Columbia University
Columbia University
4.5
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Find this Ivy League university on the Upper West Side.
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Top ways to experience Columbia University
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Morningside Heights
How to get there
- 116th St – Columbia University • 5 min walk
- 116th St • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,768 within 5 kms
Attractions
2,122 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
589 reviews
Excellent
307
Very good
231
Average
44
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Farwriter
London, UK134 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Lovely grounds to wander around if you are in the area. Guided tours are available but I didn't do one of those. Worth visiting for the beautiful St Paul's Chapel (NOT the one in lower Manhattan) which has a stunning ceramic tiled domed ceiling.
Written 22 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wenovo
Morris County, NJ2,028 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
Came to visit our old neighborhood, but specifically the Columbia University campus. My nephew is currently studying at the Cambridge University and is interested in an US university as an international student for his graduate studies.
The campus that spreads between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave has its charm and sophistication, but hardly that of Cambridge. However, the experience of living and studying in New York City among the chosen best, adds a definite value.
My nephew found the experience interesting and we enjoyed reliving once again the old memories. For us it was a trip to the past, when Columbia University was practically our home, while my husband attended the graduate program and taught undergraduates.
Seemingly not much has changed, comparing new photographs we took with the old ones from years ago. The green alley starting at the Broadway entrance is much more impressive now with the fully grown trees. Students move around with purpose and surprisingly the campus still seemed quite busy in the middle of June.
The small church on the campus is worth visiting and the large library is impressive.
We arrived by car and parked nearby in a garage just few blocks down, between Amsterdam and Broadway. Quite reasonable hourly rate and a pleasant attendant.
The campus that spreads between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave has its charm and sophistication, but hardly that of Cambridge. However, the experience of living and studying in New York City among the chosen best, adds a definite value.
My nephew found the experience interesting and we enjoyed reliving once again the old memories. For us it was a trip to the past, when Columbia University was practically our home, while my husband attended the graduate program and taught undergraduates.
Seemingly not much has changed, comparing new photographs we took with the old ones from years ago. The green alley starting at the Broadway entrance is much more impressive now with the fully grown trees. Students move around with purpose and surprisingly the campus still seemed quite busy in the middle of June.
The small church on the campus is worth visiting and the large library is impressive.
We arrived by car and parked nearby in a garage just few blocks down, between Amsterdam and Broadway. Quite reasonable hourly rate and a pleasant attendant.
Written 16 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wenovo
Morris County, NJ2,028 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We visited the Columbia campus recently and spent an afternoon, stopping at all the familiar places.
The campus did not seem to change much since our time here, the entrance gate is the same, but the security stand in the front appeared new. The trees are much taller.
The students still move around at a fast pace.
The chemistry hall - building we spend much of the time in years ago seemed almost deserted as we wondered around on different floors. It has not changed much on the inside, the halls had the same dusty displays of chemistry equipment in the old glass cabinets. Wow! Trip into the past...
At last we did find a couple of students working in the laboratory, which led to an interesting discussion.
Getting an advanced degree from Columbia years ago payed off big time.
Living on the campus in the seventies was a unique experience. That is why we return.
The memories of the early years bring us back...
Thank you Columbia University....
The campus did not seem to change much since our time here, the entrance gate is the same, but the security stand in the front appeared new. The trees are much taller.
The students still move around at a fast pace.
The chemistry hall - building we spend much of the time in years ago seemed almost deserted as we wondered around on different floors. It has not changed much on the inside, the halls had the same dusty displays of chemistry equipment in the old glass cabinets. Wow! Trip into the past...
At last we did find a couple of students working in the laboratory, which led to an interesting discussion.
Getting an advanced degree from Columbia years ago payed off big time.
Living on the campus in the seventies was a unique experience. That is why we return.
The memories of the early years bring us back...
Thank you Columbia University....
Written 8 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenobi - You Are A Bold One
30 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
I see this place everyday. It really is amazing particularly when it is sunny outside. I highly recommend Low Library/Butler Library/the Chapel/Earl Hall. There are also some interesting statues dispersed throughout the campus such as the Scholar’s Lion, Hamilton statue & the money sign in front of Uris. If you come during November-January, you can also see the trees lit up. Ideally come in the morning to avoid all the students.
