See the University of Wisconsin-Madison Beyond the Campus Tour.
Private tours led by current UW-Madison students.
Tours 7 days a weekWe run fully private tours led by current students to give you a true perspective of everything, both on and off campus.
College is a huge investment in your future and personal growth, but academics are only half the story.
Students spend about 75% of their time outside class and that often defines their entire college experience.
Tour College Towns shows you the real Madison life, guided by current students who live it every day.
Private tours · Virtual 1-on-1s · Custom group tours
This was not the typical "marketing" type of University tour where everything is painted as sunshine and roses. You will get an honest and very informative tour using their service.
Parent Google
We got so much out of it, more than if we went on a general tour I think. And we were able to do it at a time that worked for us.
Family visit Google
My kid arrived a little nervous and by the end of our tour he couldn't stop smiling.
Parent Google
What stood out most was their ability to customize the experience so everyone was able to see the parts of campus they were most interested in, which is no small feat with a large group and a sprawling campus.
Group booking Google
We and our son found the information highly valuable. Take this tour - it's well worth it!
Parent Google
They showed our two grandsons the entire main campus, making certain to emphasize their interests, while exploring the social side as well. There was never a shortage of conversation or perspectives. We grandparents enjoyed interacting with them too.
Grandparent Google
They gave us a complete tour and they answered any and all questions we had. They really gave us insight as to what student life would be and represented the school well. Would highly recommend them for a campus tour!
Family visit Google
They were super easy to work with, adjusted day of for the attendees, and very professional!
Department event Google
Three ways to see UW-Madison.
In person, over video, or with your whole group. Tours run seven days a week, around your visit.
Private tour
60 to 90 minutes
Just your family and a current UW-Madison student. Campus, State Street, the Terrace, Greek life, and the neighborhoods upperclassmen rent in, shaped around your questions.
Book this tour →Virtual 1-on-1
30 minutes over video
Can't get to Madison yet? Ask a UW-Madison student anything about dorms, classes, Greek life, or what a normal week feels like.
Book this tour →Group tour
Built for your group
Bringing friends or a school group? We build the route and pair you with the right guides.
Request a quote →Why families book us
What makes our tour different.
The official tour runs the same route for everyone. Yours does not.
Built around your questions
Tell us what matters before you arrive. State Street, the Terrace, Langdon Street, where upperclassmen rent, Camp Randall Saturdays.
A guide that matches your family
The UW-Madison student closest to your student's major and interests.
Timing that fits your trip
Seven days a week, early or late, around your visit.
Private
Your family and a current student.
Honest answers
We are independent of the university. No script, nothing to sell you.
Our Team
Built by students, for students.
Connor Konieczny
UW-Madison Campus Lead
View bio
Hi! I am a sophomore studying finance here at UW-Madison. I am originally from Chicago and love to play sports, try new foods, ski, golf, and watch Survivor outside of school. On campus I am involved in Greek life, intramural hockey, and a variety of business student orgs.
Liam Zirkle
Co-founder
View bio
Born in Colorado. Studied finance and real estate at CU Boulder. Now expanding TCT while building a second startup in AI and tech. Skis, trains for endurance events and travels.
Ben Chwalek
Co-founder
View bio
Graduated from CU Boulder in personal financial planning. Works full time at Fidelity in Boston and builds TCT alongside it. Trains for Ironman and golfs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tour College Towns?
Tour College Towns runs private tours of college towns, led by current students, for parents and students deciding where to go to school. In Madison, that means a private campus tour for parents and their student: your guide walks your family through campus and the parts of town the official tour skips, and answers parents' questions about housing, Greek life and what a normal week looks like. We are independent and not affiliated with any college or university.
Who leads the tours?
A current University of Wisconsin-Madison student, trained by us and named on this page. Connor Konieczny is our UW-Madison Campus Lead and runs the tours here. We match your guide to what your student cares about.
How much does a tour cost, and how long is it?
A private tour is $150 for your whole group, not per person, and runs 60 to 90 minutes at your family's pace. Siblings and grandparents come along at no extra cost. A Virtual 1-on-1 is $50 for 30 minutes over video. Group tours are quoted.
How is it different from the official tour?
If the official admissions tour is full on the dates you are visiting Madison, ours still runs, seven days a week. The official tour covers admissions and academics and runs the same route for everyone. Ours covers the rest, where students live, eat, and spend their weekends, built around your questions. Do both if you can. The official visit is an admissions information session plus a 75-minute student-led walking tour, about two and a quarter hours in all, held on select weekdays and a few Saturdays and booked ahead on the university's website, as of November 2026.
When can I take the tour?
Any day of the week, weekends included and often on short notice. Private tours of campus and Madison run seven days a week, early or late, around your visit. Weekdays during the semester show campus at its busiest. We send the meeting spot and parking directions with your confirmation. Rescheduling is free up to 24 hours before your tour.
From the blog
All posts-
Admitted to UW-Madison? What to See Before You Commit
Admitted to UW-Madison? Before the May 1 deadline, sit in on a class, tour a residence hall, walk State Street and Langdon Street, and register for a spring admitted student event.
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UW-Madison Greek Life: Rush, Costs and Langdon Street
Greek life at UW-Madison is 60+ chapters and over 5,000 members in four councils, with fall recruitment, chapter houses on Langdon Street and dues set by each chapter.
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UW-Madison Dorms for Freshmen: The 19 Halls
UW-Madison freshmen live in 19 residence halls in two neighborhoods, Lakeshore and Southeast, at $3,675 to $5,075 a semester in 2026-27, plus a required dining plan.
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UW-Madison Off-Campus Housing and When to Sign
Many UW-Madison students move off campus after year one, to Langdon Street, Mifflin and Bassett, State Street or Regent Street, and sign next fall's lease in the fall.
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Restaurants Near UW-Madison for a Family Visit
Restaurants near UW-Madison cluster in three places a family walks anyway: Memorial Union on Lake Mendota, State Street, and the Capitol Square. Addresses, walking times and hours, dated.
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What Is UW-Madison Known For? 6 Things to Know
UW-Madison is known for its lakeside campus on Lake Mendota, the Memorial Union Terrace, Jump Around at Camp Randall, State Street, and research that ranks fifth in the country by spending.
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UW-Madison Tour Dates and When to Visit, 2026-27
UW-Madison tour dates for 2026-27 post on Visit Bucky a few weeks ahead. Plan around Thanksgiving recess, finals, commencement and football, and visit on a weekday while classes are in session.
Read this post -
UW-Madison Campus Visit: A One-Day Plan for Parents
A UW-Madison campus visit fits in one day: the official session at Union South, lunch on Lake Mendota, State Street to the Capitol, and a private tour of what the official route skips.
Read this post
Ready to tour Madison?
See Madison like a local, with a current student as your guide.
7 days a week · Private tours · Virtual 1-on-1s · Group tours