caltech walking tour

Visit the Caltech campus

Thank you for your interest in visiting Caltech. On this page, you can find directions to campus, parking information, maps, information about event venues, tour information, and more.

To learn more about what happens at Caltech, visit the This Is Caltech website .

Campus tours

There are several ways for individuals or organized groups to tour campus, including a self-guided walking tour ( PDF ). You can find information on our main tour page or below.

Tours led by the Caltech History and Architectural Tour Service

The Caltech History and Architectural Tour Service, a program of the Caltech Women's Club, offers public, in-depth campus tours about once a month, with the next ones coming up on these anticipated dates . Find out how Caltech's unique academic buildings and high-tech laboratories inform research and discovery, as well as enrich the greater Pasadena community. Some guides are bilingual; please email the guides to request a tour in Spanish .

Tours for high school and college students

High school and college students who are considering enrolling at Caltech, as well as groups of 10 to 49 students and family members, can find tour information on Caltech's admissions website . Prospective students, their parents and guardians, and others also can explore Caltech through a virtual tour developed by the admissions department.

Request a tour for your organization

Organizations interested in a group tour for prospective students should contact Caltech's Undergraduate Admissions office . Tours for other groups are offered on a limited basis and must be arranged in advance. To help us respond to your request, please use this form to share a bit about your group or organization and what you hope to see on campus. We'll bring your request to the attention of staff members with expertise in your interest areas.

Two New Tours of the Caltech Campus

Caltech has developed two new tours to help people on and off campus get to know the lay of the land and learn about different aspects of the community.

For those who are physically on campus, a new walking tour brochure offers an introduction to the buildings and other spaces that make up the Institute. On this 60-minute self-guided walking tour, visitors (and readers online) can learn more about Caltech's history, study examples of noteworthy campus architecture, get a glimpse of student life, and explore some of the groundbreaking investigations being conducted here.

In addition, a new online interactive tour allows those off campus to make a virtual visit to Caltech and learn about some of the places that are integral to the community, such as the Athenaeum, the Beckman Institute and Gene Pool, and the Turtle Pond, through a sequence of 13 captioned 360-degree photographs.

NOTE: Google shut down Poly on June 30, 2021. As a result, the online interactive tour is no longer available.

Community tours  of the Historic Campus are typically given on the fourth Thursday of the academic year (Sep. - May) except on holiday weeks. Tours begin at 10:30 a.m., starting from the entrance to the Athenaeum at  551 South Hill Avenue , on the corner of Hill Avenue and California Boulevard. No tours are given during June, July, August, or December. Advance reservation information available here . 2024-2025 Tour Schedule Sep. 26, 2024 Oct. 24, 2024 Nov. 21, 2023 Jan. 23, 2025 Feb. 27, 2025 Mar. 27, 2025 Apr. 24, 2025 May 22, 2025 June, July, August - no tours

Special group tours :   if you are interested in a special group tour for more than four people, please email us and let us know about your group (reason for tour, special interests, estimated number of participants and preferred dates). note: special group tours are only available on weekdays during the academic year (sept-may)., self-guided walking tours :   if you are unable to attend one of the scheduled chats campus tours the institute does offer a self-guided walking tour brochure ..

Transiting Los Angeles

A Walking Tour of Caltech

(If you would like a printed version of this walking tour, you can purchase a lovely guide from us on our Etsy page! The printed version is beautifully organized with a full-color map and photographs, and small enough to fit in your pocket!)

Living in Pasadena, the campus of the California Institute of Technology (better known as Caltech) is a welcome respite. The lush campus, with its turtle pond, fountains, historic buildings, and groves of eucalyptus and jacaranda trees, makes for a scenic walk and a peaceful sanctuary. I’d dare say it’s probably Pasadena’s best park.

Although most of the buildings on campus are accessible only by staff and students, the campus grounds are open to the public, providing a much-needed place for outdoor recreation. There’s a lot of interesting buildings and gardens tucked around campus, so we’ve put together a walking tour of the highlights of the Caltech campus.

Transit-wise, a lot of routes come very close to Caltech, but only a couple serve the campus directly. Metro #267 (Pasadena-El Monte) and Pasadena Transit #10 (Old Pasadena-Allen Metro station) pass by on Del Mar along the northern edge of campus, but neither run very often. However, there are frequent routes on Lake Avenue (Pasadena Transit #20 and Metro #662) just three blocks to the west and Colorado Boulevard (Metro #180 and Foothill Transit #187) five blocks to the north. Caltech is also within the Pasadena zone of Metro Micro , an on-demand shared ride service that can take you straight to campus from just about anywhere in Pasadena (see the website for details and instructions). Lake Station on the Metro A Line is a 20 minute walk north from the edge of campus at Del Mar and Wilson Avenue, where we will start our tour.

A quick note: most of the buildings on campus are closed to the public (save for the occasional public event ), with keycard entry that limits access to students and staff. The main exception is Hameetman Center, where you’ll find a cafe and the campus store, as well as restrooms and water fountains. There are also public restrooms and water fountains in Grant Park, between Michigan and Chester Avenues just a block north of campus.

1. Neuroscience Research Building: Right on the corner of campus, facing Wilson and Del Mar, is one of the newest buildings on campus. The brand new neuroscience building is a contemporary structure of glass and odd angles, with bronze panels that shine in the sunlight. The entry point on Wilson is a palm tree court, but I recommend walking down Del Mar to enter via the garden. It’s got the feel of a desert garden, with lots of stones and succulents, although as it slopes toward the building’s basement you can see lush ferns planted in the shade. A bridge traverses this slope into the center of the building, which is illuminated in soft blue light at nighttime.

Cross the bridge, then continue straight through between the next set of buildings before turning left into the vine-covered archways of the building marked “Beckman Institute.”

2. Beckman Institute: This is one of the prettiest buildings on campus, built in the Spanish mission style with arcades on both sides that open onto a lush courtyard. The building holds a chemistry and biological research center, named for a former Caltech professor who invented the first pH meter as a way for local citrus growers to measure the acidity of lemon juice.

