There are a lot of things to love about the University of Denver (here are 50, for starters!), but it all begins with the school’s stunning campus.
The Rocky Mountains loom on the horizon, visible from one of many idyllic spots around campus. Each academic building holds its own trove of treasures, creating a student experience that sets DU apart.
See for yourself! Upcoming Journey to DU days on March 8 and April 18 offer a choose-your-own-adventure experience, allowing you to fill your schedule with the things you want to see. Get a closer look at the Daniels College of Business at a special preview day event on April 6.
In the meantime, here are 10 spots on campus that you simply cannot miss.
Chester M. Alter Arboretum
How beautiful is the DU campus? Beautiful enough for all 125 acres to be designated a botanic garden. The Chester M. Alter Arboretum, as it’s formally known, is home to 2,100 trees and thousands more woody plants, representing more than 427 species and varieties. Among them: the crimson and gold DU Rose (rosa denvera).
The Hub
Innovation is everywhere you look on the first floor of the Daniels College of Business. Last year, Entrepreneurship@DU cut the ribbon on The Hub, an open, inviting space for creating and trying new things.
The Re:Make Studio houses eight sewing machines, two serger machines, an embroidery machine, and an assortment of vibrant crochet, sewing and knitting supplies. The DU Sewing Club holds regular meetings in the space, but it’s also open to anyone interested in repairing, creating or upcycling textiles.
Across the hall, in the Create Studio, 3D and wide-format printers, label and sticker makers, a T-shirt/heat press, a Cricut machine, product photography lightbox and Internet of Things (IOT) design kits sit ready for tinkering.
Meanwhile, a Media Studio is equipped with high-tech audio and video recording equipment, a green screen and AI-integrated software. It’s a place where students can practice and refine their interviewing, presentation and public speaking skills, or even host podcasts.
The Student Success Center
The second floor of the Daniels building is all about support. The Student Success Center is a new one-stop shop for advising, career services and student programming—from the day you enroll through the rest of your career. In line with the University of Denver’s 4D Experience, the SSC includes a suite of spaces focused on holistic wellness: Recharge in a pair of massage chairs, take a breather in the student lounge or say hello to Louie, the Daniels therapy dog in training, who sits with an experienced social worker.
Hammocks and Lawn Chairs
Three hundred days of sunshine mean seemingly limitless opportunities to (literally) hang out outdoors. Hammock stands are strategically positioned across campus, eagerly waiting for the oblong pieces of fabric that can be checked out from the Anderson Academic Commons. For those who would rather stay grounded, crimson and white adirondack chairs are scattered all over campus.
Joy Burns Center Tuscan Ballroom
A little taste of Tuscany is tucked away in the Joy Burns Center. The stone-etched pineapple (the universal symbol of hospitality) on the building’s exterior provides a hint to what lies inside. The next generation of sommeliers, restaurateurs and event planners train in the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, through classroom courses and five-course dinners, some under the direction of the country’s top culinary minds.
The Collaboratory
“Transformative” is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but it’s hard to find a better descriptor for the Marion J. Crean Collaboratory, located on the third floor of the Daniels College of Business. With a few strokes of the keyboard and clicks of a mouse, faculty from the Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management can give students an up-close look at properties all over the world, viewed on a seven-panel arc of LCD screens. Steps away, an 18-foot spread of interactive touchscreens allow teams to ideate together, whether they’re in person or online. Plus, a conference room in the back of the space allows students to connect with alumni and working professionals across the globe, whenever their schedule permits.
Beans Coffee Shop
Trade the grind of classes for the grind of a coffee maker at the student-run Beans Coffee Shop, located in the Joy Burns Center. The menu includes coffee, tea, breakfast burritos, bagels and other seasonal items. It’s also a great place to meet up with friends or study. On certain evenings, Beans hosts live music, trivia and other events.
The Fourth Floor of the Community Commons
DU’s newest building offers one of the campus’s most picturesque views. The Community Commons is home to the Rebecca Chopp Grand Central Market, advising services, student organizations—and a cozy fourth-floor balcony. Stop by to enjoy lunchtime buffets, evening hors d’oerves, a cash bar and a 360-degree view of Colorado’s front range.
The Via Ferrata at the Kennedy Mountain Campus
OK, it’s not within Denver city limits, but DU’s highly accessible, beginner-friendly rock climbing structures are more than worthy of inclusion on a list of campus highlights.
Via ferrata means “iron way” in Italian, descriptive of a protected climbing route equipped with ladders, rungs, cables and other permanent fixtures that make it easier to move across, up and down steep mountain faces. DU’s via ferratas are bolted into the rock at the Kennedy Mountain Campus, 730 acres of adventure and unforgettable experiences. The First Ascent program takes all new undergrads to the KMC for a weekend of hiking, challenge courses and activities that build lifelong friendships and memories.
Williams Tower
The iconic gold tower, long associated with DU, wasn’t part of the plan when architects drew up blueprints for the Ritchie Center. The idea was a relatively late addition from namesake and then-Chancellor Dan Ritchie, who wanted a tower that could be illuminated when the Pioneers won a hockey game, broadcasting the good news to the entire city. At 192 feet tall, the gold-topped Carl M. Williams bell tower features a narrow spiral staircase leading to a 65-bell carillon (the largest of which weighs six tons) that plays free concerts throughout the year and hosts open houses where visitors can marvel at the massive bells and the breathtaking view. (Resident carilloneur Joey Brink also takes requests.) Those looking to dabble can take advantage of occasional open houses while the more serious (with a musical background) can sign up for lessons.