Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More Next
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2020. Read More Next
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More Next
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    • Travel Guides
    • Flight Deals
    • Travel Deals
    • Ways to Save
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Disney Vacations
    • Festivals + Events
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Buses + Trains
    • Ground Transportation
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Attractions
  3. Universities
  4. America's Best College Towns 2013

America's Best College Towns 2013

By Beth Collins
November 26, 2013
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin

1 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Credit: Roy Van Doorn

Find out which cool college towns made the grade with T+L readers.

Strolling along Ithaca Commons in Upstate New York is a crash course in College Town, U.S.A. Spitting distance from both Cornell and Ithaca College, the four-block pedestrian area buzzes with vendors, cafés, festivals, and, of course, students around every bend.

But venture beyond, and there’s another Ithaca to be discovered, including one of the most intriguing wine regions in the country. Sure, big cities have their glitz, but it’s this kind of understated charm, diversity, and affordability that draws visitors to cool college towns.

For our first America’s Favorite Towns survey, we asked T+L fans and followers to post nominations on social media with the hashtag #TLTowns—and then to vote for the 744 towns in 55 categories. Ithaca and other popular college towns scored highly in categories like coffee, bars, and quirkiness (ahem, Asheville, NC), while Burlington, VT, rose to the head of the class as the No. 1 college town.

  • Vote for Your Favorite Towns in This Year's Survey

Talk to University of Vermont alums, and they’ll wax poetic about the college-crowd scene, with tales of chilly dips in Lake Champlain and “that epic Phish show” at Nectar’s. But they’ll also hasten to tell you about the local food culture and how you should plan your visit to City Market around the local celebrity bread maker, who sells his goods only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

But it’s not just East Coast college towns that made our list. San Luis Obispo, CA, and Flagstaff, AZ, also won over the T+L community. Read on to find out why these and others made the top 20 list. And, devotion to alma maters being what it is, we have a feeling you’ll want to add your favorites in the comments below.

1 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 1 Burlington, VT

Credit: David Lyons / Alamy

With local legends like Ben and Jerry and jam-band Phish, this lakefront town is known for its hippie vibe. And while breweries, coffee shops (rated No. 9), bike paths, and live music venues solidify its college with a capital C identity, a thriving artisanal food scene suggests that Burlington is growing up. Get a taste at City Market, where you can buy Strafford Creamery Ice Cream, made fresh each week, and, if you arrive around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday or Saturday, a loaf of the highly coveted Gérard Rubaud’s bread.

Vote in the America's Favorite Places Survey

2 of 21

3 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 2 Charlottesville, VA

Credit: Bob Mical

What do Tina Fey, Bobby Kennedy, and Tiki Barber have in common? All are alums of the University of Virginia. The diversity of graduates hints at the town’s something-for-everyone appeal. History buffs flock to Monticello, while culture hounds stroll the charming downtown pedestrian mall, with restaurants, an ice-skating rink, and the renovated Paramount Theater, where you can see everything from the Moscow Ballet to up-and-coming bands (Dave Matthews Band got its start here in the early ’90s).

3 of 21

Advertisement

4 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 3 San Luis Obispo, CA

Credit: Courtesy of San Luis Obispo Chamber

SLO, as locals call it, might be just any California coastal town if not for California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). The town caters to the student population with events like free outdoor summer concerts in the Mission Plaza every Friday evening and an international film festival held every March. T+L readers gave it the top score for coffee; get your fix at The Nautical Bean. There are more than 25 wineries within a 20-minute drive and, this being California, a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking, sea kayaking, and, of course, surfing.

4 of 21

5 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 4 Williamsburg, VA

Credit: Courtesy of City of Williamsburg

If your only experience with this town was a tour led by aspiring actors in period garb, it’s time for a repeat visit. Venture beyond Colonial Williamsburg, and you’ll find downtown’s thriving arts district. Fuel your tour of the galleries with a stop at Extraordinary Cupcakes, and finish off with a Sichuan meal at the newly opened Peter Chang. Businesses stay open late for block parties on the first Friday of the month. T+L readers also appreciated Williamsburg for its romantic hotels (rated No. 5).

5 of 21

6 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 5 Harrisonburg, VA

Credit: City of Harrisonburg

Beer and bikes—not necessarily enjoyed in that order—are two strong suits of Harrisonburg, a Shenandoah Valley town that’s home to James Madison University. Three Brothers Brewing and Capital Ale House have become major fixtures in Harrisonburg’s revitalized downtown, which is crisscrossed by bike paths. Set out on one of those easy trails or tackle the mountain-bike trails in George Washington National Forest.

