You don't have to be a university student to experience the fun of a college town.
With my oldest child heading off to college this year, I've spent plenty of time exploring college towns. And I have to admit, I wouldn't mind calling many of them home myself.Â
With walkable downtowns, lively food and drink scenes, and easy access to the outdoors, these destinations make excellent long-weekend escapes for travelers of any age.Â
In this article
Fort Collins, Colorado
Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins has a walkable downtown with small shops, restaurants, breweries, and live music venues packed into a lively core.Â
Beer lovers can explore the city's renowned craft brewing scene, and join a brewery tour, like those offered at Odell Brewing Company and New Belgium Brewing Company.Â
Outdoor enthusiasts will also adore this town, especially when they head into nearby Horsetooth Mountain Open Space for hiking, climbing, and water activities. Or, take advantage of the 285-plus miles of trails and bike lanes scattered throughout the city, making it one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country.Â
Fort Collins also offers easy access to Rocky Mountain National Park, making it possible to pair an urban getaway with classic Colorado scenery.Â
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is a lively college town with plenty to do beyond the Western Washington University campus.Â
A long weekend here can include tide-pooling along the coast, hiking to Whatcom Falls, exploring the waterfront, and wandering through historic Fairhaven.Â
When I visited a few years ago, I spent a lot of time walking the downtown streets, exploring the vintage shops, and grabbing a coffee along the way. This area has a strong arts scene, with galleries, public art, and cultural attractions such as the interesting Whatcom Museum. If you're in town for the Saturday Farmers Market, it's a must-visit.Â
To get the full Pacific Northwest experience, book a stay in the Lighthouse Suite at the Hotel Bellweather, where you can wake to stunning views of the San Juan Islands.Â
San Marcos, Texas
Home to Texas State University, San Marcos has the easygoing, outdoorsy energy you'd expect from a college town, with the San Marcos River running right through the heart of it.Â
On a warm day, you'll find locals and visitors gathering to swim, tube, and paddle in the clear, spring-fed water, while nightfall brings LED-lit clear-kayak tours that lend an otherworldly air.Â
History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing and the LBJ Museum of San Marcos, while a stop downtown provides plenty of options for dining, live music, and riverfront patios.Â
Burlington, Vermont
Set on the shores of Lake Champlain with sweeping views of the Green Mountains, Burlington is home to the University of Vermont and has a distinctly outdoorsy, progressive college-town vibe.Â
Spend a long weekend biking the Burlington Greenway, sailing on the lake, hiking through spectacular fall foliage, or skiing nearby when snow blankets the mountains each winter.Â
The city also punches above its weight when it comes to food, with acclaimed restaurants serving everything from Italian cuisine to award-winning Dominican fusion. Burlington's farm-to-table culture adds another layer to the experience, with hands-on workshops at Shelburne Farms and tastings at Lake Champlain Chocolates.Â
Back in town, Church Street Marketplace provides a lively pedestrian-friendly hub for shopping, dining, and people-watching, while the city's strong emphasis on sustainability and community gives Burlington an atmosphere that feels both distinctly Vermont and refreshingly youthful.Â
Blacksburg, Virginia
Set in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Blacksburg combines the energy of Virginia Tech with the character of a historic mountain town.Â
Downtown, 19th-century roots meet a lively mix of indie boutiques, antique shops, and locally owned restaurants, while the Moss Arts Center brings major performances and exhibitions to the region.Â
The outdoors are never far away, with opportunities to tube, camp, and kayak along the New River, one of the world's oldest river systems. A short drive away, Mountain Lake Lodge sits on a 2,600-acre nature preserve with miles of hiking trails and waterfalls. Film fans may recognize the property as a filming location for “Dirty Dancing.”Â
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is a college town with an outsized cultural scene and enough history, art, and food to fill a long weekend.Â
Start by exploring the Yale Center for British Art, which houses the largest collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. The Yale Peabody Museum, one of the world's oldest and largest natural history museums, offers a more family-friendly cultural stop, with exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to mummies.Â
Outdoors, hike or take a nature walk through East Rock Park before checking out the city's packed calendar of festivals and events.Â
Then there's the food. New Haven's legendary apizza (pronounced "ah-beetz") is a reason to visit in itself with famous outposts like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana serving the regional favorite. And Louis' Lunch claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger sandwich.Â
The Shortcut
Fort Collins' renowned breweries, Burlington's international dining scene, and New Haven's famous "apizza" show these towns have more going on than the campus dining hall.
Yale's British art collection, the Whatcom Museum, and Blacksburg's Moss Arts Center bring big-city exhibits to small-town settings.
Bellingham's Fairhaven district, Burlington's Church Street Marketplace, and Fort Collins' Old Town Square area are all highly walkable, pedestrian-friendly downtowns.
