Denise Applewhite, Princeton Office of Communications Princeton’s campus has served as Revolutionary War barracks and the U.S. Capitol.

  We’ve all seen the photos: It’s a beautiful day and a group of smiling students is gathered underneath a maple tree. Some are reading while others are playing guitars and singing along.
  “Ah,” you say to yourself. “The good ol’ college days.”
Colleges and universities aren’t just for late teens and twenty-somethings. With their arts centers, gardens, museums and more, many campuses are destinations in themselves for anyone interested in higher education.
  And don’t worry about breaking into your college fund for these experiences: Many campus attractions and tours are free or inexpensive.
  Here are 10 East Coast campuses that are worth a road trip — whether or not you’re in the midst of the college search.  
1. Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine. Journey to the North Pole and back while visiting Bowdoin, home of the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum. Named after alumni Robert Peary and Donald MacMillan, Arctic explorers, the museum features a variety of Arctic artifacts. Visitors can view the explorers’ journals and supplies from their travels and learn about Inuit cultures and Arctic wildlife. After visiting the museum, warm up with lunch at one of Bowdoin’s six dining facilities. The Princeton Review has named this college’s food among the best in the country for five years.
2. Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. “Pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd” (or somewhere nearby, anyway), and take a guided walking tour of this AAA GEM attraction. The Yard at Harvard Square features buildings spanning three centuries of American history. Massachusetts Hall was a shelter for Revolutionary War soldiers. Wadsworth House was George Washington’s military headquarters in 1775. Memorial Church honors Harvard graduates who died in combat. Be sure to visit the John Harvard Statue, in front of University Hall, and touch his shoe for good luck.
3. Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. It has served as Revolutionary War barracks, the U.S. Capitol and the backdrop for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “This Side of Paradise.” For more than 260 years, Princeton has played countless roles in American history, with much of that history created in Nassau Hall. Nassau was one of the largest buildings in the 13 colonies and has survived a cannonball strike and two fires. And while historical, Princeton’s campus has a futuristic edge, most strikingly seen in the new Lewis Library, designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry.
4. Salve Regina University, Newport, R.I. Imagine waking up in a seaside chateau, grabbing a coffee at a nearby English-style mansion and heading to class in a converted carriage house. For many Salve students, this is a daily routine. Set along Newport’s famed Cliff Walk, Salve’s 60-acre campus embodies Gilded Age grandeur. At the heart of it is Ochre Court, a limestone palace complete with gargoyles and turrets. It was originally the summer residence of banker and developer Ogden Goelet, whose son donated the mansion to the Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy in 1947. When the Sisters opened Salve Regina later that year, Ochre Court was the entire campus: a chapel, classroom, dining hall and dormitory all in one. Today, it houses administrative offices and serves as the starting point for campus tours.

Michael Marsland/Yale University Harkness Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks on Yale’s campus.

