Embarking on your college journey is more than just hitting the books—it’s about immersing yourself in the vibrant culture, flavors, and experiences that make each campus unique. Once you have crafted your balanced college list and decided which schools you intend to visit, it’s time for the fun to commence—creating your itinerary for your campus visits!
As you visit the colleges on your list, exploring both the college and its surrounding restaurants, sights, and culture is crucial. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the school and its local community will help you in determining where you’ll feel most at home. As you savor local flavors, explore campus landmarks, and discover the town’s hidden gems, you’re not just creating memories—you’re gaining a deeper understanding of the environment that will shape the next four years of your educational journey.
Every college’s culture offers a unique blend of academics, student life, and local flare. Created using the first-hand knowledge of our Senior Mentors, Command Education’s Guide to College Visit Recommendations compiles the most important things to see and do both on campus and off, helping you make informed decisions about where you’ll thrive academically and personally in college.
University of Pennsylvania
Harvard University
New York University
UC Berkeley
University of Chicago
Brown University
Dartmouth College
Cornell University
Columbia University
Northwestern University
Stanford University
Yale University
Princeton University
University of North Carolina
University of Pennsylvania
Harvard University
New York University
UC Berkeley
University of Chicago
Brown University
Dartmouth College
Columbia University
Northwestern University
Stanford University
Yale University
Princeton University
University of North Carolina
University of Pennsylvania
What to See on Campus:
- EFisher Fine Arts Library
-
ELaw School
For students interested in Pol Sci/Pre-Law
-
EWalk down Locust St. to see on-campus housing
Stop at Huntsman (students interested in Business/Wharton) and Van Pelt Library (main undergraduate library).
- EVisit the Penn Museum
-
ECheck out your Freshman housing options
- The Quad
- Hill
- King’s Court English House
- Lauder College House
- Gregory & Stouffer
-
EExplore off-campus housing options by walking from campus to Clark Park.
Note that Penn students are only permitted to live off campus during their junior and senior years, and most off-campus students live south of Market Street between 38th St. and 42nd St.
What to Eat:
- EWhite Dog Cafe
- EZahav
- EGoldie at Franklin’s Table
- EKfar Bakery
- ESurreal Creamery
- EFederal Donuts
What to See Around Town:
- EPhiladelphia Museum of Art
- EEastern State Penitentiary
- EThe Liberty Bell
University of Pennsylvania
What to See on Campus:
- EFisher Fine Arts Library
-
ELaw School
For students interested in Pol Sci/Pre-Law
-
EWalk down Locust St. to see on-campus housing
Stop at Huntsman (students interested in Business/Wharton) and Van Pelt Library (main undergraduate library).
- EVisit the Penn Museum
-
ECheck out your Freshman housing options
- The Quad
- Hill
- King’s Court English House
- Lauder College House
- Gregory & Stouffer
-
EExplore off-campus housing options by walking from campus to Clark Park.
Note that Penn students are only permitted to live off campus during their junior and senior years, and most off-campus students live south of Market Street between 38th St. and 42nd St.
What to Eat:
- EWhite Dog Cafe
- EZahav
- EGoldie at Franklin’s Table
- EKfar Bakery
- ESurreal Creamery
- EFederal Donuts
What to See Around Town:
- EPhiladelphia Museum of Art
- EEastern State Penitentiary
- EThe Liberty Bell
Princeton University
What to See on Campus:
- EPrinceton Neuroscience Institute
- EWhig Hall
-
EChancellor Green Rotunda Library
Outside the library is the East Pyne Courtyard, which served as a filming location for Oppenheimer.
-
EPrinceton School of Public and International Affairs
For students interested in Pol Sci/Pre-Law
-
ECheck out the new Residential Colleges
Yeh College and New College West
What to Eat:
- ESmall World Coffee shop
-
ECoffee Club
An entirely student run coffee shop
- EOlive’s
- EBent Spoon’s famous Banana Whip
- EMaruichi Japanese Market
- EJunbi
- ELittle Chef’s Pastry Shop
What to See Around Town:
- EWalk down Prospect Ave.
- EVisit the small town on University Place/Witherspoon Ave.
Princeton University
What to See on Campus:
- EPrinceton Neuroscience Institute
- EWhig Hall
-
EChancellor Green Rotunda Library
Outside the library is the East Pyne Courtyard, which served as a filming location for Oppenheimer.
-
EPrinceton School of Public and International Affairs
For students interested in Pol Sci/Pre-Law
-
ECheck out the new Residential Colleges
Yeh College and New College West
What to Eat:
- ESmall World Coffee shop
-
ECoffee Club
An entirely student run coffee shop
- EOlive’s
- EBent Spoon’s famous Banana Whip
- EMaruichi Japanese Market
- EJunbi
- ELittle Chef’s Pastry Shop
What to See Around Town:
- EWalk down Prospect Ave.
