Visiting College Towns
Whether you’re an alum, have a prospective student in the family or are a fan of collegiate sports, Florida has many colleges and universities worth visiting.
The University of Florida is in Gainesville, a north-central Florida city known for its eight state parks, blossoming culinary scene and picturesque downtown area. Tour the tree-shaded campus; and if you’re in town in the summer, catch a Florida Gators baseball game or see the football team play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (aka “the Swamp”). Or attend an event at Gainesville Raceway, which hosts drag-racing competitions year-round. When you work up an appetite, fuel up at local haunts such as Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille, Mojo Hogtown Bar-B-Que and the Swamp Restaurant.
More than 42,000 students are enrolled at Florida State University, tucked in the heart of Tallahassee, the Sunshine State’s historic capital. Take a guided or self-guided tour of the campus, the oldest continuous higher education site in Florida. Then immerse yourself in the past at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum or find out what it was like to live in a Spanish Franciscan mission in the 1700s at the Mission San Luis Living History Museum. Ready for some fresh air? Drive about 23 miles south to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, where you can spy on Indigenous birds, reptiles, mammals and other creatures living in coastal marshes, islands, creeks and estuaries.
Florida International University (FIU) has locations across the state’s southern quadrant, including its main Modesto A. Maidique Campus in west Miami. There, check out the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated institution with more than 6,000 pieces in its collection, from Haitian and Cuban paintings to works by local creatives. FIU’s 200-acre Biscayne Bay Campus is tucked in a waterfront paradise that offers prime access to the aquatic ecosystem and outdoor recreation opportunities, including scuba diving, swimming and paddling.
The lush landscapes of south Florida are also the backdrop for Florida Atlantic University (FAU) ’s six campuses, the largest of which is in Boca Raton. Tour the campus, then hit the beach at nearby 40-acre Red Reef Park to go snorkeling, swimming and greet the resident sea turtles at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. In the fall, football fans can also cheer on the red-and-blue-clad Florida Atlantic Owls on their home turf at FAU Stadium. The downtown area, where you’ll find the Boca Raton Museum of Art, the upscale shops and diverse restaurants of Royal Palm Palace and Mizner Park Amphitheater, is also worthy of a stroll.
Tampa is a great city to knock two pristine colleges off your must-visit list: University of Tampa and University of South Florida. The former is situated on the riverfront in downtown Tampa, while the latter is tucked in the Uptown area about 10 miles away. In between campus tours, there are lots of activity options. Enjoy a day of heart-pounding fun at Busch Gardens Tampa, see the river otters, alligators and stingrays at Florida Aquarium or take in the sunset on a Tampa Bay cruise.
Multi-Day Itinerary Inspiration:
Gainesville and St. Augustine
Begin your trip in Gainesville at the University of Florida, where a stop at the on-site Florida Museum of Natural History is a must. Highlights of the museum include a rainforest habitat with live butterflies and an exhibit dedicated to Florida water. After spending one night in town, drive east about 74 miles to St. Augustine to enjoy two days exploring the quiet beaches and historic attractions of Florida’s eastern coast. While you’re there, check out the campus of Flagler College, whose centerpiece is Ponce de León Hall, a former hotel and eye-catching example of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
Where to Stay in Florida
To make college town travel even more affordable, Best Western Hotels & Resorts has various special offers. Check out the chain’s AAA, AARP and government and military discounts, or become a Rewards Member today for the opportunity to earn a free night stay.