University of Pennsylvania

The Basics

The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League school and its graceful 279-acre (113-hectare) campus, where the university moved in the 1870s, is the country’s first example of the Collegiate Gothic style, based on a design blend of the campuses at Oxford and Cambridge, England. Walking around the grounds on a self-guided tour is a great way to soak up the atmosphere of the venerable institution. Landmarks include the beautifully landscaped Penn Park; the ornate Victorian-era Fisher Fine Arts Library, and the University Museum, which focuses on rare antiquities from around the world and is surrounded by the elegant Warden Garden.

You can learn more about the long history of this revered university with a guided walking tour of Philadelphia’s University City, these tours typically include visits to the campuses of both the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. If you are thinking of enrolling in an Ivy League yourself, an alumna-led private, customized tour can take you around several east coast campuses in one day, leaving you free to focus on the universities rather than driving.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The University of Pennsylvania is one of America’s top schools and set on a beautiful campus.
• Most of the campus grounds are wheelchair accessible.
• If you want to stay overnight, you’ll find lots of hotels and restaurants within easy walking distance.

How to Get There

The University of Pennsylvania is just a 10-minute walk from Philadelphia’s main 30th Street train station, which is served by regional Amtrak trains as well as local trains and subway lines. From the airport, it’s a 15-minute drive of 30 minutes on the Airport Line bus.

When to Get There

The campus is open to visitors any time, any day of the year. To delve deeper, prospective students can attend a class or a school-specific information session, or even have lunch with a current undergraduate student—for these types of visits you have to register in advance. Check the University of Pennsylvania website for details.

Morris Arboretum

In the northwest of Philadelphia, the Morris Aroretum is run by the University of Pennsylvania. This 92-acre (37-hectare) Victorian arboretum is perfect if you want to escape the city for a few hours. Visitors can stroll through the classical English landscape structures and sculpture gardens and admire thousands of rare wooded plants, including many of Philadelphia’s oldest and rarest trees.