One of the oldest colleges in America (founded before the US, in 1754), the quiet Columbia campus is a welcome, and unusual, break from busy Manhattan. Stepping through the gates onto campus instantly transports you into the academic, Ivy League world. The bright, neo-classical main buildings stand out on either side of the pathway, where tourists pause for photo-ops and students gather on the wide stairways. Morningside Heights is a beautiful neighborhood to explore more broadly, as well. #architecture #free #history #university