The building has two fountains. One is in the center of the courtyard, with a sculpture of a polyhedron coated in water gently flowing down its surfaces. A plaque explains the significance of the polyhedron shape (something to do with protein structure?), but it’s so bogged down with technical jargon that it’s hard to glean any knowledge from it unless you have a bioscience background. Appropriately nerdy for Caltech.

The other fountain is a pleasant reflecting pool, dubbed the “Gene Pool” (get it?), with colored tile along the bottom laid out in a double-helix pattern. It sits on the other side of the building from where you entered, linking the Beckman Institute to our next stop.

3. Beckman Auditorium: Right in the middle of campus is Caltech’s only decent example of Space Age architecture. This circular building was designed in the 1960s by Edward Durell Stone, a very prominent modernist architect who also designed MoMA in New York City and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., along with many other notable buildings of the era. All the details of the auditorium are worth admiring, from the sleek roof edge, to the starburst pattern at the top of each column, to the unique lanterns hanging along the outside. The auditorium regularly holds public events such as film screenings and lectures, see Caltech’s public events schedule to see what’s coming up.

Walk around the auditorium to the opposite side, then continue down the path southeast towards the heart of campus. You’ll pass by a series of laboratory buildings on the way. When you reach San Pasqual Walk (one of the main pedestrian thoroughfares on campus), you’ll see an outdoor seating area with a lot of colorful umbrellas, marking the next stop.

4. Hameetman Center: This relatively new building serves as the student center, holding a pair of cafes flanking the outdoor seating area and the Caltech store. The most interesting feature of the building is on the other side; walk through the seating area, pass through under the building, and on the side facing Olive Walk (another pedestrian thoroughfare) will be a sundial embedded in the sidewalk. You just have to stand in the right place and use your own shadow to tell the time; a plaque on the building explains how to use it.

From where you came out of the Hameetman Center, turn left (east) down Olive Walk and head a short ways. This stretch of walkway is lined with olive trees, and you can see some citrus trees down a walkway on your right (but don’t collect any fruit, since it’s sometimes used for student projects). Caltech has a House System for its undergraduate housing, modeled after British schools (think Harry Potter) and some of the East Coast Ivies, and this part of campus is where most of them are concentrated. The first house on your right is Fleming House, which has the strangest landmark on campus right out front.

5. Fleming House Cannon: There’s no plaque on-site to explain what an antique cannon is doing here, so here’s the story: this cannon was cast during the Franco-Prussian War, although it was never actually used in a battle. The French then gave it to the American military, who hung on to it until it became obsolete, when they in turn donated it to a military academy in San Marino, where it sat on their front lawn for many decades. In the 1970s, the academy decided that they didn’t want it any more, so Fleming House got a hold of it and restored it to working order.

The cannon is fired to mark special events, such as the end of term and graduation. It has also been stolen not once, but twice. Students at Harvey Mudd College, a science and engineering school in Claremont (and a subject of our Claremont walking tour ), managed to snag it in 1986, and exactly 20 years later students from MIT (which has a rivalry with Caltech as the nation’s other top science and engineering school, a rivalry which mainly expresses itself in the form of very elaborate pranks) managed to pose as contractors and secret the thing all the way back to Massachusetts before returning it. It now sits chained to the ground, in case anyone else gets any ideas.

At the far end of Olive Walk is The Athenaeum , a luxury hotel and private social club for staff of Caltech and Pasadena’s other research and scientific institutions. The building’s main claim to fame is that it was one of the places that Albert Einstein stayed during his time as a visiting professor at Caltech. Unfortunately, it’s not open to the public and unless you’re a member or have a reservation at their restaurant, you won’t see much of note. Instead, turn around and head the other way (west) on Olive Walk, towards the large grove of trees at the center of campus.

6. Throop Memorial Garden: This is the most peaceful spot on campus, where you’ll find the turtle pond that’s the highlight of any stroll through Caltech. The garden occupies the footprint of Throop Hall, a neoclassical structure that was the first building on campus when it was built in 1910, but torn down after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake over fears that it would collapse. Now a little stream splashes down through the garden, filling a pair of pools that are home to sunbathing turtles. A lush canopy of trees shades the garden, with many fragrant eucalyptus trees, and you’ll often see squirrels darting across the treetops.

The boulders throughout the garden were selected by Caltech’s geological department to represent the various periods of local geologic history. A plaque affixed to one of the boulders at the base of the garden, facing you as you approach, details each boulder’s age and where it was acquired.

7. Caltech Library/Pond: Directly above the garden is one of the most significant landmarks on campus: the 10-story main library, easily the tallest building on campus, overlooking a long reflecting pool that links it to the Throop Garden. A little curved bridge arcs gracefully over the water, while the center of the pool holds a kinetic sculpture with various components that rotate in the wind. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to see the fountain turned on.

Spanish mission-style arcades frame both sides of the court, the most visible reminder of architect Bertram Goodhue’s 1917 master plan for the campus, which guided the development of campus through the 1920s to the ’40s, before it expanded north across San Pasqual Street. Goodhue was a prolific architect whose romantic interpretation of Spanish Colonial architecture in San Diego’s Balboa Park effectively established it as California’s signature style. In addition to the master plan, Goodhue also designed the physics buildings on the south side of the library court. Later, near the end of his life, Goodhue would design a beloved Los Angeles landmark: the Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles.

Turn north (towards the mountains) and head through the arcade, down the steps and up the grassy mall. On your left will be the Parsons-Gates Hall of Administration, the oldest existing building on campus. A small fountain trickles from the mouth of an elaborately carved head on the front of the stairwell.

8. San Pasqual Walk: Two major pedestrian thoroughfares intersect at this point: east-west San Pasqual Walk and north-south Beckman Mall, which leads back up to the Beckman Auditorium. From here, the peaked roof of the auditorium mimics San Gabriel Peak in the distance. The lawn is used for graduation ceremonies and the occasional campus event.

A grove of eucalyptus trees sits on this spot, as well as a pair of concrete, rectangular lily ponds across the way. In season, lily pads cover the entire surface of the ponds, adorned with gorgeous pink flowers. You might even see a turtle in here; sometimes staff have to relocate them from Throop Garden when they’re cleaning the ponds.

