There are a variety of options available for you to get to the theater, including public transportation and driving. The management of the Congress Theater strongly recommends that you reduce your burden on the environment and the Logan Square community by taking public transportation to and from the venue.
Visit http://www.chicago-pipeline.com to see what is happening in and around the neighborhood.
Look for Official Congress Parking signs outside and around theater.
The CVS lot, Washout Inn lot and Rockwell/Milwaukee lots are not Official Congress Theater lots. See map below for our lot location.
Driving Directions
The Congress Theater is located at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. (2135W) in Chicago. From the I-90/94 Kennedy Expressway, take Exit 48 at Armitage Ave. (2000N) and proceed west (away from the lake) for 0.90 miles to Milwaukee Ave. and take a right turn on to Milwaukee Ave. Drive 0.20 miles northwest to Milwaukee Ave. and Rockwell St. The theater will be on the right on the east side of the street.
Freight deliveries and large touring buses and tractor trailers should exit the I-90/94 Kennedy Expressway at Fullerton Ave. and proceed west 0.5 miles to Rockwell Ave. Turn south on to Rockwell, and proceed 0.2 to the Rockwell side of the building. Load through the backstage door in the alley to the rear (north) of the theater.
Reserved & Pay Parking
Reserved parking for the theater is available at the Talman/Milwaukee Ave. lot and at Chase School at the corner of Francis Place and Point St. starting one hour prior to the time doors open for each show. (Cars must be removed from the lot one hour after every show.).
The entrance to the Talman/Milwaukee lot is on Milwaukee Ave. The entrance to access the Chase School lot is through the alley on your left as you come to the school, about a half block before Francis Place reaches a “T”. Please seek out our signage and attendants as you arrive. Please be respectful of the school property and their neighbors as you enter and exit the lot. Refrain from making loud noises, littering or trespassing on private property.
If the show you are requesting is not listed, our parking will be available on a first come, first serve basis that night. Valet parking is not available and the bus lane in front of the theater should be kept clear at all times. Please do not risk getting towed by parking in the alleys near the theater or in the zoned parking in the residential neighborhoods adjacent to the theater.
Public Transportation
Traveling to the theater is easy via the CTA. The building is within two blocks of the Blue Line train stations at California (& Milwaukee) and Western (& Milwaukee) which operate twenty four hours a day. The theater is also served by the following bus routes: #52 Kedzie/Calfornia, #56 Milwaukee, #73 Armitage, #49 Western
To check on maps, schedules and use the online Trip Planner, visit http://www.transitchicago.com.
The theater is also a quick walk or bus ride from the METRA train station at Clybourn & Ashland on the Union Pacific District Northwest line. Exit the station to the south to transfer to the #73 Armitage bus going west on Cortland Ave. to the theater.
To check on maps, schedules and use the online Trip Planner, visit http://www.metrarail.com.
Safety
Whenever you are traveling in a city the size of Chicago, you should always be aware of your surroundings, refrain from drinking and driving and secure your personal valuables in a sensible manner. The management of Congress Theater strongly recommends that patrons always practice the following habits while traveling to and from the theater:
- If you become sick or intoxicated, ask security for assistance in getting home.
When driving:
- Plan out your route. Use this DIRECTIONS page to plan your trip.
- Park in a secure parking lot. Use our PARKING RESERVATION page.
- Always guard against theft by locking all doors and windows and hiding any valuables in the glove box or trunk. Even in a secure parking lot.