Life at NU
Northwestern's campus is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. Surrounding the campus is the city of Evanston, with stately homes, tree-lined streets, and a cosmopolitan population of 75,000. Adjacent to the University, downtown Evanston blends urban convenience with small-town charm. Restaurants, coffeehouses, bookstores, specialty shops, and an 18 screen movie theater are within a short walk of the campus.
Cultural and recreational opportunities abound on the 240-acre campus itself. The university is renowned for its theater and music departments, and performances are held every week. An art gallery present exhibits and lectures. Northwestern's membership in the Big Ten Conference brings intercollegiate athletic events to campus. University recreational assets include a beach, sailing instruction, outdoor tennis courts, and a state-of-the-art sports and aquatic center.
Fast and frequent rapid transit service to Chicago is available from a station two blocks west of the campus. Chicago boasts a dynamic cultural scene that includes the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Art Institute and many other fine museums, and extensive profession and non-professional theater. Chicago is also famous throughout the world for its blues clubs. Chicago is an architectural gem, and was home to two of the greatest architects of the twentieth century: Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Chicago is a city that loves sports. Six professional teams are located here: the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls, hockey's Blackhawks, the National Football League's Bears, baseball's White Sox and Cubs and the Chicago Fire soccer club.
Dining out is another Chicago treat. The city has countless superb restaurants to fit every ethnic taste and budget. The city's pride is its lakefront of parks, beaches, zoos, harbors and museums. Throughout the spring, summer and fall, people enjoy the well-maintained lakeshore, and the many outdoor art and music festivals.