Tucked around the corner on your right is a small walled-in courtyard called the Garden of Associates , sometimes also referred to as Dabney Garden for the adjacent building. It is regularly used for events, so you might find it closed off, but if you happen to visit while it’s open, it’s a very tranquil spot, with shady olive trees, lots of seating, and a stylish tile fountain embedded in one wall. The main feature of the garden is a statue of Tenjin , the Shinto deity of learning and scholarship, riding an ox. The statue itself has an interesting history: it was located in the Bernheimer Gardens, a Japanese-style estate built in Pacific Palisades in the 1920s by the same developers as the Yamashiro Restaurant overlooking Hollywood. By the ’40s, Bernheimer Gardens started to succumb to numerous landslides, closing the attraction for good, with the Tenjin statue winding up here.

Continue west (left if you’re facing the mountains) down San Pasqual Walk. The trees here are a very different mix from other parts of campus, with lots of maples and pines mixed in with eucalyptus and oaks. On your left will be a small garden, the Iris Garden, decorated with a tiny sundial in the center. A nearby plaque explains that the irises planted in this garden were used in genetic studies by noted geneticist and Caltech professor Alfred Sturtevant.

9. Calder Arches: Just past the Iris Garden on your left will be a very unique architectural feature. On a bridge linking two buildings is the Beckman Laboratory of Chemical Synthesis, with its huge arched windows adorned with beautifully carved statuary. The stonework, named for sculptor Alexander Calder, comes from the façade of Throop Hall, the first building on campus. After the building was torn down, the stonework sat in a city yard for over a decade before being restored and mounted on the laboratory bridge.

Above the arches are figures representing, from left to right, Nature, Art, Energy, Science, Imagination, and Law. Between the arches are two pilasters depicting Minerva and Mercury, representing the arts and science, respectively. The façade originally had four pilasters, but only two could fit on the bridge. The other two, representing nature and the law, are in the courtyard just ahead; walk under the bridge and straight across, past the parking lot, where you’ll see them sitting in a planter. In the corner are two more adornments, which would have sat under these pilasters: an open book grasped by a hand, for law, and an eerie depiction of life, death, and eternity, meant to be paired with nature.

In the corner is a short tunnel, which will lead you back to the library court. Head through the tunnel, then make a couple of right turns to proceed down the tree-lined mall behind the library tower.

10. Bechtel Mall: Built as a grand entryway to Caltech in the 1930s, this lovely mall is lined with Spanish mission-style arcades on both sides, framed by buildings that are a mix of the mission-style and stylized Mayan architecture. At the entrance facing Wilson Avenue are twin miniature domes topped with ceramic tile, while the mall itself holds fragrant jacaranda trees.

About halfway down the mall, on the south side, is a small courtyard between the geological sciences buildings decorated with a beautifully carved marble bird bath that was gifted to the geology department. If you continue through the courtyard, you’ll emerge onto a patio overlooking California Boulevard, which is decorated with a minimalist sculpture titled, “Perception,” with an elongated cube suspended over a reflecting pool. A plaque nearby gives a very lengthy description of the significance of the design, but it’s enjoyable just to walk around and admire how the shape of the sculpture changes in the reflection in the water.

Continue to the end of Bechtel Mall and exit onto Wilson Avenue. There’s a landscaped median in the street, with a little walkway cutting down the middle. Cross the street, turn right, continue up Wilson, then turn left onto San Pasqual Street.

11. Bungalow Court: On the northeastern corner of San Pasqual Street and Catalina Avenue is a very cute bungalow court dating from the 1920s. A plaque explains that the buildings were relocated from the corner of Del Mar and Wilson to make way for the construction of the Neuroscience Research Building. Today, they’re used as offices.

Turn right onto Catalina Avenue and continue north.

12. Catalina Graduate Housing: Past the bungalow court is a large housing complex for graduate students that extends all the way up to Del Mar Boulevard. It’s fairly standard 1980s apartment construction, although what makes it unusual is its rustic architecture style. Between the wood paneling, the stone chimneys adorning the utility buildings in the middle of the courtyards, the wooden bridges, and the maples and pine trees, it looks more like something you’d see at an alpine ski resort than a Southern California college campus.

Continue up Catalina and you’ll reach Del Mar. From here, you can turn left and walk a couple blocks to the shopping district of South Lake Avenue, which holds a Trader Joe’s, some department stores, a bunch of restaurants, and a goofy but rather cute British-themed shopping arcade.

Or, if you want to see a strange bit of Caltech history, continue north on Catalina towards Colorado Boulevard. On your right, at the corner of Green Street, is a picturesque brick building that once housed the regional center of the Office of Naval Research. This building, originally built as a noted interior design studio and showroom in the 1920s, was leased by Caltech during WWII and used for military research during the war. Allegedly, the trigger mechanism for one of the first atomic bombs was fabricated in the building’s garage, facing Catalina. After the war it was turned over to the U.S. Navy, who occupied it through the end of the Cold War. Today, it holds the Madeline Garden restaurant and apartments on the second floor.

(If you want to know more about the history of the building, as well as a bunch of other bizarre history surrounding Caltech, be sure to subscribe to our Patreon , where we have a post detailing some of the strange scientific history of Pasadena.)

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Monthly Public Tours

Next Second Saturday Tour Date: September 14, 2024

To join a Second Saturday tour, you must first register . Registration is free.

Tours depart from the new LIGO Exploration Center (LExC) . Please park first in LExC's parking lot/overflow lot.

Click Here To Register

Additional information about tours. Please read:

• Visitors do not require any special badging to visit LIGO.
• The walking tour is just under a mile and takes about an hour. It includes indoor and outdoor locations, so guests should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Note that there is no seating along the way. Please contact us if you think you may need assistance. We're happy to help make your visit comfortable and enjoyable!
• The tour path meets all ADA guidelines and is wheelchair accessible .
• There are no food services on site. Feel free to bring your own food with you and enjoy the outdoor patio seating.
• Photographs are welcome, but we kindly request that you do not record/video staff members without their permission .
• LIGO tours are suitable for all ages. The talks are appropriate for visitors aged 12 and up, but all ages are welcome to attend.
• No pets are allowed on Department of Energy land , which includes the LIGO Hanford Observatory. Exceptions are made for service animals. ( What is a service animal? )

What will I see?

