Dickinson College gives Carlisle much of its intellectual character. The campus is handsome and compact, centred on Old West — the original college building, a Federal-style structure completed in 1803 that was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the architect of the US Capitol. It is a National Historic Landmark and well worth a look even if you have no other reason to be on campus.
Walk the red-brick campus, check whether there are public lectures or events during your visit, and explore the Trout Gallery, the college's art museum, which has a small but quality collection and is free to visit. The campus bookshop stocks a good range of local history and Americana.