Stanford

50 things to do in Stanford

This place is frugal paradise. World class museums, the largest Rodin collection in America, gardens and architecture to explore. Overall a most beautiful campus, all this with little or no entrance fees.

Tour dates and times can change, please always check the websites for more information. This is a working university, please be considerate of the students while on campus.

As always these items are in no particular order. Please use the comment section below or contact me for your feedback.

1. Take the free shuttle

   Parking can be tricky. So the first tip is: Take the free shuttle, the Marguerite, from the Palo Alto Caltrain station (https://transportation.stanford.edu/marguerite)
   

2. Go to the visitor center

   Get to the visitor center Get to the visitor center and pick up a map for a self guided walking tour (295 Galvez St) or take a free 1 hour student led walking tour, everyday 11:30 am and 3:30 pm  (https://visit.stanford.edu/basics/visitor_center.html, 295 Galvez St)
   

3. Bike the campus

   Bike the campus! Alumni can borrow bikes at the Alumni Center (https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/resources/alumnicenter?saoPath=/abouta/alumni_center/home.html, on the corner of Campus and Galvez) or you can rent a bike at the Campus Bike Shop (https://campusbikeshop.com/articles/rent-a-bike-pg88.htm, Tresidder Union, 459 Lagunita Dr #12)
   

4. Get an aerial overview

   Get an aerial overview from the Hoover Tower, $4 adults, $3 senior and children under 12, students and up to five guests are free (http://visit.stanford.edu/plan/guides/hoover.html, 550 Serra Mall) and make sure you spend some time to see the Herbert Hoover and Lou Henry Hoover exhibits in the lobby of the tower houses. Next to the tower is the Herbert Hoover Memorial Exhibit Pavilion. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free of charge (http://www.hoover.org/library-archives/visit/explore, 434 Galvez Mall) [Also see: Presidential digs]
   

5. Chill out at the Windhover

   Chill out at the Windhover, usually only accessible with a student ID, there is a public tour Saturdays at 11 am (https://windhover.stanford.edu/visit, 370 Santa Teresa St)

6. See a performance

   See a performance at the Memorial Auditorium (https://live.stanford.edu/calendar/all/all/6/all/all, 551 Serra Mall) or listen to a great performance at the Bing Concert Hall (https://live.stanford.edu/calendar/all/all/5/all/all, 327 Lasuen St)
   

7. Meet the future of education

   Meet the future of education, see Wallenberg Hall (https://wallenbergresearchlink.stanford.edu/, 450 Serra Mall)

8. See some real geeky artifacts

   See some real geeky artifacts, like the a replica of the HP garage and Google’s first server at the Huang Engineering Center (https://engineering.stanford.edu/about/visit/inside-engineering-quad, 475 Via Ortega) [Also see: Geek out with computer artifacts]
   

9. Hear the Hoover Tower bells

   Hear the Hoover Tower bells, on special occasions, e.g. graduation, the 48 bells will ring (http://visit.stanford.edu/plan/guides/hoover.html)
   

10. Arrange a special tour

    Arrange an Engineering Quad Tour or if you are interested in the Stanford sports program you can take the Stanford Athletics and Recreational Opportunities Tour. If art is more your forte you can sign up for the Humanities & Arts Tour (https://visit.stanford.edu/)

11. Relax with LGBT

    Relax with LGBT, or use it as a photo opp, Gay Liberation sculpture from George Segal (http://125.stanford.edu/taking-a-stand-for-equality/, Lomita Mall)
    

12. Be humbled

    Be humbled by the Memorial Church history, one of the earliest, and is still among the most prominent, interdenominational churches in the West. Tours are every Friday at 1 pm, and the last Sunday of the month at 11:15 am (https://orsl.stanford.edu/who-we-are/memorial-church-companion-spaces/memorial-church-details/memorial-church-history, 450 Serra Mall)
    

13. Walk the labyrinth

    Walk the labyrinth, at the Memorial Church every Friday between 8 am and 1 pm or the Windhover at any hour of the day  (https://religiouslife.stanford.edu/programs-events/labyrinth) [Also see: Follow the spiral/spiritual path]

