Behold the Beauty of the Big Ten

Handsome architecture. Expansive quads. Charming bell towers. The Big Ten schools practically epitomize what a college campus should look like. With the first day of school rapidly approaching, we wanted to give our picks for best things to see and do at each campus. Whether you’re a new student or just visiting, here’s your guide to what makes the Big Ten schools stand out.

Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN

Must-see building: The Purdue Memorial Union. Built as a memorial to World War I veterans, this present-day student center has a stately Great Hall and stained-glass windows.

While you’re here: Catch a show at the Elliott Hall of Music. Built in the late 1930s, it has a capacity of more than 6,000 and boasts remarkably warm acoustics for its size.

University of Maryland | College Park, MD

Must-see building: Memorial Chapel. If you hear the sounds of “Maryland, My Maryland” being played on a carillon, it’s probably coming from this church’s steeple, located on the campus’s highest point.

While you’re here: Hunker down for some fresh seafood at Fishnet.

Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ

Must-see building: Rutgers is one of the newest colleges in the Big Ten, but it’s one of the country’s oldest. The oldest building on this historic campus is Old Queens, a two-century-old, Federal-style mansion.

While you’re here: You can’t beat lunch at Destination Dogs, featuring 24 styles of hot dog. Try the wild boar sausage topped with pineapple relish, or the breakfast sausage topped with a fried egg.

University of Nebraska | Lincoln, NE

Must-see building: Architecture Hall. Appropriately, Nebraska’s architecture students study in the oldest and most appealing structure on campus, built in 1890.

While you’re here: Salute the heartland with a juicy burger from Honest Abe’s Burgers + Freedom, a cheeky restaurant willing to top its beef with anything from Thai peanut slaw to sour blackberry compote.

Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI

Must-see building: Beaumont Tower, a classic collegiate Gothic gem with a full carillon inside.

While you’re here: Grab a drink at Beggars Banquet, a laid-back dive bar with a serious Cheers vibe.

University of Illinois | Champaign-Urbana, IL

Must-see building: The imposing, Romanesque tower known as Altgeld Hall. Its convoluted interior invites exploration—assuming you’re not trying to make an exam on time.

While you’re here: Head to downtown Urbana and brave the wait to eat at Black Dog Smoke and Ale House, a barbecue joint serving the best burnt ends outside of Kansas City.

University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN

Must-see building: Northrop Auditorium, just renovated in 2014, anchors the main quad with 10 stately columns.

While you’re here: Break for a milkshake at Annie’s Parlour in Dinkytown, where many students reside.

Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

Must-see building: Orton Hall, whose 14 bells weigh more than 12 tons each. If you’re hearing chimes playing the school song, it’s probably coming from here.

While you’re here: Visit the meadery down the road. Brothers Drake makes its mead using local honey, then serves it at a bar that doubles as a music venue.

Northwestern University | Evanston, IL

 

Must-see building: Deering Library, an imposing, Gothic-style building covered in ivy.

While you’re here: Visit SPACE, an intimate concert hall with a diverse lineup of musicians each month.

Penn State | State College, PA

Must-see building: Old Main. With bell towers, frescoes, and 150+ years of history, this Federal Revival building is a quintessential college landmark.

While you’re here: Grab an oatmeal stout at Happy Valley Brewing Company, housed in a refurbished barn.

University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA

Must-see building: The Old Capitol is an Iowa landmark at the center of the Pentacrest, a collection of five buildings overlooking the Iowa River.

While you’re here: See why the Iowa City Press Citizen names A & A Pagliai's Pizza the city’s best pizza place year after year.

University of Wisconsin | Madison, WI

Must-see building: The University of Wisconsin Armory and Gymnasium, a Romanesque, turret-laden behemoth overlooking Lake Mendota.

While you’re here: You’ll find no better introduction to Wisconsin cuisine than The Old Fashioned, located across from the Capitol Building. On the menu: cheese curds, bratwurst, and more than 50 kinds of Wisconsin beer.

University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI

Must-see building: The Law Library. Perhaps the closest you’ll get to visiting Hogwarts in America, the Law Library’s 50-foot ceilings and hanging chandeliers are a neo-Gothic triumph.

While you’re here: Eat the famous Hippie Hash breakfast dish at Fleetwood Diner. A great way to shake off a hangover.

Indiana University | Bloomington, IN

Must-see building: The Hoosiers’ Assembly Hall—with its five championship banners—is the heart of IU’s forest-laden campus.

While you’re here: Grab dinner at Mother Bear’s Pizza, a deep-dish joint with a delightfully shabby cabin-themed ambiance.

Photos: The Graduate by Phil Roeder under CC by 2.0; Memorial Chapel by Matt Chan under CC BY-ND 2.0; IMG_1290 by Brian Holsclaw under CC BY-ND 2.0; Deering Library, Northwestern University by Kyle Wilcox under CC by 2.0;  Red is Good by Alex Fam under CC by 2.0, Kirkwood Observatory by StevenW. under CC BY-SA 2.0