Visiting UW-La Crosse
Visiting campus is one of the best ways to know for yourself if we'll be the right fit for your college experience. Throughout the year we offer campus tours, appointments, Group Information Sessions, and special day-long visit events called Campus Close-Ups. You can also take our Interactive Campus Tour.
Visit options
- Campus Close-Ups
- Learn more about UW-L during a special day-long visit event.
- Group Information Sessions
- Information sessions and campus tours for prospective freshmen and their families
- Campus tours and appointments
- Field Trips and Special Group Visits
Additional visit information
- Virtual campus tour
- Get a look at our campus right now.
- Campus map and panoramas
- Parking on campus
- Directions to UW-L
- Lodging information
- The La Crosse community
- Vanguards
- Vanguards is a student volunteer, public relations organization that represents the UW-L student body during campus tours, college fairs, high school visits, Campus Close-Up programs, and freshman registration.
Campus Close-Ups
Six special visitation days, called Campus Close-Ups, are held during the academic year. The day-long program includes information on new freshman admissions, academic programs, financial aid, residence life, extracurricular activities, the city of La Crosse, and interaction with current students.
Campus Close-Ups are FREE–the only cost to you is lunch. The program begins in Cartwright Center at 9:30 a.m. and concludes by 3:15 p.m., which includes a campus tour.
Campus Close-Up dates for Fall 2009:
Friday,
October 16, 2009
Thursday,
October 29, 2009
Friday,
October 30, 2009
Friday,
November 13, 2009
Campus Close-Up dates for Spring 2010:
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, April
30, 2010
Sample Campus Close-Up Itinerary
Group Information Sessions
UW-L also offers Group Information Sessions for prospective freshmen and their families. Admissions counselors will explain admission guidelines, academic programs, the freshman application process, housing, and the campus community. A campus tour is included. The Group Information Session, including campus tour, lasts two hours.
Reservations for each student attending are required for Group Information Sessions.
Summer 2009 Group Information Session Dates:
Please schedule your summer visit at least two weeks in advance since space is limited.
- July 1 – August 28, 2009, Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m.
The following dates have been selected to have a 1:15 p.m. Group Information Session
Friday, July 24, 31
Monday,
August 3, 10, 17, 24
Friday,
August 7, 14, 21, 28
Fall 2009 Group Information Session Date:
The following dates will offer Group Information Sessions at 10:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
Friday, September 18
Friday,
September 25
Friday,
October 2
Friday,
October 9
Monday,
October 12
Thursday,
October 15
Friday,
October 23
Friday,
November 6
Friday,
November 20
Friday,
December 11
Spring 2010 Group Information Session Dates (for high school juniors and sophomores only):
The following Group Information Sessions will start at 10:00 a.m.
Monday, February 15
Friday,
February 26
Friday, March
5
Friday, March
12
Monday, March
22
Friday, March
26
Monday, March
29
Tuesday,
March 30
Wednesday,
March 31
Thursday,
April 1
Friday, April
2
Monday, April
5
Tuesday,
April 6
Wednesday,
April 7
Thursday,
April 8
Friday, April
9
Friday, April
16
Friday, April
23
Friday, May 7
Campus tours and appointments
Reservations for each student are required for campus tours and appointments.
Campus tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the academic year and at 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, during the summer session. The 60-minute walking tour led by a current student includes academic buildings, recreational facilities, and a residence hall.
Academic year tours:
September 8, 2009 - May 7, 2010
Summer session tours:
June 8, 2009 - August 28, 2009
Tours are NOT available:
May 9 - June 7, 2009
August 29 - September 7, 2009
November 26 - 29, 2009
December 17 - January 24, 2010
March 13 - 21, 2010
May 8 - June 6, 2010
August 28 - September 6, 2010
Appointments for prospective freshmen
Appointments with admission counselors are available for prospective freshmen on specific dates during the academic year. Prospective freshmen visiting in July and August are encouraged to attend a Group Information Session and campus tour.
Appointments for prospective transfer students
Prospective transfer students may make appointments with an admission counselor throughout the year. Admitted transfer students should make an appointment with their academic advisor as indicated in their admission materials.
Field Trips and Special Group Visits
To schedule class or group field trips to UW-L, please call the Admissions Office at (608) 785-8939.
Parking on campus
Parking permits are required for all campus visits except Campus Close-Up. A parking permit will be sent with your visit confirmation. If you are attending a Campus Close-Up, you may park in any university commuter lot, but we recommend either Lot #3 located at the corner of East Ave. and Badger St. or Lot #6 located at the corner of East Ave. and Farwell St.
Directions to UW-La Crosse
Internet Mapping Services and GPS Devices: Enter the address 600 East Ave., La Crosse, WI, 54601. When prompted to choose between 600 East Ave. N. and 600 East Ave. S., choose 600 East Ave. N. These directions will lead you onto campus, where you can park in lot C-2, C-3, or C-6.
From Interstate I-90, Exit 3, Exit 4 and Exit 5 all lead to the UW-La Crosse campus, but only the closest exit is listed below for each direction. Exit 3 travels along the scenic Great River Road and is the main route to Historic Downtown La Crosse. Exit 4 is a direct route south linking Hwy. 53 from the north with Hwy. 16. Exit 5 is the most easterly route into the City of La Crosse via Hwy. 16.
From the west (I-90):
Exit Interstate I-90 at Exit 3 onto US 53 South. Drive 3.9 miles and turn left on La Crosse Street; continue for 1.1 miles and turn right on East Avenue to Campus.
From the north (Hwy. 53):
If traveling south on Highway 53 (go over I-90 at Exit 4). Follow Highway 157 to Highway 16. Turn right on Highway 16. Drive 3.5 miles and turn right on La Crosse Street and then left on East Avenue to campus.
From the east (I-90):
Travelers heading west to La Crosse on Interstate I-90 exit at Onalaska-La Crosse Highway 16 (Exit 5). Turn left onto Highway 16. Drive 4.8 miles and right on La Crosse Street and then left on East Avenue to campus.
From the south:
Highway 14, 61, and 35 enter the city on the south. Follow the green "UW-La Crosse" signs north on Losey Boulevard to Highway 16 (3.0 miles). Turn left on La Crosse Street and then left on East Avenue to campus.