6 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 6 Boulder, CO

Credit: The Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau / Denise Chambers

With its 300-plus days of sunshine each year, the gorgeous slopes of the Flatirons at the edge of town, and locals who could be cast in commercials for a healthy, active lifestyle, Boulder naturally scored near the top of the class among college towns. Hop on a bike from B-cycle, the town’s bike-sharing program, and cruise down Pearl Street, whose shops specialize in the local, from jewelry to cheese to beer. Treat yourself to a fresh pasta dinner at Frasca Food and Wine, one of the nation’s best Italian restaurants.

7 of 21

8 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 7 St. Augustine, FL

Credit: Zach Thomas

Thanks to its oldest-city-in-the-country claim to fame—not to mention 43 miles of beaches—this coastal town has long been a favorite among tourists. But it’s the mix of the old and the new that makes St. Augustine so interesting. Alongside its No. 1–rated historic inns, such as Carriage Way Bed & Breakfast, are restaurants and bars opened by a younger set. The Floridian, for example, draws a hip crowd with its southern food made with fresh, local ingredients.

8 of 21

9 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 8 Asheville, NC

Credit: Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

Sure, the most popular tourist attraction is the opulent Biltmore Estate, but Asheville itself is down-to-earth and, according to T+L readers, quirky in the best of ways. A highly satisfying, if jam-packed, day could include: whitewater rafting, hiking, or mountain biking; small-batch brews at Wicked Weed Brewing; a pie and a pint at Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria; and a concert at The Orange Peel or, if it’s summer, on the lawn at Pack Square Park for Shindig on the Green. These are the kind of everyman pleasures that appeal to students of UNC Asheville and visitors alike.

9 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 9 Fredericksburg, VA

Credit: Pat & Chuck Blackley / Alamy

There’s plenty to learn here outside the classroom. With a national historic district full of buildings dating back to the 1700s (including the houses of George Washington’s mother, brother, and sister) and four Civil War battlegrounds in and around town, Fredericksburg is steeped in—though by no means stuck in—the past. The latest renaissance has been in food and drink. Foode and Poppy Hill, two restaurants fiercely committed to the farm-to-table philosophy, have awakened the dining scene. And the RF&P Grapes & Grains Trail draws visitors with its four wineries, a brewery, and a distillery.

10 of 21

11 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 10 Flagstaff, AZ

Credit: Tom Bean / Alamy

It’s no wonder T+L readers voted this laid-back town No. 5 for family vacations—the place feels positively made for kids. During warm months, the fun revolves around Heritage Square, where kids can attend workshops on everything from pottery to salsa dancing. At night, spread a blanket on the lawn and enjoy a family-friendly movie or a concert. Flagstaff is famous for its impossibly starry skies, and there’s no better spot to get a look than Lowell Observatory.

Vote in the America's Favorite Places Survey

11 of 21

12 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 11 Morgantown, WV

Credit: Courtesy of Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau

It’s odd to celebrate a place for its public transportation, but Morgantown wouldn’t be Morgantown without its Personal Rapid Transit system. Connecting the five campuses of West Virginia University and downtown, the PRT helped boost the university’s enrollment (from 10,000 in 1960 to almost 30,000 today), which transformed the town. When they’re not at a WVA game, locals split their time between downtown (The Blue Moose Café is a favorite for coffee), the Wharf District (grab a pint at Mountain State Brewing Co.), and the trails just outside of the city limits.

12 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 12 Saratoga Springs, NY

Credit: Stock Studios Photography

Even if you’re not an equestrian buff, you can’t (and shouldn’t) ignore that this upstate New York town lives and breathes horse racing. Certainly check out the racetrack (the oldest in the country), but also venture beyond to see the other Saratoga Springs. Beekman Street, a three-block stretch just a few minutes’ walk from downtown’s main drag, has transformed over the past few years into a thriving little pocket of galleries, shops, and restaurants. T+L readers also love the parks and gardens (rated No. 10), like Saratoga Spa State Park, where you can soak in the healing properties of the natural mineral waters.

13 of 21

14 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 13 Ithaca, NY

Credit: iStockphoto

As the slogan says, “Ithaca is gorges,” and there are more than 100 gorges and waterfalls within 10 miles of downtown. But T+L readers love the quirky college town and surrounding area for the wine (No. 4 in our survey). Follow the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, where you can visit 15 wineries, four distilleries, and a meadery. Back in town, head to Ithaca Commons, the local version of Main Street (No. 11), and join Cornell and Ithaca College students for healthy vegetarian fare at the legendary Moosewood Restaurant.

