<p>Has anyone done the Dore for a day program?</p>
<p>If so, what are the things on campus worth seeing, what are the things not worth seeing. We are coming to school for about 48 hours next month from Southern California and want to make the most of our limited time.</p>
<p>Also, any good/fun restaurants to visit where students hang out off campus?</p>
<p>Thanx for any responses :)</p>
<p>MOM,
There was a thread about this last summer, so browse the archive for suggestions on where to eat. I said then and would echo now that Pancake Pantry is pretty yummy - best french toast I’ve ever eaten! If you happen to stay at the Courtyard or Embassy Suites (not the closest hotels, but slightly cheaper and still nearby. I stay at the Courtyard most of the time when I visit), there is a wonderful little cupcake shop at 18th and Broadway for a yummy snack - Gigi’s.</p>
<p>We’re in the same boat. Since my daughter received her CVS letter we’re trying to schedule a visit in the window before she goes back to school. The 'Dore for a Day program looks like a great idea but we’ll be going on less than two weeks notice so she’ll have to try and simulate the experience by visiting classes independently.</p>
<p>As for places to go, I asked an alum yesterday and she recommended a place called the San Antonio Taco Company. It’s apparently far from up-scale, but the food is very good and it’s near the campus so it’s popular with Vanderbilt students and staff.</p>
<p>Ya’ll don’t need to fret about where to eat…options are very long in the West End and Elliston side…or over nearer to Hillsboro Village//or down another two miles to Green Hills. Your hotel people and everyone at Vandy will point you in the right direction…you can eat anything you want from Jewish deli to Indian to upscale cuisine.</p>
<p>If you are flying in…you really don’t have to rent a car to get a good sense of things on campus. You can opt to get a van to your hotel and back…but it is nice to drive around the downtown loop to see the Waterfront, Broadway, up Second Avenue…where you children will have tons of fun in festivals…or the Parthenon…your Vandy card is used in taxis for the hop to downtown Nashville. IMHO the access to a state capitol and internships from a research college is superior at Vandy…as Nashville is somehow big but won’t dwarf you–…Vandy is truly on the “edge” of downtown near neighborhoods that have some real heart. Vandy is NOT in a distant suburb. Obviously it is an urban location but reasonably safe and homey. video is called Explore Nashville Neighborhoods on youtube.
[YouTube</a> - Explore Nashville’s Neighborhoods](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9IFB2UHh-k&feature=channel]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9IFB2UHh-k&feature=channel)</p>
<p>Yeah. Still excited at our house. I watch this about twice a day with a smile on my face.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to pay for parking…try the Hampton Inn Elliston Place…we walked everywhere on Vandy campus from there…and they have a computer in the lobby and free internet. I have also stayed at the Embassy Suites nearer to the 21st Ave side…which is also an easy “don’t move your car” stroll to campus…but they charge a daily parking fee and internet is not free either. The Courtyard 2VU0609 mentions is great and Hampton Suites on West End has roomier suites.</p>
<p>I highly recommend staying at the Marriott, which is located right on the edge of campus–ask for a room that overlooks the stadium. Very cool. The hotel shuttle will take you anywhere within a three-mile radius of campus, so you don’t need to rent a car.</p>
<p>Yeah, definitely go to SATCo (the taco place Padre13 mentioned)! It’s right across the street from campus and there are always a lot of students. My aunt, who graduated in '91 told me to check it out when I went for my first visit, so clearly it’s been a student favorite for a long time. I really liked it and am happy I’ll get to be eating there for the next few years haha.</p>
<p>For a quick ice cream/yogurt fix there is a cute little place by the movie store across from towers called Yogurt Oasis that is delicious and great for a late night snack. If you’re staying at the Marriott on the edge of campus definitely check it out.</p>
<p>Mellow Mushroom is always delicious. It has a laid-back, hippie ambiance. Five Guys is also delicious if you want the yummiest burgers ever.</p>
<p>As for other places, Cafe Coco is probably the best coffee shop around. It always has eclectic people there… and it’s open 24 hours! It’s also right off Elliston, which, as others have told you, is a rad place for yummy grub.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.cafecoco.net/map_to_cafe_coco.html]map_to_cafe_coco[/url”>http://www.cafecoco.net/map_to_cafe_coco.html]map_to_cafe_coco[/url</a>]</p>
<p><1 mile away from the Vandy campus it the pseudo Parthenon. It’s really groovy! And there is a duck pond right next to it, along with lots of grass!</p>
<p>As for Vandy itself, The Commons is worth seeing. All the lawns are lovely, as well. If the normal buildings are open (as in, you don’t need a card to open them), then I would visit Featheringhill if you want to go into Engineering. I loved it there. Visit Stevenson if you want to go into science. </p>
<p>And then there is SARRATT (by the bookstore, above alumni lawn). God this has to be the coolest place ever. There’s the pub (Overcup Oak) on the 3.5 floor [yes, it’s very Being John Malkovich, if you get what I mean]. The DJs are down in the bottom floor. You can also view private screenings of movies there.</p>
<p>I really hope I get to experience this all again next year. I’ll find out in a couple of weeks.</p>
<p>There is so much to do for all types of people. I hope you guys have a blast.</p>
<p>The Dore for a Day thing sounds great but <em>beware</em> - you may not get to go to a class, even though you are supposed to. My daughter just got a glorified tour- which she had already had on her first visit.</p>
<p>hold on hilsa…they have 5 guys in nashville? i thought that was a northern thing…</p>
<p>Momofknowitall,
Faline2 has good advice and hilsa is right about cafe coco. You should also check rates with the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt on West End. It has a great location, free parking, free shuttle service (within 3 miles which includes downtown) and a view of the Parthenon (front side rooms, back side looks at the back of the football statdium). I have also stayed at the Marriot Vanderbilt and both Hampton Inns. All have very friendly service and you really won’t go wrong with any of them. One last recommendation is McDougals in Hillsboro for some really good fried chicken (it is very casual). Best of luck and hope you all have a great (and informative) time.</p>
<p>Dore for a Day is amazing! The girl who showed me around was really cool and spending time with a current student really helped me fall in love with the school!</p>