Visit AU Gallery
The historic McKinley building has undergone extensive renovations and is home to SOC.
Our campus arboretum features 10 different gardens.
The newest addition to AU, East Campus features 8.1 acres of striking new structures, state-of-the-art facilities, and accessible green spaces.
The Main Quad, located in the center of campus, is a common gathering spot for studying, relaxing, and sometimes even classes.
The new Tenley Campus makes a bold statement for the future while honoring its rich, historic legacy.
Clawed, AU's mascot, is a familiar face around campus.
AU is committed to building and operating spaces that are environmentally friendly and healthy, like the LEED Gold-certified SIS Building.
Visit AU
We invite you to visit our university and get to know us, our campus, and our city. While you're here, attend an information session, take a guided campus tour with an AU student ambassador, visit a class, or take a self-guided tour through the grounds.
Getting to Campus
Our main campus is located at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016.
From Baltimore and points northeast:
Follow I-95 South and exit onto I-495 West (Capital Beltway). Exit at River Road and turn right. Follow River Road until it ends at Wisconsin Avenue. Turn Right on Wisconsin Avenue and after a few blocks, turn right on Nebraska Avenue. Follow Nebraska Avenue past Ward Circle - this is a corner of American University. At the next light (Nebraska and New Mexico Avenues), to your immediate right there will be a parking garage entrance.
From Dulles International Airport and points west:
Follow I-495 North (Capital Beltway) across the Potomac River. Exit at River Road and turn right. Follow River Road until it ends at Wisconsin Avenue. Turn Right on Wisconsin Avenue and after a few blocks, turn right on Nebraska Avenue. Follow Nebraska Avenue past Ward Circle - this is a corner of American University. At the next light (Nebraska and New Mexico Avenues), to your immediate right there will be a parking garage entrance.
From Reagan National Airport and points south:
Follow the George Washington Memorial Parkway to I-395 North across the Potomac River. Exit onto 14th St. Follow 14th St northbound through the city center and turn left on Massachusetts Avenue NW. Follow Massachusetts Avenue for about five miles to Ward Circle - this is a corner of American University. From Ward Circle, go left on Nebraska Avenue. At the next light (Nebraska and New Mexico Avenues), to your immediate right there will be a parking garage entrance.
When driving to campus, a valid permit or Pay-As-You-Go is required Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Designated Campus Visit parking passes are provided for those attending guided tours. Guests not attending a guided tour are encouraged to take advantage of the multiple Pay-As-You-Go spaces in the Katzen Arts Center or the School of International Service Garages. The Pay-As-You-Go Machines, located in the elevator lobbies of each building, accept cash and major credit cards. Learn more about parking on campus.
By Metro
The closest Metrorail station is the Tenleytown-AU stop on the Red line. From the station, you can take the AU shuttle that is located on the corner of 40th St. NW and Ablemarle St. NW, in front of the Whole Foods.
By Bus
DC Metro Bus routes M4, N2, N4, and N6 stop at the AU main campus near the Katzen Arts Center and/or Ward Circle.
AU is recognized as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly University by The League of American Bicyclists. There are several bicycle docks and repair stations on campus. See the Bicycle Rack Map for locations.
There are also multiple Capital Bikeshare stations adjacent to campus. The Ward Circle / American University station is located across the street from the Admissions Welcome Center on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center.
Hotels and Lodging
American University has negotiated discounted rates with several area hotels located conveniently to the campus. Reservations for travel can be booked directly with the hotel via the Campus Travel Management portal. A small percentage of the proceeds from reservations made here will be returned to AU to support university programs and initiatives.
