Appalachian State University

Table of Contents

Tours

  1. East Self-Guided Walking Tour

    Stops

    1. Rivers Street Parking Deck

      Welcome to App State! Explore the Boone campus on your own time and at your own pace. This 1.5-mile tour takes approximately 1 hour to complete and highlights some of our most notable places on the east-side of the Boone campus.

      Please note that you can expect to encounter stairs and varying terrain on this walking tour.

    2. John E. Thomas Hall

      Affectionately nicknamed “JET,” this building provides students with resources that take them from prospective student to graduate. JET houses the offices of Admissions, Transfer Admissions and Engagement, Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Registrar, School of Graduate Studies, University Housing and the Testing Center.

      Questions? We’re here to help! We are currently offering information sessions with admissions counselors and a variety of options for engaging with current Mountaineers and faculty from academic programs.

      Undergraduate Admissions
      admissions.appstate.edu/visit
      828-262-2120
      828-458-8070 (text)
      admissions@appstate.edu

      Graduate Admissions
      graduate.appstate.edu/visit
      828-262-2130
      gradadmissions@appstate.edu

    3. NPHC Plots and Garden

      NPHC is a collaborative organization made up of the Divine Nine Black Greek-letter organizations. The plots symbolically and physically represent each organization's presence on campus and give alumni and current members a location for reflection and celebration.

    4. Roess Dining Hall

      Roess Dining Hall is the largest of our three on-campus dining halls. From local food options and plant-forward plates, to “worry free” ways to meet dietary restrictions, you’ll have an abundance of options at App State to satisfy any craving.

      Did you know? 27% of food served on campus comes from local sources.

    5. Rankin Science Buildings

      The Rankin Science Buildings are home to the College of Arts and Sciences’ Biology, Geography and Planning, and Geological and Environmental Sciences (GES) departments. In addition, the silver dome atop Rankin South is our Rankin Science Observatory, which houses the telescope used in astronomy courses.

      Did you know? In the courtyard adjacent the buildings is the Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Lab and Rock Garden, which is home to Archie — a bronze aetosaur sculpture created through a collaboration between faculty and students in the GES and Art departments.

    6. Peacock Hall

      The Walker College of Business and its more than 3,000 students call App State’s Peacock Hall home. With multiple study areas, networking space for students, faculty, staff and community members and Beans 2 Brew, a student-run coffee shop, Peacock has become a favorite campus hangout.

       

      Did you know? Walker College and its Master of Business Administration program named 'bests' for 2022-23 and 2023-24 from The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, CEO Magazine and Fortune magazine, all of which recognized the program’s high quality and return on investment for graduates.

       

    7. Belk Library and Information Commons

      Centrally located on campus, Belk Library opens its doors to over a million visitors per year. Within the library, students can find quiet study spaces and an impressive catalog of resources, including scholarly journals, books and more. In addition to an extensive computer lab, students can check out laptops, digital cameras and tripods from the library.

      Did you know? The University Writing Center, located on the library’s second floor, is a free resource available to all App State students — whether you need a second pair of eyes on an essay or assistance finding sources for your research paper.

    8. University Bookstore

      App State’s University Bookstore serves the entire Appalachian Community, including students and their families, faculty, staff, alumni and fans, as well as campus visitors.

      The bookstore also manages the university’s tuition-based rental textbook program, which provides the primary text for most undergraduate courses and saves students hundreds of dollars each year.

      Did you know? A portion of every bookstore purchase — from App State apparel and gifts, to computers and school supplies — goes toward student scholarships.

    9. Plemmons Student Union and Solarium

      Plemmons Student Union (PSU) serves as a central hub for student activities. It features a coffee shop and dining facilities, game room, movie theater, fitness center, meeting and club rooms, and an art gallery. It also houses many offices and clubs pertaining to student life, including the Dean of Students, Student Engagement and Leadership, Student Research, International Education and Development, Student Veteran Resource Center, Career Development Center and Intercultural Student Affairs.

      Did you know? Students often mention PSU’s Solarium as a favorite place to study. With live trees and plants, water features and comfy chairs, what’s not to love?

    10. Sanford Mall

      Sanford Mall is the heart of campus. At any point, you could see students studying (free Wi-Fi!), slacklining, meeting friends, hammocking (yes, it’s a verb here), throwing Frisbee or picnicking. It is also used as an outdoor classroom when weather allows.

    11. Sanford Hall

      Sanford Hall houses the Department of English and provides classrooms, common areas and collaborative workspace for students. 

      Did you know? Every student takes at least one class in Sanford Hall. The building accommodates 4,600 students per day — 23,000 students per week.
    12. Summit Residence Hall

      Appalachian has 18 residence halls on campus with nearly 6,100 residents. Living on campus puts you within walking distance of campus resources, including classes, faculty offices, dining, recreation facilities and the library.

      All new first-year students and transfer students less than 12 months out of high school are required to live on campus. The educational programming, intentional community building and additional contacts with trained residence hall staff contribute to App State's stellar first- to second-year retention rates.

      Did you know? There are more than 15 Residential Learning Communities on campus. You’ll find several interests to choose from, including service, sustainability, language and culture, outdoor activities, education, health and more.

    13. Founders Plaza

      Founders Plaza was dedicated in 2018 to celebrate the nearly 125-year history of Appalachian State University and to honor its founders, B.B. and D.D. Dougherty and Lillie Shull Dougherty. The space provides an iconic setting for the university sign and an outdoor space for studying, small gatherings and campus events. Read more about App State’s history.

      Pro tip: It’s the perfect spot for photos!

    14. Rivers Street Parking Deck

      Want to keep exploring? Click below for more places to discover while you're touring campus. You can also visit our Virtual Tour of Campus for an interactive 360-degree view of the Boone campus.

      Points of Interest

      Academic Buildings

      Arts & Cultural Venues

      Athletics and Recreation

      Thanks for visiting App State!