Two things we noted when visiting Christopher Newport -- there is no swimming pool on campus, and it seems like everyone has a bicycle -- the (many) bike racks are filled with bikes.

In Fredericksburg, take a carriage ride through old town, visit the many antique shops and historical sites. Sammy T's is a popular restaurant on Caroline St. It used to be owned by one of the Geography professors and run by his students. It recently changed ownership, but is still a fixture in Old Town.

When arriving in Fredericksburg, try to come in via the King's Road Highway and bridge over the Rappahannock. If you go that way, you'll see the entire Old Town spread out in front of you - so charming and lovely.

And just walking the UMW campus itself is a treat. It's beautiful.

Anonymous wrote:OP - if your child's profile fits, add on Va Tech. Although my DS ended up not applying, we were really impressed on the tour.

+1
We loved the campus and the town of Blacksburg.

Well PP, ...

VCU

*Huge arts community all around campus
*VA Museum of fine arts
*Lift on Broad Street (coffee)
*Tarrant's on Broad
*Heritage on Main
*Charm School (ice cream) on Broad, diagonally across from Lift.
*Jefferson Hotel - incredible property (stay or visit)
*The Fan district. It is just beautiful; what a really artsy and sophisticated place to spend four years. NYC without the hassle and cost.
*Campus and off-campus housing options
*Academics: USNews top 100 national in 5 engineering specialties and undergrad business
*School of art and design - #1 public in the US (US News)
*Official US French Film Festival venue (annual)
*State Capital, Richmond Federal Reserve = internship and employment center
*ARWU - top 100 North America, top 200 world in research university rank
*National Science Foundation: top 100 US research university
*Carnegie Foundation: national rank #54 among US research universities (#28 among public universities)


So, no VCU bashing. Not that I'm biased.

OP, don't miss visiting Carytown shopping/restaurant district when visiting VCU (it's up by VA museum) and breakfast (or any meal) at Joe's Inn.

Anonymous wrote:OP - if your child's profile fits, add on Va Tech. Although my DS ended up not applying, we were really impressed on the tour.

Will probably go see a few other schools at some point. Will keep this in mind - thanks!

OP - if your child's profile fits, add on Va Tech. Although my DS ended up not applying, we were really impressed on the tour.

OP again. Thank you ALL! I've consolidated a list for those who may read this in the future. Please feel free to add more suggestions as I am keeping a list and will try to visit as many of these places as possible! Would especially like some more suggestions for UMW.

CNU
*The Lab by Alchemy (coffee)
*park/marine sanctuary - directly beside CNU (turn left instead of going straight at the CNU main entrance -- follow the signs to the Mariners' Museum) is a wonderful It's the Riverside neighborhood and it's a lovely drive (and walk, if the weather is nice) along Lake Maury and the James River.
*Victory Arch (WWII memorial) and the attached park along the water
*Midtown Eats -2 miles from CNU on J Clyde Morris Blvd

W&M
*Historic Williamsburg
*Cheese Shop
*The Trellis
*Aroma coffeehouse (2 votes)
*Fat Canary (fine dining, need reservation)(2 votes)
*Food for Thought (casual)
*Lake Matoaka amphitheater (on campus)
*Pierce’s BBQ Pit

UMW
*Bavarian Chef - German food in the historic downtown area (in the old train station)
*Mercantile

VCU
*Museum of fine arts
*Lift on Broad Street (coffee)
*Tarrant's on Broad
*Heritage on Main
*Charm School (ice cream) on Broad, diagonally across from Lift.
*Jefferson Hotel - incredible property (stay or visit)
*The Fan district - on the principal streets. It is just beautiful; what a really artsy and sophisticated place to spend four years. NYC without the hassle and cost.

Anonymous wrote:Aromas in Williamsburg.

My DD goes to W&M and that's her favorite place - she says the students avoid the Cheese Shop.

Also, believe it or not, the Wawa on Richmond Rd has decent made-to-order sandwiches.

For a fancy dinner she likes us to take her to the Fat Canary. And for something more casual she likes Food for Thought.

And at each school ask your guide for recommendations. We've found some great places that way on our college tours.

Anonymous wrote:

VCU: By far the most interesting campus environs in the state. Richmond is wonderful. Go to coffee at Lift on Broad Street. Get dinner at Tarrant's on Broad or Heritage on Main, each about 5-6 short blocks from Cabell library (in opposite directions). Get after dinner ice cream at Charm School, also on Broad, diagonally across from Lift. Stay at (or at least visit) the Jefferson Hotel - incredible property. Wander around the Fan on the principal streets. It is just beautiful; what a really artsy and sophisticated place to spend four years. NYC without the hassle and cost.

You've got to be kidding, PP.

+1 I love Richmond, but let's not get carried away.

VCU: By far the most interesting campus environs in the state. Richmond is wonderful. Go to coffee at Lift on Broad Street. Get dinner at Tarrant's on Broad or Heritage on Main, each about 5-6 short blocks from Cabell library (in opposite directions). Get after dinner ice cream at Charm School, also on Broad, diagonally across from Lift. Stay at (or at least visit) the Jefferson Hotel - incredible property. Wander around the Fan on the principal streets. It is just beautiful; what a really artsy and sophisticated place to spend four years. NYC without the hassle and cost.

You've got to be kidding, PP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are these scheduled tours or are you doing self guided tours?

We have scheduled tours. If there are things on campus that are interesting that wouldn't be on the guided tour, I'd love to hear about them!

See if your high school can arrange for your kid to have a coffee with a recent grad attending these colleges - they can give the inside scoop beyond admissions office marketing, show them the dorms and so on. Also see if your student can attend a lecture in a subject of interest. Some departments offer extra sessions during spring break which give more detailed info on what they offer, so contact the engineering dept, comp sci dept, honors college etc to see what they have planned.

Aromas in Williamsburg.

VCU: By far the most interesting campus environs in the state. Richmond is wonderful. Go to coffee at Lift on Broad Street. Get dinner at Tarrant's on Broad or Heritage on Main, each about 5-6 short blocks from Cabell library (in opposite directions). Get after dinner ice cream at Charm School, also on Broad, diagonally across from Lift. Stay at (or at least visit) the Jefferson Hotel - incredible property. Wander around the Fan on the principal streets. It is just beautiful; what a really artsy and sophisticated place to spend four years. NYC without the hassle and cost.

Some of the best BBQ I ever had was at Pierce’s BBQ Pit in Williamsburg.