14. Wonder what’s beneath the bronze plates

    Wonder what’s beneath the bronze plates at the inner Quad, and see what the class of 2016 put in their time capsule (http://news.stanford.edu/2016/06/10/stanford-class-2016-box/, http://125.stanford.edu/hidden-snapshots-history/)
    

15. Grab some grub

    Yes, students eat too! Grab some grub (https://rde.stanford.edu/dining)

16. Rally at White Memorial Plaza

    Rally at White Memorial Plaza, the free-speech area on campus (https://sal.stanford.edu/plan-event/venues/outdoor-spaces/white-memorial-plaza, from outside the Barnum Family Center to the front of Dinkelspiel Auditorium)
    

17. Buy some Stanford appeal

    Buy some Stanford appeal; oh and books too (http://www.bkstr.com/stanfordstore/home, 519 Lasuen Mall)
    

18. Listen and enjoy the Mariachi Cardenal

    Listen and enjoy the Mariachi Cardenal, or go to a free class, Mondays from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Casa Zapata lounge (https://web.stanford.edu/group/mariachi/cgi-bin/#/aboutus, Casa Zapata lounge)

19. Tune in to the Civil Rights

    Tune in to the Civil Rights, at the Archive of Recorded Sounds,  (http://library.stanford.edu/blogs/special-collections-unbound/2017/05/kzsu-project-south-exhibit-features-streaming-audio-and, 541 Lasuen Mall)

20. Take a photo opp

    Photo Opp: The Burghers of Calais, Rodin’s commemoration of the six Frenchman who offered their lives in the English siege of Calais. (http://museum.stanford.edu/view/rodin.html)
    

21. Explore the Cantor Arts Center

    Explore the Cantor Arts Center (http://museum.stanford.edu, 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way), or take a free tour of the highlights, Friday 1 – 2 pm, Saturday 3 – 4 pm, and Sunday 12 – 1 pm (http://museum.stanford.edu/visit/public_tours.html)
    

22. Walk a self-guided tour

    Walk a self-guided tour of plants, animals and science art (https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/Sci_Art_Nat_Walk_Podcast.html)

23. Listen to a distinguished speaker of AI

    Listen to a distinguished speaker of AI (Artificial Intelligence) (http://ai.stanford.edu/events/ai-distinguished-speakers-series/)

24. Learn about the Jasper Ridge Preserve

    Learn about the Jasper Ridge Preserve and the natural history of the Santa Cruz Mountains, docent-led tours from October through May (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (http://jrbp.stanford.edu/visit)

25. Admire the Main Quad

    Admire the Main Quad, the 12 original classrooms, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1891
    

26. Take an outdoor sculpture walk

    Take an outdoor sculpture walk, First Sunday of each month at 2 pm, Third Sunday of each month at 11:30 am (http://museum.stanford.edu/visit/public_tours.html), or explore all outdoor art by yourself (https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1SqPBK1aN4Dq4Uf_IL_WmNQb3loE&ll=37.42731773412959%2C-122.16944826574309&z=16) [Also see: Sit by the stone river]
    

27. See modern art

    See modern art at the Anderson Collection, tours are Wednesdays at 12:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm (http://anderson.stanford.edu, 314 Lomita Drive) [Also see: Soundsuit up!]

28. Be enchanted at the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden

    Be enchanted at the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden, tours are third Sundays of the Month, 2 pm (http://museum.stanford.edu/visit/public_tours.html, 476 Lomita Dr) [Also see: You decide: Rodin vs. Papua New Guinea]
    

29. See where it all began

    See where it all began, and why it’s called ‘The Farm’, the Red Barn (http://web.stanford.edu/group/set/cgi-bin/wordpress/, 100 Electioneer Road) [Also see: Can horses fly?]
    

