Besides educational tours and graduation trips, some high school students might want to focus their student travel on researching destinations for their future. More specifically, they want to answer the question, “Where am I going to go for college?”

Fortunately, great universities and colleges around the country are located in exciting destinations near some of the more popular attractions for student tours anyway. This way, you can turn your New York City student tours into a discovery of New York University and pretty Washington Square where much of the campus is located. Or consider Boston student tours. Stroll the walkways on one of the most famous campuses in the nation at Harvard Square, then fill out your itinerary with The Freedom Trail, the Boston Museum of Science and Omni Theater, plus other beautiful Boston sites like the Back Bay and Boston Public Garden.

Of course, there may be colleges in lesser known locations you’d like to tour. Chances are, you’ll find hidden treasure around almost any college campus. One of our travel writers recently wrote about Truman State University campus tours in Kirksville, Missouri. Having made the campus his home for several years, he knows all the best food and shopping locations nearby. In fact, this may be just the ticket for campus tours no matter where you are: Trust your guide. Get a hold of the campus ahead of time (or arrange these details with a travel professional) and find out what you may find nearby and how long you could plan to spend in the area. You may be surprised what you discover nearby, and imagine what it could add to your decision making.

(Photo of an outdoor hall on the Truman State University campus by TommyNguyen on Flickr).