10 Best College Towns

  1. Boston, Massachusetts
    With nearly 20 higher learning institutions in the city, it is little wonder that Boston thrives on college culture. The sprawling University of Boston campus is directly across the river from the palatial buildings of Harvard University, which in turn is next to the funky architecture found at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The city is a rich blend of old and new, where historical sites and landmarks intermingle with noisy pubs and bass-thumping clubs. There are plenty of places that cater to college students in the area, and there is never a shortage of things to do. This is one college town that students of all interests, from the sports fanatics to the arts connoisseurs, can call their home away from home.
  2. Austin, Texas
    Burnt orange is the color of choice for many Austin residents as much of day-to-day life centers around the University of Texas in the heart of the city. Football reigns supreme and everyone in the city becomes an honorary Longhorn during game season. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the vibrancy and eclectic nature of the university students. In addition, Austin is also the unofficial "live music capitol of the country," as big name bands and local hits convene for big music festivals like South By Southwest and Austin City Limits every year. The thriving young culture of Austin makes it a college town worth visiting.
  3. Boulder, Colorado
    Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, great gorges, and green flatlands, the city that houses the University of Colorado is not immediately obvious as a thriving college town. Yet, students and Boulder residents alike know that Boulder is one of the best college towns in the country of a different sort. Rather than offering up the same old stretch of bars and nightclubs, students here take advantage of the natural wonders that surround the city. Group hiking and camping trips make excellent bonding experiences for students, and many strike out together on a regular basis. Providing young minds and bodies with adventure earns Boulder its title as one of the best college towns in the country.
  4. San Diego, California
    Having a beautiful city in which to attend school definitely helps it to become a college town, and San Diego is no exception. Home to the University of San Diego and the University of California, San Diego, the city provides students with a thriving culture, fascinating attractions, and sandy beaches on which to unwind. With plenty of good eats and attractions, including the famed San Diego Zoo, university students will never be without plans on a Friday night.
  5. Seattle, Washington
    If it is true that college students drink a lot of coffee, then there is no better place for students than Seattle. The city is the coffee capitol of the country, with hundreds of local coffee shops in which students attending either the University of Seattle or the University of Washington can study or mingle over a cup of freshly brewed joe. There are plenty of tasty meals to be had in the area as well and many restaurants serve up student favorites like hamburgers and pizza. In providing students with prized studying spaces and socializing venues, Seattle earns its title of being an excellent college town.
  6. Burlington, Vermont
    Another college town for the outdoor adventuring type, Burlington does not disappoint. The University of Vermont calls this picturesque city home, and the city thrives on its young inhabitants. Numerous restaurants and bars cater to student appetites, and the fare is delicious enough so that visitors can enjoy it too. Many adventuring companies also encourage students to set out on outdoor expeditions together. Whether a school club or just a group of roommates strike out together to go kayaking or hiking, Burlington is the place to do it.
  7. Olympia, Washington
    Nestled in amongst the trees, Evergreen State College calls Olympia its home. The student culture here is vivacious, and that youthful liveliness meshes surprisingly well with the ever-present conservative government in the capitol city. The Olympia community is tight knit and residents and students alike mingle for the city’s many events, including the Earth Day parade where locals and students dress up like animals for a stroll through downtown. Hiking and biking trails are abundant as well and make excellent past time and socializing activities. The warm and welcoming community of Olympia makes this city a standout college town.
  8. Berkeley, California
    Hip, fresh, and welcoming, Berkeley is a haven for University of California, Berkeley students. The main drag, Telegraph Avenue, boasts funky retailers selling off-beat wares, low-key coffee shops for socializing, music stores for aural sensations, and local restaurants for empty student bellies. Berkeley plays a big part in the city’s culture, as its students help to mold the surrounding community and serve as the most numerous patrons to the area’s local businesses. The intimate nature of the city and its reliance on the student population makes a great college town.
  9. Gainesville, Florida
    College sports is one the most unifying factors of university life as students and residents of all backgrounds, opinions, and interests come together to cheer on their hometown favorites. This fanatical devotion to college sports is especially prominent in Gainesville, where the University of Florida’s football team, the Gators, reign supreme. In fact, the candy-colored Gatorade drinks, used by athletes everywhere, were conceived in Gainesville for the Gators. Football season turns the city into a true college town, offering game night specials to students across the city. With its devotion to the college’s Gators, Gainesville’s loyalty earns its spot on the list.
  10. Ann Arbor, Michigan
    A book nerd’s paradise, Ann Arbor looks like a city that stepped right out of the pages of a romance novel, or out of one of William Shakespeare’s beautiful plays. Filled with lush greenery that mingles organically with the town’s quaint buildings, Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan. Students here enjoy a quieter life and can relax in the shade of tree-lined avenues, enjoying a book from one of the city’s many bookstores or sipping a cold beer inside a local bar. The arts community thrives as well, allowing many students to grow in their appreciation for dance and theatre. Ann Arbor earns its title as one of the best college towns in the nation because of its intimate, small-town feel that nurtures its student population.