30. Walk amongst trees

    Walk amongst trees (http://trees.stanford.edu/treewalks/treemaps.htm)

31. Enjoy the Rodin collection

    Enjoy the Rodin collection, the largest in an American museum, tours are Wednesdays at 2 pm, Saturdays at 11:30 am, Sundays at 3 pm  (http://museum.stanford.edu/view/rodin.html)
    

32. Admire one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces

    Admire one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces, the Hanna House (https://hannahousetours.stanford.edu/index.php, 737 Frenchmans Rd)
    

33. Hike along the Dish

    Hike along the Dish (https://dish.stanford.edu, 400 Reservoir Rd) [Also see: Run around the Dish]
    

34. Listen to an evening lecture

    Listen to an evening lecture at the SLAC National Accelerator Labaratory (https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/community/public-lectures.aspx, Panofsky Auditorium, 2575 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park, CA), or visit the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory on a free 90 minute tour, Tours are offered twice a month, by registration only (https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/community/public-tours, SLAC Orientation Theater, 2575 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park, CA)

35. Watch some incredible college sports

    Watch some incredible college sports event (http://www.gostanford.com)
    

36. See some art at the Coulter Art Gallery

    See some art at the Coulter Art Gallery, Tuesday – Sunday; 12pm-6pm (https://art.stanford.edu/exhibition-spaces/coulter, 355 Roth Way)

37. Discover amazing cacti

    Take a walk and discover amazing cacti at the Arizona Cactus Garden (https://lbre.stanford.edu/bgm/what-we-do/grounds-services/horticulture-and-landscape/points-interest/arizona-garden, Quarry Road between Campus Drive and Arboretum Road) [Also see: Transport yourself to Arizona]
    

38. Find the birds

    Be among those who enjoy about 125 bird sightings (http://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/umaps/maps-walks.html)

39. Just hang

    Just hang – at the CoHo. Beginning March 28, 2022 from 8-10 pm Jazz at the Coho.. (https://www.cohostanford.com/, 459 Lagunita Dr)
    

40. Take a glimpse at the Hummingbird Garden

    Take a glimpse at the Hummingbird Garden (https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/GreenLibrary/Hummer_Garden/images/HummerGarden.html, beside Green Library’s East portal)

41. Engage in jazz

    Engage in jazz at the Stanford Jazz Festival (early August) (https://stanfordjazz.org)

42. Buy some athletics gear

    Buy some athletics gear – go Stanford! (http://shop.gostanford.com, 269 Galvez St)
    

43. Listen to Claw-cappella

    Listen to Claw-cappella every Friday at 4:30 pm (https://www.fleetstreet.com/, White Plaza)

44. Tail-gate

    Tail-gate or fan-fest before the football game (http://www.gostanford.com/sports/2013/4/17/208445471.aspx)
    

45. Regard the Stanford Mausoleum

    Regard the Stanford Mausoleum (http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/stanford-mausoleum, btwn Palm Dr & Quarry Rd) (http://125.stanford.edu/where-stanford-began/) (https://cemeterytravel.com/2013/11/06/cemetery-of-the-week-115-the-stanford-mausoleum/)
    

46. Find the tiger salamander

    Find the tiger salamander (https://hcp.stanford.edu/salamander.html,  Lake Lagunita ) (http://www.stanforddaily.com/2017/03/03/university-urges-against-water-activities-in-newly-full-lake-lagunita/)

47. Admire the community gardens

    Admire the community gardens (https://rde.stanford.edu/dining/bewell-community-gardens, one near the Medical School and one near the Munger Complex)
    

48. Pick up some fresh fruit and veggies

    Pick up some fresh fruit and veggies at the Farmer’s market on Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm (https://www.wcfma.org/stanford, Tresidder Union Front Patio)
    

49. Eat from the farm at the farm

    Eat from the farm at the farm – Forbes Family Cafe (https://rde.stanford.edu/hospitality/forbes-family-caf)

50. Celebrate Native American history

    Celebrate Native American history at the Powwow, 11th – 13th May, 2018 (http://powwow.stanford.edu, Eucalyptus Grove at Galvez and Campus Drives)

While you are in the area you should also check out Palo Alto.

As always no affiliations with the mentioned businesses unless otherwise noted. Dates are for 2018. Please let me know of any changes or mistakes. All images are mine, please don’t use without permission. © 2018.