How to Tour the University of Pennsylvania Campus

The University of Pennsylvania is a Philadelphia historical landmark that should be a part of any visit to the City of Brotherly Love. Since 1740, Penn has educated millions of the world's brightest scholars. Its remarkable campus within a city is the Ivy League at its best.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• weather-appropriate clothing
• walking shoes
• phone
• camera

1. Set up an official campus tour with the Admissions Office. You'll tour campus with a student guide who will fill you in on the basics and show you the lay of the land. The admissions tour is the only way a non-student can gain access to the Quadrangle, the most beautiful series of buildings on campus.

2. Attend a game at historic Franklin Field, which has hosted the Penn Relays for over 100 years. Franklin Field is the oldest NCAA stadium still operating for football, and was the home of the first scoreboard.

3. Walk down cobblestoned Sansom Street between 33rd and 36th Streets for small boutiques, Bubble Tea and the New Deck Irish Pub.

4. Watch student life on the Green, the grass expanse between the main library and the oldest academic buildings on campus. While you're there, photograph the giant split button sculpture by Claes Oldenberg and the miniature LOVE sign.

Tips & Warnings

• Children have a great time climbing the split button and hiding beneath it. Play a game and see how many Ben Franklin statues they can find on campus. Hint: There are many statues, but only three are of Ben.
• Travel during the spring to see the campus in bloom and to watch the Penn Relays, when all 52,593 seats are filled with sports fans.
• Walk down Locust Walk to be inundated with flyers advertising plays, shows and upcoming events--an easy way to fill out your week's itinerary.
• Penn is a very safe campus, but it is still an open campus located in a big city. Be aware of your belongings at all times.

Resources

• University of Pennsylvania