The College Tour Trip: Where to Stay, What to Do, and How to Plan It Right
If you're heading into college tour season, you already know the drill: fly in, rush through an info session and a walking tour, fly out, and hope your kid remembers which campus had the good dining hall. It works, but it's not really how you figure out if a school is the right fit.
The truth is, one rushed weekend rarely tells you much. The campuses that end up on the final list are usually the ones a student saw more than once, in more than one season, maybe with a football game or a real lecture thrown in. So if you're mapping out a tour trip this year, it's worth building it like any other trip: with a little strategy, a good home base, and some room to actually enjoy the city you're in.
Here's how I plan these trips for my own clients (and for my own family this fall, boys in tow), region by region.
Before You Book Anything
A few things I tell every family before they start filling in an itinerary:
Plan for three to four days per region. That's usually enough to see two to four schools and get a feel for the surrounding area without everyone running on fumes.
Rent a car if you're covering more than one campus. Public transit is fine if you're based in one city, but multi-school routes go so much smoother with your own wheels.
Fall and spring show you the most. September through November gets you football season and full campus energy; March through May shows typical day-to-day student life. Summer is easiest to schedule but you'll see an empty campus, and winter break tours run into the same problem.
Go twice if you can. Once before applying, once after acceptance. The second visit, ideally an admitted students day, tells you a lot more than the first.
Book tours early. Spots fill up faster than people expect, especially in the fall.
Wander off campus. The surrounding neighborhood is where your kid will actually be living for four years. Grab a coffee, walk a few blocks, get a feel for it.
Tour with the major in mind. If your student has a department in mind, ask if you can sit in on a class or tour the specific building. It changes the whole impression of a school.
Ask your advisor about the add-ons. Airport transfers, local excursions, even a wellness stop between campus visits, these are the kind of details that turn a stressful logistics trip into an actual family trip.
West Coast: USC, UCLA, Stanford, UC Berkeley
Where to stay in Los Angeles
Downtown LA Proper Hotel, with its rooftop scene and proximity to USC, this is a stylish base if USC is the priority stop, while putting you close enough to explore downtown LA. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Palihotel Westwood Village, walkable to UCLA and easy access into Westwood’s restaurants and shops. Book with Gold Coast Travel for reduced rates, room upgrade and early check in / late check out.
The Shay Hotel, a boutique, design-forward option on LA’s Westside, making a comfortable base for a UCLA visit with easy access to Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and property credit.
Where to stay in the Bay Area
1 Hotel San Francisco, right on the Embarcadero near the Ferry Building, this is a nature-forward, walkable base if you’re combining a Stanford or Berkeley visit with a couple of days seeing the city itself. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Palihotel San Francisco, a boutique option near Union Square, putting you in the middle of downtown’s shopping and transit, convenient for a day trip out to Stanford or Berkeley. Book with Gold Coast Travel for reduced rates, room upgrade and early check in / late check out.
Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, minutes from Stanford’s campus, this is a convenient full-service option. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Where to stay near Berkeley
Claremont Resort & Club, a Bay Area classic with sweeping hilltop views. This feels more like a resort escape than a campus-adjacent hotel. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Graduate by Hilton Berkeley, right in the middle of Berkeley’s campus energy. A walkable immersive option if you want to be in the thick of college-town life during your visit.
While you're there: Wander the Getty Center, spend an afternoon in Koreatown, or catch the sunset at Venice Beach. Up in San Francisco, the Ferry Building and Golden Gate Park are easy add-ons, and Stanford's Dish trail and Berkeley's Telegraph Avenue are both worth building into the campus day itself.
Worth the extra time: If you're already out west, consider tacking on San Diego, Santa Monica, or Laguna, or heading further afield to Napa, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, or a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway.
photo: Downtown LA Proper Hotel
The Midwest: Michigan, Ohio State, Carnegie Mellon, Penn State
Where to stay in Ann Arbor and East Lansing
Weber's Hotel & Restaurant in Ann Arbor, a local institution since 1937, a dependable base just outside University of Michigan’s campus, with the kind of old-school charm that Ann Arbor families have enjoyed for generations.
Graduate by Hilton East Lansing, right in the middle of East Lansing and walkable to Michigan State’s campus, leaning into the college-town energy in a way that makes the visit feel more immersive.
Shinola Hotel in Detroit, if you want to base out of the city to pair the Michigan or Michigan State visits with a city stop. Right in the middle of Detroit’s best shopping and dining area. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Where to stay in Columbus
Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph, downtown and a short drive from Ohio State’s campus, putting visitors close to the Short North Arts District for dinner after a long day of touring. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, and room upgrade.
Hotel LeVeque, an Autograph Collection, housed in one of downtown Columbus’s most recognizable Art Deco buildings, this hotel adds a bit of architectural history to a Columbus stop on the way to Ohio State. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, and room upgrade.
