5 Most Scenic College Campuses Near Denver
Marv Kay Stadium at Colorado School of Mines (credit: CBS)Whether you're searching for a college for a soon-to-graduate high school senior or you just appreciate the beauty of a well-manicured lawn, historic buildings and towering trees, there are several stunning college campuses in the Colorado area that are worth a visit. Most of these campuses have some very historic architecture, which makes them already worth a visit, but when you combine that with the beauty of the Rocky Mountains you have some scenic views that are only available in the great state of Colorado. Here are some of the most scenic college campuses in Colorado. Bring along a camera and enjoy these beautiful locations.
2055 Regent Drive
Boulder, CO 80309
(303) 492-1411
www.colorado.edu
Thrillist.com ranked the University of Colorado Boulder as one of the "Top 25 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America," and one visit to this stunning land of academia will prove to you just why it made the top of this list. In addition to great classes and lovely, classic red brick buildings, the campus has a fantastic backdrop with the towering Rocky Mountains and lots of natural beauty surrounding it. Add in the amazing Mackey Auditorium, the planetarium and expansive Colorado night sky, and you have a truly beautiful college campus, one that's worth visiting from all over the world.
600 N Adams St
Gunnison, CO 81231
(800) 876-5309
www.western.edu
The 130-acre campus located in Gunnison is truly a stunning campus to visit. It's right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, with all the beautiful trees, greens and open spaces you'd expect, plus lots of really stunning architecture and landscaping as well. Some buildings date back as far as 1910, and the formal pillared entrance is still located at the north end of Taylor Hall. If you've never taken a trip to Gunnison, you just may want to consider visiting Western State Colorado University, as it's one of the most beautifully landscaped and stunning campuses in the country.
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200 W. Lake St
Ft. Collins, CO 80521
(970) 491-1101
www.colostate.edu
Head up to Fort Collins to take a look at another lovely college campus, Colorado State University. This gorgeous campus is home to lots of sprawling, well manicured lawns and plenty of panoramic scenery, thanks to the nearby Rocky Mountains. Make sure to visit during the summer to check out the Annual Flower Trial gardens, which bloom outside the University Center for the Arts from May through October, where you'll get an eye-full of more than 1,000 different kinds of annuals. When all the flowers are in bloom it's truly a stunning sight to see. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy, as the gardens are free and open to the public.
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2199 S. University Blvd
Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-2000
www.du.edu
With its location right in the heart of Denver, you may not expect the University of Denver to be on the list of scenic college campuses. However, thanks to the beautiful Chester M. Alter Arboretum, the University of Denver is definitely worthy of a mention. Since 1999, this arboretum has been home to 2,000 trees, with more than 240 different species and dozens of shrub species that all bloom year-round. Plus, the arboretum is home to two state champion trees that are historically significant, mature trees and some of the oldest and largest trees in Colorado. Plants are labeled for identification, so as you wander around the well manicured grounds you can take notice of all the different species of plants and trees. If you're a fan of beautiful trees, then make sure to take the time to stop by the University of Denver to check out the Arboretum.
1500 Illinois St.
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-3000
www.mines.edu
Located just 15 miles west of Denver, the Colorado School of Mines is another lovely example of renovated historic architecture, beautiful landscaping and stunning scenery. With a focus on the Earth and the environment, it's clear that the Colorado School of Mines places a big emphasis on its campus, with lots of open space and wonderful views of the mountains as a permanent scenic backdrop. In fact, the beauty of the grounds at the Colorado School of Mines will make you feel as though you've traveled hours outside of the city to find such stunning views. However, you'll love the fact that you're still so close to Denver.
