The Ultimate College Tour Travel Guide: The East Coast
From Boston to D.C., discover the ultimate East Coast college tour with a mix of Ivies, urban campuses, and hidden gems + hotels, activities, and pro tips to make it fun.
Courtesy of Georgetown University
The East Coast is where tradition meets buzz. Think ivy-draped lecture halls in New England, urban campuses where students balance internships with subway rides, and historic cities that double as classroom extensions. This stretch is packed with some of the world’s most recognizable schools - and plenty of less-intimidating (but equally exciting) options.
Note: I’m not suggesting you have knock out all of this in one trip! You can break it into smaller chunks - just try to give yourself a balance of checking out schools and memory-making side activities. The goal is for it to be a trip you look forward to.
Potential Schools & Route
Boston → Providence → New Haven → NYC → Philadelphia → Washington, D.C.
This route can be done easily by train - Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor is practically built for college tours. Along the way, you’ll get not just a campus feel, but also a taste of the culture in each city: coffee shops in Cambridge, art in Providence, late-night pizza in New Haven, Broadway energy in NYC, and political buzz in D.C.
Boston: Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Boston University, Tufts
Providence: Brown, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence College
New Haven: Yale, Southern Connecticut State University
NYC: Columbia, NYU, Fordham, The New School
Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, Drexel, Temple, Villanova
Washington, D.C.: Georgetown, George Washington, American University, Howard
Courtesy of the Crosby Street Hotel
MPKO Travels’ Hotel Picks
Boston
The Liberty Hotel: Once a historic jail, now one of Boston’s most stylish hotels, with dramatic architecture, easy access to Beacon Hill charm, and all of the best Fora perks.
The Eliot Hotel – Boutique charm on Commonwealth Avenue, blending classic Boston elegance with approachable rates.
Providence
The Beatrice – A chic boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Providence. Stylish rooms, a rooftop bar with skyline views, and access to private Bellini Club make it feel elevated while still approachable.
Graduate Providence – Set in a grand former Masonic temple, this hotel blends historic charm with playful, collegiate-inspired design. Spacious rooms and a central location give great value without sacrificing style.
New Haven
The Study at Yale – Sophisticated boutique hotel across from Yale with sleek rooms, reading chairs, and an excellent on-site restaurant.
Graduate New Haven – Playful, collegiate-inspired hotel in a former department store, perfectly located downtown near campus.
New York City
Crosby Street Hotel – A SoHo favorite with bold design, an art-forward vibe, and a tucked-away feel that still puts you in the heart of downtown.
Freehand NYC – Hip, budget-friendly option in Flatiron with great energy, stylish common spaces, and easy access to the subway.
Philadelphia
Four Seasons Philadelphia – Sky-high sophistication atop the Comcast Center, where Fora perks make the experience even sweeter.
The Study at University City – A smart, student-centric boutique hotel that feels elevated without being over the top.
Washington, D.C.
The Jefferson – Timeless luxury in a landmark property, complete with Fora perks and an old-world library lounge you’ll never want to leave.
The Darcy – Playful boutique style with a prime Dupont Circle location and a friendlier price tag.
Mystic, Connecticut
Make it an Adventure
Boston
Day Trip: Hop on a quick ferry to Salem for a dose of history (and witchy charm) after the Harvard tour.
Don’t Miss: Walking the Freedom Trail - it’s basically a crash course in U.S. history.
Food Break: Fuel up with cannoli from Mike’s Pastry in the North End.
Providence
Day Trip: Explore Newport’s cliff walk and Gilded Age mansions.
Don’t Miss: Popping into RISD’s world-class Museum of Art.
Food Break: Try the famous Olneyville New York System hot wiener - it’s a Rhode Island rite of passage.
New Haven
Day Trip: Coastal drive to Mystic Seaport for a maritime history fix and Mystic Pizza!
Don’t Miss: Touring Yale’s Sterling Memorial Library (it looks straight out of Hogwarts).
Food Break: A pizza pilgrimage to Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana.
New York City
Day Trip: Take the train up the Hudson Valley to visit Vassar or just enjoy charming towns like Cold Spring.
Don’t Miss: A Broadway matinee - even one student-rush ticket will give your trip some NYC sparkle.
Food Break: Bagels at Ess-a-Bagel before walking Washington Square Park.
Philadelphia
Day Trip: Quick train ride to Princeton, NJ to tour Princeton University.
Don’t Miss: Reading Terminal Market for a whirlwind of local flavors.
Food Break: A cheesesteak taste-test: Pat’s vs. Geno’s vs. Dalessandro’s.
Washington, D.C.
Day Trip: Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, is an easy drive and surprisingly engaging.
Don’t Miss: Spending an afternoon at the Smithsonian museums (Air & Space is always a hit).
Food Break: Ethiopian cuisine at Chercher - D.C. is one of the best places in the U.S. to try it.
Pro Tips
Use Amtrak to hop between major cities; it’s often faster than flying.
Book campus tours early—they fill up months in advance.
Balance city schools with quieter stops to avoid “campus fatigue.”
East Coast tours are fast-paced, exciting, and sometimes a little overwhelming. Remember - we’re not looking for perfection. You’re building shared memories, not just a college checklist.
If mapping out every stop feels like one more item on an already long to-do list, I can help design a route that makes sense — one that balances campus tours with city highlights and a little breathing room in between. That way, the trip stays exciting (not exhausting), and you get to focus on making memories instead of managing logistics.
Keep Exploring the College Tour Series
Didn’t see the school or region you’re considering? I can create a custom guide that’s tailored to your list, your timeline, and your travel style—so your college tour feels less like a marathon and more like a memorable adventure.
