5 Most Scenic College Campuses Near Philadelphia

The East Coast is known for having some of the best colleges in the country, and fortunately, Pennsylvania is home to quite a few of the best universities. A popular institution with a well-known is not the only thing that will sell a student on attending a university; the environment is just as important. A tranquil setting with beautiful walkways and enchanting gardens can also convince a student to attend that college. Here are the top most scenic colleges in the Philadelphia area. Everything from an all women's college to an Ivy League institution made the list, so you can get started on your college campus visits right away.

Bryn Mawr College
101 North Merion Ave.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 526-6520
www.brynmawr.edu

Bryn Mawr College is a liberal arts college for women, and it is surrounded by beautiful architecture and picturesque landscaping. This top-notch institution was founded in 1885 and is home to some of the earliest Collegiate Gothic architecture. The campus sits on 135-acres and was created in part by the famous landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

Gettysburg College
300 N Washington St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 337-6100
www.gettysburg.edu

Gettysburg College sits on 200 acres of land. The institute opened in the 1800s and is home to Pennsylvania Hall, built in the American Greek Revival style by John Cresson Trautwine. The college also boasts of Glatfelter Hall, built in the Victorian Romanesque style and designed by John A. Dempwolf. The campus is lush with over 2000 trees scattered across the grounds. The campus is the perfect place to find peaceful and scenic spots for studying in the open air during the warmer days.

Haverford College
370 Lancaster Ave.
Haverford, PA 19041
(610) 896-1350
www.haverford.edu

The campus at Haverford college is the home to the oldest college arboretum in the country. With over 216 acres available to him, British landscape gardener William Carvill created a beautiful oasis of lush gardens and various trees, all within this college setting. Follow the nature trail and learn about the variety of foliage that can be found on the campus or take a study break by the lovely duck pond and enjoy listening to the sounds of wildlife and nature.

Swarthmore College
500 College Ave.
Swarthmore, PA 19081
(610) 328-8533
www.swarthmore.edu

The college's nationally registered Scott Arboretum is home to many ornamental plant species. With over 425 acres of land, the greenery makes a lovely backdrop for the lilacs and hydrangeas and various trees that can be found throughout this beautiful college campus. Don't miss the impressive architecture of Parrish Hall, which was established in 1864. The original Parrish Hall did not survive a devastating fire that occurred in 1881, but the building that replaced it is equally impressive.

Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey 08544
(609) 258-3000
www.princeton.edu/main

Princeton University is known for its beautiful buildings and breathtaking landscapes, all within a prestigious Ivy League setting. The 500-acre campus is filled with impressive Collegiate Gothic structures and impeccably maintained grounds. Nassau Hall is quite impressive, and it has stood on Princeton soil since 1756. The Hall was reconstructed twice after fires in both 1802 and 1855. The most recent rebuild was by the Scottish-American architect John Notman.

Related: Top Libraries In Philadelphia

Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She reports on various topics such as: Social Media, Local Events, Entertainment, Food and Drink and more. Her work can be found at http://firstsendmedia.com/