Skip to main content

Local navigation

Making a Trip to Madison? Planning Is Easy

Welcome to Madison, UW parents! A city between two lakes, Madison offers students a world-class education in a vibrant metropolitan community.

The Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau offers many resources to help you plan your visit and explore the city’s unique opportunities beyond the university experience. The organization’s Web site is a great place to start.

Develop your trip itinerary with the site’s comprehensive calendar of events as well as restaurant and lodging information for the Greater Madison area. Get started by booking your hotel room directly from the Web site’s hotel search engine, powered by Travelocity. You can then build your own personalized itinerary or view a few sample itineraries, such as “Like a Local,” “Shopping Experience,” or “Summer Itinerary.” For ideas about some on-campus things to do, look at “University of Wisconsin Highlights.” Plan to check out some of Madison’s main attractions or tour architectural wonders, such as the State Capitol and the Monona Terrace, or walk through one of the many Madison museums or gardens. Plenty of exciting events are always going on in the area; a favorite event is the Dane County Farmers’ Market , one of the finest farmers’ markets in the country. It takes place outdoors around the Capitol Square from April through November, drawing about 18,000 people each Saturday.

Further resources for Madison information can be found in the Official Visitors Guide of Madison and visitor e-newsletter. You can view the current guide online or request a printed copy. The guide provides detailed information on attractions, shopping, dining, accommodations, maps, and much more. And be sure to sign up for the visitor e-newsletter to receive insider information on Madison specials and promotions.