From Campus Tours to Family Adventures

If you’re like me, you might still be in disbelief that your child is heading off to college, how did we get here so fast? Between application deadlines, essays, and the emotional rollercoaster of realizing your baby is about to pack up and move out, it’s a lot to process.

As a travel advisor (and a parent), I’ve learned that college travel comes with its own kind of logistics, and opportunities. From campus tours to parent weekends and everything in between, these trips can be as seamless and rewarding as any vacation when planned well. Through my travel business, I help families design smarter, more comfortable itineraries, often with added perks like breakfast, upgrades, flexible check-in, and even resort or dining credits at hotels near major universities.

So whether you’re just starting the tour circuit or planning your first move-in weekend, here’s how to make college travel smoother, easier, and maybe even a little fun.

Why Plan College Tours Like a Pro

Let’s start with the obvious: college tours can get complicated. There are tight schedules, long drives, and sold-out hotels in every college town come April. You’re juggling maps, meal breaks, and whether you remembered to pack an umbrella for your child who “doesn’t get wet.”

This is exactly the kind of trip that benefits from having someone manage logistics. I help families build smart routes, book flexible hotel stays, and, when possible, elevate the experience with added benefits like:

Daily breakfast (so you’re not hunting down a coffee shop before the 8:30 a.m. info session)
Guaranteed late checkout or early check-in, essential when flights and tours never align
Room upgrades and resort credits for the same rate you’d find online
Hand-picked hotels with easy access to campuses, and often a little extra comfort

Because yes, it’s a practical trip, but that doesn’t mean it can’t feel like a well-planned one.

Where the Road Might Take You

The college tour circuit can look different for everyone, but some patterns emerge, and each region has its own personality:

New England: History, Charm & Ivy

Boston is a natural starting point, Harvard, MIT, BU, Northeastern etc, all packed into one compact, walkable city. You can grab a lobster roll between info sessions or stroll the Charles River Esplanade after a day of campus tours. Beyond Boston, Amherst, Smith, and Mount Holyoke sit in storybook towns surrounded by fall foliage and farm stands. A stay at The Newbury Boston or The Inn on Boltwood turns a busy few days into something memorable, complete with perks like breakfast, upgrades, and late checkout through my travel partnerships.

Where to stay: New England’s college towns are as charming as the campuses themselves. In Boston, families love The Newbury Boston, where classic Back Bay elegance meets unbeatable Public Garden views, or Hotel AKA Back Bay, perfect for longer stays with kitchenette-style rooms. Out west, The Inn on Boltwood in Amherst is a favorite for its historic warmth, fireplaces, and village-green setting. All can be booked with perks through my partnerships, think breakfast, upgrades, and late checkout that turn busy tour days into something special.

The South & Texas: Warm Weather & School Spirit

Texas is best tackled as a triangle, from Austin to Dallas and Houston. Each is home to standout schools and distinct vibes. In Austin, UT has top-tier academics and a cool music and food scene. Head north to Dallas for Southern Methodist University or Texas Christian University. Houston rounds it out with Rice University, known for its strong programs and walkable campus near museums and parks. Along the way, don’t miss Baylor in Waco or Texas A&M in College Station for more options between the major cities.

Where to stay: In the South, you’ll find hospitality that makes even quick college visits feel like a vacation. In Austin, Austin Proper Hotel brings bold design and easy access to UT, while ARRIVE Austin channels a relaxed, local vibe. In Dallas, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is timeless and tranquil, ideal for decompressing after a day of navigating campuses, and Four Seasons Houston pairs classic comfort with proximity to Rice University. I can layer in perks like daily breakfast, credits, and upgrades at all of these partner properties.

The West Coast

California pairs academics with lifestyle, from beachside campuses to innovation hubs. In Los Angeles, tour big schools like UCLA and USC, or smaller liberal arts colleges like Pomona College, and end with tacos by the ocean. Head north for Stanford or UC Berkeley, top-ranked schools at the heart of the Bay Area’s tech and culture scene. For a full West Coast circuit, visit Eugene for the University of Oregon and Seattle for the University of Washington. Both offer strong academics in walkable, outdoorsy cities.

Where to stay: The West Coast makes it easy to mix touring with travel-worthy stays. In Los Angeles, Palihotel Westwood Village is a charming walk to UCLA, and Downtown LA Proper brings vintage glamour near USC. Up north, 1 Hotel San Francisco offers calm, sustainable luxury near Stanford, while Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley is a hilltop retreat with incredible Bay views. For families stretching their tour circuit to the Pacific Northwest, Graduate Seattle is playful and well-located for University of Washington visits.

The Midwest: Big School Energy & Hidden Gems

The Midwest serves up strong academics with plenty of personality. In Michigan, Ann Arbor is home to the spirited University of Michigan and its lively downtown, while East Lansing’s Michigan State offers a vast green campus and classic college-town feel. Ohio State anchors Columbus with big-school pride, but smaller gems like Oberlin and Kenyon provide a quieter, liberal arts alternative. In Pennsylvania, you’ll find Carnegie Mellon in tech-forward Pittsburgh, along with the University of Pittsburgh, and Penn State in State College where football weekends and college-town charm go hand in hand.