- EVisit the small town on University Place/Witherspoon Ave.
Columbia University
What to See on Campus:
-
EVisit the Libraries
The Starr East Asian Library
Butler Library
Avery Library -
EBroadway and Amsterdam Ave
Where a majority of student-favorite restaurants are located.
- EColumbia Law School
What to Eat:
- EAbsolute Bagels
-
ESaiguette
An entirely student run coffee shop
- ELaSalle Dumplings
- EFalafel on Broadway
What to See Around Town:
- EMiriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery
- ERiverside Park
Columbia University
What to See on Campus:
-
EVisit the Libraries
The Starr East Asian Library
Butler Library
Avery Library -
EBroadway and Amsterdam Ave
Where a majority of student-favorite restaurants are located.
- EColumbia Law School
What to Eat:
- EAbsolute Bagels
-
ESaiguette
An entirely student run coffee shop
- ELaSalle Dumplings
- EFalafel on Broadway
What to See Around Town:
- EMiriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery
- ERiverside Park
Yale University
What to See on Campus:
-
ERosenkranz Hall
Political Science
-
EMurray and Franklin Dorms
Two newest dorms at Yale
-
EYale Law
Check out the staircase, famous for its walls covered in posters advertising events happening on campus. (It’s also reportedly where Hillary and Bill Clinton met!)
-
EBeinecke Rare Books Library
You can find Yale’s copy of the Gutenberg Bible on display in this library, which boasts stunning architecture and a world-renowned collection.
- ESterling Memorial Library
-
EYale University Art Gallery
The gallery houses famous works such as The Night Cafe by Van Gogh. Admission is free.
-
EPeruse Hillhouse Avenue
Lined with historic mansions that now house many humanities classes. The undergraduate Admissions Office can also be found on this street.
- EOld Campus
- EHarkness Tower
What to Eat:
- EGrab a pizza from Sally’s, Pepe’s, or Modern
-
EArethusa Farm Dairy
Serves farm-fresh, Connecticut made ice cream.
What to See Around Town:
- EYale Piedmont Museum
- ELighthouse Point Park
- EEast Rock Park
Yale University
What to See on Campus:
-
ERosenkranz Hall
Political Science
-
EMurray and Franklin Dorms
Two newest dorms at Yale
-
EYale Law
Check out the staircase, famous for its walls covered in posters advertising events happening on campus. (It’s also reportedly where Hillary and Bill Clinton met!)
-
EBeinecke Rare Books Library
You can find Yale’s copy of the Gutenberg Bible on display in this library, which boasts stunning architecture and a world-renowned collection.
- ESterling Memorial Library
-
EYale University Art Gallery
The gallery houses famous works such as The Night Cafe by Van Gogh. Admission is free.
-
EPeruse Hillhouse Avenue
Lined with historic mansions that now house many humanities classes. The undergraduate Admissions Office can also be found on this street.
- EOld Campus
- EHarkness Tower
What to Eat:
- EGrab a pizza from Sally’s, Pepe’s, or Modern
-
EArethusa Farm Dairy
Serves farm-fresh, Connecticut made ice cream.
What to See Around Town:
- EYale Piedmont Museum
- ELighthouse Point Park
- EEast Rock Park
Harvard University
What to See on Campus:
- EVisit the Law school
-
EHarvard yard
All the freshman dorms are those buildings around the yard.
-
EThe science center
Which is across the plaza (big white building that looks out of place from the rest of the architecture).
-
EAnnenberg hall
The big building next to the science center; it’s where freshmen have their meals.
-
ECheck out the river houses
Soph-Senior year you’ll be sorted into one of the 12 upperclassmen houses. The ones near H yard are Eliot House, Kirkland House, and Adams House.
-
EWalk around Harvard Square/Cambridge
It’ll be a huge part of undergrad life.
What to Eat:
-
EFelipe's Taqueria
Every Harvard student knows this place. Best Mexican food you’ll find in the Square.
-
ERussell House Tavern
A popular place if you want a sit-down place serving good American food and cuts; lots of students ask their professors for meals here
-
EToscano
Great Italian place lots of students will book to celebrate birthday dinners or special events.
-
EClover Food
Great vegetarian option! Located inside of the science center building.
-
ETasty Burger
Fast food burger place; quick to grab a meal before class or walking around the Square.
What to See Around Town:
- EAnnenberg Hall
- EBoston Museum of Fine Arts
- EBoston Common
- EFenway Park
- EIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- EQuincy Market
- EJFK Library
Harvard University
What to See on Campus:
- EVisit the Law school
-
EHarvard yard
All the freshman dorms are those buildings around the yard.
-
EThe science center
Which is across the plaza (big white building that looks out of place from the rest of the architecture).
