The nation's oldest culinary arts school and only residential college in the world dedicated to culinary training, the CIA (chefs, not spies) and its lovely 150-acre riverside campus (a former Jesuit seminary) are open for tours (not to mention culinary "boot camps" for serious nonprofessionals). The institute has trained thousands of chefs and food-service-industry professionals, including some of the most prominent chefs in the country, since its founding in 1946, and you'll see students on campus in their chef whites, a parallel to the West Point cadets across the river in their dress blues. You'll also smell what's cooking in the 41 kitchens and bake shops. If you're a foodie, a tour of this culinary temple is a must; others, with perhaps less interest in the behind-the-scenes of cooking school, may just want to have lunch or dinner at one of the excellent restaurants. CIA operates four restaurants and a bakery cafe, all staffed by students, open to the public and a culinary bookstore and gift shop. Note: All restaurants are closed when school is not in session; visit the website for dates of closing (most of the month of July, plus selected dates throughout the year).
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