14 of 21

15 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 14 Lexington, VA

Credit: Andre Jenny / Alamy

Lexington is the kind of place you visit and find yourself picturing your life there. It’s not so much the “wow” factor as it is the “ahh” factor. With tree-lined streets, quaint downtown, old-school haunts like Hull’s Drive-In Movie Theater, and small-town parades down Main Street, this place just feels so livable. It’s also big on culture, thanks to Washington and Lee University. Catch a bluegrass show at Clark’s Ole Time Music Center or browse downtown’s art galleries.

15 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 15 Annapolis, MD

Credit: Courtesy of VisitAnnapolis.org

Yes, you can get great crabs in Annapolis (especially at The Point Crab House & Grill), but T+L readers love the waterfront town for its wine (No. 5 in our poll). To sit and sip, head to Vin 909 Winecafé, where pours range from $6 (“Value is not a dirty word,” reads the menu) to $12 (“Damn the economy, let’s drink wine”). Stock up on hard-to-find bottles at Wine Cellars of Annapolis, where you’ll find a wine library, a tasting table, and an incredibly helpful staff.

16 of 21

17 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 16 Fayetteville, AR

Credit: Courtesy of the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau

It’s no surprise this town ranked No. 3 for best diners—the 20,000 students at the University of Arkansas need somewhere to refuel after all those nail-biter Razorback games. No one goes hungry at the Rolling Pin Café, famous for its chocolate gravy, served only on Saturdays. But there’s more to the town than ball games and breakfast. Check out the burgeoning art scene during First Thursday Fayetteville, held March through October in the downtown square.

17 of 21

18 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 17 Lafayette, LA

Credit: Sarah Life

If our reader poll had included a “most well-rounded” category, Lafayette may very well have swept the competition. It ranked in the top five for four categories (friendliest, cool souvenirs, burgers, and local accent) and in the top 10 for four more (cafés, bars, ice cream, and fairs). The irresistible Creole cuisine brings locals and University of Louisiana at Lafayette students together at spots like Johnson’s Boucanière, where the pulled pork and brisket are smoked for up to 14 hours. When the weather’s fine, pack a picnic and head for moss-draped Cypress Lake, a watershed on campus.

18 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 18 Bozeman, MT

Credit: MSU / Kelly Gorham

When you’re gearing up to visit Bozeman, it helps to accept that you will constantly feel pulled in two directions. There’s the laid-back downtown, with its coffeehouses, galleries, and bookstores just begging you to linger. And then there’s the great outdoors, calling you to try your hand at fly-fishing, rafting, skiing, and hiking. Our advice? Stay at the Olive Branch Inn, housed in a 19th-century Victorian Manor house, and let your hosts help you create an itinerary that includes a bit of both.

19 of 21

20 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 19 Chapel Hill, NC

Credit: Courtesy of Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau

As one of three hubs in North Carolina’s research triangle, Chapel Hill’s No. 1 ranking for being tech savvy makes perfect sense. But the presence of tech giants like IBM and Cisco Systems hasn’t cramped the approachable college vibe. The town scored highly in the hip/cool category (No. 3) and in the bars category (No. 9). UNC students flock to He’s Not Here, a bar famous for its cheap beer and live music. For something a little less Animal House, head to Top of the Hill, a brewery with rooftop seating.

20 of 21

21 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No. 20 Duluth, MN

Credit: Radius Images / Alamy

Twin cities Minneapolis and St. Paul get the buzz when it comes to Minnesota college towns, which is just fine with students at University of Minnesota Duluth and Lake Superior College—they’re more than happy to keep their quiet haven to themselves. On the southern edge of Lake Superior, Duluth strikes the perfect balance between city, with its thriving waterfront district, and outdoors, with its parks, hiking trails, and watersports.

Vote in the America's Favorite Places Survey

21 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Beth Collins

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 21
2 of 21 No. 1 Burlington, VT
3 of 21 No. 2 Charlottesville, VA
4 of 21 No. 3 San Luis Obispo, CA
5 of 21 No. 4 Williamsburg, VA
6 of 21 No. 5 Harrisonburg, VA
7 of 21 No. 6 Boulder, CO
8 of 21 No. 7 St. Augustine, FL
9 of 21 No. 8 Asheville, NC
10 of 21 No. 9 Fredericksburg, VA
11 of 21 No. 10 Flagstaff, AZ
12 of 21 No. 11 Morgantown, WV
13 of 21 No. 12 Saratoga Springs, NY
14 of 21 No. 13 Ithaca, NY
15 of 21 No. 14 Lexington, VA
16 of 21 No. 15 Annapolis, MD
17 of 21 No. 16 Fayetteville, AR
18 of 21 No. 17 Lafayette, LA
19 of 21 No. 18 Bozeman, MT
20 of 21 No. 19 Chapel Hill, NC
21 of 21 No. 20 Duluth, MN

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Guide Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

View image

America's Best College Towns 2013
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.