During your visit you will have a chance to explore many interactive and static exhibits now housed in LHO's LIGO Exploration Center (LExC) . Many artifacts from LIGO's history are housed in LExC, in addition to the historic Weber Bar (one of the earliest devices designed to detect gravitational waves). You will also visit the one point on the site where you can see both of the interferometer's 4km-long arms reaching into the Eastern Washington shrub steppe. A highlight for many guests is the interferometer's control room, where you will learn even more about LIGO directly from the people who maintain and operate the world's most sensitive measuring device. In addition to the tour, a fun and hands-on STEM challenge will be available in the LExC classroom. Questions are welcomed and encouraged anywhere along your tour!

Contact LIGO Hanford

Physical/shipping address: 127124 N Rt. 10 Richland, WA 99354

Postal address: PO Box 159 Richland, WA 99352-0159

Other Outreach Inquiries: Outreach Department

Information: (509) 372-8106

Anti-Harassment Policy | Image Use Policy | Privacy Policy

The LIGO Laboratory is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation award PHY-2309200 and operated jointly by Caltech and MIT. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.

LIGO Laboratory is member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. We observe and publish science with the Virgo Collaboration

Website designed by IPAC Communications & Education Team

Caltech's Campus

Caltech's 124-acre campus in Pasadena, California, is home to a community of roughly 300 professorial faculty, 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students, 600 postdoctoral scholars, and 2,500 staff, who work together to advance our understanding of the earth, the universe, and the human mind. To discover more about Caltech's history, study examples of noteworthy campus architecture, and learn what it is like to be a student at Caltech, you can take our self-guided walking tour and visit the terra-cotta panels adorning the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, stop for a coffee at the Red Door Café, or watch Caltech's famous turtles bask in the sun in Throop Memorial Garden. If you would prefer to explore the Institute from the comfort of your home, take the virtual campus tour to see the Dabney Library's Humanities Collections or the Chen Neuroscience Research Building (pictured).

Student Experience

Caltech has 134 active student-led clubs , including the Black Student Union (pictured) and the Science Olympiad Planning Team, which helps Caltech host the annual Southern California Science Olympiad State Tournament for middle and high school students.

Performing and Visual Arts (PVA)

Caltech's Performing and Visual Arts program offers excellent opportunities for the study and performance of music, theater, and the visual arts, including the Caltech Jazz Band, Caltech Orchestra, and TACIT (Theater Arts at Caltech).

Twenty-five percent of Caltech's undergraduates participate in an NCAA Division III sport . Our game-changing basketball , volleyball , and other coaches make Caltech athletics unique.

Pi Day, Ditch Day , the Pumpkin Drop, and ME 72 —Caltech's annual rituals and traditions both create and reflect the Institute's culture of innovation and creativity.

Houses and Residences

Caltech has 11 on-campus residences for undergraduates, including eight houses, which provide social communities and support structures. Graduate housing includes the Catalina Apartments and Caltech-owned lease properties.

Office of Student Experience (OSE)

The Office of Student Experience oversees the experience of living on campus for both undergrads and grad students, provides engaging experiences outside the classroom, and supports students in building community at Caltech.

Public Events

Watson Lectures

Free and open to the public, the Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series has for more than 100 years offered a unique and accessible opportunity to learn more about cutting-edge science directly from Caltech's premier researchers. Watch past lectures on YouTube and find out more at the Watson Lecture website .

Science Journeys

Everyone's journey to becoming a scientist is unique. During their Science Journeys talks, Caltech graduate students and postdoctoral scholars tell their personal stories while exploring a range of scientific topics that will spark curiosity and provide educators with resources to continue scientific exploration in the classroom.

Presidential Distinguished Speakers

The Presidential Distinguished Speaker Series features eminent speakers addressing timely topics in science and engineering, culture, public policy, and American higher education.

Public Performances

Caltech has a rich legacy of performing arts on campus. Beckman Auditorium hosts a diverse range of music, theatre, and dance shows from internationally-renowned performers throughout the year , enjoyed by both the campus community and the broader public.

Behind the Book

At Behind the Book talks, authors explore the intersection of arts, science, and society through the lens of their life experiences and family histories.

Movies that Matter

Movies That Matter presents films such as Chasing Ice and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks that address current concerns in various realms of science as well as important matters of social justice.

Snigdha Saha (BS '24)

Every single person I know at Caltech is so accomplished, so smart. I’m so lucky to be able to say I went to school with these people. I can guarantee you, in a few years, some of them will be Nobel laureates. Some of them will be winning all sorts of prizes. Some of them will be spearheading companies. There’s a sense of going from imposter syndrome to reaching the end and saying, ‘You know what? I did belong here, and I did really well, and I'm really proud of that.’"

• Undergraduate

The house system has been a great resource for me. The third- and fourth-year undergrads in my house provided a safe space for me to ask anything, like: ‘How do I email a professor asking to do research in their lab?’ and ‘What classes should I take?’ They helped me adjust to college, adjust to Caltech, make friends, and eventually I became the social vice president of my house! It’s really good to have people who have been through what you’re going through, know what you feel like, and can support you through everything.”

• Barista and Cashier at Red Door Marketplace

Vincent Lopez

One of the best things about Caltech is the diversity. When the World Cup soccer matches are happening, you can go into the dining hall any day and see people from that country cheering on their team. There’s such a wide variety of people from all over the world here, so you get introduced to so many different cultures. I really enjoy that.”

Resources for the Caltech Community

Caltech center for inclusion and diversity (ccid).

CCID works to enhance the experience of all Caltech community members holistically through education, advocacy, cultural exchange, leadership development, and coalition building. The center serves as a hub of resources, and it partners with various stakeholders to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility both at the Institute and within the scientific community.

CCID hosts discussion and affinity groups, supports diversity and inclusion ambassadors, organizes seminars about identities, advocacy, and activism within science, and offers a variety of training workshops to benefit Caltech's inclusion and diversity efforts .

First-Year Success Research Institute (FSRI) and Graduate Student Research Institute (GSRI)

FSRI , which is run by CCID, is a year-long orientation and academic support program designed to introduce incoming first-year students to Caltech's research and math curriculum, culture and campus life, and academic and student support services in a collaborative environment that allows students to develop lasting relationships with peers and colleagues.

