Picture of Madison, view from the lake.

Travel, Accomodations & Visiting Madison

Welcome to Madison!

Here, you will find directions and information for getting to Madison, traveling around the city, and lodging options, as well as suggestions for dining and other activities and attractions.

Location

Pyle Center

This year the GAFIS Symposium is held at Pyle Center
(702 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706).

 

Pyle Center Website

Getting to Madison

Arrival information from Madison (Dane County Regional) Airport:

Note: Generally, it isn’t necessary to rent a car if you arrive via Dane County Regional Airport. The airport is located only about six miles from the downtown Madison and UW campus area, and taxi service is available. If you do choose to rent a car, check with your hotel directly about parking availability.

Arrival Information from Chicago O’Hare/Midway/Milwaukee:

By car:

  • Approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Milwaukee (via I-94)
  • Approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Chicago (via I-90)

By bus:

Getting around Madison

  • Walking: State Street is the main route from the Capitol to campus and has a lot of restaurants and shops. It is closed to vehicle traffic except buses.
  • Biking: Madison is very bike-friendly. If you’d like to rent a bike to use while you’re here, check out Madison B-Cycle to take advantage of stations across the city.
  • Buses: The local bus line is relatively inexpensive at $2 per one-way trip. Bus numbers 80, 81, 82, and 84 run through the campus and are free of charge. See the bus Routes & Schedules here.

Lodging

Please get in touch with G. Charles Kilian, our Housing & Transportation Committee Chair, with housing questions.

On-campus Lodging:

Union South 1308 W. Dayton St.

Memorial Union Guest Rooms 800 Langdon St.

Downtown Madison Lodging:

Graduate Madison 601 Langdon Street

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown 525 W. Johnson Street

Hampton Inn & Suites Madison / Downtown 440 W. Johnson Street

Hyatt Place Madison/Downtown 333 W Washington Avenue

West of Campus Lodging:

Best Western Plus Inn Towner 2424 University Ave

Hi – Madison Hostel 141 South Butler Street

Dining

While you’re here, we hope you have time to sample some local fare! Here are some recommendations we think you’ll enjoy.

Pub fare

Great Dane 123 E Doty Street

Old Fashioned 23 N Pickney Street. (Try the cheese curds!)

Coopers Tavern 20 W Mifflin Street

Asian

Tavernakaya 27 E. Main St.

Morris Ramen 106 King St.

Fugu 411 W Gilman Street

Italian

Bar Corallini 2004 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704

Pizza Brutta 1805 Monroe St, Madison,

Cento 122 W Mifflin Street

Osteria Papavero 128 E Wilson Street

Mediterranean

Parthenon Gyros 316 State Street

MedCafé (Mediterranean) 625 State Street

Adamah Neighborhood Table (Kosher) 611 Langdon Street