<p>There is really no other time we can take our potential coastie to visit UW so we will have to make due. </p>
<p>How much of a zoo will this really be. Is it better than not visiting at all (which is also an option)?</p>
<p>Any advice? Parking, eating dinner, etc. We managed to get a room. We're getting a campus tour. No info session.</p>
<p>Avoid commencement weekend if at all possible- for you, not so, it appears. Friday to Sunday. With multiple ceremonies from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon there will be tons of extra people around. Also, final exams end on that Saturday so students will either be busy with them or be checking out of dorms- adding to the mass confusion, lack of parking and other events. You’re lucky you have a hotel room- we finally got around to it the month before and were shocked at the number of full hotels last year. Restaurants will be full with weekend diners plus graduation families. Make reservations in advance.</p>
<p>If you could extend your trip to include Monday it would be vastly different. You can look at the parking lots available for commencement, choose a west end one near Engineering and take the shuttle bus to near the Kohl center. Please don’t take prime parking near the Kohl Center- too many people before the morning and afternoon ceremonies an hour before. Do look at the commencement page under the registrar’s office UW site for details on parking and times. You could plan dinner/lunch during the ceremonies and beat the crowds. Sunday brunch is a common event for Wisconsin people. You may find city parking for State St near the Overture Center.</p>
<p>You may be able to sneak a peak at dorms since with moveouts there will be unlocked main doors. There should be dorm food service through Saturday- you can check out Res Halls food. Both Unions will be open. Libraries will be open. Just warn your student that due to finals and commencement the people scene will be very different than during the school year. Probably worth seeing the campus. Too bad you wouldn’t have time to see other places nearby and do Madison after commencement.</p>