Overview

For downtown Minneapolis construction updates, check out the city's Web site: construction updates.

For traffic and road conditions in the metro area, visit the 511 Traffic & Road Conditions page.

Driving Directions To Downtown Minneapolis & Convention Center

From the West (I-94)
Take the 4th Street exit from I-94 and proceed to 2nd Avenue South. (Do NOT turn right onto 2nd Avenue North.) Turn right on 2nd Avenue South and go 8 blocks to Convention Center.

From the West (I-394)
Take Downtown exit (12th Street): follow 12th Street South to 2nd Avenue South and turn right. The Convention Center is on your left.

From the East (I-94)
Take the 11th Street exit: follow 11th Street South until you reach 2nd Avenue South, turn left onto 2nd Avenue South and cross 12th Street South. The Convention Center is on your left. The Underground Plaza Parking Ramp is on your right.

From the South (I-35W)
Follow downtown exit signs to the 11th Street exit and follow 11th Street to 2nd Avenue South. Turn left on 2nd Avenue South and go 1 block to Convention Center.

From the North (I-35W)
Take I-35W to Hwy 280. Follow Hwy 280 to I-94 west. Follow I-94 to the 11th Street exit (NOT 11th Avenue exit). Follow 11th Street to 2nd Avenue South. Turn left on 2nd Avenue South and go 1 block to the Convention Center.

From the Airport Main Terminal
Take Hwy. 55 exit from the airport. Follow Hwy. 55 west to Minneapolis. This will become Hwy. 62 west. Follow Hwy. 62 to I-35W north to Minneapolis downtown exits. Then take the 11th Street exit. Follow 11th Street South to 2nd Avenue South. Turn left on 2nd Avenue South and go 1 block to the Convention Center.

Entrances/Exits to Underground Plaza Parking Ramp
Enter either on 2nd Avenue South, or on 12th Street South. The Plaza Ramp has handicap parking – elevators and a skyway connect the Ramp to the Convention Center, allowing easy access for wheelchairs.

Public Entrances
There are four main public entrance rotundas located on 2nd Avenue S. & Grant Street, labeled "Ballroom Entrance," "Plaza 1," "Plaza 2" and "Plaza 3." Designated handicap-accessible entrances (power assisted doors) are adjacent to Plaza 3 (entrance closest to Wesley Church), and the 12th Street Entrance.

Public transportation

Downtown Minneapolis is compact and easy to navigate. The airport is a mere 15-minute cab ride away. From our expansive public transportation system to our unique skyway system, you'll find Minneapolis a joy to get around. Read more.

Buses and taxis are readily available at the MCC, the airport, Mall of America and at most hotels. Use Metro Transit's Trip Planner for easy door-to-door directions for buses and light rail transit.

Take a free ride
Free bus rides are now available on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis and to and from the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC). This gives you an easy way to go from one end of town to the other – for free! The free service on selected routes between Grant Street and Washington Avenue S. will be offered on buses with "Free Ride" showing on their exterior signs. Other buses on Nicollet will charge 50 cents.

The free-ride buses will run every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 to 30 minutes on weekends. Also, buses on Nicollet will stop at every other block between 5th and 13th Streets, rather than every block as they do now. That will allow buses to run their routes more quickly.

Metro Transit day passes are available for purchase at the Visitor Information Center at the MCC during regular hours. The passes can be used on buses and light rail transit.

Skyways
One of Mineapolis' most unique assets is the skyway system. Linking most of downtown with above-ground climate-controlled walkways, the system will get you from the Minneapolis Convention Center to most spots in downtown Minneapolis without ever stepping outside.