Wesleyan University is a selective liberal arts university founded in 1831, consistently ranked among the top small universities in the United States. Its campus occupies the high ground above Main Street, in a mix of 19th-century brownstone buildings, mid-century additions, and newer structures. The architecture is eclectic but the campus as a whole is handsome, and it is worth walking through even if you have no connection to the university.
The film program — Wesleyan has produced an unusual number of filmmakers and screenwriters — and the music department have given the university a cultural reputation beyond its academic rankings. The Freeman Athletic Center, Olin Memorial Library, and the Center for the Arts are worth looking at. The campus is not gated and visitors are free to walk through.