Not all college towns are created equal, but each one has a distinct altar. To some, that altar is a football field, to others, a library for budding geniuses. And then there are altars that are actually nearby mountain ranges, or stages in rock clubs. We’ve picked college towns that exult in what makes them unique in their focus and atmosphere – and no, South Bend, Indiana did not make the list.
Athens, Georgia
Situated just south of the mountains and east of Atlanta, Athens falls somewhere between earthy and cosmopolitan. Aptly named after the heady Greek metropolis, Athens is an edgy mecca for culture, learning and arts – shaken with a pinch of Southern charm. The 225-year-old University of Georgia is the state’s flagship, and hails just under 35,000 students. A football and party school at heart, UGA also has its roots in the well-connected vibe of locally owned shops, environmental stewardship and history. Music is no joke here – clubs and bars overflow with the town’s local talents, including heavy hitters like REM, the B-52s and Widespread Panic, who have all graced the stage at the 40 Watt Club.
Berkeley, California
Brimming with 1960’s hippie spirit and a constantly evolving reverence for environmental thought, the town enveloping the University of California Berkeley (which boasts an association with 65 Nobel laureates) holds tightly to its free-thinking, world-changing vibe. Protests 50 years ago spawned roots in Berkeley’s political activity, which now emerge as an almost-unanimous rejection of all things corporate. A mix of outdoor recreation from botanical gardens to rock climbing blends seamlessly with the alternative culture of Telegraph Avenue – home to indie book shops, music stores, ethnic restaurants and street vendors.
Austin, Texas
The fourth-largest city and capital of Texas likes to “keep it weird.” In other states, its funk-loving self might not so seem weird at all, but in the sprawling southern state of big hair, big guns and big malls, it’s a little misplaced. Independent and progressive, Austin is home to the University of Texas and 200 live music venues which proudly play everything from rock to gospel and strengthen its reputation as an august music haven. But if after all you’ve seen in Austin still leaves you aching for the retail therapy of Dallas, stroll through SoCo (South Congress) for shopping and dining.
Boston, Massachusetts
More than 80 colleges and 250,000 students strong, Boston can’t be ignored as one of the nation’s brainiest locales. A raging appetite for sports and a historic European vibe reel in academics and athletes from all over the world to Harvard, MIT and Boston College, among many others. Fenway is haven for backwards Sox caps and beer-slugging frat boys, but if you’re looking for something to compliment your cup of fair-trade coffee, simply cross the Charles from Boston to Cambridge for a healthy dose of bike lanes and Birkenstocks.
Eugene, Oregon
Animal House was filmed here, which infinitely (and iconically) solidifies Eugene, Oregon as one of the country’s best college towns. Home of the University of Oregon, Eugene is sometimes known as Portland’s kid sister, but it doesn’t fall behind in eccentricity. Cultural emphasis, outdoor recreation and positive energy add to Eugene’s outstanding quality of life – even off campus. It’s been called the most liberal college town in the West, and does its reputation justice by creating a huge diversity in music (everything from blue grass to Zimbabwean jams), a strong push for volunteering and love for all things local.
Gainesville, Florida
Blender Magazine has called Gainesville, Florida the best place to start a band. Tom Petty and ska-punk band Less Than Jake might agree. College students, however, might call it the best place to tap a keg, or the best place to watch a Gators game (of any kind). Whatever your preference, Gainesville is consistently a perfect storm of local-turned-national sports and music, and high on our list for authentic college towns.
Boulder, Colorado
Not many college towns have bragging rights to a Rocky Mountain backdrop – or an authentic Rocky Mountain high, for that matter. The University of Colorado at Boulder, which is home to 30,000 students and long considered to be a Public Ivy, is supplemented by Naropa University, a small four-year institution with an emphasis on contemplative Buddhist studies. Outdoor worship runs rampant in the forms of hiking, biking and skiing, and local culture exists by way of record stores and coffee shops.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
At the First Rose Bowl in 1902, the University of Michigan swept Stanford 49-0. But Ann Arbor, Michigan is not a one-dimensional destination. Sure, as soon as the leaves turn, the Wolverines take over and football becomes king yet again, but when your school relentlessly houses one of the best teams in the nation, that happens. Ann Arbor makes our list for top college towns not only for its ferocity in football, but also for its affordability, walkability and emphasis in arts and activism.
Madison, Wisconsin
A happy tug-of-war between students and government creates a well-earned badge of college town pride in Madison. Football season at the University of Wisconsin becomes an adrenaline epidemic for students and residents alike, but Madison is more than just pigskin and tailgating. The pedestrian-only State Street boats unique sidewalk cafes and Capitol Square is known best for its farmers markets. Art lovers relish in the contemporary art scene and architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, and nature enthusiasts can head straight to the 1260-acre arboretum.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the flagship for the UNC system. Beaming with pride for its of its Tar Heels and academics, UNC Chapel Hill also strikes a strong balance of small-town nature laden with mom and pop shops. Although small in size, Chapel Hill is also recognized for its New American dining scene, acknowledged by Bon Appétit, Martha Stewart Living, Rachael Ray, and the Food Network. So much for Easy Mac and Ramen.
