Whether you’re traveling from out of state or commuting locally, there are plenty of convenient transportation options to get you to the event. From public transit like the CTA Blue Line and Metra trains to nearby airports and parking facilities.
Directions and Parking
All Roads lead to ACen! Whether plane, train or car you have many choices available to help you join us for the weekend!
Donald E Stephens Convention Center Address
5555 N River RD,
Rosemont, IL 60018
Travel by Car
To ACen from the South via I-80, I-90, I-55, OR I-57
Rush Hour Travel
IF YOU HAVE AN I-PASS/EZ-PASS TRANSPONDER: Take I-294 (the Tri-State Tollway) north around Chicago. Take the exit for Balmoral Ave. (It will be immediately before the exit for I-90/O’Hare International Airport.) At the top of the ramp, turn right onto Balmoral Ave. At the second traffic light (a T-intersection), turn left onto River Road. Go under the Convention Center overhead walkway and turn right onto Bryn Mawr Ave. The Hyatt Regency O’Hare will be on your left.
Non-Rush Hour Travel
Take I-90/I-94 through downtown Chicago. Stay on I-90 toward O’Hare International Airport. Take Exit 78, I-190/O’Hare Airport, then take Exit 1, River Road. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right and go 0.3 miles and then turn left onto Bryn Mawr Ave. The Hyatt Regency O’Hare will be on your left.
*Chicago rush hour is typically from 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM – 7 PM Monday – Friday. There may be extended waits during these times.
To ACen from the north or West via I-90
Take I-90 East toward Chicago. Take the exit for O’Hare Airport/I-294 South. Bear to the right toward O’Hare Airport. After the toll booth, briefly merge onto I-190 West then take the second exit, for Mannheim Road South. Follow the exit ramp up, stay in the right lane, and immediately take the exit for I-190 East. Go 0.8 miles and take Exit 1B, River Road South. At the bottom of the ramp, stay in the left lane. Once you are on River Road, immediately get in the left lane and turn left onto Bryn Mawr Ave. The Hyatt Regency O’Hare will be on your left.
To ACen from the north via I-94
Take I-94 south into Illinois. From the Illinois/Wisconsin state line, go 25 miles and stay in the right lanes to I-294. Go 12 miles and take the exit for O’Hare International Airport. After the toll booth, briefly merge onto I-190 West then take the second exit, for Mannheim Road South. Follow the exit ramp up, stay in the right lane, and immediately take the exit for I-190 East. Go 0.8 miles and take Exit 1B, River Road South. At the bottom of the ramp, stay in the left lane. Once you are on River Road, immediately get in the left lane and turn left onto Bryn Mawr Ave. The Hyatt Regency O’Hare will be on your left.
To ACen from O’Hare International Airport
If you are renting a car, turn left as you leave the rental car area onto Bessie Coleman Drive. Go 0.5 miles and take the exit for I-190 East/Chicago. Go 1 mile and take Exit 1B, River Road South. At the bottom of the ramp, stay in the left lane. Once you are on River Road, immediately get in the left lane and turn left onto Bryn Mawr Ave. The Hyatt Regency O’Hare will be on your left.
If you are picking up someone at O’Hare Airport and then driving to the hotel, proceed toward the airport exit from the terminal area. Go approximately 1.5 miles and take Exit 1B, River Road South. At the bottom of the ramp, stay in the left lane. Once you are on River Road, immediately get in the left lane and turn left onto Bryn Mawr Ave. The Hyatt Regency O’Hare will be on your left.
Local Parking Around Rosemont
Village of Rosemont, Parkway Bank Park, Entertainment district Parking Garage
- $15 per day. No in and out privileges.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Parking is reserved for hotel guests.
- $36 per day. This is the normal parking rate and different rate may be available for attendees booking within Anime Central’s room block.
- In and Out privileges; however, if the lot is full you will not get your spot back and will need to park in another location at your expense.
Embassy O’Hare
- Parking is reserved for hotel guests.
