Plan Your Visit

Please note that part of West Dayton Street is closed for construction from April to November 2019. Be prepared to take an alternate route if necessary.

Union South Welcome Desk

1308 W. Dayton Street (map)

• Take I-90 or US 151 to Hwy 12/18
• Exit Hwy 12/18 at Park Street (Exit 261 B)
• Proceed north on Park Street about 2.25 miles to W. Dayton St., turn left
• Proceed five blocks west, Union South is on the right
• Parking is available in basement parking structure or in area lots (17 or 20)

Town Center Welcome Desk

Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery (Discovery) — 330 N. Orchard Street (map)

• Discovery is located directly north of Union South

Memorial Union Welcome Desk

800 Langdon Street (map)

• Take I-90 or US 151 to Hwy 12/18
• Exit Hwy 12/18 at Park Street (Exit 261 B)
• Proceed north on Park Street about 3 miles to Langdon St.
• Parking is available in Helen C. White Hall basement parking structure (immediately west of Memorial Union) or in the City of Madison State Street Campus Lot, on north Lake St., one block east and one block south of Memorial Union.

Please note that part of West Dayton Street is closed for construction from April to November 2019. Be prepared to take an alternate route if necessary.

Parking on or near campus is limited. Allow extra time in your schedule to find parking. Visitor parking is available in city-run ramps and lots; and in university garages and ramps. Street parking near campus is usually restricted to two hours.

City Parking Ramps

Parking close to the east side of campus is available at the city’s State Street Campus Ramp, located north of University Avenue with entrances on both Lake and Frances streets.

Public Parking on Campus

The campus map shows locations of public parking on campus. Select “Show me… Public Parking” and locations will appear. Click on any “P” for details of that location, including realtime availability.

Or, check online for current parking availability in campus ramps and garages, or visit the Transportation Services drive-through location at 21 North Park St. upon arrival.

Planning ahead? You may purchase a daily or half-day permit in advance by completing this online form or calling the Special Events Office at (608) 262-8683. Please allow two weeks for processing.

Metered public parking is very limited in campus surface lots. Meters on campus no longer accept coins. They now use the Parkmobile Parking Meter System. Signs in each lot give time limits, fee rate, parking zone #, and contact information for Parkmobile.

For complete details of all parking options available to visitors, contact Transportation Services.

On campus

UW–Madison offers accommodations for guests attending university-related functions or conducting university business. They run the range from residence hall-like to comparable to a fine boutique hotel. Check individual websites for current rates and guest eligibility guidelines.

The Lowell Center, 610 Langdon Street

Wisconsin Union Hotel, Union South – 1308 W. Dayton Street

The Fluno Center for Executive Education, 601 University Avenue

Short Course Residence Halls (Humphrey Hall and Jorns Hall). Since these are often used by students enrolled in short courses through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, availability may be limited October through April.

During the summer, for youth and adult groups of at least 20 guests who are attending a conference or program sponsored by a university department, University Housing offers residence halls, dining rooms and catering services.

Madison

Being in the heart of the city, there are many accommodation choices, from luxury to budget-minded. The Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau has complete listings. Availability may be limited when there are large events and conventions being held in the city or on campus, such as football weekends, commencement, Ironman Wisconsin and the World Dairy Expo.

View and download publications

Campus and Visitor Relations offers a number of publications as PDF downloads or in person when you visit us on campus. Our Information and Welcome Desks at Union South and Memorial Union also have other useful publications which will help you make the most of your visit. Our staff will be happy to assist you with your selections.

On campus

With restaurants in the two student unions, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and nine delis in campus buildings, the Wisconsin Union offers a wide assortment of foods to conquer any hunger and to fit any schedule and budget.

University Housing Dining and Culinary Services serves the residents of the University Residence Halls. But you don’t have to be a student to eat in a residence hall. Faculty, staff and guests are welcome to dine in any University Housing facilities during the school year in dining rooms, carryout stores and delis.

A trip to UW–Madison wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Babcock Hall Dairy Store, the oldest university dairy plant in the United States. Best known for ice cream, Babcock also makes cheeses and locally produced milk. Visitors may view dairy plant observations via the second floor observation deck.

The Town Center at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery offers two unique dining venues: a café and a restaurant with a full-service menu.

Madison

Madison offers a fantastic array of dining options from ethnic to continental cuisines to burgers and everything in between! For a comprehensive list of dining options in the downtown area, contact Madison’s Central Business Improvement District. For a list of dining options in Madison and surrounding communities, visit the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau.