<p>Any recommendations on getting to Madison from the New York/New Jersey area? Where to stay in Madison? Thx!</p>
<p>We're going to visit for a Wisconsin Real weekend and got a direct flight from LaGuardia on American Airlines. We're staying at the Double Tree, which has a shuttle that goes to and from the airport as well as UW campus. I'm sure the hotel is fine, but nothing fancy.</p>
<p>you're flying direct to madison? we haven't figured out yet when we can go... thx!</p>
<p>The Hilton downtown is nice. About a mile walk along State Street (main drag) to campus. Or you can grab a short cab ride. The Westowner is good for access to the engineering and ag end of campus.</p>
<p>Thx - my son's interested in journalism; not sure what that means in terms of campus geography. I love the idea of not having to rent a car, though!</p>
<p>The Doubletree on Johnson Street is just a few blocks from the Humanities building and other "liberal arts" type classrooms. The Inn on the Park (a Best Western, I believe) and the Concourse (more expensive) are on the Capitol Square, six blocks from the beginning of the campus. You don't want a car on campus; there's no good place to park. However, if you stay on the east or west side of the city, and come downtown to campus early, there is the "Lake Street" parking ramp - but it's full by mid morning.</p>
<p>The three above are all good but not as nice as the Hilton. Hilton is also on ther Square. Doubletree is a former HJo's and is decent with the closest loaction. Lots of good restaurants nearer the Hilton. Another small hotel close to campus is the Campus Inn. Spendy.
Journalism is on the end of campus closer to downtown/State St.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thecampusinn.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.thecampusinn.com/</a></p>
<p>Thanks so much to all of you! CC is SOOoo helpful! (-;</p>
<p>Although I understand the caution noted above about parking difficulties, it can be very useful to have a car if only to tour the campus. This is particularly so if the weather is bad, and if your visit is before mid-April it's at least likely to be a little nippy. It's quite a distance from the State Street end of campus to the lakeshore dorms, for example. That's not really a problem for hearty students (I once lived in a far lakeshore dorm), but for parents on a visit it would be a very long walk. And the ride along Observatory Drive up Bascom Hill and overlooking Lake Mendota is not to be missed on a visit. Every time I drive it I wonder how there could be a more beautiful setting for a University anywhere.</p>
<p>Enjoy your visit but be forewarned -- Madison is a very intoxicating place for student and parent alike, and I'm not referring to drinking at all.</p>
<p>As was mentioned, Doubletree is very convenient and comfortable if not luxurious.
<a href="http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-372791-prod-hotel-action-read-ratings_and_reviews-i%5B/url%5D">http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-372791-prod-hotel-action-read-ratings_and_reviews-i</a></p>
<p>This will put you one block from the Southeast dorms and about 2-3 blocks from the Communications building, which houses the School of Journalism. You'll also be much closer to Bascom Hill and the Library Mall (the heart of campus), most of the buildings where an undergraduate is likely to be going to class, and Memorial Union, which concentrates the prevailing atmosphere on campus like nowhere else and, thus, should be visited. You'll also be close to State street, where the restaurants aren't quite so nice as on the Capitol Square but where the students are more likely to eat.</p>