Meeting Point:
Ben Franklin Statue, in front of College Hall (between Locust Walk and 34th Street)
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Tour Hours:
Morning Session: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
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Inclusions:
✓ 2-hour student-led walking tour (covering Locust Walk, Wharton School, Penn Engineering, Fisher Fine Arts Library, and more)
✓ 0.5-hour interactive Q&A with current Penn students
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Post-Tour Freedom:
After the tour, feel free to explore Penn’s many museums, the Schuylkill River Trail, or the neighboring restaurants and shops of University City.
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Tour Overview:
Step into the University of Pennsylvania, one of America’s most historic and forward-looking institutions, founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin with a mission of practical knowledge and civic-minded scholarship.
Your journey begins on the iconic Locust Walk, the leafy pedestrian spine of campus, where Gothic buildings blend seamlessly with modern research centers. Visit College Hall, home to Penn’s oldest administrative offices, and learn about the university’s distinctive blend of liberal arts and professional education.
Tour highlights include the renowned Wharton School, a global leader in business education; Penn Engineering, home to trailblazing research in robotics and AI; and Penn Nursing, consistently ranked among the top in the U.S. Marvel at the Venetian Gothic architecture of the Fisher Fine Arts Library, designed by Frank Furness, and explore green spaces like Blanche Levy Park and the Biopond tucked behind the biology buildings.
Along the way, your student guide will share what it’s like to live and learn at a university where interdisciplinary innovation is part of everyday life—from launching startups at the Pennovation Center to cross-registering in courses across all 12 schools, including the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Law.
You’ll also hear stories of famous alumni such as Elon Musk, John Legend, Noam Chomsky, and Andrea Mitchell, and learn about Penn’s long-standing traditions like Hey Day, Spring Fling, and the toast-throwing ritual at football games.
Whether you’re passionate about business, science, arts, medicine, or public service, this tour offers a deep dive into the dynamic ecosystem of Penn—where academic excellence meets urban energy, and where students are encouraged to think across boundaries, lead with purpose, and innovate for impact.