5. Smith College, Northampton, Mass. Whether you are looking for a tropical escape or an afternoon of culture, Smith College is the perfect destination. For more than 100 years, Smith’s Lyman Conservatory has brought tropical plants to New England, housing more than 2,500 species in its greenhouses. Each March, Lyman hosts the Spring Bulb Show, a celebration of color featuring 5,000 bulbs in full bloom. The Smith College Museum of Art offers a colorful experience of a different type, featuring works by Cézanne, Copley, Rodin and more. Particularly of note in the museum is the collection of work by contemporary female artists.
6. U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Show your patriotism with a visit to West Point, a AAA GEM attraction and one of the most popular visitor sites in New York. Begin at the Visitors Center, just outside the campus gates. Here you can learn about cadet life through exhibits, videos and a full-scale cadet barracks room. The Visitors Center is also the starting point for the West Point Tour. Visitors can only enter campus by guided tour, so call ahead for information and reservations. Featured attractions include the Cadet Chapel, home to one of the largest church organs in the world, and Trophy Point, a collection of Revolutionary War relics.
7. Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. New England winters can be harsh – but they can also be fun. Just ask students at Dartmouth, home of “Winter Carnival,” the oldest collegiate winter festival. First celebrated in 1911, the annual carnival is a weekend of entertainment and sports. Giant snow sculptures, “human sled-dog races” and “Polar Bear Swims” are just some of the event traditions. This year, it runs Feb. 13 to 15. Looking to stay indoors during your visit? Then stop by the Hopkins Center of the Arts, fondly called “the Hop.” Designed by Wallace Harrison, the architect of Lincoln Center and the United Nations Building, this complex houses recital halls, studios, theaters and more.
8. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Penn. Many colleges are synonymous with a particular building or feature of the campus. For the University of Pittsburgh, that building is the Cathedral of Learning, a AAA GEM attraction. The Cathedral is the world’s second-tallest education building, standing at an impressive 42 stories and 535 feet. This Gothic-style stone tower houses classrooms, libraries, offices, a restaurant and the 27 Nationality Classrooms, which reflect Pittsburgh’s many ethnic heritages. Pitt also has a rich cultural tradition. The Stephen Foster Memorial celebrates the Pittsburgh native and “father of American music.” The William Pitt Union, the center of student activities, was originally the Schenley Hotel, frequented by Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. And the Music Building was the original production site for “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
9. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. Lovers of architecture and history alike will love exploring the central grounds of the University of Virginia, a AAA GEM attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thomas Jefferson founded UVA in 1819. He saw it as an “academical village” and designed the original campus like a typical village center: a rectangular lawn in the center, surrounded by pavilions. At the head of the green was the Rotunda, a half-size replica of the Roman Pantheon, which served as the university’s first library. Though destroyed by fire in 1895, the Rotunda stands today, rebuilt around the original brick walls. It remains a perfect example of Jefferson’s Enlightenment influences.
10. Yale University, New Haven, Conn. Most people think of libraries as quiet study sanctuaries, not the scenes of high-speed motorcycle chases. But last year, Yale’s Sterling Library was just this, thanks to America’s most famous fictional archaeology professor. Yale was the setting for much of the 2008 blockbuster “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Director Steven Spielberg shot many scenes, including Indy’s motorcycle chase, on campus. Even if you aren’t a movie buff, there is plenty for you to see at Yale, a AAA GEM attraction. The Yale Visitor Center offers guided tours of the historic central campus. Visitors can take a variety of self-guided tours including the Public Art Tour and the Kids’ Architectural Treasure Hunt.
  To create a customized Internet TripTik to any of these destinations, visit AAAmaps.com.

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Jekyll Island is the perfect place to get out of the car and stretch your legs.

