Northwestern University

Flanked by the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan is Northwestern University. Located in Evanston, Illinois bordering the City of Chicago, this world-renowned University is consistently ranked in the top ten universities in the country. The campus enjoys a gorgeous setting with lakefront vistas and is easily accessible to Downtown Chicago.

VISITING NORTHWESTERN
Visits to Northwestern's campus are back. Schedule a 75-minute outdoor tour or download the official self-guided tour of the beautiful campus. Currently, registration is required for guided in-person tours. Plan Your Visit today.

Plan Your Visit
The Segal Visitors Center is the ultimate start to a campus visit. It is located at 1841 Sheridan Road in Evanston and open to registered guests on weekdays from 8:30am-5:00pm.

If you opt to experience Northwestern’s campus online, the virtual experience is still available. You can also register for a virtual information session.


MAPS
Campus Map & Guide
Parking Map
City of Evanston Map
Regional Hotel and Attractions Map

School-Specific Options
Northwestern also offers a variety of virtual information options for each of its schools: College of Arts and Sciences, Communication, Education and Social Policy, Engineering, Journalism, and Music. Click here to view Northwestern’s school-specific informational options.
 

ACCOMMODATIONS
Evanston is home to a variety of hotels. When planning your visit, Check out our list of hotels on Chicago's North Shore and sort for the City of Evanston. This will display hotels that are as close to campus as possible.


HOW ARE YOU GETTING TO NORTHWESTERN'S CAMPUS?

• By Car   
• By Plane: Both O'Hare International Airport (30 min) and Midway International Airport (45 min) 
• By Public Transportation from Chicago
  • Hop on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line and transfer at the Howard Street Station for the Purple Line to the Davis or Foster Street Stations. Or take the purple line express service during morning and evening rush hour.
  • Metra Commuter Rail also serves Evanston from downtown Chicago. You will exit the train at the Davis Street Station.  
  • Amtrak at Chicago's Union Station is a short walk to Ogilvie Transportation Center, where you'll take the Metra train to Evanston's Davis Street Station.
• Short walk from the Davis Street Station, to Northwestern University's Evanston Campus.

 

NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Traveling to watch Big Ten sports? Visit www.citiesofthebigten.com for information on the Big Ten teams and their college town destination information.

Northwestern is a charter member of the competitive Big Ten Conference with Many varsity athletic programs. Northwestern boasts 8 men's and 11 women's varsity sports programs. The Northwestern Wildcats play football in Ryan Field and basketball in the newly renovated Welsh-Ryan Arena.

ARTS AT NORTHWESTERN
The Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts brings concerts, theater and music performances to the public from their distinguished performing arts schools. 

The Block Museum of Art is a dynamic, imaginative and innovative museum. Mounting exhibitions, organizing and hosting lectures and workshops, and screening classic and contemporary films at its in-house cinema. The museum is growing a permanent collection of approximately 6,000 works that focus primarily on prints, photography and drawings.


CAMPUS MUST-SEES
Your visit to Northwestern's Evanston campus is not complete without a visit to these campus must-sees.

The Rock
At Northwestern, "The Rock" represents an age-old tradition. This magnificent boulder of Baraboo quartzite, originally containing a water fountain, was given to the university by the Class of 1902. In the 1940s, students began painting the Rock at first first as a prank, it then continued as an accepted avenue of free expression. In order to claim painting rights, students must camp out for 24 hours to "guard" The Rock. Over the years, The Rock has displayed many different messages including student club advertisements, birthday wishes, and even a marriage proposal.

Shakespeare Garden
Set aside from the rest of the campus, this tribute to The Bard offers sweet respite. The garden was created in 1915 by the Drama League of America to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare (1616). Each plant in the garden was either mentioned in Shakespeare's plays or commonly grown in Tudor, England. Tucked away behind the Technological Institute, the Shakespeare Garden allows students to trade the hustle and bustle of student life for quiet reflection.

Deering Library
Modeled after King's College in Cambridge, this quiet campus attraction built in 1932 is beautiful inside and out. Deering Library houses Northwestern's Art, Music, and Special Collections as well as the University Archives. Deering Library remains a popular study space for students. Deering has a place for students to groove to classic tunes in the expansive music listening library and to read by the light shining through the stained-glass windows.


RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Northwestern houses several state-of-the-art sports and recreation facilities. The Henry Crown Sports Pavilion is a 95,000 square foot facility linked to the Norris Aquatics Center, the Combe Tennis Center and the Ryan Fieldhouse. Exercise related activities such as basketball, swimming, squash, racquetball, tennis, group exercise, cycling, weight lifting and general cardio are available at these facilities.

EXPLORING EVANSTON
In addition to housing Northwestern University, Evanston has a vibrant downtown, many interesting neighborhoods, and merchant districts. Visitors and residents alike enjoy exploring what Evanston has to offer, including: Downtown Evanston, Main Dempster Mile, Central Street and Howard Street.

THE LAKEFRONT BEACHES
Located at both the north and south ends of campus, Evanston's beaches are popular places for students to relax.

SHOPPING AND DINING
Chicago's North Shore is bursting with award-winning culinary delights that are close to campus. If you love to shop, you'll find everything you need on Chicago's North Shore from one-of-a-kind boutiques in Evanston to luxury brands at major shopping centers- Westfield Old Orchard and Northbrook Court.

GROSS POINT LIGHTHOUSE
Constructed in 1873, the Grosse Point Lighthouse is one of the most interesting landmarks in Evanston. Over the summer, you can tour the Keeper's Quarters Museum as well as climb 141 steps to the top of the light tower. The lighthouse is often considered to be the symbol of the city of Evanston.

THE BAHA'I HOUSE OF WORSHIP
The Baha'i House of Worship is a beautiful building in the North Shore area. The nine-sided architectural beauty, surrounded by lush gardens, is one of only seven Baha'i temples in the world. While situated just outside of Evanston, the structure's unique design has prompted many Northwestern students to add it to their jogging routes over the years.

MORE NORTH SHORE/CHICAGO PLACES OF INTEREST
When planning your visit to Northwestern, make sure you set aside time to explore all of the exciting things to do along Chicago's vibrant North Shore.

CITY OF CHICAGO
No trip to Northwestern University is complete without a visit to the City of Chicago.  For information on what to do in Chicago, click here.