Penn State's University Park campus spans thousands of acres, and first-time visitors often do not know where to start. These are the landmarks locals point to first — the places that capture the history, traditions, and everyday life of the university. You can see most of them on foot, though a guided pedicab tour lets you cover far more ground without the full campus walk.
The Nittany Lion Shrine
Carved from a single 13-ton block of Indiana limestone and dedicated in 1942, the Nittany Lion Shrine is the most photographed spot on campus. It is the symbolic heart of Penn State, and no visit is complete without a picture beside it. Expect a line before graduation and on game days.
Old Main
The administrative center of the university, Old Main sits at the top of a sweeping lawn along College Avenue. Its clock tower is a campus icon, and the lawn in front is where generations of students have gathered. The building's interior murals, painted by Henry Varnum Poor, are worth a look if you can step inside.
The Berkey Creamery
Penn State runs one of the largest university creameries in the country, and the Berkey Creamery is a genuine campus institution. The ice cream is made on-site, the flavors rotate, and the line moves fast despite always being long. It is a required stop for visitors and alumni alike.
Beaver Stadium
Even on a quiet weekday, Beaver Stadium is worth seeing simply for its scale — it is one of the largest stadiums in the world, seating over 106,000. On game day it becomes the reason the whole town shows up. From the outside, it is an unmistakable landmark on the north side of campus.
The Arboretum at Penn State
The H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens at the Arboretum offer a quieter, greener side of campus. With formal gardens, seasonal blooms, and open lawns, it is a favorite for a slower stroll and a break from the bustle of central campus.
The "We Are" sculpture and the HUB
The mirrored "We Are" sculpture has quickly become one of the most popular photo spots on campus, reflecting the sky and the surrounding buildings. Nearby, the HUB-Robeson Center is the student hub of campus life. Together they show the modern, everyday face of Penn State.
Seeing it all
Walking the full circuit of these landmarks is a long day on foot. Many visitors — especially families, alumni returning for a reunion, and prospective students touring campus — prefer to ride the chariot so a local guide can share the stories behind each stop while covering more of University Park comfortably.