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- Colleges in Cool Cities: Visit the Best College Towns in America
Summary
- College towns offer more than just academics - they have incredible cultural scenes, festivals, and employment opportunities for both students and locals.
- These cool college towns are packed with fun adventures, historic sites, shopping, restaurants, nightlife, art galleries, and museums.
- From outdoor recreation to sports events, these towns offer a vibrant and lively atmosphere that will make you wish you were still in university.
College towns are more than just the time students spend in and around the school. Most of these towns have an incredible cultural scene, numerous events & festivals happening annually, and a thriving economy, giving both students and locals a bunch of employment opportunities.
There are a lot of things to see and do in these fun college towns, many of which are also historic. They boast lively downtown precincts packed with shopping, restaurants, nightlife, art galleries, and various fun adventures to explore. Additionally, with their presence of museums, sports teams & sporting events, and ample outdoor recreation opportunities, these cool college towns will make one wish one still went to university.
UPDATE: 2023/08/20 20:41 EST BY JAIMEE TERESE
Colleges in Cool Cities: Visit the Best College Towns in America
The best college towns in the US aren't just for students. Earning their reputation for far more than just academics, there are dozens of cool college towns dotting the country that are both stellar vacation destinations and places to settle in. Whether readers are looking for the most fun college towns, the prettiest college towns, or the best college towns to live in, this list has got it covered.
14 Boulder, Colorado
Home to the University of Colorado, Boulder is located in Rocky Mountains’ foothills and is praised for its laid-back atmosphere, incredible outdoor opportunities, and buzzing cultural scene. With one of the fast-growing economies in the United States, splendid year-round weather, and a spectacular mountain backdrop, Boulder is an impressive city to explore. The city boasts a vibrant school culture, with several sports occasions and a wide range of art displays to witness. Boulder is one of the most popular college towns in the US.
13 Athens, Georgia
The University of Georgia, the first state university in Georgia, founded in 1785, is based in Athens. The cultural scene in Athens is one of the most spectacular, with a variety of arts, theater, and music to experience. One of the most vibrant events to not miss in this charming small college town is the Annual Arts Festival held every summer. Also known as ''Live Music Central,'' thanks to its adorable live music venues, Athens is one of the top college towns to visit in America.
12 Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is not just the capital of Wisconsin; it's also its second-largest city. The city played a crucial role during the Civil War, as it was the home to the Union Army, making it historically significant to the state and the country at large. It provided shelter to soldiers wounded in the battles and offered to act as a training camp. One can see this long, beautiful history at the University of Georgia, where they’ll see the sites that housed the country’s heroes. Other than learning some history, vacationers will find numerous restaurants, farmers’ markets, shops, and a thriving business district with plenty of nightlife, shopping, and cultural opportunities to explore.
11 Fayetteville, Arkansas
Arkansas is not always the first destination that comes to mind when looking for a fun spot full of youthful excitement. But travelers will definitely be surprised when they visit Fayetteville, the base for the University of Arkansas. The college town is brimming with adventure opportunities, thanks to its position close to some of the most popular attractions, including the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and Kessler Mountain Regional Park. Travelers will also witness beautiful rock statues, pottery work, and glass sculptures in Terra Studios.
10 Provo, Utah
Home to Brigham Young University, a private Christian college that is also the United States’ largest private university. Provo’s location in Utah Valley is one of its major draws, as it’s surrounded by the gorgeous peaks of the southwestern rocky mountain, giving an incredibly breathtaking scenery to marvel at. The surrounding mountains allow for hiking, fishing, and more adventure opportunities for outdoorsy vacationers. The town has plenty of other opportunities, including several shops and restaurants to explore.
9 Ithaca, New York
Home to both Ithaca College and Cornell University, Ithaca's charm would lure any type of traveler. The college town boasts some of the most dramatic, beautiful gorges and two vibrant downtown areas with several fun activities. Collegetown is located on East Hill and has a large number of students attending Cornel University. The Commons, on the other hand, is the real downtown area of the town, packed with several bars, shops, and restaurants. Travelers will also find impressive parks, such as Robert H. Treman and Taughannock Falls State Parks, to explore.
8 Austin, Texas
While Austin is largely recognized for the University of Texas at Austin, Concordia University Texas and St. Edward’s University are also based here. The city is one of the most impressive Texas, thanks to its fantastic food and cultural scene. The place is home to numerous artists and musicians, and its music festivals is a proof of the thriving arts scene and musical culture. Travelers can explore its spectacular displays of art along the streets.