GSRI , which is run by Caltech's Student-Faculty Programs office, helps incoming graduate students gain the necessary social and cultural capital to successfully navigate graduate school by providing programming on building effective networks, accessing campus resources and services, and developing critical interpersonal skills. The program allows graduate students to acclimate to Caltech and build community before they start their graduate studies with social events, lectures and workshops, and professional development sessions during the week-long event.

For more than 100 years, the Caltech Y has enriched the lives of Caltech students through a wide variety of programs and services that are initiated and led by students. As part of its mission to broaden students' worldviews and raise social, ethical, and cultural awareness through teamwork, community engagement, activism, and leadership, the Y supplements and complements the excellent academics of Caltech by offering co-curricular events and activities for all campus members. The Caltech Y is an independent 501c3 organization recognized by and formally affiliated with the Institute.

The Athenaeum

The Athenaeum , known informally as "the Ath," is a private club that was founded on campus in 1930 to promote social, cultural, and intellectual exchange. Today, the Athenaeum has more than 4,000 members, including Caltech faculty, trustees, alumni, senior administrators, researchers, undergraduates and graduate students, members of the Associates of the California Institute of Technology, JPL employees, community leaders, and more. The Ath's building and grounds offer members and their guests convenient settings for formal and informal dining, meetings, or private parties.

Astronomy Outreach

Caltech's astronomers have created a robust outreach program for both lovers of the night sky and those who have yet to discover the joy of stargazing. The Stargazing Lecture Series on Friday nights takes place on the athletic fields adjacent to the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics and allows visitors to look through telescopes at the sights of the universe. For those who like to pair a beer and fries with planets and stars, Caltech's Astronomy on Tap events can provide a more casual opportunity to learn about the cosmos and the interesting research being done in astrophysics.

Student Wellness Services (SWS)

Student Wellness Services is committed to supporting the health and emotional well-being of Caltech students. Services are available to all enrolled Caltech students and are not dependent on enrollment in any insurance plan. SWS offers support through health services specifically designed for the unique needs of Caltech’s students, counseling services that promote student success and emotional well-being, and occupational therapy services that teach students skills and strategies to improve their routines and habits.

Take a historical walking tour of this Manitowoc County village in October

The tour will last 90 minutes..

MANITOWOC – A Manitowoc County village founded as a religious colony in 1854 by a group of German immigrants will be the subject of a historical walking tour Oct. 1.

The first settlers of what is today St. Nazianz numbered 113. They came from the Black Forest region of Baden, Germany, seeking religious freedom and were led by Father Ambrose Oschwald, a Roman Catholic priest.

At 3 and 5 p.m. Oct. 1, Manitowoc County Historical Society and the St. Nazianz Area Historical Society will lead a historical walking tour of the village. The tour will begin at 105 W. Birch St. and last roughly 90 minutes touring streets, places and people of the historic community.

More history: The Waverly was a first-class hotel in Two Rivers. Today, it's home to Waverly Inn Pub & Pizzeria.

Advanced registration is required. Cost is $20 per person and MCHS members receive a 15% discount.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

For more information or to register, visit ManitowocCountyHistory.org or call 920-684-4445.

Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or  [email protected] , or follow him on X at  @breidHTRNews .

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Marvelous Murals in the City: Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour or Join the Belltown Art Walk on September 13

Blog stats: 800 words | 4-minute read

At-a-glance:

• More than 30 new murals have come to life in and around Downtown Seattle, from Belltown to SODO to the Chinatown-International District.
• Created by skilled artists, the murals are a new public amenity we want people to discover, engage with, and enjoy.
• You can see them first-hand via a self-guided walking tour. Earlier this week, we installed new decals on sidewalks in Belltown to highlight a walking route ( see more details below ).
• You can also join the next Belltown Art Walk on Friday, September 13 from 6 to 9 PM, taking place throughout the Belltown neighborhood. No advanced registration is required.
• The Downtown Mural Project is made possible by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and its Hope Corps program which provides funding grants to support artists and community-based organizations.
• This initiative is part of Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan to revitalize and reinvigorate the greater Downtown Seattle area.

Mural enthusiasts, this is your time – come down to Belltown and enjoy some of Seattle’s newest and finest public art in the heart of the city. Here’s how you can participate.

Attend the Belltown Art Walk on September 13

Taking place the second Friday of every month, the Belltown Art Walk is a great way to check out art in Belltown first-hand, including the new murals.

You can participate this Friday, September 13 from 6 to 9 PM throughout Belltown.

It’s a free, self-guided, all-ages event hosted by a volunteer- and donations-driven nonprofit charity serving artists, the community, and the Belltown neighborhood.

You can also check out the art at a gallery show titled ‘Walls Out’ which is located at Base Camp Studios 2 (formerly Bergman Luggage) in Downtown Seattle. The gallery display is open through Saturday, September 14. Learn more online here .

Take a walking tour anytime

Feeling more independent? You can enjoy the murals on your own schedule via a new walking route we’ve laid out in Belltown. Check out the short video, map, and sidewalk decal shown below – all of which can help you easily find your way to enjoy the murals.

How to get downtown by transit

We encourage you to consider taking transit to reach the murals in Belltown and Downtown Seattle. Downtown is served by Link light rail and buses from all over Seattle and the region.

To plan your trip, visit Sound Transit’s trip planner , King County Metro’s trip planner , or other tools like Google Maps or OneBusAway to find the most convenient transit route for you.

You can also consider biking, scooting, walking, or rolling if it works for your trip. Learn more on our Bike and Scooter Share website .

More about the artists

Local artists are at the core of this work. Their talents and creative inspiration have brought the new art to life. Here are a few photos highlighting several of the artists behind the new murals.

We encourage you to read more here about artists participating in the Downtown Mural Project – and check out more of their work.

More about the Downtown Activation Plan

Seattle’s Downtown Activation Plan is a roadmap to revitalize and transform Downtown Seattle now and for the future. You can find more details in this blog post from Mayor Harrell .

