Northwestern University Campus Tour
Architecture, history & things to do near Northwestern University (Northwestern)
Why Walk Northwestern University Campus
Northwestern's 240-acre lakefront campus stretches along Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois. University Hall, an 1869 Gothic limestone building, is the oldest structure on campus. Deering Library, a 1933 Collegiate Gothic landmark with a reading room modeled after King's College Chapel, sits near the lake. The Ryan Center for the Musical Arts houses the Bienen School of Music. The Technological Institute (Tech), one of the longest buildings in the United States, contains the McCormick School of Engineering labs. The Kellogg School of Management operates from the modern glass Global Hub on the north end of campus. The lakefront path and the Lakefill — reclaimed land extending into the lake — give students beach and skyline views.
About Northwestern University
Founded
Chartered in 1851; first classes held in 1855.
Type
Private research university, member of the Big Ten Conference and the Association of American Universities.
Setting
Main Evanston campus sits on the shore of Lake Michigan, about 12 miles north of downtown Chicago. A separate Chicago campus in the Streeterville neighborhood houses the medical and law schools.
Enrollment
About 22,000-23,000 total students, with roughly 8,000-9,000 undergraduates; the rest are graduate and professional students.
Mascot
Willie the Wildcat; teams are the Wildcats, colors purple and white.
Free Northwestern University Campus Tour with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free Northwestern University campus tour with audio narration. Explore Deering Library, The Lakefill, Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, plus hidden spots like Shakespeare Garden and The Technological Institute (Tech), at your own pace without booking a group tour.
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Must-See Spots at Northwestern University
- •Deering Library — a 1933 Collegiate Gothic library with a reading room modeled after King's College Chapel, Cambridge
- •The Lakefill — a reclaimed peninsula extending into Lake Michigan, built with rubble from demolished Chicago buildings, now a park and study spot
- •Ryan Center for the Musical Arts — a state-of-the-art concert hall and home to the Bienen School of Music, opened in 2015
- •University Hall — Northwestern's oldest building (1869), a rugged Gothic limestone structure with a central tower
Signature Architecture
- •University Hall — Oldest building on campus, completed in 1869 in Gothic-style limestone (Joliet stone). It originally held much of the university and now houses humanities departments, including English.
- •Deering Library — Collegiate Gothic library completed in 1933, designed by James Gamble Rogers (architect of Yale's residential colleges). Now a reading room and special collections space; the modern University Library was built behind it and opened in 1970.
- •Pick-Staiger Concert Hall — The campus concert hall on the Arts Circle, opened in 1975 with about 1,000 seats.
- •Ryan Field — The football stadium in Evanston, originally Dyche Stadium (built 1926), later renamed for the Ryan family; a full rebuild was undertaken in the 2020s.
- •The Lakefill — A roughly 84-acre tract of land extended into Lake Michigan with landfill in the 1960s, now home to lakeside lawns, the sailing center, and walking paths.
Hidden Corners of Northwestern University
- •Shakespeare Garden — a hidden formal garden near Garrett-Evangelical Seminary planted with flowers mentioned in Shakespeare's plays
- •The Technological Institute (Tech) — one of the longest academic buildings in the US at 675 feet, housing engineering labs and connecting virtually every science department
Notable Alumni
- •Stephen Colbert (comedian and TV host)
- •Julia Louis-Dreyfus (actress)
- •Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
- •George R. R. Martin (author)
- •Charlton Heston (actor)
- •Warren Beatty (actor and director)
- •David Schwimmer (actor)
Campus Traditions
- •Painting the Rock: a boulder near University Hall that student groups paint at night, then 'guard' to keep their message up.
- •Dance Marathon (NUDM): a 30-hour fundraising dance event held each spring that has raised millions for charity over the decades.
- •Primal Scream: students scream out windows and across campus the night before finals begin each quarter.
- •Throwing marshmallows in the student section at football games, a longstanding tradition.
Where to Eat Near Campus
- •Edzo's Burger Shop on Dempster Street, an Evanston burger-and-shake institution.
- •Mustard's Last Stand near Ryan Field for Chicago-style hot dogs.
- •Lao Sze Chuan in downtown Evanston for Sichuan food.
- •Cupitol Coffee & Eatery on Sherman Avenue, a popular student cafe and brunch spot.
- •Bat 17 on Sherman Avenue, known for big sandwiches and a college-bar atmosphere.
Did you know? Much of Northwestern's eastern campus is built on land that did not exist before the 1960s: the university created roughly 84 acres of new ground by filling in part of Lake Michigan, so students literally walk and study on what used to be open water.
Visiting Northwestern University
The Office of Undergraduate Admission runs official information sessions and student-led campus walking tours; register in advance through the admissions website, as walk-up availability is limited. Tours start from the admissions/welcome area on the Evanston campus. The campus is open to self-guided walking any time, and a self-guided tour map is available online. Visitor parking is paid and metered; the North Campus and South Campus garages are the most convenient for visitors. Evanston is reachable from Chicago via the CTA Purple Line (Foster or Davis stations) and the Metra Union Pacific North line, which is often easier than driving.
Walking Tip
Start at the Arch on the south end of campus and walk north along Sheridan Road toward the lake. The Lakefill is worth the detour for skyline views. Campus is flat and walkable end to end in about 30 minutes.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring and early fall for pleasant lakeside weather. Football Saturdays in fall bring Big Ten energy. Winter is cold off the lake. Summer is gorgeous with the lake as a backdrop.
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