7 Lawrence, Kansas
Photo by Kelly Moon on Unsplash
Lawrence is where the University of Kansas (KU) and Haskell Indian Nations University are located. These universities create an incredible atmosphere in Lawrence, full of youthful fun and vibe. Haskell Indian Nations University is known for its iconic basketball roots, and its Allen Fieldhouse has become America’s favorite spot for seeing college basketball games. KU hosts beautiful buildings, incredible museums, and a pond, making it an excellent place for strolling.
6 Oxford, Mississippi
Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash
The University of Mississippi, commonly referred to as 'Ole Miss', is based in the charming town of Oxford. The city also boasts a long history dating back to the Civil War and Civil Rights movement, and is also significant in the history of blues music. There are numerous attractions to explore in Oxford, including multiple bookstores, music venues, several shops, plenty of historic sites, and top-notch restaurants that never disappoint when it comes to offering delicious specialties.
5 Anne Arbor, Michigan
Anne Arbor is home to the University of Michigan, an institution known for its sports stadium, which happens to be the largest in the country. Apart from the sports stadium, Ann Arbor is one of the best college towns to visit because of its fantastic arts scene, which can be seen in its amazing museums, including the University of Michigan Museum of Art, which is within the campus limits. The city is also one of the most LGBTQ-friendly, thanks to the numerous events it holds. Anne Arbor’s downtown area is one of the most vibrant in Michigan, with lots of things to see and do, including the colorful murals used to decorate the place.
4 Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia, the only UNESCO World Heritage-listed university in the United States, thanks to its remarkable architecture. Here one can discover some of the best of Thomas Jefferson's mastery of Palladian and Neoclassical architecture. The university, along with Jefferson's nearby residence of Monticello, is UNESCO-listed (Monticello is what's shown on the back of the nickel). The most famous of the buildings of the university is the Rotunda along the Pavilions. The charming town of Charlottesville had a ton to offer visitors and is also considered one of the best places to live in Virginia.
3 Cambridge
Not to be confused with England's famous Cambridge (after with it was named), Cambridge in Massachusetts is home to some of the most respected universities in the world, including Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Cambridge was once the center of Puritan theology, but now it couldn't be further from that theology. Its Kendall Square has been called the most innovative square mile on the planet.
2 Charleston, South Carolina
There is so much to love about Charleston, South Carolina from it's meticulously preserved historic downtown, one of the country's best culinary scenes, and the array of incredible beaches that surround the city. Aside from its Civil War significance (the first shot was fired from Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor), visitors should take the opportunity to learn about the Gullah Geechee people and culture. Charleston is also known as a thriving cultural hub teeming with art, live music, and fashion events. Here are a few favorite annual events:
- Spoleto Festival: next dates are May 24 - June 9, 2024
- Charleston Fashion Week: October 13, 14, 2023
- High Water Festival: held every year in April
- Charleston Wine + Food Festival: next dates are March 6 - 12
- Lowcountry Oyster Festival: Feb 24, 2024
- Southeastern Wildlife Exposition: held annually in February
- Charleston Jazz Festival: next dates are April 18 - 21, 2024
Undeniably ticking the boxes as one of the coolest college towns in the US as well as one of the most beautiful, Charleston is truly a bucket list destination for all ages.
Charleston gets extremely hot in the summer months, with oppressive humidity. Dodge the heat and the peak season crowds by visiting in spring, summer, or fall instead.
1 Burlington, Vermont
Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay
Burlington is one of the best college towns in the US for many reasons. For starters, it is home to numerous colleges, including the University of Vermont, Champlain College, and Burlington College to name a few. This has created a vibrant, progressive community packed with action and things going on. With the Canadian border less than 60 miles away, it is also easy to visit neighboring Quebec.
Burlington is more than just a cool college town; it is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. In the winter, the mountains provide ample opportunities for snow sports, and in the warmer months visitors can enjoy boating, kayaking, and fishing on Lake Champlain. There is also excellent hiking in the area. Here are some other noteworthy things to do in Burlington, Vermont:
- Rent fat bikes and take a ride along the 8-mile Burlington Greenway
- Shop and stroll along Church Street, buzzing with eateries, pubs, breweries, boutiques, historic buildings, street performers, and more.
- Catch a show at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts