Hotel and Milwaukee Area Information

Welcome back to our historic venue! Keep Reading for Information on our hotels, the Baird Center, parking, travel, and dining!
The lobby of the Hilton Milwaukee

Hilton Milwaukee

The Hilton Milwaukee, originally opened in 1928 as the Milwaukee Schroeder Hotel, is a historic hotel that is hosting our convention this year! Developed by Walter Schroeder, it was one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in the Midwest. It faced economic challenges during the Great Depression and World War II but remained a significant landmark. Acquired by Hilton in 1972 and renamed, it has since undergone renovations to combine its lavish historic elegance with modern amenities, continuing to be a prominent downtown Milwaukee attraction. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, just a few blocks from the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan, and is surrounded by a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

509 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (414) 271-7250
Venue Website

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee Downtown

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee Downtown is serving as our overflow hotel for this year. This is an award-winning hotel offering modern guest rooms, on-site dining and a convenient location adjacent to the Hilton Milwaukee and the Baird Center.

611 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (414) 273-2950
Venue Website Book a Room (See Hotel Information Below for Accessibility And Other Details)

Baird Center

We are expanding our space to include a portion of the Baird Center, a exhibition hall and convention center! Our space at the Baird Center is easily accessible from the Hilton Milwaukee via a connected skywalk. Recent renovations opened in 2024 have doubled the center’s available space, continuing the Baird Center’s reputation as a modern and versatile space for events in downtown Milwaukee.

400 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Venue Website

Attention: The Hilton Milwaukee is a historic landmark governed by strict regulations. Damage or defacement of the venue is a Class I felony and will be prosecuted. Similar regulations apply to the DoubleTree and Baird Center. Please place stickers only on designated sticker statues, as they will be auctioned for charity. Do not affix posters or items to any surfaces without staff approval. Your cooperation preserves our venues' history and our ability to use them for future years. Thank you.

Room Block Information and Reservations

Our hotels have rooms specifically reserved for FurSquared 2025 attendees. This is called a “room block”, and can only be accessed through a special link.

Room block status: OVERFLOW HOTEL OPEN!

You can access available rooms from our room blocks by following this link. This link is the only way for attendees to book guaranteed rooms at special pricing for FurSquared 2025.

If you have a need for an accessible room, please place your reservation for a standard room. After you have made your reservation, please contact the hotel directly to be moved to an accessible room, contact information is available for each hotel above. If you are having difficulties with this process, please contact us at info@fursquared.com.

Please be aware of scams. Only reserve rooms from trusted sites and only room with people you know and trust. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is!

Parking

For the Hilton Milwaukee garage, parking is $12 per Vehicle each day, including in-and-out privileges.

You MUST validate your parking ticket! There are two ways:

  1. Take the parking ticket to the hotel front desk, and ask to have it attached to your room reservation. You may have multiple vehicles attached to a single room reservation.
  2. If you are not staying overnight, you can acquire a voucher from Registration at the Baird Center and take that to the hotel front desk, along with your parking ticket.

There is a strong chance the Hilton garage will reach capacity, so please also consider other lots available in the area. There are many within a blocks surrounding the hotels and convention center. We recommend checking out SpotHero and HONK for parking options and booking in advance. A promotion code is available for first-time users of SpotHero.

Getting to FurSquared

There are other ways to get to FurSquared besides driving and parking! Options that may be cheaper, more convenient, or more environmentally friendly are widely available in the city. As a bonus, you can also use these options to get around Milwaukee during the convention and explore the city if you wish!

From the Milwaukee Intermodal Station

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the main train and bus station in Milwaukee. It’s located at 433 W St Paul Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203. The station is served by Amtrak trains along with buses from Greyhound and other providers. It is the closest regional transit station to the hotel.

Station information, including a listing of all bus services and Amtrak lines, can be found on the station’s website.

  • Walk: The Hilton is about a third of a mile from the station. It’s a 7-10 minute walk depending on your pace and traffic.
  • Bublr Bikes: There is a Bublr Bikes dock at the station that houses up to 8 bikes. You can rent a bike and ride it to the Hilton. The closest dock to the Hilton is at 5th and Wisconsin outside the Baird Center.

From Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is the main airport serving the Milwaukee area. It’s located at 5300 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207. The airport is served by most major domestic airlines including Delta, American, Southwest, United, Spirit, JetBlue, and Frontier.

