Why The South Is Home To The Very Best College Towns

It takes more than just a campus to make a college town special, and certain ones have qualities that make them stand out.

“Where did you go to college?” It’s a simple question, but one that can really get Southerners fired up. Often, it has less to do with the academic excellence of the institution, but rather the passionate loyalty that is held onto long after the diplomas are handed out. Those of us who attended a Southern university take education, amongst other things, quite seriously. By “other things,” we mean intense football rivalries, quirky traditions, thriving town cultures, and collective experiences remembered fondly, like the late-night food place where everyone goes after a big night or the field where everyone meets up to tailgate with friends, family, and welcoming strangers. 

To name just one best college town in the South would be an impossible feat, and not only because it might incite a riotous response from every Tiger, Eagle, Dawg, Razorback, and Ragin’ Cajun out there. It’d also be an insult to the deeply rooted ties that bring many of us together and remain in spirit. Still, it takes more than just a campus to make a college town special, and certain ones have qualities that make them stand out, whether it’s the vibrant music culture of Athens, Georgia; the heritage foodways of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; or the outdoor treasures of Fayetteville, Arkansas. No matter if you attended the school or are merely visiting for a weekend, Southern college towns are really for all of us. Even rivals can appreciate their sworn adversaries’ stomping grounds. 

What’s one thing that the studious intellectuals, the lively partiers, the trailblazing townies, the forever locals, and the once-a-decade visitors can agree upon? There’s no college town like one in the South. —Kaitlyn Yarborough

Athens, Georgia: A Music Town With So Much More

It's a random Tuesday night, and a line is already forming on the curb outside the Georgia Theatre. Two backpack-laden students walk past, talking about their midterms. An older couple ducks into Last Resort Grill nearby, in search of its locally famed praline chicken. A man zooms past on a unicycle. Welcome to Athens.

It's the home of the Dawgs, the old stomping ground of beloved rock bands, and keeper of a bar-per-capita stat that could induce the spins (over 70 bars in a square mile). Athens is a place of many attitudes, and which version you get depends on when—and where—you meet this very cool town.

There's nostalgia in the dim light and sticky floors of historic music haunts like the 40 Watt Club and the Georgia Theatre. Echoes of old friends still permeate the thick, beer-shrouded air in these venues that once hosted Michael Stipe's distinctive songs, The B-52s' signature funk, and Pylon's jangly underground rock.

There's soul wafting from every kitchen as you breathe in the telltale aromas of the masterful fried chicken at Weaver D's; the hangover-curing biscuits at Mama's Boy; and the Frogmore stew at 5 & 10, chef Hugh Acheson's flagship.

There's pride in the prodigious shadow of Sanford Stadium, where the hedges aren't just landscaping and the mascot isn't just a dog. The stadium is home, and Uga is a rock star.

And there's optimism in the locals' eagerness to turn tired spaces into shiny, happy new faces. An old tire company is now a favorite brewery and farmers' market. A kudzu-covered former cotton warehouse returns as an arts district.

What doesn't change? The Waffle House on West Clayton Street. The Tree That Owns Itself, a quirk respected even by the local government. (Go read the plaque.) The old-fashioned root beer floats at ADD Drug, a landmark since 1961. Athens is a blend of everything that makes the South diverse and unpredictable; laid-back and loud; rooted and rebellious.

"All of the great things in my life started when I moved to Athens," says Patterson Hood of the band Drive-By Truckers, which got its start in Athens in the 1990s and still considers it home. What called Hood to Athens in the first place? "R.E.M!" he cracks. "It all boils down to the music here."

Step inside Wuxtry Records, and nostalgia hits you like an old Tom Petty song. Suddenly, it's 1976, the year this place opened, right before the Athens music scene went wild. The oldest still-operating record store in Georgia, Wuxtry has been in business for over 40 years, refusing to give up on vinyl, even when CDs took over the market. When records came back in vogue, the small store on East Clayton Street downtown was still packed with crates and crates of it.

This is where the future members of R.E.M. hung out. Lead guitarist Peter Buck even worked there for a short time. "He was my Neil Young coach," says Bertis Downs, longtime advisor and friend of the band (or "the guys," as he calls them). He also knew Bill Berry, R.E.M.'s drummer, from the time they spent together on UGA's concert committee. "And then all of a sudden, boom, they're in this world-famous band." 

