Old Main is Penn State's iconic administration building and the symbolic heart of the university. The tall Victorian-style tower with its distinctive cupola is visible from much of campus and appears on virtually every piece of Penn State promotional material. The building houses the president's office and key administrative functions — it is not primarily a visitor attraction, but the grounds around it are the centre of campus life and worth a walk.
The lawn in front of Old Main is the site of major campus events and informal gatherings throughout the year. The farmers' market sets up nearby on weekday mornings during the academic year. The Nittany Lion shrine, a limestone sculpture of the Penn State mascot, sits a short walk away and is the traditional rallying point for students before football games. For first-time visitors, a walk from Old Main east along the Lawn and through the central campus gives the best overview of Penn State's handsome blend of Victorian, collegiate Gothic, and mid-century architecture.