-
EAnnenberg hall
The big building next to the science center; it’s where freshmen have their meals.
-
ECheck out the river houses
Soph-Senior year you’ll be sorted into one of the 12 upperclassmen houses. The ones near H yard are Eliot House, Kirkland House, and Adams House.
-
EWalk around Harvard Square/Cambridge
It’ll be a huge part of undergrad life.
What to Eat:
-
EFelipe's Taqueria
Every Harvard student knows this place. Best Mexican food you’ll find in the Square.
-
ERussell House Tavern
A popular place if you want a sit-down place serving good American food and cuts; lots of students ask their professors for meals here
-
EToscano
Great Italian place lots of students will book to celebrate birthday dinners or special events.
-
EClover Food
Great vegetarian option! Located inside of the science center building.
-
ETasty Burger
Fast food burger place; quick to grab a meal before class or walking around the Square.
What to See Around Town:
- EAnnenberg Hall
- EBoston Museum of Fine Arts
- EBoston Common
- EFenway Park
- EIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- EQuincy Market
- EJFK Library
Brown University
What to See on Campus:
- EWalk the Main Green
-
EProspect Terrace
This location offers a particularly stunning view of the campus at night!
-
EPembroke Campus
The original women’s college on Brown’s campus.
- EThe Sciences Library
- ECarrie Tower
- EManning Chapel
What to Eat:
- EFind great Italian food in Federal Hill
- EAl Forno
- EMike’s Calzones
- EEast Side Pockets
- EBaja’s
What to See Around Town:
- EFederal Hill neighborhood
- EWalk down Thayer Street
- EWaterplace Park
- ERoger Williams Park Botanical Center
Brown University
What to See on Campus:
- EWalk the Main Green
-
EProspect Terrace
This location offers a particularly stunning view of the campus at night!
-
EPembroke Campus
The original women’s college on Brown’s campus.
- EThe Sciences Library
- ECarrie Tower
- EManning Chapel
What to Eat:
- EFind great Italian food in Federal Hill
- EAl Forno
- EMike’s Calzones
- EEast Side Pockets
- EBaja’s
What to See Around Town:
- EFederal Hill neighborhood
- EWalk down Thayer Street
- EWaterplace Park
- ERoger Williams Park Botanical Center
Northwestern University
What to See on Campus:
-
ENorris
The student center
- EDeering Library
What to Eat:
- E Bat 17
What to See Around Town:
-
EWalk South on the LakeFill
Starting at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, then walk back up Sheridan road
University of Chicago
What to See on Campus:
- EHarper and Crerar libraries
- EHallowed Grounds coffee shop
- EThe Logan Center
What to Eat:
-
EMedici
The favorite “student spot” on campus.
- EHarold's Chicken
- EThe many food trucks that frequent the Quad
What to See Around Town:
- EIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- EMillennium Park
University of Chicago
What to See on Campus:
- EHarper and Crerar libraries
- EHallowed Grounds coffee shop
- EThe Logan Center
What to Eat:
-
EMedici
The favorite “student spot” on campus.
- EHarold's Chicken
- EThe many food trucks that frequent the Quad
What to See Around Town:
- EIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- EMillennium Park
Stanford University
What to See on Campus:
- EThe Dish
- ERodin Sculpture Garden
- EMemorial Church
- EHoover Tower
What to Eat:
- EEthel’s Fancy
- EBird Dog
- EBevri
- EEttan
What to See Around Town:
- EA sporting event on campus
-
EMeta Headquarters
“Facebook Campus”
- EPalo Alto Baylands preserve
- EThe Hewlett Packard Garage
- ECantor Arts Center
What to See Around Town:
- EA sporting event on campus
-
EMeta Headquarters
“Facebook Campus”
- EPalo Alto Baylands preserve
- EThe Hewlett Packard Garage
- ECantor Arts Center
Dartmouth College
What to See on Campus:
- ETower Room
- ERauner Special Collections LIbrary
- EPeriodicals Room
What to See on Campus:
- ETower Room
- ERauner Special Collections LIbrary
- EPeriodicals Room
What to Eat:
- ETuk Tuk Thai
- ELou’s Bakery
- EMolly’s
- EKing Arthur Flour (KAF)
- EDirt Cowboy Cafe
- EUmpleby’s
What to See Around Town:
- EGo hiking on Gile Mountain Trail (easier) or Mount Cardigan (harder)
- EWalk around Occom Pond
- EGet your ping pong paddles to play some Dartmouth pong
- ESki/snowboard at the Dartmouth Skiway
-
EDrive to Ice Cream Fore-U in West Lebanon
Ice cream and mini golf
What to See Around Town:
- EGo hiking on Gile Mountain Trail (easier) or Mount Cardigan (harder)
- EWalk around Occom Pond
- EGet your ping pong paddles to play some Dartmouth pong
- ESki/snowboard at the Dartmouth Skiway
-
EDrive to Ice Cream Fore-U in West Lebanon
Ice cream and mini golf
New York University
What to See on Campus:
- EKimmel Hall
- EBobst Library
- ESilver Center
- EWashington Square Park
What to Eat:
- EJoe’s Pizza
- EGemma
- EMeskerem
- EMálà Project East Village
What to See Around Town:
-
EWander around the Lower East Side
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EVisit bookstores
McNally Jackson
The Strand
Bluestockings - ESee a show at one NYC’s many concert venues or on Broadway
What to See Around Town:
-
EWander around the Lower East Side
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EVisit bookstores
McNally Jackson
The Strand
Bluestockings - ESee a show at one NYC’s many concert venues or on Broadway
University of North Carolina
What to See on Campus:
-
EPolk Place
The main campus green
- EThe Old Well
- EThe Arboretum
- EWilson Library
What to Eat:
- EThe Gray Squirrel in Carrboro
- EThe Spotted Dog
- ECarrburito’s
- ETRU
-
EMEantime Coffee Co.
