Getting Around and Where to Stay
Travel | Accommodations | Parking | Visitor Information
Click HERE for more tips on getting to and around the conference venue.
Travel
Airports
College Park is conveniently located near three major airports that serve the Washington, D.C. area:
- Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)
- Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Travel times from airports to University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) range from approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. The airports and UMCP are linked by a wide range of transportation options, including the Washington, D.C. metro, airport shuttles, and taxis. The Washington, D.C. metro rail has a line to and from DCA and combination of rail and B30 bus to and from BWI or 5A bus to and from the IAD. Rental cars are available at all three airports.
Ground Transportation
The Washington, D.C. metro connects downtown Washington, D.C. and the College Park metro station, where UMCP is located. Free UMCP shuttle service (Route 104, College Park Metro) is available from the College Park metro station to the campus. In addition to travel on and around campus, these convenient transportation options will allow conference attendees the opportunity to enjoy the culture, history, and beautiful weather of the nation's capital.
By Train
AMTRAK offers train service to Washington-Union metro station, D.C. (WAS), or New Carrollton, MD (NCR). From either station you can then take the Washington, D.C. metro or a taxi to College Park.
Accommodations
The official hotel of the conference is the Holiday Inn, College Park. The Holiday Inn is a 10-minute drive to the conference site, the location of the conference banquest, and there is shuttle service that runs between to the conference venue.
You can reserve a room (which comes with internet access) at the conference rate of $99 per night by calling Globetrotter at 800-322-7032 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5:30pm). If you are unable to make a reservation by phone through Globetrotter, you can make an online reservation directly with Holiday Inn, College Park and mention UMD-ACAL to receive the conference rate. Holiday Inn will be cross-checking their list of discounted reservations against our list of registered participants. If you make the hotel reservation in a name other than what you provided for online registration, or if you will be registering on-site, please inform Sherrita Rose (srose@casl.umd.edu) of your hotel reservation.
University of Maryland On-Campus Accommodations
** Access to online registration (including on-campus housing reservations) will close at midnight on Monday, June 6 **
(Please contact acal2011@umd.edu for inquiries regarding on-campus housing reservations after this date.)
Campus housing is available at a fixed rate of $246 per person (single occupancy) or $150 per person (shared/double occupancy) for the 3-night duration of the conference (June 9 - June 12). If you wish to book an extra night for June 8 or June 13, there is an additional charge of $82 (single) or $50 (double) per night.
Proceed to registration to book a room, or visit On-Campus Accommodations for more information.
Alternative local accommodations
Marriott Inn & Conference Center: This hotel is conveniently located on the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) campus and is within a 10-minute walk of the conference site.
Hilton Garden Inn: The Hilton Garden Inn is located just off I-95 and 495 (i.e., exit 23). All rooms include complimentary high-speed internet access. It is approximately a 10-minute drive from the conference site.
Parking Information
Visitor parking at the University of Maryland is primarily available in four parking garages and two surface lots which have been converted to pay by space digital pay stations. A limited number of other pay by space meters are located around campus. The campus map provides a visual view of the location of these spaces. The hourly parking rate, hours of operation, and parking restrictions may vary by location. Please remember that listed rates and operating hours are subject to change. Visitor parking may not be available during special events. Read any posted signs before parking. Visit the Department of Transportation site for details regarding the new pay stations and their operation.
Conference participants can park in Lot 1 for free on Saturday and Sunday. For Thursday and Friday, we recommend using a pay station in the garage ($3/hour with a $15 daily maximum). The garage closest to the Stamp Student Union is the Regents Drive Garage (labeled “2” on the Visitor Parking Map). Anyone who arranges for on-campus housing can request a parking permit for Lot 1 for the duration of your stay.
** PLEASE NOTE: LOT 1 is located on Campus Drive east of the Marriott Inn, not to be confused with the Mowatt Lane Garage which is labeled “1” on the Visitor Parking Map **
- Download a campus map.
- Download a visitor parking map.
Visitor Information
College Park, MD
Whether your passion is art, nature, music, or history, College Park, MD has something to offer everyone.
Some highlights:
- ACAL Tip: The David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora–This campus center features an outstanding gallery of African American art.
- College Park Airport and Aviation Museum–Learn about the history of flight at the world's oldest continuously operating airport.
- The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (CSPAC)–Located on the University of Maryland campus, CSPAC stages approximately 1,000 live performances per year.
- The National Archives II–The world’s largest archival facility.
- Lake Artemisia Natural Area Park–For the nature lover, Lake Artemisia Natural Area Park features a 38-acre lake, more than two miles of trails for hiking and biking, and an aquatic garden.
- University of Maryland Visitor Guide
Washington, D.C.
Just a short metro ride away, Washington, D.C. is home to some of the country’s best museums, restaurants, entertainment, and historic attractions.
Some Highlights:
- ACAL Tip: The Smithsonian–Choose from 19 world-class museums, all with free admission. We recommend the African Art Museum, as well as the National History Museum, which features an impressive gallery on African American history and culture, soon to become its own museum.
- The Capitol Building–More than just the meeting place of U.S. legislature, the Capitol features some of the world’s most stunning architecture and a new Visitor’s Center.
- Kennedy Center–For lovers of the performing arts, the Kennedy Center is where the best performers in the world put on a show.
- Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, U Street, Georgetown, and Capitol Hill–These popular D.C. neighborhoods are great places to visit for restaurants and nightlife.