Vanderbilt University is a prestigious institution located near Midtown Nashville. Scholarly students from around the world attend this well-known school for its academics and good reputation, but the close proximity to all the hustle and bustle of Nashville is another one of the perks that the school has to offer. The university is often noted as having one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, another draw for students and visitors alike. A walk through the campus at Vanderbilt University, with its Southern charm, beautiful brick buildings, and generous hospitality, will impress any visitor, and strolling through the campus is one of the best things to do in Nashville when the weather is nice.

Vanderbilt was founded by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1873 with his donation of $1 million. The campus started off quite small though still beautiful, as it was dotted with trees, shrubs, and various flowers. The university was tied with the Methodist Episcopal Church of the South for the first forty years of its operations but eventually ended those ties in 1914 as the result of a dispute. Today, Vanderbilt University is a private university that boasts ten colleges, a medical center, a public policy center, and the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center. The university teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses and has an enrollment of about 12,000 students.

One of the most noted parts of the school is the Vanderbilt University arboretum. Located just minutes from midtown Nashville, the arboretum is a peaceful destination amid the daily grind of everyday life or a hectic vacation. Since its inception, Vanderbilt has been dedicated to nurturing its campus and making it beautiful. The Vanderbilt University Arboretum is the epitome of this dedication. The area, which was the first main campus of the university, was named a national arboretum in 1988 by the Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta Students and visitors alike can enjoy the green space and discover the different species of trees indigenous to the state of Tennessee.

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Before arriving in Nashville, visitors can take virtual tours of the Vanderbilt University arboretum and campus, which can help you decide what to see once you arrive—many viewers simply bring their laptops along on the tour. The trees on both of the tours are individually marked with the name of the species and where it is commonly found. While visitors browse through the Vanderbilt University arboretum, they will notice how seriously the university takes its duties of protecting these trees. Anything that is hung on the trees must be secured by wire and not nailed. It is illegal to cause damage to any tree that is protected in a national arboretum, so keep your hands to yourselves.

Close to the quaint neighborhood of midtown Nashville, Vanderbilt University offers the best of both worlds. Students are given an impeccable education on a beautiful campus that is just a mile away from all the amenities of a big city. A walk through the campus is a must for any visitor to Music City, whether or not you’re interested in attending the school, simply to see the Southern charm on display. If you're looking for a hotel near Vanderbilt University, there are plenty of options close to campus. The Embassy Suites Nashville at Vanderbilt is moderately priced, and if you are looking to stay in style, you can also check out the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.