“Our Downtown Activation Plan includes a strong focus on making neighborhoods vibrant, engaging, and welcoming, including through an expansion of murals and public art. Through this festival and the new murals in Belltown, we hope residents and visitors will visit Downtown to see the creative and innovative spirit of our city, as well as come together, connect, and see themselves as part of Seattle’s tapestry,” – Mayor Bruce Harrell

Thanks for your interest. We hope you enjoy checking out the murals with your family, friends, or coworkers in the days ahead.

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Niagara Falls American Side Self-Guided Walking Tour

The Niagara Falls American Side Self-Guided Walking Tour offers travelers a chance to enjoy the captivating history and natural beauty of this iconic destination. With a user-friendly app and engaging audio narration, the tour guides visitors through key landmarks, from the Niagara Civil War Monument to the breathtaking Cave of the Winds Lookout. Whether you’re a solo adventurer, a couple, or a family, this flexible and convenient experience promises to deliver a memorable exploration of the American side of Niagara Falls. But the true allure of this tour lies in the stories it unveils, inviting visitors to uncover the rich tapestry of this natural wonder.

• The self-guided walking tour offers an app-based audio guide with offline maps and hands-free narration for an immersive experience at Niagara Falls.
• The tour covers key landmarks like the Niagara Civil War Monument, Observation Tower, Prospect Point, and the Cave of the Winds Lookout.
• Flexible scheduling with a 365-day validity period and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance allows for convenient and stress-free planning.
• Engaging storytelling and insights into Nikola Tesla’s contributions to harnessing the power of Niagara Falls enhance the overall educational and entertaining aspects of the tour.
• The tour caters to diverse traveler types, including couples, friends, solo travelers, and families, providing a versatile experience for various preferences and needs.

More tours and experiences nearby.

• From Nyc: 2-Day Tour to Niagara Falls With Outlet Shopping
• From NYC: Full-Day Niagara Falls Tour by Van
• 3-Day Adventure of Falls, Culinary Delights, and Hotel Stay
• 3 – Day Niagara Falls USA & Canada Combo Tour

Tour Overview and Pricing

The self-guided Niagara Falls American Side Walking Tour offers a comprehensive and flexible experience for visitors, with pricing starting at $14.99 per person.

The tour’s cancellation policy allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

With a validity period of 365 days, travelers can enjoy the tour at their convenience, with no upfront payment required.

The app-based audio guide provides an engaging storytelling experience, complete with offline maps and hands-free narration tailored to the user’s location.

Whether you’re a couple, a group of friends, a solo traveler, or a family, this tour promises an immersive exploration of Niagara Falls’ iconic landmarks and captivating history.

Itinerary and Key Locations

Starting from either the One Niagara Welcome Center or the Niagara Falls Visitor Center Parking Lot 1, this self-guided walking tour takes visitors on a captivating journey through Niagara Falls’ most iconic landmarks .

Explore the Niagara Civil War Monument, the Niagara Falls Observation Tower, and the breathtaking Prospect Point.

Discover the dramatic Hell’s Half Acre, the serene Luna Island, and the Nikola Tesla Monument , where you’ll learn about the renowned inventor’s connection to the falls.

The tour culminates at the stunning Cave of the Winds Lookout , Terrapin Point, and the picturesque Three Sisters Islands, offering unparalleled views of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the mighty Horseshoe Falls.

Audio Guide and Narration

Complementing the immersive tour experience , the included audio guide provides engaging storytelling, offline maps, and hands-free navigation based on the user’s location.

Narrated by knowledgeable local guides , the audio brings the history and sights of Niagara Falls to life. As you explore the key landmarks like the Niagara Civil War Monument and Terrapin Point, the guide automatically triggers relevant information, ensuring you don’t miss a beat.

With the ability to pause, rewind, or skip ahead, the self-paced nature of the tour allows you to customize your experience. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a frequent explorer, the audio guide enhances your understanding and appreciation of this natural wonder .

Highlights of the Tour

Among the tour’s highlights, visitors can expect to experience the breathtaking Cave of the Winds Lookout, which offers unparalleled views of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the mighty Horseshoe Falls.

Along With the panoramic vistas, the tour provides opportunities to:

Learn about the formation and history of the Niagara Falls, a natural wonder millions of years in the making.

Discover the connection between the falls and the pioneering work of Nikola Tesla, whose innovations helped harness the power of the cascading waters.

Explore the unique landmarks along the tour, including the Niagara Civil War Monument and the Three Sisters Islands.

Immerse oneself in the thrilling tales and captivating narratives that bring the Niagara Falls experience to life.

Flexibility and Convenience

The self-guided walking tour ‘s flexibility allows visitors to use the tour at any time, on any day, over multiple trips within one year, catering to their preferred pace and schedule.

This means travelers don’t have to book a specific date or time in advance and can fit the tour into their Niagara Falls itinerary whenever it suits them best.

The tour’s 365-day validity offers great convenience , enabling visitors to experience the highlights of the American side of the falls multiple times during their stay, or even return for another visit in the future.

With no upfront payment required , travelers can easily reserve the tour and pay later, adding to the overall flexibility and stress-free booking process.

Customer Support and Assistance

Alongside the tour’s flexibility, Action Tour Guide provides all-day assistance to customers via call, chat, or email, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. Their support team is readily available to address any questions or concerns, making the self-guided experience truly hassle-free.

Customers can count on:

Prompt responses to inquiries

Troubleshooting for technical issues with the app or device

Guidance on navigating the tour and understanding the key highlights

Assistance with modifying or rescheduling bookings as needed

With this dedicated customer support, travelers can fully enjoy the Niagara Falls walking tour, knowing that help is just a click or call away if required.

Customer Feedback and Ratings

Reviewing the available customer feedback, the Niagara Falls American Side Self-Guided Walking Tour has an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5 based on 3 verified reviews, catering to a diverse audience of couples, groups of friends, solo travelers, and families.

The customer feedback indicates a generally positive experience, with visitors appreciating the tour’s flexibility , allowing them to complete it at their own pace over multiple visits within a year.

The audio guide’s engaging storytelling and the opportunity to witness the falls’ breathtaking views and Nikola Tesla’s connection have been highlighted as key highlights.

