Area Information

Driving Directions

From I-81 North

Traveling north on 81, take exit 245 and turn right. Immediately get into the left turning lane. Make a left onto Forest Hill Rd. At the stop sign, make a left onto Oak Hill Rd. Continuing on Oak Hill, the Convocation Center will be on the left followed by the Arboretum on the right. Make a left at the JMU entrance onto Carrier Drive. The Festival Conference and Student Center is 0.25 mile on the left.

From I-81 South

Traveling south on 81, take exit 245 and turn left. After crossing over the highway, get into the left turning lane. Make a left onto Forest Hill Rd. At the stop sign, make a left onto Oak Hill Rd. Continuing on Oak Hill, the Convocation Center will be on the left followed by the Arboretum on the right. Make a left at the JMU entrance onto Carrier Drive. The Festival Conference and Student Center is 0.25 mile on the left.

Parking

All visitors to campus must have a valid parking permit. For more information, please see the Festival Event Parking page or the JMU Parking Services website.

 

Hotel Guide

Hotel Name

Phone Number

Total # of rooms available

# of  single rooms

# of double rooms

Conference Rate
Comfort Inn* 540-433-6066 102 16 86 $65 – $79**
Courtyard by Marriott 540-432-3031 125 90 35 $79**
Days Inn 540-433-9353 89 $56**
Holiday Inn* 540-433-2521 100 $60**
Best Western 540-433-6089 98 22 76 $69**
Hampton Inn 540-432-1111 100 $75**
Jameson Inn 540-442-1515 60 30 30 $74**
Sleep Inn 540-433-7100 81 35 46 $75**

* Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn are side by side on shared property.
** Please note: A 11% sales tax will be added to the Conference Rates.  Conference Rates are subject to change based on hotel rate increases.

James Madison University’s Conference Services can coordinate hotel room needs for your group.

Dining Guide

Restaurant Address Phone Cuisine Cost
Applebee’s 1860 E. Market St 540-438-8121 Grill and Bar $$
Bluestone Inn 9107 N Valley Pike 540-434-0535 American $$$
Bob Evans 196 Burgess Rd. 540-574-4666 American $$
Boston Beanery Market Square East 540-433-1870 American $$
Bravo Italian Eatery 1647 East Market St. 540-438-8985 Italian $$
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 221 University Blvd 540-801-0700 Ice Cream $
Chili’s Grill and Bar 1572 E. Market St. 540-564-1142 Tex-Mex $$
China Jade 1790 East Market St. 540-564-1922 Chinese $
Cold Stone Creamery 245 Burgess Rd. 540-432-0677 Ice Cream $
Dave’s Taverna 95 South Main St. 540-564-4487 Greek $$$
El Charro 1570 E Market St. 540-564-0386 Mexican $
El Charro 1580 S Main St. 540-433-3189 Mexican $
International House of Pancakes 1019 University Blvd. 540-438-9251 American $$
Jalisco 243 Neff Ave. 540-434-8634 Mexican $
Jess’s Lunch 22 S. Main St. 540-434-8282 American $
Jess’s Lunch #2 1746 E Market St 540-434-8280 American $
Joshua Wilton House 412 S. Main St. 540-434-4464 Fine Dining $$$$
Kline’s Dairy Bar 58 E Wolfe St. 540-434-6980 Ice Cream $
Kyoto Steakhouse 829 E. Market St. 540-574-4901 Japanese $$
L’Italia 815 E. Market St. 540-433-0961 Italian $$$
O’ Charleys 101 Burgess Rd. 540-432-6662 American $$
Outback Steakhouse 261 University Blvd. 540-438-0190 Steak $$
Panera Bread 295 Burgess Rd. 540-433-6333 American $
Qdoba Mexican Grill 223 Burgess Rd. 540-564-1515 Mexican $
Red Lobster 2121 E. Market St. 540-564-2719 Seafood $$
Ruby Tuesday Valley Mall 540-432-9080 American $$
Taste of Thai 919 S. High St. 540-801-8878 Thai $$
Texas Roadhouse 1860 Evelyn Byrd Ave. 540-801-0324 Steak $$
Texas Steakhouse 1688 E. Market St. 540-433-3650 Steak $$
The Blue Nile 1251 Virginia Ave. 540-432-6453 Ethiopian $$
Traditions 625 Mt. Clinton Pike 540-438-0301 American $$

 

Airports

James Madison University is located less than 20 minutes from the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, and approximately one hour from the Charlottesville Albermarle Airport.  It takes about 2 hours to drive to campus from from Richmond International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, or Reagan Washington National Airport.