SUMMER SCHOOL

College around the corner for your teenagers?

Don’t let touring schools become a chore. Instead, turn your summer college visiting plans into a vacation the entire family can enjoy. We’ve done the homework for you on where to stay and what to do at some of the country’s most popular college destinations.

◗ Palo Alto, California

It’s no that UC Berkeley and Stanford o er strong science, engineering, and liberal arts programs, but Palo Alto may be one of the Bay Area’s bestkept secret getaways.

After the requisite college tour, drop in at Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center, which boasts 20 Rodin bronze statues, or Cal’s serene 34-acre UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley, nestled in Strawberry Canyon and home to plants from around the world. Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue, including legendary Moe’s Books, is also worth a stroll, not to mention amazing nearby eats, such as Timeless Co ee, Cheese Board Pizza, Cha-Ya, and The Butcher’s Son—plus Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse for finer dining. In the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, just beyond Palo Alto, wineries such as Neely Wine, known for its crisp Chardonnays and light-bodied Pinot Noirs, also make for an ideal afternoon outing and introduction to the surrounding area.

WHERE TO STAY: Sleep at the minimalist and Zen 73-room Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, with two floors dedicated to ultra-private Ryokan rooms and an on-site Nobu restaurant, which has just expanded with a sprawling garden. Or crash at the 100-room Spanish Colonial–style Graduate Palo Alto, which opened this year after a meticulous renovation of the original Hotel President.

◗ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The City of Brotherly Love is best known for the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State, but several other well-ranked schools, including Drexel, Temple, Swarthmore, and the Curtis Institute of Music, call the Philly area home. After you’ve made the rounds touring campuses, take in some of Philly’s historic sites— the 2,000-pound Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed), Betsy Ross House, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum. In the last decade, the city’s waterfront has undergone a major revitalization, making it an ideal space to walk, bike, or jog. And for a taste of the city, hit the original Reading Terminal Market or newer The Bourse, two of several food halls/ indoor farmers markets.

Zahav, by Israeli chef Michael Solomonov, and vegetable-forward Vedge are two other culinary musts. Follow with a live show at the Plays & Players theater or jazz and blues at La Rose Jazz Club.

WHERE TO STAY: Base the family at the high-rise, 219-room Four Seasons Philadelphia, with a stunning infinity edge pool at the top, or art-filled Logan, a boutique property downtown with on-site Urban Farmer restaurant.

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Boston, Massachusetts

With some 35 colleges and universities in the greater Boston area (including Harvard,

MIT, Boston University, Boston College, Wellesley, Northeastern, and Tufts), it’s likely you will need downtime in between tours. Take a break at Boston’s Victorian-era Public Garden in the heart of the city; wander the charming boutiques and admire the architecture of the Beacon Hill neighborhood; stop in at the Museum of Fine

Arts (with its renowned 500,000-piece collection); or even catch a Red Sox game at iconic Fenway Park. Alternatively, explore some of the locations featured in beloved movie Good Will Hunting (a must watch for any teen before heading to Beantown), including the L Street Tavern, on a self-guided driving tour through the city. Come lunch or dinner, Alden & Harlow in Harvard Square is a favorite for its cauliflower Caesar, pickled corn pancakes, and pastas, or if you can get a reservation, grab a seat at O Ya, where the 20-course omakase books out two months in advance.

WHERE TO STAY: Rest your head at the Four Seasons Boston , where 273 rooms overlook the Public Garden, Beacon Hill, and the golden dome of the State House, or the 147-room newcomer Raffles Boston , the first U.S. property for the brand, in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, adjacent to stone-faced Trinity

Church and shopping at Copley Place.

◗ Nashville, Tennessee Tour Vanderbilt (including the gorgeous Kirkland Hall), Belmont, Lipscomb, and Fisk universities by day and explore lively Nashville, America’s Music City, by evening. Undeniably, there’s plenty of live country music here, from the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry to Analog at the Hutton and Listening Room Café. For more of a guided experience, consider joining one of Nashville History on Tour’s two-hour excursions, which cover topics such as music, politics, civil rights, and women’s suffrage. To say that Nashville is in the midst of a culinary boom is an understatement, so when you’re ready to eat, snag a table at Sean Brock’s Audrey, Vivek Surti’s Tailor, JeanGeorges’ Drusie & Darr, or Deb Paquette’s Etch.

WHERE TO STAY:

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a hotel base, but the 47-room S oho House Nashville , in a former sock factory, and sustainabilityminded 1Hotel , in the SoBro neighborhood, famous for its nearby honky-tonks, are among the best.

◗ Denver, Colorado

Have your sights on visiting schools such as the University of Denver, University of Colorado at Boulder, or Colorado College near the Mile High City? A favorite for all its nearby outdoor pursuits, the Denver area is an equally sophisticated urban delight with arts and culinary offerings galore. Drop into Denver Art Museum, which recently unveiled a $175 million renovation and expansion. Don’t miss the outdoor sculptures such as the whimsical Big Sweep, featuring an oversized broom and dustpan set. Join an eTuk city tour, which starts from the beaux- arts Union Station and rides past several famed sites and through some of the city’s coolest neighborhoods, including River North (RiNo—watch for the playful rhinoceros symbols), known for its street murals and breweries. Eat your way through Denver at Safta, where the spread includes mushroom hummus, labneh with pomegranate, and herb-laden falafel; and Uchi, where the signature salad with cashew pesto, crispy rice, and baby greens is an absolute must.

WHERE TO STAY: The hip Ramble Hotel, with its on-site Death & Co. lobby bar, is walking distance to many of the RiNo neighborhood’s gems. In Boulder, the 201-room St. Julien Hotel & Spa boasts killer mountain views and a fantastic bistro.