How It Started

College Town Tours was born from a deeply personal place—family, change, and one unforgettable bike ride on the other side of the world.

As a husband and father of three, my family and I have recently found ourselves in a season of transition. Our son was heading off to college as a freshman at the University of Arkansas, and our two daughters aren’t far behind. Like many families, we’ve spent countless hours researching schools, touring campuses, and trying to picture what life might really look like for each of our kids.

Along the way, I couldn’t shake the feeling that campus tours, while informative, only told part of the story. They didn’t answer the questions students (and parents) really care about: Where do students hang out? Where do they eat after hours? What does it actually feel like to live here…..off campus?

 

That feeling brought me back to a family trip we took to Kyoto, Japan. One of the highlights was a guided bike tour that took us through narrow streets, hidden temples, and quiet neighborhoods we never would have found on our own. It wasn’t just about seeing things—it was about experiencing the city through the eyes of someone who lived there. That ride stuck with me. And it sparked an idea.

What if we created something like that here—a guided, student-led bike tour that helps incoming freshmen and their families see the real side of college life? Not the polished marketing version, but the local gems, the late-night food joints, the scenic study spots, the neighborhoods students actually live in.

 

That idea became College Town Tours—a way for students and families to experience college towns the way current students do. Led by students who are living it, these tours offer more than just directions; they offer connection, insight, and confidence during one of life’s biggest transitions.

 

Our goal is simple: help students feel more at home—before they even unpack.