Graduate by Hilton Columbus, for a walkable option, the Graduate sits right along High Street closer to Ohio State’s campus rather than downtown.
Where to stay near Pittsburgh and State College
Fairmont Pittsburgh, downtown Pittsburgh with easy access to University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon’s Oakland campus, great if you want to explore the city’s museums and dining. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
The Industrialist Hotel, set in a beautifully restored downtown building, with a stylish, historic home base for a Univ of Pitt or Carnegie Mellon visit while staying close to the downtown area. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, and room upgrade.
The Nittany Lion Inn or Graduate by Hilton, both are a convenient option for a Penn State visit, right on campus and in the middle of the experience.
While you're there: Nichols Arboretum and the Red Cedar River are lovely if you need a break from campus buildings. In Columbus, German Village is worth an afternoon. Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museums and the Strip District are easy wins, and Penn State's own arboretum is a nice stop between tours.
Worth the extra time: If your route runs through Michigan, consider adding a couple of days up in Traverse City and northern Michigan before you head home.
photo: The Nittany Lion Inn near Penn State
Texas: UT Austin, Rice, Texas A&M
Where to stay in Dallas
Virgin Hotels Dallas, in the Design District with a laid-back, creative energy, this is a stylish overnight stop if Dallas is more of a gateway to your Texas campus visit than the main event. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Fairmont Dallas, downtown near the Arts District, making it an easy, central home base for passing through Dallas on the way to Austin, Houston, or College Station. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, if you want Dallas to feel like part of the trip rather than just a stop-over, the Mansion’s Uptown estate is a genuinely special stop. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $125 resort credit.
photo: Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
Where to stay in Austin
Austin Proper Hotel, downtown in the Second Street District, within an easy rideshare of UT’s campus while still in the middle of the best restaurants, music venues and shopping for the rest of the trip. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
The LINE Austin, on Lady Bird Lake, The LINE pairs a short hop to UT with lake views and a walkable route into downtown. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as guaranteed 2pm check out and $50 food & beverage credit.
ARRIVE Austin, tucked into the Rainey Street district, a walkable base close to downtown’s bars and food trucks, great for families who want to feel the city’s energy. Book with Gold Coast Travel for reduced rate, room upgrade, and early check in and check out.
photo: Austin Proper Hotel
Where to stay in Houston
JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, based in the Galleria area with easy access to shopping and dining. A practical, family-friendly option if you want access to downtown near Rice University. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast and room upgrade.
Four Seasons Hotel Houston, downtown and close to the Theater District, providing full-service polish along with an easy drive to Rice and the Museum District. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Thompson Houston, a boutique, design-forward stay in Market Square downtown. Suits families who want a livelier, walkable home base between campus visits.
While you're there: In Austin, Zilker Park, Barton Springs, and South Congress are all worth working into the day. Dallas has Reunion Tower and the Fort Worth Water Gardens nearby, and in Houston, the Menil Collection and Rice Village make for an easy afternoon near campus. Magnolia Market in Waco is a fun detour if your route runs through central Texas.
Worth the extra time: Golf families should look at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa or Omni Barton Creek in Austin, both good for a day or two of downtime between tours.
The DMV: Georgetown, University of Maryland
Where to stay in DC
The LINE Hotel DC, set in Adams Morgan, a walkable, locally-loved neighborhood with a restaurant and music scene, with easy Metro access to Georgetown and downtown. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as guaranteed 2pm check out and $50 food & beverage credit.
Rosewood Washington, D.C., in the same tree-lined neighborhood as Georgetown University, an easy walk to campus and the waterfront. Units available with kitchens. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown, an easy walk to campus, while also close enough to the National Mall for sightseeing between tours. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
While you're there: The Georgetown waterfront and the National Mall's museums are worth a full day on their own. Closer to College Park, the Paint Branch Trail is a nice break from campus touring, and if your itinerary stretches toward Virginia, Charlottesville's Downtown Mall and Virginia Tech's Hahn Horticulture Garden are both worth the drive.
Worth the extra time: Maryland's Eastern Shore, St. Michaels and Oxford especially, is a great add-on if you want a slower day or two before heading home.
photo: Rosewood Washington D.C., Georgetown
New England: Harvard, MIT, Amherst, Mount Holyoke
Where to stay in Boston
Hotel AKA Back Bay,designed for longer stays with full kitchens and spacious suites to easily spread out. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $75 resort credit.