Written 22 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kamakshi2015
Bengaluru, India1,851 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
Anyone coming to New York would like to visit this best known place which is world renowned . This Mecca of learning is spread over a lively campus which houses the offices , student dorms , and the inmpressive main building . The area and the surroundings are awe inspiring . The founding fathers of this university had perhaps envisioned their horizons reaching the whole world - the cream of student across the world dream of reaching here but the selective few do make it here . The tour itself is overwhelming to sink in that you actually have been here . A chance to come here must not be missed !
Written 24 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robcurtross
New York City, NY13,532 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
In an earlier review, I mentioned the owl hidden in Minerva's dress. I've been back a couple of times this year on my hikes, discovering other "secrets" -- guidebooks love to disclose all and I enjoy the chase as well.
My pictures reveal three secrets: the original location was for an insane asylum, there are many tunnels under ground including the one where the Manhattan Project built the atomic bombs, and the mantle where Poe wrote "The Raven".
My journey of discovery is not yet over.
My pictures reveal three secrets: the original location was for an insane asylum, there are many tunnels under ground including the one where the Manhattan Project built the atomic bombs, and the mantle where Poe wrote "The Raven".
My journey of discovery is not yet over.
Written 13 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luvs2TravelAnywhere
New York City, NY7,170 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
This beautiful campus is a little far up, but it's a wonderful place to stroll around. There are large lawn spaces in between the impressive buildings and it is quite peaceful in the morning.
Written 5 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marinaLACA
Los Angeles, CA312 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
Traveling with HS senior we had to make a stop at Columbia. Tour was pretty informative and helpful for a potential student. I personally enjoyed seeing it through the students eyes and visit places our guide found important. She also shared a lot of helpful info about things we haven't thought of like housing, food plans, medical care and fun activities. We thought this tour was a good choice!
Written 22 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IslandTraveler8
Geneva, NY48 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
This campus is worth visiting while in NYC. So much history in its city setting. Gorgeous buildings and architecture. Impressive sculptures. Nearby churches--St John the Divine and Riverside Church are gorgeous. Head two blocks to Riverside Drive for great views as well as war memorial and Grant's Tomb. Enjoy the campus, reflect on some of the greats who have attended one of the country's oldest universities.
Written 19 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia35,001 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
One of the most famous universities in the world. Famous people studied here: the founding fathers of the United States - Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, the first chief justice, and three presidents - Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Barack Obama. But also more than 100 laureates of the Nobel prize. If You are going to repeat their long and arduous journey and come here with a tourist interest, Colombia is a great option: it's in the city and many buildings are open to the public
Written 30 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coming from central PA to visit Columbia University and would appreciate any travel directions and tips. Was thinking of driving to New Jersey and taking a ferry to do a visit of Columbia University but am open to thoughts and suggestions. Thanks for your time and help.
Written 12 March 2022
Ciao, si può visitare anche di domenica?
Written 8 March 2021
Hi!
I would love to visit the campus but I'm coming next week, is the campus going to be open or does it close during summer holidays?
Written 9 July 2019
It depends if you want to visit inside the buildings but even if you stay around the main buildings, you will still have a lot to see.
Written 10 July 2019
Restaurants near Columbia for lunch?
Written 19 November 2018
Yes, walk to opposite side of campus entrance..lots on that end.
Written 19 November 2018
Quais os horários de visita à Universidade? Tem horário especial com guia em português ou espanhol?
Written 17 November 2017
Fui à Universidade de Columbia de dia (manhã e tarde), o campus é aberto ao público. Não busquei nenhum serviço de guia, mas você pode ver isso no Visitors Center da universidade, basta colocar no google "visitors center columbia university" (o TripAdvisor não deixa colar o link aqui).
Written 19 November 2017
Здравствуйте!! Я хотел бы поехать к Вам и поработать над книгой в библиотеке на месяц. Можно ли у вас арендовать комнату для проживания. Если да, то как это сделать
Written 22 December 2016
Здравствуйте
Можно ли учиться в Колумбийском университете бесплатно по квоте для иностранцев
Written 25 September 2016
A full morning or afternoon would be good. Health sciences and sports facilities
are uptown about 70 blocks away. The new business school above 125th street will also be a stroll away. Its a sprawling campus and Barnard, union theological, Manhattan school of music and teachers college are adjacent and related campuses. Riverside church is also neighboring.
Written 5 August 2016
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