9 Most Beautiful College Towns In The United States

Most of America was built for cars. College towns are the exception. Students without them kept the downtowns small and walkable, and the schools were planted in quiet, scenic places far from the nearest city. That mix is rare in this country: a center you can cross on foot, with real wilderness a few minutes past it. Boone, North Carolina has it, 3,333 feet up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. So does Durango, Colorado, where the San Juan peaks sit right behind Fort Lewis College. Students pass through in four years. The towns were beautiful before them and stay beautiful after.

View over San Luis Obispo from the Cerro San Luis trail, California. Premier college town San Luis Obispo is home to California Polytechnic State University. The university is one of the most sought-after higher learning institutions in the state, which has upped the popularity of the town itself. Students come for the curriculum and stay for the views of the green hills and sea. Those who want to explore what this exceptional college town has to offer can start by hunting for some of its 101 painted cows. While out looking for the cows, visitors can also take the SLO Cal Mural Trail to see some of the colorful murals and sculptures. The San Luis Obispo Creek runs through the downtown area and is a great place to take a stroll after dinner. And, since the town is surrounded by hills and ancient volcanic vents, the views are incredible. From the top of Terrace Hill, the views open up 360 degrees, while the Cerro San Luis trail leads to the famous Madonna Inn.

Fall color on the Wellesley College grounds in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Wellesley Square is the place to be in Wellesley, Massachusetts. There are restaurants here, including Dryft Wellesley, which offers global cuisines for every taste. The historic square is flanked by Morton Park and Church Park, which are lovely green spaces for a picnic. Hunnewell Park is filled with magnificent lawns and old-growth trees that surround the 1883 Town Hall. Visitors looking for a bit of American tradition during the winter can head to the Linden Square Ice Rink and have some hot cocoa. Wellesley College is Wellesley’s main employer and one of the town’s most visited attractions. The college opened in 1875 near Lake Waban and is home to the Davis Museum and the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens.

Autumn view across Boone, North Carolina. If students chose where to study based on the beauty of the college setting alone, Boone would probably get hundreds of thousands of applications. Appalachian State University, founded in 1899 as the Watauga Academy, sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains 3,333 feet above sea level. In the fall, the trees surrounding the campus turn several shades of gold, red, and orange, and in the summer, everything is beautifully green. The town is a pretty picture too, with the 1938 Appalachian Theatre where people can now watch classic movies and attend film festivals. The Jones House Cultural and Community Center is also surrounded by color-changing trees and hosts live music concerts and community events. Those who love hiking can take the Greenway Trail across bridges and past picnic spots. The Appalachian State University Nature Preserve also lets people explore the largest contiguous forest in the area.

Pedestrians on the Church Street Marketplace in Burlington, Vermont. The University of Vermont in Burlington features a sprawling campus that was founded in 1791. It is the fifth-oldest university in New England and one of the most stately. From College Hill, the university offers views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. Its lawns are meticulously kept, blooming in spring and changing colors in fall. It is easy to get to downtown from the campus, where the Burlington Farmer’s Market awaits on Saturdays. The Church Street Marketplace is also open on weekends, with stalls selling food and gifts. Those who want to enjoy nature can head to the lake for paddleboard polo, and the Shelburne Museum offers a place to watch the sunset over the water while picnicking on the green.

Facade of Goodhart Hall and the towers of Rockefeller Hall on the Bryn Mawr College campus in Bryn Mawr, PA Bryn Mawr College is a cultural and educational haven set among cherry blossoms in the spring and covered in snow in winter. This historic women’s liberal arts college features Gothic architecture in its stone buildings and is surrounded by manicured lawns and old trees. The on-site Arboretum lets visitors see the area’s indigenous plants, while Ashbridge Park offers walking trails and picnic spots. Rolling Hill offers hiking trails and views. In town, the Barnes Foundation features artworks by Picasso and Renoir, and there are more pieces to see at Avery Galleries. Independent films roll at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, located in the Seville Theatre. Plus, there are events and festivals to catch throughout the year, including the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts.

The Annapolis, Maryland, skyline along the Chesapeake Bay. St John’s College is also a liberal arts college located in Annapolis along the Chesapeake Bay. The college was founded in 1696 as King William’s School, making it the third-oldest college in the country. On campus today, there are still 18th-century buildings that sit on rolling green slopes. Colonial architecture continues throughout the town, and seventeen miles of waterfront draws visitors from all over. Beyond the views, plenty of historic buildings are worth seeing, including the Maryland State House, where George Washington resigned his military commission. The Treaty of Paris was also ratified here. Pinkney Street and Fleet Street are lined with houses in soft and bright colors, and the U.S. Naval Academy offers the chance to see the cadets march.

The red-brick courthouse in downtown Oxford, Mississippi. Many consider Ole Miss, or the University of Mississippi, in Oxford one of the top five most beautiful campuses in the country. The university’s Circle and Lyceum sit on a round green space while the Grove boasts massive oak trees. There are more trees to see at the Barnard Observatory, part of the 1,000 acres of green space across the campus. The university sits next to Oxford’s downtown area, frequented by students and parents. Here, City Grocery serves memorable sandwiches, and Saint Leo offers meals a notch above casual. Caffecitos offers great coffee, perfect for late-night study sessions. Those who want to head out for the day can hike the Lamar Park and Bailey Woods Trail, which will take them on a scenic trip from Rowan Oak to the University of Mississippi Museum.

Main Street in Athens, Ohio. Image credit Wendy van Overstreet via Shutterstock Heading back to Appalachia, Ohio University was the first of its kind in the former Northwest Territory. The main campus sits along the Hocking River in the Appalachian foothills. Cherry blossoms transform the grounds in spring, and the fall foliage takes over in September. Green spaces along Wolfe Garden and Emeriti Park offer places to relax and enjoy the views. Students love exploring off campus, especially The Ridges, which used to be the Athens Lunatic Asylum. The Cemetery Nature Trail covers 700 acres of the grounds, and there are plenty of views to enjoy. In town, there are paintings to see at Passion Works Studio. The Athens Farmers Market sells pastries and produce on Saturdays. And those in the mood for cycling can take the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway from downtown to Nelsonville.

The gorgeous landscape of Durango, Colorado. Finally, Durango, Colorado, boasts its own beautiful college that overlooks the Animas River Valley. Fort Lewis College has everything from native plants to mountain views, and it links directly to the town’s downtown area. There are 86 historic buildings to see before finding a seat at the Steamworks Brewing Company to enjoy beer and nachos. The best way to see the surrounding San Juan Mountains is by taking the Durango-Silverton train, which offers Presidential Class seating. Those who want to learn more about trains in general can head to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum. Just eight miles away, the Durango Hot Springs Resort offers plenty of hot springs to enjoy while taking in views of the mountains and trees.

America’s most beautiful college towns provide the ideal life balance. Students learn what they need to, while outdoor entertainment and adventure are just a short stroll away. There is also lots to do downtown throughout each of these towns. There are coffee houses, lawns to watch the sunset, and community squares that host fun events. These towns make work and play flow together in the best possible way.