximity to CTA "L" stations or Metra downtown terminals to keep your commute to voco Chicago downtown simple, and double-check any building-specific check-in or parking details before you arrive.

Looking to share the cost of a room with a fellow attendee?

Head to our Convention Discord server to connect with scholars looking to room-share!

Transportation to and from Chicago

By Plane

There are two international airports that service Chicago, IL and a few ways to access the Convention site at voco downtown (350 W. Wolf Point Plaza, Building 1) from them:

          O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

    • Airlines: United, American, Spirit, Frontier, Delta, etc.
    • Rideshare: Uber, Lyft, etc.
      • ~25–40 Minutes to voco Chicago Downtown–Riverwalk
      • ~$30–60 (depending on time of day and current demand)
    • Public Transportation: CTA Blue Line ('L' Train)
      • ~55–65 Minutes to voco Chicago Downtown–Riverwalk
      • $5.00 Single-Trip Ticket (Up to 3 Rides in 2 Hours)

          Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

    • Airlines: Southwest, Frontier, Delta, Allegiant, etc.
    • Rideshare: Uber, Lyft, etc.
      • 20–35 Minutes to voco Chicago Downtown–Riverwalk
      • ~$25–55 (depending on time of day and current demand)
    • Public Transportation: CTA Orange Line ('L' Train)
      • 45–55 Minutes to voco Chicago Downtown–Riverwalk
      • $3.00 Single-Trip Ticket (Up to 3 Rides in 2 Hours)

voco Chicago downtown does not offer a shuttle to or from either airport. 

By Train (Regional or National)

Chicago is home to an Amtrak station, Chicago Union Station (CHI), which is a short walk away from several CTA connections. All regional and national routes—servicing the West Coast, Pacific Northwest, the East Coast, and the South—terminate at Chicago Union Station. More importantly, there are daily arrivals and departures between Chicago and a number of key cities in the Midwest region, including (but not limited to):
    • Illinois: Bloomington, Carbondale, Peoria, and Quincy
    • Indiana: Indianapolis, Lafayette, and South Bend
    • Michigan: Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo
    • Minnesota: Red Wing, St. Paul–Minneapolis, and Winona
    • Missouri: Kansas City, Poplar Bluff, and St. Louis
    • Wisconsin: Columbus, Milwaukee, and Wisconsin Dells

Amtrak does not service Alaska, Hawaii, South Dakota, or Wyoming. 

By Train (Regional Only)

If you're traveling from elsewhere in Illinois or even from Kenosha, WI, Metra (Chicago's commuter rail system) is an easy and affordable way to reach downtown Chicago. Metra has 11 lines reaching towns and suburbs across Illinois, all ending at one of four stations:

By Car

If you prefer to drive, downtown Chicago is accessible via several major expressways, including I-90/94 (Kennedy/Dan Ryan), I-290 (Eisenhower), and I-55 (Stevenson), depending on which direction you're coming from. Keep in mind that downtown traffic can be heavy during rush hours (roughly 7:00–9:00 a.m. and 4:00–6:00 p.m. on weekdays), and the surrounding River North/Loop streets can often be congested.

Important Note: Be very careful with navigation on Lower Wacker Drive, as most areas cannot connect to cell service and may cause disruptions (and confusion) when one is following GPS directions. Linked here are some instructions for driving this double-decker road.

Driving in and wanting to split gas with someone headed the same direction?
Join our Discord to coordinate rideshares with fellow scholars traveling from your area!

Transportation in and around Chicago

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

Chicago's Transit Authority is the fastest way to get around the city without a rental or personal vehicle. The CTA operates both the 'L' train system—nicknamed for the elevated tracks that carry most of its lines (north of downtown) above city streets—and an extensive bus network that covers the entire city.

          Purchasing Train and/or Bus Fares

    • Every station at an 'L' stop is equipped with Ventra Vending Machines, where you can purchase either a reusable Ventra card for multiple trips (which can be reloaded) or a disposable Ventra ticket for a single ride or one-day use. Alternatively, a contactless debit or credit card (including Apple, Google, Samsung, and Fitbit Pay) may be used at any 'L' station turnstile and on any CTA or Pace bus.
          Benefits of the Ventra App
    • Downloading the Ventra app before you arrive can make getting around Chicago a lot simpler. It lets you buy and manage fares for CTA, Pace, and Metra all in one place, so there's no need to carry cash, hunt for a vending machine, or juggle separate tickets for each system. You can load transit value or unlimited-ride passes onto a virtual Ventra card, purchase Metra tickets on the spot, and track real-time bus and train arrivals. It is a convenient way to move between downtown attractions, the conference venue, and your hotel without slowing down to figure out fares along the way.

          Sightseeing in Chicago

    • From the Convention site at voco Chicago downtown, the Merchandise Mart station (Brown, Purple, and Pink Lines) and Clark/Lake station (Blue, Green, Orange, Brown, Purple, and Pink Lines) are both just a short walk away, offering quick connections throughout downtown and beyond. The 'L' makes it easy to reach popular attractions like Millennium Park and the Chicago Art Institute, the Magnificent Mile's shopping and dining, Navy Pier, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Hyde Park.

          Multi-Day, Unlimited Passes

    • For the three-day Convention and Symposium, you might consider purchasing a CTA and Pace Pass, which offers unlimited rides on all CTA and Pace trains and buses for a select period of time. Current pricing is as follows:
      • 1-Day Pass: $5
      • 3-Day Pass: $15
      • 7-Day Pass: $20

Parking at or Near voco Chicago

Self-parking at the hotel is available directly on-site at the Wolf Point Parking Garage (entrance at 325 W. Wolf Point Plaza, across from the hotel), with a daily rate of $63 and unlimited in-and-out privileges until 3:00 p.m. on the day of check-out.

If you'd like to compare prices or reserve a spot in advance, several garages within a short, 5–10-minute walk of the hotel (including Mart Parc Wells, Mart Parc Orleans, and ABM Parking) offer daily and hourly rates, and can be booked ahead of time through a service like SpotHero or ParkWhiz for guaranteed availability and to secure lower rates. Since rates can change and vary by garage, it's worth checking current pricing online before your visit.

Prior to book a parking spot at a garage, be sure to double check your chosen facility's amenities and parking restrictions as some sites do not allow in-and-out privileges (i.e., a vehicle may only enter and exit once), which may not be preferable for individuals who are interested in using a vehicle to explore the city or its surrounding areas.