Leave Erie, Pennsylvania around 8:00 AM for the approximately 8–9-hour drive to Madison, allowing extra time for fuel, lunch, construction, and brief stretch breaks. Take I-90 W through Ohio and Indiana, then continue toward Wisconsin on I-94 W; keep an eye on traffic around Chicago, where delays can add significant time. A practical plan is to stop for fuel and a meal before reaching the Chicago area, then make one final coffee or restroom stop west of the city. Since you are arriving around 1:00 PM, confirm the rental-car pickup details in advance and allow time for the airport counter, vehicle inspection, and navigation to your hotel. From Dane County Regional Airport, the drive to the west side is generally about 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
After checking in or dropping your bags at AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West, drive to The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. – Fitchburg for an easy first-night dinner. It is a good choice after a long drive: the menu has burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other filling options, with local beer if you would like one—although keep it light if you still need to shop and prepare for the conference. Budget about $20–35 per person, and allow roughly an hour. The restaurant is a short drive from the hotel area, but check the evening hours and wait times before leaving, especially if there is a game or event nearby.
Stop at Target Madison West afterward for bottled water, snacks, toiletries, pain relievers, breakfast items, and anything missing from your suitcase. Pick up portable foods that can be eaten quickly before the 7:00 AM conference start, such as fruit, yogurt, granola bars, and sandwiches. Return to AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West, unpack only what you need, and lay out Thursday’s clothes, shoes, badge materials, charger, notebook, and travel mug. Set two alarms, confirm the conference address and morning route, and aim for an early night; after the long drive, convenience matters more than sightseeing this evening.
Be at the HHPF conference venue by 6:45–7:00 AM for registration, coffee, and a settled start; the first day runs through approximately 6:00 PM. Keep lunch on-site if it is provided—this is the easiest option and avoids losing time in Madison traffic. Bring a refillable water bottle, a light sweater for cool meeting rooms, comfortable shoes, your badge, notebook, phone charger, and any printed confirmation or session schedule. Since you’ll be at the conference all day, use breaks to confirm Saturday’s massage appointment rather than trying to fit in sightseeing.
After the conference, pick up dinner from Milio’s Sandwiches in the Madison area; allow about 45 minutes, with roughly $12–20 per person for a sandwich, chips, and a drink. Takeout is sensible after a long day, and you can eat back at the AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West rather than adding another outing. Before turning in, lay out Friday’s conference clothes, put your badge and notebook beside your bag, charge your phone and any other devices, and set out breakfast items and water so the early start is uncomplicated. Check the drive time to the venue before bed—morning traffic on Madison’s west side can add 10–20 minutes, so plan to leave with a cushion for the 7:00 AM start.
Arrive at the HHPF conference by about 6:45–7:00 AM for the second full day, which runs until approximately 6:00 PM. Keep breakfast simple at the hotel or bring coffee and a portable snack; with such a long schedule, pack a refillable water bottle, comfortable shoes, a light layer, and phone chargers. If you have a genuine break, use it to step outside briefly rather than trying to fit in sightseeing—the conference day is the main event.
After the conference, drive or use a rideshare to The Harvey House in the Capitol East District, allowing roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic and the venue’s location. This polished restaurant is a good change of pace, with Wisconsin-focused cooking and a relaxed but special atmosphere; budget approximately $40–70 per person before drinks, tax, and tip. Make a reservation in advance, especially for a Friday evening, and tell the restaurant if you need to keep dinner close to 90 minutes.
From dinner, continue to Capitol Square for an easy 30-minute evening walk. The illuminated Wisconsin State Capitol is especially striking after dark, and you can wander along the square and nearby State Street without needing a car. Street parking downtown can be difficult and often metered, so rideshare is the least stressful option; otherwise, check the Capitol Square parking garages before leaving the restaurant.
Head back to AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West after the walk, allowing about 15–20 minutes by car or rideshare. Keep the rest of the evening quiet: lay out Saturday’s conference clothes, repack your work materials, charge electronics, and set an early alarm. Since Saturday begins at 7:00 AM, aim to be back at the hotel by roughly 9:30–10:00 PM.
Arrive at the HHPF conference by 6:45–7:00 AM for the final day, which runs until approximately 6:00 PM. Bring your conference materials, charger, refillable water bottle, and a small snack; after three long days, comfortable shoes and a light layer are especially worthwhile. Keep lunch on-site if available, and use any short breaks to confirm your Sunday flight, rental-car return instructions, and airport timing.
After the conference, allow roughly 15–25 minutes by car through west Madison traffic to Koi Therapeutic Massage. Book the approximately 60-minute session in advance and confirm the address, parking, price, cancellation policy, and whether gratuity is expected; a typical affordable therapeutic massage in the area may run about $70–100 before tip. Afterward, drive a few minutes to Taqueria Guadalajara for an easy final dinner—budget about $15–25 per person, and allow an hour rather than rushing. Then return to AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West and pack completely: keep identification, phone, wallet, medication, and boarding details in your personal item; place rental-car paperwork and anything needed for Sunday together by the door. Set out airport clothes, charge electronics, check in for the flight if available, and set an alarm early enough to leave with plenty of time for the rental-car return.
After checking out, leave the AmericInn West area around 9:00 AM and drive to Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center downtown, allowing roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Spend about 45 minutes on the rooftop terrace and lakefront level if accessible; the views over Lake Monona are a pleasant final look at Madison. Sunday building hours and terrace access can vary, so check the center’s schedule before leaving, and keep luggage in the locked trunk rather than carrying it around.
Walk or drive a few blocks to Madison Farmers’ Market on Capitol Square for about 45 minutes. The Sunday market schedule may differ from the large Saturday market, so confirm that it is operating on September 27 before relying on it; if open, this is a good place to pick up Wisconsin cheese, baked goods, and small gifts. From downtown, allow about 15–20 minutes to reach Dane County Regional Airport by car, plus extra time for downtown traffic and rental-car return.
Leave downtown by approximately 11:00 AM and follow the airport signs via E. Washington Avenue/US-151. Return the rental car at Dane County Regional Airport around 1:30 PM, then proceed to check-in and security for the approximately 4:00 PM flight to Erie, Pennsylvania. Keep your boarding pass, identification, medications, and any conference materials in your personal bag; the airport is manageable, but returning the car early gives you a comfortable buffer for fueling, locating the correct rental return lane, and any flight delays.
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