It’s really no surprise that one of the world’s finest universities, especially one that is situated smack-dab in the middle of the idea-and-innovation hub of the Silicon Valley, would be home to a venue with such an advanced design. Created for Stanford University by the architect/acoustician dream team of Richard Olcott and Yasuhisa Toyota, the dramatic oval hall has a “vineyard” design, with 842 terraced seats ringing the stage. Settle in for a concert and you’ll find yourself incredibly close to leading musicians—a truly thrilling experience when the likes of the Emerson String Quartet or pianist Lang Lang perform. Make a high-brow day of it by also visiting the outdoor Rodin Sculpture Garden and the adjacent Cantor Arts Center; together they display 200 bronze works—the largest collection of Rodin pieces in the world.
Insider’s tip: Make a classy day of it by also visiting the outdoor Rodin Sculpture Garden and the adjacent Cantor Arts Center; together they display 200 bronze works—one of the largest collection of Rodin pieces in the world.