While the overall rating is favorable, the limited number of reviews suggests that the tour may benefit from additional feedback to better understand and address any areas for improvement.

Suitable Traveler Types

According to the customer feedback, the Niagara Falls American Side Self-Guided Walking Tour caters to a diverse range of travelers, including couples, groups of friends, solo adventurers, and families, providing a flexible and engaging experience tailored to different preferences and needs.

The tour’s appeal spans across various traveler types:

Couples can enjoy the tour’s romantic ambiance and opportunities for one-on-one exploration.

Groups of friends can bond over the shared adventure and captivating stories.

Solo travelers can enjoy the captivating history and natural wonders at their own pace.

Families can create lasting memories while learning about the falls’ rich heritage and natural formation.

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.

• Niagara Falls: American Tour W/ Maid of Mist & Cave of Winds
• Niagara Falls USA: Cave of the Winds & Maid of the Mist Ride
• Maid of the Mist & Jetboat Ride + Lunch (Ice Cream Included)
• Niagara Falls: Canadian Side Day Trip With Maid of the Mist
• Niagara Falls Canada & USA: Small Group Deluxe Tour
• Canadian Small Group Tour W Boat, Aerocar or Skylon Tower

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Complete the Self-Guided Tour?

The self-guided tour typically takes 1-2 hours to complete. This duration allows visitors to explore the key locations and highlights at a leisurely pace and learn about the history and features of the area through the provided audio guide.

Can the Tour Be Done in a Wheelchair or With Limited Mobility?

The tour can accommodate visitors with limited mobility or in wheelchairs. Many of the key locations are wheelchair-accessible, and the tour app provides instructions for navigating the route. Guests should check specific accessibility details prior to booking.

Are There Any Discounts or Special Offers Available for the Tour?

The tour operator offers several discounts and special offers, such as group rates, student/senior discounts, and family packages. Customers should check the website or contact customer service to inquire about any current promotions or deals available.

Can the Tour Be Done in a Language Other Than English?

The tour can be done in multiple languages. The self-guided audio tour is available in several languages, allowing visitors to experience the tour in their preferred language and gain a deeper understanding of the content.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for the Tour?

There are no age restrictions or requirements for the tour. The tour is suitable for travelers of all ages, including families with children, as it is a self-guided walking experience that can be enjoyed at one’s own pace.

Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

• From NYC: 1-Day Niagara Falls Tour by Van
• From Niagara Falls Usa: Day and Night Tour With Light Show
• Niagara Falls: Canadian and American Deluxe Day Tour
• Niagara Falls, Usa: Walking Tour With Maid of Mist Boat Ride
• Niagara Falls: Family Bike Overnight Trip
• NF Usa: Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, & Hotel Pickup
• Niagara Falls: Winter Tour With Cave of the Winds Entry
• Niagara Falls, Usa: Walking Tour W/Cave and Maid of the Mist
• Niagara Falls, Usa: Guided Tour With Cave & Maid of the Mist
• Niagara Falls: Maid of the Mist & Cave of the Winds Tour
• Niagara Falls: Private Guided Tour With Trolley Ride

The Niagara Falls American Side Self-Guided Walking Tour offers an immersive and flexible way to explore the iconic natural wonder at one’s own pace.

With engaging audio narration , offline maps, and a focus on key landmarks , the tour caters to a variety of travelers.

This makes it an ideal choice for couples, families, and solo adventurers seeking a comprehensive and convenient sightseeing experience.

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HELPING YOU PLAN YOUR PERFECT TRIP TO PORTUGAL

Guided walking tour: highlights of porto.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure policy  for further information.

By Mike Homer

I always feel that one of the best ways to get a feel for a city is to find a walking tour that covers the “must see” highlights, led by an enthusiastic local with plenty of insider knowledge.

That’s exactly what I got on this 3-hour small group walking tour of Porto (it’s also available as a private tour if you prefer).

After refilling my water bottle in preparation, I and four other enthusiastic travellers met our guide for the afternoon, Lia, a vibrant native of Porto with a welcoming smile.

A quick introduction to each other and we were soon on our journey to discover the foremost Porto sights .

The first stop was just a short distance downhill where we could see along the Douro River and take in a few of the many bridges. Lia gave us quite a detailed history of Portugal and how the capital city changed location throughout the ages.

She mentioned that when Lisbon became the country’s capital, no official papers were registered, so the title of capital city actually reverts to the previously registered one, i.e. Coimbra! (I’m not sure what Lisboetas would make of this!)

Porto Cathedral

After stopping at the stately horseback statue of Vimara Peres and taking in the views, Lia told us about the history of Porto’s Romanesque Cathedral. Constructed in the 12th century, it apparently houses more azulejos (tiles) than anywhere else in Portugal. You can see some of these in the open-sided passageway to the left of the main entrance.

Although we didn’t go inside the cathedral, Lia did invite us to take a close look at the wall by the entrance. There are two lines gouged into the stone work (see photo), used to measure a length of cloth sold in the market in front of the building. The lower mark is supposedly the length of a forearm, a measurement previously used when buying textiles. 

After being invited to place our own arms on the mark, it was evident that it was much longer than it should be; about 6 inches, in fact. The story goes that the locals felt they were being undersold by the merchants so, every night, someone would creep in the dark and scratch a little more stone out. Thus, the measurement got longer and longer!

Down to Ribeira

If you’re walking in Porto it’s difficult to avoid hills and steps. As we headed downhill towards the Douro River, we passed through the ‘Arch of Truth’ (where wives were not allowed to lie to their husbands) and chatted about the old houses with their small doors. These low doorways are not for short Portuguese people but for their animals, who used to be kept on the ground floor beneath the living quarters, for warmth.

As we strolled along Ribeira we saw various teenagers precariously perched on the outside of the Dom Luís I bridge. In warmer months, it’s quite common to find small groups of boys encouraging passers-by to part with a little money to see their colleague leap into the river. Apparently, this can be quite a lucrative pastime! 

Boats and festivals

Whilst at the riverside, Lia explained about the rabelo boats that were used to transport barrels of port wine from the vineyards much further upstream in the Douro Valley .