The Langham Boston, perfect for touring Harvard, MIT, or the Boston-area schools who want a historic, full-service downtown base. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
The Newbury Boston, within walking distance of Newbury Street, Beacon Hill and the Green Line, making it easy to hop between campus visits. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
Fairmont Copley Plaza, steps from the Back Bay T stop, making it an easy, central home base for shuttling between downtown campuses. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 resort credit.
photo: The Langham Boston
Where to stay near Amherst
Inn on Boltwood, set right on the town common in downtown Amherst
Courtyard by Marriott Hadley Amherst, equidistant from Amherst, UMass Amherst, Hampshire, Smith and Mount Holyoke, perfect for a no-frills base for extensive campus visits
The Ellery, a newer boutique property downtown in walking distance to Amherst College
While you're there: In Boston, walk the Charles River Esplanade, grab lunch at Quincy Market, and set aside a few hours for the Harvard Art Museums or a stretch of the Freedom Trail. Out in the Pioneer Valley, a canoe rental on the Connecticut River or an afternoon at the Emily Dickinson Museum makes for a nice change of pace between campus visits.
Worth the extra time: If your schedule allows, Cape Cod, the Berkshires, Providence (UCONN is also nearby) and Vermont are all within easy reach and worth a couple of extra days.
The Hilton Graduate line of hotels does an excellent job of incorporating school spirit
The Southeast: Auburn, UGA, UT Knoxville, UNC, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt
Where to stay in Auburn
Graduate by Hilton Auburn, AL, steps from campus on West Magnolia Avenue, right in the middle of the game-day energy and college-town charm. Walkable to everything.
The Laurel Hotel & Spa, a Preferred Hotels & Resorts property downtown with a bit more polish, if you want to make the trip feel special. Book with Gold Coast Travel for added amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 hotel credit.
Where to stay in Athens
Hotel Abacus (formerly Graduate Athens), downtown and an easy walk to University of Georgia’s campus, also close to Athen’s live music scene.
Hotel Indigo Athens Downtown, another solid walkable option near the UGA campus.
Where to stay in Knoxville
The Tennessean Hotel, Knoxville’s only Four Diamond hotel, with a downtown Henley Street location within walking distance from University of Tennessee’s campus. Book with Gold Coast Travel for additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $50 resort credit.
Hyatt Place Knoxville, a practical, no-frills downtown option for a budget-friendly base for a UT campus visit.
Where to stay in Chapel Hill
The Carolina Inn, a historic property that sits right on the campus of University of North Carolina with plenty of genuine Southern charm.
Graduate by Hilton Chapel Hill, a few blocks down Franklin Street, this hotel leans into Chapel Hill’s college-town spirit and puts you in the middle of the shops and restaurants students frequent.
Where to stay in Atlanta, which has more good hotel options than anywhere else on this list, worth the pick for Georgia Tech families:
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, in Midtown, a full-service luxury option close to Georgia Tech’s campus. Great access to the city. Book with Gold Coast Travel for added amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 hotel credit.
The St. Regis Atlanta, in the neighborhood of Buckhead just north of the city with Michelin-recognized dining at Atlas and a resort-style pool scene. Book with Gold Coast Travel for added amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 hotel credit.
The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, also in Buckhead, a short drive from Georgia Tech, in a polished shopping and dining neighborhood.
photo: The St. Regis Atlanta, Buckhead
Where to stay in Nashville
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, literally next door to Vanderbilt campus on West End Avenue
Hutton Hotel, a boutique Tribute Portfolio property also on West End, offering a more design-forward alternative walking distance to campus.
Four Seasons Nashville, amazing downtown location along the riverfront. Within a short drive to campus, with a quiet and luxury-forward vibe including a rooftop pool and bar. Book with Gold Coast Travel for added amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 hotel credit.
Conrad Nashville, 5 minutes from Vanderbilt and Music Row with a rooftop pool in the heart of midtown. Book with Gold Coast Travel for added amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 hotel credit.
1 Hotel Nashville, steps from the Country Music Hall of Fame and a short drive to Vanderbilt’s campus, with a sustainable, nature-forward design and wellness with downtown SoBro convenience. Book with Gold Coast Travel for added amenities such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and $100 hotel credit.
While you're there: In Auburn, Toomer's Corner and a walk around downtown are worth it any weekend, football or not. Athens has a walkable downtown built around live music and UGA's own State Botanical Garden. Knoxville's Market Square and World's Fair Park are both an easy walk from campus. In Chapel Hill, Franklin Street is the center of everything, and Durham (and Duke) is close enough to fold into the same trip if you want a second campus. Atlanta has almost too many options to list, the Beltline, Piedmont Park, and the Georgia Aquarium are all worth building in if you have an extra day. Nashville mostly speaks for itself, Broadway, the Gulch, and Centennial Park's Parthenon replica are all easy adds around campus visits.
Worth the extra time: This region is an easy one to extend. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains are close to both Knoxville and the western Carolina schools, and Charleston or Savannah make a great add-on if your route runs anywhere near the coast.
However you build the route, the goal is the same: give your student more than a single rushed day to picture themselves there. If you'd rather hand off the logistics, that's exactly what I'm here for, routing, hotels, add-on excursions, and all.
Ready to plan your college tour trip? Get in touch and let's build the itinerary.