Where to stay: Midwestern college towns are full of character, and the hotels match. In Ann Arbor, Graduate Ann Arbor mixes nostalgia and comfort just steps from campus. Shinola Hotel in Detroit and The Industrialist Hotel in Pittsburgh both blend design and history for parents visiting multiple schools. In Columbus, Hotel LeVeque and Le Méridien The Joseph deliver boutique polish and convenience near Ohio State. Each can be booked with preferred perks like breakfast, property credits, and flexible check-in/out.

The DMV: History Meets Ambition

The DMV region (Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia) packs a lot of standout schools into a small, easily drivable area. Start in Washington, DC, with Georgetown, George Washington University, and American University, then head to the University of Maryland just outside the city. From there, loop through Virginia for UVA, Virginia Tech, and the University of Richmond, each with distinct campus vibes and strong academics.

If you’re also eyeing schools in North Carolina, it’s a quick hop to visit Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, and NC State. They’re great additions for students considering a wider geographic range.

Where to stay: In and around Washington, D.C., you’ll find everything from sleek urban stays to quiet luxury. The LINE DC in Adams Morgan is creative, comfortable, and perfect for families visiting GW or American. Rosewood Washington, D.C., tucked along the Georgetown canal, feels intimate and refined, while Fairmont Washington, D.C. offers classic service and family-friendly amenities. Down in Virginia, The Quirk Charlottesville makes a stylish base for UVA visits. When booked through me, you’ll enjoy perks like breakfast, upgrades, and often a little something extra waiting in your room after a long day.

When to Go (and When to Avoid It)

Spring and fall are the best times to see campuses come alive. Spring means flowers, frisbees, and that hint of optimism that comes with a new semester. Fall, on the other hand, is peak “college town” season, football games, crisp air, and full schedules.

Summer visits are easiest to plan (especially for families with high schoolers still in session), but campuses are quieter. Winter can work too — just avoid breaks if you want to see real student life.

If your child’s still narrowing down their list, tour a few schools early junior year, then return for admitted-student visits senior spring. And yes, I can help you design routes that make sense, grouping campuses geographically so you’re not zigzagging from Boston to Baltimore in one weekend.

College Travel Abroad: Expanding the Search (and the Experience)

Not all college tours need to stay stateside. More families are exploring international universities, especially in Europe, where schools often welcome visits during spring break or early summer. Many European campuses are still in session in June, making it an ideal time to get a real sense of student life before U.S. schedules get hectic again.

I’ve had the chance to visit campuses in Rome, Milan, Barcelona, and the Netherlands, and each experience was eye-opening in its own way. In Italy, universities often blend history and modernity, centuries-old buildings buzzing with international students. And in the Netherlands, where we also have a son studying, the experience feels refreshingly global: English-language programs, diverse student bodies, and a high quality of life that makes the adjustment surprisingly smooth.

For families curious about European universities, it’s worth knowing that the application process, tuition structure, and academic calendar differ from the U.S. model. I can help you plan visits to top-ranked schools across the U.K., Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands and beyond, designing an itinerary that blends campus tours with cultural exploration, think of it as both research and reconnection.

Pair a few days visiting Amsterdam’s canals and universities with time in The Hague or Utrecht, or explore Bocconi University in Milan and LUISS in Rome alongside art, food, and history. For students interested in business, design, or international studies, these visits can be incredibly inspiring, and for parents, they’re a wonderful reminder that education and travel truly go hand in hand.

Turning Campus Tours Into Real Trips

Here’s a secret most parents learn too late: college travel can actually be enjoyable. Build in downtime. Try a local restaurant. Walk beyond the campus gates.

I often encourage families to turn these weekends into mini getaways. If you’re in California, add a night in Santa Barbara or Napa Valley. In Texas, head to Hill Country. Touring Boston? Escape for a day in Cape Cod or the Berkshires. These small add-ons help everyone decompress and turn obligation into adventure.

A Few Travel Tips (Parent to Parent)

Explore the area: walk outside of the campus and check out the town. Turn it into a scavenger hunt by finding a student hangout, landmark, or a favorite off-campus spot.
Tour by major: prospective engineers should peek into labs, while drama majors might want to check out the theaters.
Take two tours: make sure to tour before applying to help narrow your list. Visit again after acceptance to choose where you’ll thrive.
Build a smart route: if you're tackling multiple campuses, lean on college counselors, advisors, and admissions offices to help shape your schedule.
Advance bookings: college tours often fill up fast and may also limit the number of guests per student.
Come with a plan: have the student jot down their top three priorities to guide their visit, like academics, cost, social life, location, etc.
Check the fine print: some visit packages include perks like airport transfers, excursions, or wellness add-ons.

College Travel: Campus Tours, Hotels & Expert Tips