Student-run coffee shop on UNC’s campus.
What to Eat:
- EThe Gray Squirrel in Carrboro
- EThe Spotted Dog
- ECarrburito’s
- ETRU
-
EMEantime Coffee Co.
Student-run coffee shop on UNC’s campus.
What to See Around Town:
-
EThe Ackland Museum
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EMorehead Planetarium
McNally Jackson
The Strand
Bluestockings - EWalk Franklin Street
What to See Around Town:
-
EThe Ackland Museum
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EMorehead Planetarium
McNally Jackson
The Strand
Bluestockings - EWalk Franklin Street
Cornell University
What to See on Campus:
- ETake a walk around Beebe Lake
- ETour the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
- ESage Chapel
- EArts Quad
- ERisley Dining Room
What to Eat:
- ECornell Dairy Bar
- EIthaca Bakery - Meadow Street
- EMoosewood
- EMonk’s on the Commons
- ERed’s Place
- EHot trucks in Collegetown
What to See Around Town:
-
ETake a stroll on the Sagan Planet Walk
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EIthaca Falls
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EMuseum of the Earth
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EIthaca Commons
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EIthaca Farmers Market
Hop into one of its many galleries!
Cornell University
What to See on Campus:
- ETake a walk around Beebe Lake
- ETour the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
- ESage Chapel
- EArts Quad
- ERisley Dining Room
What to Eat:
- ECornell Dairy Bar
- EIthaca Bakery - Meadow Street
- EMoosewood
- EMonk’s on the Commons
- ERed’s Place
- EHot trucks in Collegetown
What to See Around Town:
-
ETake a stroll on the Sagan Planet Walk
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EIthaca Falls
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EMuseum of the Earth
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EIthaca Commons
Hop into one of its many galleries!
-
EIthaca Farmers Market
Hop into one of its many galleries!
University of California Berkeley
What to See on Campus:
- ECampanile
- EDoe Library
- ELawrence Hall of Science
- EUniversity of California Botanical Garden
- EBerkeley Art Museum
What to Eat:
-
ETop Dog
A Berkeley classic!
- EGordo Taqueria
- EGregoire
- ECancun el Sabor
- EChez Panisse Cafe
What to See Around Town:
- EWatch the sunset at Indian Rock or the Lawrence Hall of Science
- EExplore Grizzly Peak
- EVisit Limantour or Stinson Beach in Marin
- EGolden Gate Bridge
- EMuir Woods
-
EAngel Island and Alcatraz
Both of these islands in the bay are accessible from Berkeley. Angel Island has wonderful hikes and views, while the iconic Alcatraz tour is a once in a lifetime experience.
-
ENapa and Sonoma counties
If you want to extend your trip, consider spending a weekend in Napa or Sonoma county. Aside from the renowned wineries and natural beauty, there are wonderful little towns like Sea Ranch, Occidental, and Calistoga which offer a taste of the beauty of Northern California.
What to See Around Town:
- EWatch the sunset at Indian Rock or the Lawrence Hall of Science
- EExplore Grizzly Peak
- EVisit Limantour or Stinson Beach in Marin
- EGolden Gate Bridge
- EMuir Woods
-
EAngel Island and Alcatraz
Both of these islands in the bay are accessible from Berkeley. Angel Island has wonderful hikes and views, while the iconic Alcatraz tour is a once in a lifetime experience.
-
ENapa and Sonoma counties
If you want to extend your trip, consider spending a weekend in Napa or Sonoma county. Aside from the renowned wineries and natural beauty, there are wonderful little towns like Sea Ranch, Occidental, and Calistoga which offer a taste of the beauty of Northern California.
