When I stepped onto IU’s campus for my first and only college tour in October 2024 as a high school senior, I was immediately pulled in by the landmarks, traditions and atmosphere that define Hoosier pride. Now, as a college freshman, the places I’ve continued to discover have transformed IU from an impressive campus into a place that genuinely feels like home.
From limestone buildings that anchor the university’s history to statues, fountains and gathering spaces alive with student energy, the following campus tour stops offer a window into what makes IU more than just a collection of classrooms.
Sample Gates
Rising at the intersection of East Kirkwood Avenue and Indiana Avenue, Sample Gates serves as the ceremonial front door to campus. The twin Indiana limestone arches do more than mark an entrance — they create a first impression. Built in 1987, the Gothic-inspired design reflects the university’s signature limestone architecture found throughout the Old Crescent, an area between Indiana Avenue and Third Street that features some of the oldest buildings on campus including Franklin Hall and Owen Hall.
It remains one of the most photographed spots on campus — a backdrop for move-in days, game day traditions and graduation portraits. Walking beneath the arches feels intentional, like stepping into a community shaped by history and sustained by tradition.
Herman B Wells statue
Just steps from Owen and Wylie Halls stands the bronze statue of Herman B Wells sitting on a campus bench, honoring one of the most influential leaders in IU history. Wells served as university president from 1938 to 1962 and then chancellor until his death in 2000, overseeing decades of academic expansion and elevating the university’s national reputation by pushing for civil rights, supporting groundbreaking research and preserving green spaces.
Today, the statue is woven into a campus ritual. Students touch Wells’ outstretched thumb for good luck before exams, and the bronze there shines brighter than the rest, polished by years of hopeful hands. The statue offers more than a photo opportunity — it represents the leadership and vision that helped shape modern IU, and the traditions students continue to carry forward.
Showalter Fountain
At the center of the Fine Arts Plaza, surrounded by the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture and Design, the IU Auditorium and the Lilly Library, sits Showalter Fountain.
Dedicated in 1961, the limestone sculpture “The Birth of Venus” was designed by Fine Arts professor Robert Laurent. The 15-foot figure reclines in a clamshell and is surrounded by sculpted fish.
The sculpture provides a strong visual focal point, giving visitors a moment to glimpse the artistic core of campus. The fountain showcases IU’s deep connection to the arts while serving as a gathering place where creativity and student life naturally intersect.
Cox Arboretum
In one of the most scenic areas on campus, just north of the Radio-Television Building, lies the Jesse H. and Beulah Chanley Cox Arboretum. The 11-acre landscape includes a variety of plant life and trees from North America and across the world. The arboretum includes a pond, a gazebo and the 91-foot Metz Carillon Tower, which was refurbished and relocated to the space in 2020.
Winding walking paths create a shift from the bustle of nearby academic buildings. The arboretum invites students and visitors to slow down, whether to study on the open grass, walk between classes or simply pause for quiet.
Indiana Memorial Union
Located along Seventh Street, the Indiana Memorial Union traces its origins to 1909, when student John Whittenberger founded the Indiana Union to promote unity on campus during a period of student unrest. The current building was constructed from 1931-32 and dedicated to members of the IU community who served in the nation’s wars.
Today, the IMU spans more than 500,000 square feet of space and houses dining options, study lounges, meeting and event rooms, the IU Bookstore, a bowling alley, pool tables and the Biddle Hotel for visiting families and alumni. The IMU offers a clear snapshot of life beyond the classroom, where academics, community and tradition converge.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's spring 2026 Source Campus Visitor's Guide.