- $30 per day. This is the normal parking rate and different rate may be available for attendees booking within Anime Central’s room block.
DoubleTree O’Hare
- Parking is reserved for hotel guests.
- $30 per day. This is the normal parking rate and different rate may be available for attendees booking within Anime Central’s room block.
Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Parking is reserved for hotel guests.
- $25 per day. This is the normal parking rate and different rate may be available for attendees booking within Anime Central’s room block.
CTA Blue Line Parking
- $13 per day.
Travel by Plane
O’Hare International Airport
O’Hare airport is minutes away from all the ACen actions, and most local hotels offer complimentary shuttles to and from the airport. If booking travel via flight this is the optimal choice for ease of service. Once you land and claim baggage follow the red Bus/Shuttle Center signs in the airport terminals to receive a transport to your hotel.
*Most hotels in the area offer complimentary shuttle service, please check with your hotel prior to arriving on pick up policies.
Midway
If you are traveling from Midway Airport, follow the signs for CTA Orange Line Downtown. You will walk through the terminal, then through the parking garage, until you reach the Orange Line station. Purchase a farecard from the kiosks at the station. The fare to the Hyatt will be $2.50. Exact change is recommended, but certainly don’t insert any bill larger than $5.00 as change is not always guaranteed! Go to the turnstile, insert the farecard as shown there, and board the train.
Take the Orange Line to the Clark/Lake station (approximately 30 minutes). At Clark/Lake, exit the train and follow the signs at the station to transfer to the CTA Blue Line toward O’Hare Airport. The transfer is free no additional fare will be required.
Take the Blue Line train to the Rosemont Station (approximately 40 minutes). Take the escalator down from the platform, then exit the station. Turn left and walk about 100 feet to River Road, then turn left again and walk about 0.25 miles down River Road to Bryn Mawr Avenue. Turn left and walk about 500 feet to the entrance of the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.
Travel by Train
Via the Blue Line
Take the Blue Line train to the Rosemont Station (approximately 40 minutes). Take the escalator down from the platform, then exit the station. Turn left and walk about 100 feet to River Road, then turn left again and walk about 0.25 miles down River Road to Bryn Mawr Avenue. Turn left and walk about 500 feet to the entrance of the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.
From Union Station
If you are starting at Union Station (arriving by Amtrak or Megabus), take the Clinton Street exit from Union Station. Turn left and walk south on Clinton Street for two blocks to the entrance to the CTA Blue Line Subway (located underneath the Congress Parkway bridge). Take the Blue Line train to the Rosemont Station (approximately 40 minutes). Take the escalator down from the platform, then exit the station. Turn left and walk about 100 feet to River Road, then turn left again and walk about 0.25 miles down River Road to Bryn Mawr Avenue. Turn left and walk about 500 feet to the entrance of the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.
From Ogilvie Transportation Center
If you are arriving at Ogilvie Transportation Center, exit out the front doors to Madison Street, then run right and walk a half-block to Clinton Street. Turn left and walk five blocks south on Clinton Street for two blocks to the entrance to the CTA Blue Line Subway (located underneath the Congress Parkway bridge). Take the Blue Line train to the Rosemont Station (approximately 40 minutes). Take the escalator down from the platform, then exit the station. Turn left and walk about 100 feet to River Road, then turn left again and walk about 0.25 miles down River Road to Bryn Mawr Avenue. Turn left and walk about 500 feet to the entrance of the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.
Convention Shuttle Service
Anime Central will have a shuttle service running through out the convention at no cost to our attendees. Our shuttles will travel between the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and hotels within our room block that are further from the convention center. This is a separate service from the shuttles offered by the hotels in the area. If you are interested in learning if your hotel offers their own shuttle, please reach out to the hotel directly.
Convention Shuttle Hours
- Friday and Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Convention Shuttle Route
The shuttle service will travel between the following hotels on a loop during operating hours.
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Marriott Suites O’Hare
- La Quinta Inn & Suites O’Hare
- Comfort Inn Convention Center O’Hare
- Aloft