We Can't Wait to Meet You!
As soon as you register for a visit, you (and your parents, if you share their info) will get a confirmation email with details and what to expect. We'll also send reminder emails and texts to keep you informed every step of the way.
Let's Hear Your Questions
Think of some questions to ask your admission counselor and tour guide. What are our professors like? How's the food? Do students feel comfortable here? What are the weekends like? No question is too big or too small. We want to make sure you get a genuine feel for our community, so ask away!
Directions and Easy Parking
For GPS, search the Jackson Campus Center to be directed to Visitor Parking in Lot A. Our address is 800 West College Avenue, Saint Peter, MN 56082.
Pro Tip: To get the most iconic view of campus on your drive in, enter from College Avenue. You can’t miss Old Main sitting atop the hill. It’s the best way to start your visit.
Local Hotel Discounts
Need a hotel? Two hotels in Saint Peter offer a discount to visiting families. We’ll share details in your visit confirmation email.
Stay for a While
After you're done with your visit, you're welcome to linger. Stay for a game. Attend a concert. (We can get you complimentary tickets! Just ask.) Walk around our Minnesota-shaped Arboretum. Enjoy your time on campus.
Getting to Saint Peter
Saint Peter is a 60-minute drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), making it easily accessible for visitors from near and far. You’ll know you’re getting close to campus when you see a big billboard of the Jolly Green Giant welcoming you to the Minnesota River Valley. Just 15 more minutes to go!
Need a Ride?
Land to Air Express provides convenient transportation options from the airport to campus. Contact them directly for scheduling and rates.
Need a Flight?
Admitted students living outside the Upper Midwest are eligible for our Fly-In Program. We provide travel reimbursement to help cover flight costs. Visits include an overnight stay with a student host, meals, and a firsthand look at life as a Gustie.
Explore Saint Peter
We hear this a lot, so we can say it ourselves: our hometown is special. See for yourself. Here are some local favorites:
- St. Peter Food Co-op—Try the famous schwarma sandwich.
- River Rock Coffee & Tea—Perfect lattes and cozy atmosphere.
- Swedish Kontur—Unique gifts and local treasures.
- Paddlefish Brewing Co.—Craft brews, mocktails, and home of the "Gustie Golden Ale” (proudly Gustie-owned).
- Sota Scoops—Treat yourself to a post-tour cone, malt, or sundae.
What to Expect
- A Warm Welcome: We’re known for our hospitality at Gustavus, and we are truly excited to host you on campus.
- Chat with an Admission Counselor: During any type of visit, you'll be able to talk with an admission counselor—a quick chat between sessions or sitting for a one-on-one appointment in their office.
- The Grand Tour: Student-led campus tours are about an hour of walking and include seeing academic buildings, popular hangout spots, and a first-year residence hall.
- Eat Like a Gustie: We'll provide free meal tickets, so you can grab a drink, a snack, or a full meal in our dining hall or at either of our two campus coffee shops. We've also got a treat waiting for you in the admission office. You'll learn what a "frost-your-own" is at Gustavus. Lucky you!
- Free Apparel: You aren’t leaving empty-handed! Every visit includes some swag so expect to leave with some new Gustavus gear. If you want to grab a matching crewneck or hat, we’ll also give you a coupon for the Book Mark, our campus bookstore, to use before you head home.
The Perfect Backdrop: Get your camera ready! There are plenty of great photo ops waiting for you on the hill. Right across from the visitor parking lot is a big Gustavus sign – a great way to start or end your visit.
Visit More Than Once
Come back again (and again). There's no limit to how many times you can visit! Each visit offers new opportunities to connect with different aspects of campus life, meet various faculty and students, and really get a feel for what makes Gustavus special.
Different seasons bring different experiences—see campus in the fall colors, winter snow, spring blooms, or summer sunshine. Each visit will give you a more complete picture of life at Gustavus.
Advice or Special Requests
Email our Campus Visit Coordinator at campusvisits [at] gustavus.edu (campusvisits[at]gustavus[dot]edu) or call us at 507-933-7676.