Editor’s note: With so many amazing places within a day’s drive of southern New England, it’s often difficult to choose which ones to feature on our pages. That’s why we’re launching “10 TripTiks,” a roundup of destinations that fit a monthly theme. Hop in your car and explore, and see below for how you can share your ideas with us.
  The suitcases are packed, the gas tank is filled and your family is ready to go. All that is separating you from Florida’s beaches is, well, the East Coast.
  A road trip to the Sunshine State offers a great chance to stop and see parts of the United States you may not have considered visiting before. If you’re heading to Florida this winter, try breaking up the drive with a stop at one of these destinations.
  1. Philadelphia: In the City of Brotherly Love, experience a wealth of history at little or no cost. Admission to AAA GEM attractions like Congress Hall, Independence Hall and Liberty Bell Center is free. While in the area, look for some familiar characters: Ben Franklin and friends often stop by to share a story or two. Whether you are in the mood for cheese steaks or Thai food, stop by Reading Terminal Market for lunch. More than 80 merchants sell their wares at this century-old indoor venue. Let the little ones blow off some steam at the Please Touch Museum, which recently moved to the 1876 Centennial Exhibition Memorial Hall. The new setting offers more than 156,000 square feet of exhibits, including a carousel, a child-sized city and more.
  2. Baltimore: After visiting Baltimore, you’ll understand why it’s often called “Charm City.” The National Aquarium, one of the largest in the United States and a AAA GEM attraction, houses more than 11,000 animals. Exhibits include Animal Planet Australia, a dolphin show and the 4D Immersion Theater. For lunch, visit Harborplace & The Gallery. Dine at one of 40 eateries in these waterfront pavilions while watching street performers entertain. Afterward, head over to the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum, which celebrates the life of this baseball legend. George Herman Ruth Jr. was born on Baltimore’s Emory Street in 1895. The house is now a museum, featuring memorabilia from throughout the Babe’s life and baseball career.
  3. Washington: Our Nation’s Capital is worth a trip of its own. If you only have a day, though, explore some of its hidden gems. The National Gallery of Art features works by American and European masters, including Picasso, Pollack and Rembrandt. In the winter, you can ice skate in the Gallery’s Sculpture Garden rink, surrounded by timeless works of art. Next set out to the U.S. Botanic Garden, on the west side of the Capitol. Leave winter behind as you enter this tropical oasis, filled with the colors and scents of flowers from around the globe. Visit the newest permanent exhibit, “Hawaii,” which celebrates the natural beauty of the 50th state with rare plants, waterfalls and even a lava flow. Don’t leave D.C without checking out the new Visitor Center at the U.S. Capitol.
  4. Fredericksburg: If you are looking for a side trip about halfway along your journey to Florida, stop in Fredericksburg, Va. Begin at Ferry Farm, the childhood home of George Washington. The family moved here when George was 6, and the homestead is now an archeological site and museum. Jump ahead more than a century to the Civil War era as you visit Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, a AAA GEM attraction. This park covers 8,400 acres, encompassing four Civil War battlefields. Numerous walking tours are available. If you like to be frightened, sign up for one of the many nighttime haunted tours. You’ll soon see why it’s one of America’s Most Haunted Cities.
  5. Williamsburg: Journey back in time to our nation’s beginnings at Colonial Williamsburg. The 301-acre city offers visitors a chance to become fully immersed in history. While in this former Virginia capital, you can learn about colonial cooking, listen to the Fifes and Drums Corps and meet historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Martha Washington. For a further look into 18th-century culture, visit Colonial Williamsburg’s art museums. The Abby Aldrick Rockefeller Folk Art Museum features everything from musical instruments to weathervanes. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum houses exhibits such as “A Child’s-Eye View,” celebrating three centuries of toys.
  6. Myrtle Beach: Interested in something quirky? You’ll find it in Myrtle Beach, along South Carolina’s Grand Strand. Animal lovers will enjoy Alligator Adventure, home to more than 800 alligators, plus lizards, snakes and other reptiles. For those not crazy about slithery creatures, there are playful river otters and 35 species of tropical birds. If you have a need for speed, check out NASCAR SpeedPark. Put the rubber to the road as you drive replica NASCAR cars on seven racetracks. The park has an arcade, bumper boats and carnival rides. And you can’t leave town without hitting the links: Myrtle Beach is considered the “Miniature Golf Capital of the World,” with more than 50 courses. Whether you like dinosaurs or pirates, there is a themed course for you.
  7. Charleston: Get out of your car and board the ferry to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War rang out on April 12, 1861. Now a national monument, Fort Sumter was built for coastal defense following the War of 1812. Visitors can take self-guided tours through the fort’s exhibits to learn about the early days of the Civil War. Winter temperatures in South Carolina often are in the 60s, so take advantage of the mild weather by visiting Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. These public gardens are the oldest in the country, and much of the lush vegetation blooms year-round. Tours are available by boat, foot or train.
  8. Savannah: Georgia’s oldest city welcomes visitors with history, romance and southern hospitality. Begin your visit at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, featuring models of several 18th- and 19th-century vessels. The museum is in the historic Scarborough House, built for shipping merchant John Scarborough in 1819. For swashbuckling dining, visit The Pirates’ House. Built in 1753, this tavern was a meeting place for sailors and pirates. Several of the events in Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” are rumored to have occurred in this very restaurant. It continues to serve delicious southern comfort food in a fun setting.
  9. Jekyll Island: Jekyll Island, one of Georgia’s Golden Isles, is the perfect place to stretch your legs and enjoy nature. Its 20 miles of hiking trails let you explore local flora and fauna. Nature guides are available through the Tidelands Nature Center. If you prefer a long walk along the shore, Jekyll Island has 10 miles of pristine beaches — and they’re great for seashell collectors. And get an up-close look at some of Georgia’s finest residents: sea turtles. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is an education, rehabilitation and research facility for marine turtles. Visitors can learn about these endangered creatures through the center’s interactive exhibits and behind-the-scenes tours.
  10. St. Augustine: You may have crossed into Florida, but don’t bypass America’s oldest continuously settled city. Vi­sit AAA GEM attraction Castillo de San Marcos, the Span­ish Empire’s northernmost fort in the Americas. Built in the late 17th century, the outpost played a major role in Florida’s defense for more than 200 years. Continue to Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park, where the Spanish explorer landed in 1513.   Today, the park includes the famous fountain, exhibits and a planetarium. For a treat after your history lessons, visit Claude’s Chocolates, a sweets shop that looks like something out of a European village. It combines Belgian chocolate with exotic ingredients like champagne or chipotle, to make unique confections popular with locals and visitors.
  To create a customized Internet TripTik to any of these destinations, visit AAAmaps.com.

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