Campus Visits & Tours

Our admissions staff and tour guides welcome thousands of visitors to campus each year. Most are high school students interested in learning more about UW–Madison, but we also invite the campus community, school groups, and others to join us for a tour of campus. Come meet our students, visit our classrooms, tour our buildings, and learn more about the Wisconsin experience.

Prospective Students

Every Monday through Friday, beginning at 12:30 p.m., you can join one of our admission counselors for a group information session followed by a student-guided campus walking tour. On some weekdays, we offer an additional information session and tour starting at 10:15 a.m. While you’re on campus, you can also choose to sit in on a class, tour one of our recreational facilities, and attend an academic presentation in your area of interest. Our weekend visit program features a student-led campus walking tour beginning at noon.

Prospective transfer students are encouraged to participate in our Transfer Student Visit Day program, which takes place on select Fridays during the academic year.

Make a Reservation

The easiest way to make a reservation is with our online campus visit reservation site. Please let us know you’re coming at least two weeks in advance as some programs do fill. If you have specific questions about visiting campus or would like to make your reservation over the phone, feel free to call 608–262–3318 or send an e-mail to visitbucky@admissions.wisc.edu.

When to Visit

The best time to visit is weekdays when classes are in session. Keep in mind our academic calendar when planning your visit.

Walking Tours

Join our student tour guides for a 100-minute walking tour of our campus highlights. Walking tours leave from the Campus Information Center at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling 608–262–3318. Please note that walking tours are not offered on home football Saturdays, state holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and Sundays November through February.

Self-Guided Tours

Our campus map features many campus highlights, including key academic buildings, campus landmarks, the residence hall neighborhoods, and several recreational and athletic facilities. Pick up a map at the Campus Information Center or print a copy today.

Group Visits

Visitor & Information Programs is pleased to offer customizable group visits for school groups, university staff and faculty, conference participants, alumni groups, foreign delegations, civic groups, and others. We’ll be happy to recommend highlights, coordinate the logistics, and provide experienced tour guides.

Visit Requests & Logistics

Please go to the Visitor & Information Programs Web site to complete the online visit request form. Once your request has been received, a member of the staff will contact you to set up your customized visit. Please schedule your visit several weeks in advance.

Visit Options

Depending on the age, size of your group, and its interests, we can tour campus and/or specific buildings. Some of our most popular group visit options are:

• Campus Tour: Our knowledgeable tour guides can customize a tour to fit your interests and age levels. Guided walking tours, as well as “step-on” guides for bus or van tours, are available.
• Science and Nature Tour: From earth to space and from laboratory to the great outdoors, explore science through hands-on experiences. Some sites include the Geology Museum, Space Place, Arboretum, Physics Museum, Allen Centennial Gardens, and the Biotech Center.
• History Tour: Tour the Bascom Hill Historic District and visit the Native American effigy mounds, which integrate Wisconsin and university history; or see the Armory and Gymnasium, a National Historic Landmark and home to the Office of Admissions.
• Arts Tour: Visit the world-class Chazen Museum of Art or listen to a concert from the Memorial Carillon. We can also visit many of the other unique galleries, performance venues, and art exhibits on campus.

Campus Visit Options

The following are general options for our daily campus visit program. Availability is subject to demand, time of year, and other schedule considerations. The full set of options for your prefered visit day will be presented to you upon reservation.

 

• Admission Information Session and Campus Tour
  Mon.–Fri. 12:30–3 p.m.
• Campus Walking Tour Only
  Mon.–Fri. 3–4:30 p.m.
  Sat.–Sun. 12 noon–1:30 p.m.
  *No Sun. tours Nov.–Feb. or on home football Saturdays
• Recreational Facility Tour
  Mon. and Fri. 11 a.m.–12 noon
• Academic Information Sessions
  School of Business
  Fri. 3:30 p.m.
  
  School of Education
  Fri. 3:30 p.m.
  
  College of Engineering
  Mon. and Fri. 3:30 p.m.,
  Thurs. 10:45 a.m.
  
  College of Letters and Science
  Fri. 3:30 p.m.
  
  Honors Program
  Thurs. and Fri. 9 a.m.