On June 24th, which is the São João festival in Porto, you can see many of these boats race along the Douro , each manned by one of the major port wine houses. However, the night before is a huge party where people go around bopping each other on the head with plastic hammers. Sounds fun!

As the afternoon wore on we wandered past the Igreja de São Francisco and Palácio da Bolsa and headed up Rua das Flores towards Porto’s most beautiful train station. 

São Bento train station

A convent until 1834, the building was first used as a train station in 1916. What happened to it in the intervening 82 years? Well, the abolition of Portuguese monasteries came into effect from 1834, all of the nuns who had been living there were allowed to stay there for life. However, a 14-year-old girl had just joined the sisterhood and lived to a ripe old age, meaning that the state had to wait a long time to take over the property.

The beautiful tile panels show significant moments from Portuguese history as well as insights into bygone lifestyles.

Find out what happened when I went on this Portuguese Tile Painting workshop .

Lello bookstore

Any Porto walking tour needs a break, especially on a hot August afternoon. After a welcome café stop for refreshments, we were now approaching the Clérigos area and the final stages of our tour.

We didn’t join the long, snake-like queue to go into the famous Lello bookshop (you need to purchase tickets in advance if you want to go inside). Instead, Lia explained the many Harry Potter connections in the area, from the grand staircase found within the bookshop, to students’ attire and even the griffin fountain just around the corner.

We couldn’t walk through Jardim da Cordoaria due to roadworks but we did spot the unusually bulbous sycamore trees  lining the pathways. Legend has it that all of the badness and disease from the nearby hospital was absorbed into these trees. Actually, it was a nasty fungus.

Clérigos Tower

An informative stroll past the courthouse and the former prison led us to our final stop, the Torre dos Clérigos, with its 75-metre tall bell tower, which can be seen from various points of the city and is one of Porto’s most characteristic symbols. 

The verdict and tips

Overall, this was a very pleasurable Porto walking tour, with lots of interesting information and a relaxed pace. If you do decide this is the tour for you, remember to take plenty of water and be prepared for quite a few steps and the notorious hills of Porto.

Another nice touch was that shortly after the tour had finished, we were sent lots of recommendations for restaurants, museums, etc.

For further information, click on the questions below:

No, but information is given regarding prices and the best time to visit.

It is a 3 hour walking tour and Porto is very hilly. I have a dodgy knee and I must admit it became quite painful later on. One alternative option would be Julie’s Flexible Self-Guided Walking Tour , where you can do everything at your own pace.

Yes. Just choose the private option when you book.

Alternatives

If you’d prefer to walk without a guide, try Julie’s Flexible Self-Guided Walking Tour of Porto , which you can do in 1 day or split over two if you have more time.

If you’re looking for more Porto ‘must sees’ check out this 40 Of The Most amazing Things To Do In Porto post .

Over to you. Please share your thoughts in a comment. Cancel reply

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50 years after busing, a walking tour makes Boston’s desegregation history ‘come alive’

On the 50th anniversary of the federal court decision to integrate Boston schools, a group of 20 people stood on the red brick walkway in front of the Massachusetts State House at one of the first stops of a walking tour of key events in the city’s history of desegregation and busing.

The group of people, some in suits and some in jeans, stood under the beating morning sun, intently listening to advocates give personal testimonies of the brutalities they witnessed and their fight to defend students’ right to equality.

The tour was organized by the Boston Desegregation and Busing Initiative, a committee seeking to teach the public and students about the history of desegregation in Boston through forums, exhibits, partnerships, research, and interviews. Thursday’s event was a preview for community leaders and the media of a public tour the committee is hosting on Sept. 14.

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In addition to visiting meaningful historical landmarks, the tour incorporates important voices and photos from the movement.

Lyda Peters, a longtime desegregation and education equity advocate, encouraged her audience to “take on the mantle” of fighting towards equality and justice.

“Move forward and learn from what we did,” Peters said.

The first day of busing in Boston was on Sept. 12, 1974, after a federal judge ordered Boston to integrate its public school system. Black families hoped the decision would lead to better educational opportunities and fairer outcomes for their children, but it sparked outrage. Protestors launched rocks at a bus carrying Black students to South Boston High School and spewed slurs at them.

The first leg of the tour ended at the courthouse where Judge Arthur Garrity ruled in 1974 that Boston’s schools were segregated by the Boston School Committee. Busing would begin that September.

A yellow school bus rolled up to the courthouse to take the tour group to South Boston High School. Tour organizers handed each person a golf ball once they were seated on the bus to symbolize the violence targeted at innocent kids.

The tour group was led to the school’s auditorium to listen to community leaders talk about their advocacy efforts. The speakers’ voices echoed and bounced off the walls.

During busing, Ira Jackson, chief of staff to former mayor Kevin White, said the school resembled a prison.

He said police officers and state troopers were stationed inside the corridors of the school after the first day of busing to ensure Black kids were safe.

Jackson described horrific events he witnessed during the period, such as mothers throwing bananas at Black children and yelling slurs. Someone from an angry mob spat on a Black patrol officer’s shield, a friend of his.

The Sept. 14 tour will also cover events like Freedom Stay Out Day in 1963. Gloria Bourne Lee, one of the tour’s speakers, participated in the event as a young teen. A youth leader at a Cambridge church she belonged to said people would be going to support Boston students.

She doesn’t remember much of the actual event, but what sticks with her are the emotions that rushed through her that day.

“I remember feeling, ‘Oh, I’m doing a good thing. We’re doing a good thing,” Bourne Lee said in a phone interview. “We’re making progress. We’re going to help these students.”

Bourne Lee went on to become a teacher, and her first job was at the New School for Children in Roxbury, one of the alternative schools opened for Black students failed by BPS.

“I’m happy and proud that I was part of all that,” Bourne Lee said.

We got golf balls when we boarded the bus — a symbol of the rocks thrown at buses and epithets of slurs yelled at Black students. Holding its weight in my hand, I can’t imagine how frightening it must have been to be a student hearing stones clanking as they landed on the bus. pic.twitter.com/2xVzZvWNA3 — Natalie La Roche Pietri (@natalaroche) September 12, 2024

Natalie La Roche Pietri can be reached at [email protected] . Follow her @natalaroche .