michigan state group visit

Office of Admissions

MSU’s green campus is 5,300 acres of beautiful scenery, academic and sports facilities, performance spaces and more. Experience it for yourself!

Visit options.

Prospective first-year events

For students who have not yet been admitted to MSU.

Admitted first-year events

For first-year students who have been admitted to MSU.

Transfer student events

For students who are transferring from another university.

Group tours

Group tours are available for groups of 20-60 high school students of any age. 

Virtual experiences

Take a virtual tour, meet with your admissions counselor, academic department visits, video tours, experience campus highlights through the videos on this playlist., chat with a current student, virtual first-year programs, these events allow prospective first-year students to attend a virtual tour and an overview of the admissions process..

Maps and directions

Get directions, download a campus map and learn where to park.

Travel information

Check out public transportation options and recommended hotels.

Michigan State University Tours

Welcome to msu tours we are thrilled to have you here and excited to be your guide in exploring the remarkable world of our university. whether you are a prospective student, a family member, or simply curious about what msu has to offer, you've come to the right place..

Are you a prospective Spartan or a family member seeking a tour to discover all that MSU has to offer? Perhaps you're an admitted student eager to delve into first-year events, or a transfer student making your way from another university?

Visit admissions.msu.edu/visit  to learn more about your tour options .

If you're part of a school or after-school group and want to explore MSU, you're in luck! We offer group tours during the fall and spring semesters. Our MSU Walking Tours last around 60 minutes, covering a distance of 2-3 miles. Your group will be accompanied by a knowledgeable MSU Tour Guide who will provide insights into academics, history, and student life.

Enhance your campus visit at MSU by coordinating additional activities through campus locations and partners. Expand your itinerary and make the most out of your time at MSU by directly collaborating with these popular venues and organizations.

If your group would like to create their own experience or are visiting outside of tour season, our self-guided walking tour gives you the freedom to follow your own schedule and set your own pace. This general tour of campus shares information about many of our most popular campus locations, however, please note that viewing academic classrooms is not advised as classes are in session year-round.

Self-guided walking tour pdf, if you have any inquiries, require assistance, or wish to discuss your msu tour options, we're here to help contact msu tours.

Group Visits .

Abrams Planetarium offers a variety of single-visit instructional programs dealing with astronomical topics for a variety of age groups. Multiple-visit sequences can also be arranged for groups desiring a more classroom-integrated experience. Descriptions of the shows offered can be found by clicking on the pull down menu found above or by clicking here . We look forward to your visit.

In light of the tragic events on MSU's campus on February 13, Abrams Planetarium is closed and cancelling all programming through at least Sunday, February 19. Please email [email protected] with any questions you may have.

In person visits to the abrams planetarium:, when programs are offered:.

Programs are available Tuesdays through Fridays at 9:30 A.M., 11 A.M., and 1:30 P.M. by reservation only. Other dates and times may be available by special arrangement at a higher cost, please call us for details. The planetarium program requires approximately one hour, plus 15 minutes for check-in, restroom use, etc. Groups arriving late may not be admitted.

How to reserve a program:

For group reservations or additional information call the planetarium at (517) 355-4676 weekdays, 9:00 A.M. to noon or 1 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. only. Reservations are only taken by phone. It is best to make reservations at least one month in advance. Each lesson is adapted to the individual grade level, so only adjacent grade levels may take a specific lesson at the same time. If you have specific needs, or would like to customize the star talk portion of the show, give us a call; we may be able to accommodate your requests. By appointment only, teachers may preview a show ahead of time, please call us to arrange a time. Changes to any reservation can only be made by calling our business office during regular business hours.

The cost for a program:

The cost for the single hour-long program is $3.00 per student . For a 2-program sequence the fee is $5.25 per student. For a 3-program sequence the fee is $7.50 per student. Evening and weekend rates are higher. Call for further information.

Supervising teachers and official classroom staff are admitted free with each show . Other adults are welcome to attend at the student admission rate. Groups of less than twenty will be required to pay a $60 minimum.

Payment for the shows are to be made at arrival. Checks, credit cards, or cash are accepted.

List of offered programs:

Virtual Field Trips:

• Star talks about what's up in the night sky and personalize it to your group.
• Tours of the universe, focusing on any astronomy topics you need (for instance, a talk on the solar system, galaxies, stellar evolution, more).
• Science Demos.
• Question and Answers.
• Any combination above.

We can deliver this in the following ways:

• Personal Zoom meeting for up to 300 people.
• A Facebook page takeover for your organization.
• A pre-recorded video (if you want Q & A, have folks submit questions in advance so we can incorporate it).
• Another platform you already use (e.g. Google Classroom).

The fee is $60/half hour of programming.

To book or ask any questions, call us at 517-355-4676 (we are not always in the building so you may need to leave a message and we will get back to you) or you can email us at [email protected] .

Private Shows:

Private Shows are available for $5.00 per person with a $100 minimum charge for less than 20 people ($80 for Members). You can choose any show in our library . All shows last about an hour and include a live star talk about what is up in the night sky. To book please call us at (517) 355-4676 or email [email protected] with 3 choices of date and time, the show you would like to book, and the number of people coming. A minimum of one weeks notice is needed before the requested reservation day, please contact us for more information.

Planetarium Parking (Click for Map):

Weekends and weekdays after 6:00 pm free parking is available in the lot directly across the street from Abrams Planetarium (Lot 41). Weekdays from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm public parking for the planetarium is limited. Busses and other marked vehicles may park directly in front of the planetarium, in the bus loading zone while their presentation is being given. Passes are also available for up to six vehicles for the bus loading zone on a first come basis, if busses are not using the area. On weekdays the closest public parking to the planetarium is in the parking ramp directly behind the building (Shaw Lane Parking Ramp, Ramp 1/Lot 51). Public parking is in the basement sublevels and is Pay by Plate. For more information about Pay by Plate, please visit to the MSU Parking Services website.

Visit - Learn - Discover MSU:

Michigan State University is full of exciting places for your group to visit, learn, and discover. Now you can find many of them in one spot: https://visitlearn.msu.edu , where over a dozen destinations are just waiting to be explored. Rediscover a favorite or try something new!

Before you visit the Abrams Planetarium, take a virtual tour of our building:

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

New to Michigan State University? Visit these Spartan staples

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.

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Admissions & recruitment.

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Admissions & Recruitment Office 300 Student Services Building 1 Campus Drive Allendale , Michigan 49401

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