University of Washington Seattle, WA

With nearly 700 acres, the university's well-manicured grounds are essentially the biggest park in the city. On a clear day, you can soak up views of Mount Rainier from Drumheller Fountain. Central Plaza or Red Square is the heart of the campus, where students flow in and out of Suzzallo Library and ordinary citizens head for the concerts and lectures at Meany and Kane halls.The entire campus has a cohesive brick look, thanks to the university's insistence on making additions blend in. The school was founded in 1861 in downtown Seattle and moved to its current location in 1895.