Hilton Milwaukee City Center
The Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 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
Attention: The Hilton Milwaukee City Center is a historic landmark governed by strict regulations. Damage or defacement of the venue is a Class I felony and will be prosecuted. 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 the venue's history and our ability to use it for future years. Thank you.
Hotel Recommendations
Main Hotel
The main hotel for our convention, the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, has rooms specifically reserved for FurSquared 2025 attendees. This is called a “room block”, and can only be accessed through a special link to Hilton’s website.
Room block status: OPEN!
You can access the FurSquared 2025 main hotel room block by following this link. This link is the only way for attendees to book guaranteed rooms in the main hotel at special pricing for FurSquared 2025.
If you have a need for an accessible room, please place your reservation for a standard room online. After you have made your reservation, please contact the hotel directly at (414) 271-7250 to be moved to an accessible room. If you are having difficulties with this process, please contact us at info@fursquared.com.
Alternative Hotels
If you cannot reserve your preferred room in the main hotel, there are nearby hotels that will have rooms available with pricing comparable to our con block. We suggest the following hotels, which are ordered by distance from the Hilton Milwaukee City Center:
- DoubleTree by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown - 611 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203 (Adjacent to the Hilton Milwaukee City Center)
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown - 710 N Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- Courtyard by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown - 300 W Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown - 744 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- Hyatt Regency Milwaukee - 333 W Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
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 City Center garage, parking is $12 per Vehicle each day, including in-and-out privileges.
You MUST validate your parking ticket! There are two ways:
- Take the parking ticket to the front desk, and ask to have it attached to your room reservation. You may have multiple vehicles attached to a single room reservation.
- If you are not staying overnight, you can acquire a voucher from Registration on the 4th floor and take that to the hotel front desk, along with your parking ticket.
There are also other lots available in the area, including within a 1-3 block area surrounding the hotel. 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, about a block from the Hilton, 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 Hilton! 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.
- GO Riteway: 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 Free Bus Service: MCTS operates a free bus service called Connect 1 that runs from the Watertown Plank Park and Ride 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 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 train 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 the 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 City Center Dining - The Hilton Milwaukee City Center has a variety of dining options, including the Miller Time Pub & Grill, Monarch Lounge, and the Café. The hotel also has a Starbucks location.
- 3rd Street Market Hall - The 3rd Street Market Hall is a very short walk from the Hilton and features a variety of local food booths 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 recently restored and renovated.
- 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 and is also a favorite amongst F2’s staff!
- 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.
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.