The Best College Football Towns to Visit This Fall

For many, few traditions are valued as much as college football. It symbolizes the start of a new season with unbridled joy—and it brings with it all of the tailgating you can handle. Regardless of whether or not you went to a school that prioritized football culture, everyone should experience a game day in a football-centric town. While there are tons of schools all across the country, we’ve pulled together the ones that have fun towns and scenery you won’t want to miss.

Athens, Georgia

The secret to discovering the best college football towns is finding one that is fairly centered around the university itself. That is exactly the case in Athens, Georgia. In Athens, 96,000 fans spill out of Sanford Stadium after the games are over, and the downtown area is very close by. There are blocks and blocks of themed bars and restaurants, all of which are just as passionate about the Georgia Bulldogs as the fans. The town also has a great music scene and is the hometown of REM, the B-52s, Widespread Panic and the Drive By Truckers. Make sure to catch a concert at the Georgia Theater or the 40-Watt.

State College, Pennsylvania

That’s right: the home of Penn State. The town is centered around the university and it creates an atmosphere that is magnetic and full of energy. While the city of State College has an impressive art scene as well as fun restaurants and bars, the town really shines during football season. The college is even home to the second largest stadium in all of college football with just over 106,000 seats.

Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville is a quintessential college town and it caters to football season. The town also has an impressive music scene and is the home of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is also known as “The Swamp,” and the students have no shortage of corresponding game-day chants and traditions.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

The presence of football in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is absolutely undeniable and that’s partially due to the sheer size of the stadium. The University of Michigan is home to the largest stadium by capacity in the United States, and the second largest stadium in the world. Fittingly, it boasts the nickname the “Big House.” On game days, the entire city is overrun with tailgaters and fans who are ready to cheer on the Wolverines.

Madison, Wisconsin

Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin is home to the “Fifth Quarter:” A continued celebration of the game that involves their top-notch marching band and the 30,000-40,000 fans who stick around for up to an hour after the game to celebrate their beloved Badgers. The city is also wedged between two beautiful lakes that are a year-round attraction you’ll want to experience on game day. One visit to this bustling Midwestern city and we guarantee you'll want to "Jump Around."