Watching your babies fly the nest is an exciting yet stressful life milestone. Whether your child is already at school, ready to graduate or a high school senior touring campuses for next year, use this guide to plan your trip and discover fun things to do – we’ve even included links to nearby Taylor Morrison communities if you’re considering moving closer to your son or daughter’s school.
Tips on Reserving Accommodation
Even if your child lives off campus, it’s probably a good idea to book a comfy room somewhere else. Here are a few ideas to guide your search:
- For those who prefer the comfort of traditional hotels, browse Hotels.com for special deals and a great selection.
- Find your home away from home with VRBO vacation rentals.
- Book a room or an entire property through AirBnB.
- Use Bring Fido to find dog friendly lodging and take your pooch along.
Where are you Visiting?
California | Colorado | Texas | Illinois | Florida | North Carolina
California
Bay Area Homes and World Class Education
San Jose State University and Santa Clara University
Three outstanding south bay communities are within a short drive of these great schools:
- Indigo and Station 121 in San Jose
- Santina in Los Gatos
Things to do:
- San Jose – No trip to the Silicon Valley is complete without a visit to the Tech Museum.
- Los Gatos – Enjoy a tasting at the Mountain Winery or stroll the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
UC Berkley and St. Mary’s College
Both Wilder in Orinda and Alhambra in Martinez are nearby.
- Catch an A’s game, get tickets for the Greek Theatre or explore a variety of fantastic local activities in Orinda or Martinez.
Cal State East Bay and Other East Bay Colleges
A pair of bay area new home communities are within an easy commute:
- Ryan Terrace in San Ramon
- Ivy Oak in Dublin
Things to do:
- San Ramon – Hike in Las Trampas Wilderness Area or tour the many Livermore Valley wineries.
- Dublin – See the wildflowers at Mount Diablo State Park or shop the Dublin Farmer’s Market.
Stanford University is also a pleasant drive away along the peninsula.
Schools in Sacramento
William Jessup University shares Rocklin, CA with 3 fabulous communities. When visiting, consider staying at the gorgeous Flower Farm Inn. Make plans to raft the American River, experience Old Town Sacramento and explore Rocklin.
California State University Sacramento
Sacramento Division President Aren Bazzocco is an alumnus of “Sac State” and a big fan of the region. Favorite activities include the Mondavi Center and the Crocker Art Museum.
UC Davis Aggies
Sacramento Marketing Manager Jill Eyler went to UC Davis near Elk Grove. There’s plenty of fun stuff to do in the area!
Colorado
The University of Colorado in Boulder is one of the most respected large universities in the country. Just down the road is Skyestone, a unique lifestyle community geared towards active people 55+. It’s never too late to get a degree or participate in the universities Continuing Education program.
In fact, Denver Division Marketing Manager Valerie Varney is a proud Buff!
It’s easy to plan a fun weekend as Broomfield enjoys access to a number of golf course, ski resorts and mountain trails for hiking.
Texas
Austin Hill Country
- Texas State University at Round Rock Campus is near the popular Vizcaya community. Local lodging options include the quaint Pecan Manor B & B and the San Gabriel House. Local interests include watersports at Lake Austin or Lake Travis.
- Concordia University Texas is near Montebello.
Houston
- Visiting the University of Houston Sugar Land makes it easy to see the stunning luxury homes at Avalon at Riverstone. Pick up tickets to a Sugar Land Skeeters minor league baseball game or browse local activities.
Illinois
Chicago
Northern Illinois University
Michelle Holm of Taylor Morrison Chicago graduated from NIU in 2007. The school offers a large, beautiful campus and their business program ranks #4 in Chicago and in the top 100 nationally.
Both Woodland Hills and Stonebrook are nearby and while you’re in the area there are quite a few attractions available from Lakewood and Elgin.
Northwestern and Harper College
A visit to Colfax Crossing offers a unique look at an American icon. Stop by the McDonald’s Museum and #1 Store when exploring Des Plaines.
North Central College
Easily accessed by the charming cities of Aurora and Elburn, Illinois, parents with students attending North Central College will want to check out both Blackberry Creek and Verona Ridge.
Florida
Tampa is University Central
- University of South Florida, University of Tampa, Eckerd College, St. Leo University and Stetson Law at Tampa
With over a dozen communities to choose from, it’s easy to find a new home in Tampa.
And planning your trip is easy with Disney, Universal and a host of other fantastic tourist attractions.
Sarasota
Residents of Cobblestone on Palmer Ranch enjoy access to several great schools. While you’re here visiting campuses, be sure to go shopping at University Town Center and Westgate Mall.
Fort Myers and Naples
Three west Florida communities are within a short commute of FGCU:
- Sandoval in Cape Coral
- Pebble Pointe at the Brooks in Estero
- Lucaya in Fort Myers
If you’re traveling to Cape Coral or Fort Myers during the springtime, be sure to head to the ballpark and check out your favorite MLB stars in Spring Training.
North Carolina
Raleigh
It’s no surprise that the Research Triangle is home to a wealth of higher education institutions:
- North Carolina State University
- Duke University
- UNC at Chapel Hill
- Meredith College
- Saint Augustine’s College
- William Peace University
- Wake Technical Community College
- Shaw University
With so many great schools in the same area, it’s easy to find a community nearby:
- Explore Apex – Things to Do
- Discover Durham and Grandin Trace – Things to Do
- Wake Forest – Things to Do
- Cary and The Estates at Weldon Ridge – Things to Do
Where Are You Headed?
Taylor Morrison takes great pride in the local universities that serve our communities.
Let us know in the comments which colleges you plan on visiting this year. We’d love to hear from you.
