The Ultimate College Tour Travel Guide: How to Plan, Pack & Make It Fun
My second son heads off to college this September, and let me tell you, I’m feeling all the things. There’s a lot of pride, a little panic, and more than one misty-eyed moment at the thought of another one of my chicks leaving the nest. Instead of sitting around and weeping into his laundry basket (also, EW), I’m channeling all that nostalgia into something more useful: helping other families tackle the college tour season with less stress and a lot more joy.
That’s why I’ve put together this four-part College Tour Travel Guide. In this series, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about planning, packing, and making the most of your college visits - from big-picture strategy to the best hotels and restaurants near campus.
This first post is all about planning like a pro. Next, we’ll head east to explore ivy-covered walls and historic quads, then swing through the Midwest and South for a dose of charm, tradition, and school spirit, before wrapping things up with sunshine and surf on the West Coast.
So, if you’re staring down a schedule of campus visits and wondering how you’ll survive (or at least stay caffeinated), this guide is for you.
Where to Visit
My oldest had ZERO idea of where he wanted to go. Our first tour was a sampler. We had to be in Philadelphia for a family event, so we tacked on a few days and visited a tiny liberal arts school, a mid-size Catholic university with a major basketball program, a big urban school in the heart of the City, and a prestigious school in the middle of nowhere. It gave him a taste of different styles, sizes, and vibes.
Schedule a Tour… or at least a tour guide
My sons and I have visited campuses and done the group tours, we’ve had a student walk us around, and we’ve done tours on our own. I HIGHLY recommend the first two options and not the third. You will learn so much more from an official tour than anything you can do by yourself. If you don’t want to stay for the whole thing, you can always peel off. But it’s so helpful to have someone you can ask questions of. It’s also a nice way to meet other families in the same boat, and learn where else they are touring.
Timing Is Everything
If you can swing it, visit during the school year - that way, you’ll actually see students milling around (and not just squirrels and construction crews). We toured a campus during Spring Break it felt A LOT like we were in a post-apocalyptic universe - that school never had a chance. Spring of junior year is peak season, but don’t underestimate the magic of a crisp fall tour when campuses are showing off their best foliage (and you might catch a football game!).
Summer works too, especially if your kid is testing the waters, but remember it’s lighter on student life.
Pro tip: try to avoid scheduling more than two schools in one day. Anything beyond that and it all blurs together into “nice lawns, solid dining hall, maybe some Gothic architecture?”
Getting Around
A rental car gives you flexibility, but in cities like Boston, DC, or even LA, parking can be more stressful than finals week. Don’t be afraid to mix in trains, Ubers, or even a hotel shuttle if it saves your sanity.
Plan campuses by geography: cluster schools that are within an hour of each other, and build in buffer time. You will run late at some point - info sessions rarely stick to schedule. My sons always wanted to check out the bookstore, and some of those can really suck you in (also, plan your budget accordingly)!
What to Wear (and What Not to Stress About)
This isn’t a fashion show, but it is a day of lots (and lots) of walking. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. A light rain jacket or fleece keeps you covered no matter the forecast.
For students: a nice-but-not-too-nice outfit works. (Translation: sneakers, jeans, and a clean shirt are totally fine. A ballgown or three-piece suit? Shorts and flip flops? Maybe not.)
Parents, you can keep it casual too. Your job is to blend in, not look like you’re auditioning for “Real Housewives: Admissions Edition.”
Packing the Smart Way
The campus swag bags will tempt you, but here’s what actually matters:
Notebook or notes app: to jot down impressions (because after the fourth campus, “the library was nice” starts sounding very familiar).
Reusable water bottle: hydration = energy.
Backpack: for snacks, layers, and the inevitable glossy brochures.
And yes, sunscreen. You’d be shocked how many tours turn into an accidental sunburn souvenir!
Making It Count
Beyond the stats and admissions spiel, the real goal is vibe-checking: does your student see themselves here? Encourage them to notice how students interact, where people hang out, and whether the campus energy feels motivating or overwhelming. After each stop, when we got back to the car, I always asked, “What did you love?” “What did you hate?” “If you could have spent more time somewhere, where?”
The Heart of the Journey
Most importantly, remember, this is just one step in the larger adventure. College tours can feel like an endless to-do list: flights, hotels, campus maps, trying to remember which school had the climbing wall and which had the taco truck. But the best way to keep it from being overwhelming is to treat each stop as a little adventure of its own.
Because while your kid is sizing up libraries and lecture halls, you’re making memories together. Some of my favorite memories with my sons were on our tours together - road trip playlists, shared hotel breakfasts, and those in-between conversations in the car where you catch little glimpses of the grown-up they’re becoming.
So don’t worry about getting it perfect. The right school will matter, yes - but so will the laughs over late-night pizza after a long day of walking campuses, the debates about which dorm room setup was coolest, and the quiet realization that your little bird is almost ready to fly (sob!).
And if the logistics ever start to feel overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve helped families turn the chaos of college touring into a series of meaningful, even fun, adventures - and I’d be honored to help yours, too. ❤️
Want the specifics?
This is just the big-picture guide. Be sure to check out the next installments in the series:
Guide to College Tours in the East
Guide to College Tours in the Midwest and South
Guide to College Tours in the West