  • Milwaukee County Transit System: The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) operates bus route 80 to Downtown Milwaukee, with a stop at 6th and Wisconsin right outside the hotels! Click here for more information.
  • Rideshare: Uber and Lyft both operate at the airport. Request a ride and you’ll be picked up at the rideshare zone inside the parking garage across from baggage claim.
  • Airport Shuttle: GO Riteway operates a shuttle service from the airport to Downtown Milwaukee. Click here for more information.

From The Greater Milwaukee Area

If you live in the Milwaukee area, are staying with a friend, or otherwise looking for other local transportation options, here are a few options to consider.

  • Milwaukee County Transit System: The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) operates bus routes throughout the Milwaukee area. Wisconsin Avenue, where our Hilton is located, is a huge corridor for bus travel in the area. Click here for more information.
    • MCTS Connect 1 Rapid Transit Service: MCTS operates a rapid transit bus service called Connect 1 that runs from the Watertown Plank Park and Ride in Wauwatosa direct to the Hilton at the stop on 5th and Wisconsin. From Watertown Plank to the Hilton is approximately a 30 minute ride. Click here for more information.
  • Wisconsin Coach Lines: Wisconsin Coach Lines operates bus and van service from a number of regional park and ride lots to Downtown Milwaukee. Buses stop near the Hilton! Click here for more information.

From Chicago

  • Amtrak: Amtrak operates the Hiawatha, Borealis, and Empire Builder trains between Chicago and Milwaukee. Trains stop at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, about a third of a mile from the Hilton. Click here for more information.
  • Metra: Metra operates the Union Pacific North line between the Chicago area and Kenosha, WI. You can then connect to Amtrak or carpool to Milwaukee. Click here for more information.
  • Wisconsin Coach Lines: Wisconsin Coach Lines operates a bus service from O’Hare Airport to the Intermodal Station, about a third of a mile from the Hilton. Click here for more information.

Accessible Transportation

  • Tootl Transport: Tootl Transport is a Milwaukee-based rideshare service that specializes in accessible transportation. Click here for more information.
  • Milwaukee Transit Plus: Milwaukee Transit Plus is a paratransit service operated by the Milwaukee County Transit System. It is recommended you call ahead and make arrangements in case documentation is needed. Click here for more information.

Restaurants

Milwaukee is well-known for its variety of dining options, especially in the area surrounding our venue. Here are just a few of the many options available:

  • Hilton Milwaukee Dining - The Hilton Milwaukee has a variety of dining options, including the Miller Time Pub & Grill, Monarch Lounge, and the Café. The hotel also has a Starbucks location.
  • Avenue Bar and Grill (Inside DoubleTree) - Our overflow hotel, the DoubleTree, has a restaurant and bar on-site. The Avenue Bar and Grill offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and a full bar.
  • 3rd Street Market Hall - The 3rd Street Market Hall is a very short walk from the Hilton and features a variety of local food options and other vendors, including TopGolf suites and a full bar, in an open environment. It is located in the Avenue, a historic mall that was restored and renovated. The hall is a favorite amongst FurSquared attendees, staff, and local furries alike! Suiting is allowed but suits must be “safe for work” and the venue is 21+ after 8:00 PM each day; one should be prepared to show legal ID. Click here for more information on their policies.
  • SafeHouse - The SafeHouse is a spy-themed restaurant and bar located near downtown Milwaukee, known for its unique atmosphere and secret entrance. It is a short walk from the Hilton.
  • Milwaukee Public Market - The Milwaukee Public Market is a further walk, but is a popular destination for food and shopping. It features a variety of local vendors and restaurants, including a wine bar and a seafood market.
  • Water Street - Water Street is a historic street in Milwaukee that is home to a variety of bars and restaurants. It is also a popular nightlife destination.

DoorDash and other services deliver to our hotels. If you decide to order food, groceries, or other items, note that the delivery services will drop off at the front desk (or concierge at Hilton Milwaukee) and will not come to your room, even if you request room delivery. Please pick up orders promptly from the lobby or make arrangements to meet your driver instead.

Want to Learn More About Milwaukee?

Milwaukee’s tourism bureau, VISIT Milwaukee, has a wealth of information about the city, including dining, attractions, local events, and more. Click here to visit their website.

Hotel and Milwaukee Area Information | FurSquared