Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to study or the roar of thousands of football fans, a small outdoor concert or a large Broadway production, Michigan State University is home to a diverse set of landmarks that most Spartans will know very well by the time they leave.
No matter if this is your first or last year on campus, these Spartan staples will be here waiting for your arrival.
Beaumont Tower
Perhaps the most iconic structure on campus, this can’t-miss landmark established in 1928 stands at what was once the northeast corner of College Hall, the first instructional building on MSU’s campus – and the first building in the country devoted to teaching scientific agriculture.
The tower, built in the collegiate gothic style as a monument to teaching, contains a 49-bell carillon that you will often hear chiming on campus. The bells range in weight from about 15 pounds to 2.5 tons. During the school year, the university’s carillonist performs live music on the tower’s bell every Wednesday at noon. A rendition of the university’s alma mater, 'Shadows,' is automated to play daily at 5 p.m.
Spartan Statue
A fan favorite spot for grad photos, the statue located in front of Demonstration Field is actually not the original one dedicated in 1945.
The original statue, which was the world’s largest free-standing ceramic sculpture, was replaced with a bronze replica in 2005 after the original faced deteriorating conditions as a result of harsh weather and undergoing cleaning procedures to remove graffiti left by rivals at the University of Michigan.
Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum
If you think this shiny and abstract structure designed by architect Zaha Hadid looks a bit like an alien spaceship landed near the historic North Neighborhood part of campus, you’re not alone. It was featured as the venue for a fundraiser hosted by supervillain Lex Luthor in the 2016 movie Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The museum hosts a number of artist talks and exhibitions throughout the year and is free to MSU students.
Spartan Stadium
While it’s best to not overthink the contradictory symbolism that goes along with ‘The Deep End’ being in ‘The Woodshed,’ thousands of fans will pack Spartan Stadium during the football season in a classic Spartan tradition. And this year, for the first time, alcohol sales may be allowed inside the stadium after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new law that would allow them.
Wharton Center for Performing Arts
Here we go again. Michigan State’s little slice of Broadway’s 2023-2024 season includes shows ranging from “Mamma Mia!” to “Hairspray” and “Moulin Rouge!” to “SIX.” Students are eligible to purchase discounted tickets for most shows at the Wharton Center throughout the year, with tickets for many shows starting around $29.
