Best Student Travel Spots in U.S.
Whether you are road tripping, visiting friends or just looking for an exciting vacation destination, plan your trip around at least one of these great, student-friendly U.S. cities. The collegiate flare and youthful environment draws and caters to students from around the world. Also, many of these cities harbor important historical must-sees.
Boston, Mass. As the home to some of the best schools in the country (Boston College, Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Boston University and more), it is no wonder Boston was voted by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top college cities in America. With its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and endless sites to see, Boston looks and feels European.
The North End, the oldest part of the city and in which part of the Freedom Trail lays, also provides some of the best, homemade Italian food in the city. For seafood lovers, Barking Crab is a very popular seafood restaurant that sits on the wharf and the seafood is fresh everyday. Boston Commons is a beautiful place to walk during the summer; it is in its own seemingly separated section from the city.
You can make way for ducklings and ride a swan boat for wicked cheap, about $2 a ride. Off the coast of Boston are fantastic beaches, including Cape Cod and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
Attractions:
- Quincy Market
- Harvard Square
- Beacon Hill
- Newbury Street
- Faneuil Hall
New York City, N.Y. The World's Hot Spot, a dream destination, New York remains ever fascinating, ever alive, ever ready. The city has everything: from the richest of the rich to the homeless on the streets, to the finest art museums, the best restaurants, the top-rated plays, to violence, poverty and cold-shoulders.
New York is reality in a nutshell, so it is no wonder so much of the world fantasizes about visiting. You will find anything and everything in New York: religions of all forms, never before heard of nationalities, restaurants of all types, it is guaranteed you will never get bored.
Like any big city, it can be intimidating to at first, yet after realizing the beauty of it's ever rapid lifestyle, enormous buildings and too much to see in one weekend, New York is like no other place.
Attractions:
- Greenwich Village, a.k.a. The Village
- Times Square
- The Guggenheim Museum
- The American Museum of Natural History
- Central Park
Chicago, Ill. With its founding fathers everywhere from Ireland to Mexico to Poland to Italy, Chicago sets the stage for an eclectic mix of culture and lifestyle. The diversity of the city separates it from so many others, there is something for everyone. With the city reflecting upon the shoreline of Lake Michigan, there are many outdoor attractions offered nearby.
During the summer months, the Navy Pier is a must, where shoreline tours give spectacular views of the city. Taste of Chicago is an elaborate 10 day event featuring food samples from more than 100 local restaurants. Also, during the summer, Grant Park hosts live concerts and cooking demonstrations.
The Sears Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the world and provides a view of Chicago's surrounding ‘burbs. The city has an impressive selection of jazz and blues clubs. And of course, Chicago is home to the infamous Cubs baseball team. So, if you're a major league fan, make sure to check out one of the oldest baseball fields in the country, Wrigley Field.
Attractions:
- Lincoln Park
- Shedd Aquarium
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago Botanic Gardens
- Magnificent Mile
New Orleans, La. New Orleans skips to a completely different beat than all other U.S. cities. Mardi Gras, Voodoo, fried chicken, dancing and the unofficial state motto: laissez les bons temps rouler ("let the good times roll") help define this city. New Orleans combines its Creole, Indian, African and Cajun ancestry, creating a perfect blend of tradition, relaxation and a "be happy" feel.
New Orleans is not only alive in culture, but the beauty of the city, sitting between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, make for either a relaxing stroll by the river or a festive night out. If you want to learn about the area's history, take a boat up the Mississippi on River Road and experience remains of old plantations and slave cabins.
In three surrounding suburbs, Faubourg Marigny, attracting a mostly gay crowd, or Faubourg Tremé, a cannot-miss music district and black neighborhood, or Bywater, the spot-to-be for up and coming artists, all provide the authentic feel and ethnic culture of the great and unique New Orleans.
Attractions:
- French Quarter
- Garden District
- Cajun Wetlands
- Antebellum sugar plantations
- Historic Voodoo Museum
San Diego, Calif. San Diego offers a laid-back welcome to students of all interests. Visit the beach community that suits your style. Pacific Beach is a college city without the academics. Bring a surfboard, a bike or skateboard and a sexy bikini if you want to look like a local. Restaurants and bars of many cuisines abound, all with a Californian flavor.
La Jolla - "the Jewel" - will leave you breathless with the beauty of its cove. Snorkeling, kayaking and swimming the three miles from the cove to the beach are activities not to be missed. For a glimpse of marine life, visit "Children's Beach" where seals have overtaken the land. If you're lucky, you may spot a sea lion. Downtown boasts the finest cuisine, hotels, bars and clubs. The area is also charming, pristine and home to a beautiful harbor.
Attractions:
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Old Town
- San Diego Zoo
- SeaWorld
- Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
(Note: City attractions recommended by Lonely Planet)
Meghan Hoover is the publisher of Authentic Travel, a student-created, student-run magazine. To learn more or to submit your own travel story to Authentic Travel, visit AuthenticTravelMagazine.com.
Copyright ©2008, Young Money Media, LLC
