<p>kathiep,
Yes, we use the in-service days and holidays, too. DS’s school only offers a VERY limited number of days for college visits, but we learned the summer after soph year that it is best to visit when schools are in session. DS likes to talk to profs and sit in on classes while we 'rents do the tour. Eat on campus – it’s cheaper than restaurants. We also make lunch the main meal of the day. Alternatively, we find a loaf of fresh bread and cheese and picnic.</p>
<p>DS has three days off in February (different weeks), so he might take an overnight or two and shack up with some friends at one or two schools on his list. </p>
<p>Depending on your kid, you might consider letting them take a trip or two alone. (Saves $$, too.) Since DS is looking at schools both near and far, we thought this would be a good way to see if he really could tolerate the hassles of travel. (He flew for one trip, took Amtrak for another.) He then used public transit on the ground. He has been a traveler all his life, though, and airports, delays, etc. don’t bother him, so this might not work for every kid.</p>