Whether or not you like American history, but especially if you do, check out the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, just 2 1/2 hours south of Washington, D.C.

With its 18^th century brick buildings, this second oldest U.S. college (chartered in 1693) blends in next to nearby Colonial Williamsburg where George Washington and other historical figures are a constant presence. The college itself is known as a “public ivy,” a college with a private ivy league education at a public school price.

During a recent tour and information session, we learned the school has a student body of about 6,100 undergrads, the student teacher ratio is 12:1, and 50 percent of the student body studies abroad. There are over 50 majors and minors at William and Mary and at least 30 percent of its students double major.

When you’re not studying, you can participate in one or more of the over 400 clubs doing college-like activities such as singing a cappella or playing ultimate Frisbee.

If you go, be sure to check out Colonial Williamsburg, just a block away from campus, and Yorktown and Jamestown, both less than 30 minutes away. You might want to plan on doing a little shopping as well. Not only are there many colonial-related gift stores, but plenty of outlets are also located less than 4 miles up the road from campus.

Trip taken April 2013.