The Country's Top 11 College Towns

Welcome to Berkeley, a place with perfect weather teeming with history and culture -- and corner coffee shops. It also happens to be home to the oldest campus in the University of California system -- you guessed it, University of California Berkeley. Whether you’re looking for gourmet vegan dining, a world-renowned theatrical performance, or serious city nightlife (hello, San Francisco), you’ll find it in Berkeley.

Where to Stay: Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel

Visitors to Berkeley might want to stay in nearby San Francisco (only 30 minutes by car) for convenience. Because of its location in a tourist-friendly neighborhood, The Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel is a great option for those exploring the area.

If you’ve ever been, you know that “Ithaca is gorges.” The popular saying can be seen everywhere, from bumper stickers to t-shirts in this college town. The slogan pays homage to Ithaca’s ubiquitous waterfalls and their unrivaled beauty. Home to Ithaca College and Cornell University, Ithaca is where students, outdoor enthusiasts, vegetarian liberal activist PhDs, and IPA-drinking hipsters mingle effortlessly. And whether you’re a visitor or a longtime resident, you’ll know that none of these terms are mutually exclusive.

Where to Stay: Hope Lake Lodge

Just a short drive from Ithaca, Hope Lake Lodge is a family-friendly resort that blends seamlessly with the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes Region. After a busy day exploring all Ithaca has to offer, relaxing by the beautiful outdoor pool won’t sound like a bad idea at all.

The University of Wisconsin Madison has long been known as a politically active campus. Not only is the school directly linked to the Wisconsin State Capitol by State Street, but many will remember the Vietnam War protests that took place here in the 1960s and 70s. Even today, it's hard to find a school as entwined with the happenings of its city as Madison. State Street remains the place to be, with great shopping, dining, and nightlife. There’s no shortage of outdoor activity either, as the school, like much of the city itself, lies between two lakes, the Mendota and Monona.

Where to Stay: Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

Located on Lake Monona, the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace is within walking distance of some of the top attractions in Madison, and conveniently located for eating and shopping. There is a heated pool, steakhouse on-site, and free shuttle service to the airport, Capitol, and university campus.

One of the biggest college towns on our list, Tucson is known for its beautiful desert scenery, 350+ days of sunshine per year, and incredible culinary scene (it’s just 60 miles north of Mexico, which means you'll find some pretty amazing tacos). The nearby mountain ranges of Catalina, Rincon, and Santa Rita, offer incredible hiking and biking opportunities. But if the thought of biking around the desert is already making you sweat, there’s plenty of indoor (air-conditioned) activity to take part in as well. The University of Arizona men’s basketball program is one of the best in the country, and games attract rowdy fans from all over town.

Where to Stay: JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

A bit removed from the city center, The JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa offers striking scenery in a luxurious setting. The large pool, lazy river, and water slide are perfect for Tucson’s HOT summer days.

The largest city in Vermont, Burlington is home to the University of Vermont, Burlington College, and Champlain College. The city experiences four distinct seasons, and during the winter, it's not uncommon to see skiers and snowboarders hauling their gear through downtown. Burlington also boasts a great music scene; the band Phish was born on UVM’s campus in 1983, and the popular SpringFest hosts various musical guests yearly.

Where to Stay: Willard Street Inn

Quaint, cozy, charming -- Willard Street Inn is everything you’d want a New England inn to be. Guests can expect fireplaces, individually decorated rooms, modern amenities, and a breakfast complete with vermont maple syrup. It's a twenty minute walk to downtown Burlington, but it’s coziness is worth the trek.

With a low cost of living, a near tropical climate, and a huge music scene (there’s an annual, three-day rock ‘n’ roll festival) it's not hard to see why Gainesville is often ranked as one of the country’s best places to live. Home to the University of Florida, Gainesville is never short on school spirit. Football season is a particularly exciting time, as thousands of fans flock to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, AKA “The Swamp,” to cheer on the Gators.

Where to Stay: Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront or Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

Gainesville’s location in central Florida makes it easy to reach popular tourist destinations. Whether you’d like to head to the beach, or spend a little time with Mickey, the Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek are both excellent options within a two-hour drive of Gainesville.

Steeped in tradition, the University of Georgia and its surrounding town of Athens are known for southern hospitality and a devotion to upholding customs. One such tradition is the annual football game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs. Considered one of the oldest rivalries in football, the game is often referred to as the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party.” But don’t fret if you’re not a sports fan; Athens also happens to be the birthplace of R.E.M. and the B-52’s, and the city hosts a yearly music festival known as Athfest.

Where to Stay: Loews Atlanta Hotel

Just over an hour from Athens, Atlanta is Georgia’s historical and cultural hub. The stylish Loews Atlanta Hotel has an excellent midtown location and bright, modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Look on any list of “best college towns,” and you’ll likely find Boulder. A city known for its staggering natural beauty, Boulder is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, with endless bike paths, hiking trails, and rock formations to climb. Boulder also has a great downtown; Pearl Street is the ever-popular student hangout, with tons of bars and restaurants.

Where to Stay: Hotel Monaco Denver- A Kimpton Hotel

Denver is a mere 40 minutes away from Boulder, and the Hotel Monaco Denver is certainly worth the drive. This funky (we’re not kidding) hotel is centrally located within Denver, has awesome standard rooms, and is pet-friendly!

With schools like Harvard and MIT within its borders, there’s got to be something in the water up in Cambridge. Just a quick T ride away from Boston, Cambridge has the best of both worlds -- a small college town feel with direct access to the big city. Known for its town squares, Cambridge has many unique neighborhoods, each with a different vibe. Check out Lechmere Square for great shopping, Inman Square for a funky music scene, and Central Square for global cuisine.

Where to Stay: Hotel Veritas

A few blocks from Harvard Square, the Hotel Veritas has comfortable rooms with elegant decor and modern furnishings. It’s also within walking distance to the Charles River and the nearest T stop.

Home to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, and Hampshire College, Amherst is a true college town with a bustling art scene, many restaurants, and other attractions. Nearby, you’ll find Northampton and South Hadley, home to Smith College and Mt. Holyoke College. You’d be remiss in finding an area with a more college-town feel than Western MA. The area is bursting with breweries, wineries, cideries, and museums like the Emily Dickinson Museum and the Holyoke Mountain Range, which have hiking trails.

Where to Stay: Inn on Boltwood

Located in downtown Amherst, the Inn on Boltwood is a convenient location, within walking distance of restaurants and attractions, and close to the main road between Amherst, South Hadley and Northampton for easy access to the other towns.

Home to one of the top public universities in the US, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor has become one of the hottest college towns in the US. There is a hopping arts scene, with University of Michigan Museum of Art, the Michigan Theater, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Its proximity to Lake Huron makes it perfect for hiking, kayaking, and biking. And, of course, it is a Big 10 school - football is huge, so game days at Michigan Stadium are always worth checking out.

Where to Stay: Graduate Ann Arbor

This boutique hotel has stylish, university-themed decor located near campus, perfect for visitors who want to experience the town’s college-town feel.