It was Downs who approached Dexter Weaver, owner of local restaurant Weaver D's, to ask if R.E.M. could use his catchphrase as one of their most famous album titles: Automatic for the People. For Weaver, the tagline is about being quick to please his customers, but his words traveled all the way from the lime green cement walls of a soul food joint to the top of the charts. "A year later, when the guys were nominated for a Grammy, we got Dexter to come to the award show as R.E.M.'s special guest," Downs remembers. You won't meet a church lady or frat boy from the past three decades who hasn't had a meal at Weaver D's. Weaver opened the restaurant in 1986, dishing out fried chicken and comforting side dishes with his trademark flair. Upon first bite, you can easily see how the place would inspire an album name. 

More than 35 years later, there are still people finding their song in Athens. Bands started by students and alumni now book out local bars and venues, as well as the raging parties thrown year-round by local Greek life chapters and other collegiate organizations. There’s no need to outsource entertainment, and colleges across the South want Athens’ bands at their parties too. “It’s been great to meet other musicians, and the music scene makes it hard to get bored,” says Jackson Tennyson, lead singer and guitarist of the band GrandVille, composed of four childhood friends who are all currently college students.

Along with GrandVille, there are countless other examples of young burgeoning creatives being fostered by Athens’ musical roots. You’ll also catch groups like The Regulars, a brother-and-sister-led rock band, and The Ocho, formed by five UGA students, playing gigs on any given night around town. “Athens is full of spirit in many different ways,” says Tennyson. “Everyone’s behind the Bulldogs, downtown never sleeps, and it’s an exciting place to be.”

Fayetteville, Arkansas: A Close-Knit Community In The Great Outdoors

Fayetteville is so entwined with the University of Arkansas that it’s almost impossible to separate the two. This is especially apparent during college football season, when the fiery red maple trees match the red-shirted Razorback fans rambling the streets, and the cries of “Woo Pig Sooie!” permeate the crisp autumn air.

Seemingly every small business (from hip cafes to your family dentist’s office) displays a cheerily painted Hog in their window. And the towers of Old Main — the oldest building on campus — serve as the skyline's centerpiece, invoking a sense of school spirit that radiates throughout the community. 

Located in northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville feels far away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Much of its charm derives from its languid pace and small-town cultural offerings, with regular events and festivals celebrating farmers, artists, and musicians. On Saturdays and select days during the week, the year-round farmers’ market takes over the historic downtown square with rows and rows of vibrantly colored fruit, vegetables, and flowers, soundtracked by the strain of bluegrass and the laughter of friends, families, and vendors. 

Fittingly for the Natural State, the outdoor world informs much of the city. Fayetteville’s location at the lush foothills of the Ozarks makes it a prime playground for naturer lovers. There are parks and preserves aplenty. Pack a picnic and hang out in Wilson Park, the oldest park in the city, or stroll around Lake Fayetteville, where a pretty 5.5-mile nature trail encircles the lake.

Biking is a hardcore passion in Fayetteville and the surrounding area (most notably in Bentonville). Perpetually dotted with cyclists, the Razorback Regional Greenway is a 40-mile shared-use trail that extends from south Fayetteville to Bella Vista. Meanwhile, at Kessler Mountain Regional Park, mountain bikers fly over rocky trails through dense forest. 

Both the square and adjacent Dickson Street are considered the heartbeat of the city, and there are plenty of things to do here: catch a play or musical performance at TheatreSquared or the Walton Arts Center, see live music at George’s Majestic Lounge, or peruse Dickson St. Bookshop or Pearl’s Books for your next great read. Delightfully walkable, Dickson and the square are also flush with bars, restaurants, and boutiques.

If you need a snack, fuel up at Little Bread Company, a cozy, ivy-covered bakery with delicious sandwiches and fresh pastries, or pop into Puritan for a seasonal craft beer. When it’s time for a proper meal, there are several local joints to choose from, but Hugo’s is easily the most popular. It's an unspoken tradition that students bring their parents here at least once, though you’re just as likely to see couples on a date night and families with kids at this bustling basement bistro. Less than a mile away, Arsaga’s Mill District is a fabulous brunch or breakfast spot; the diverse menu changes seasonally but there are always vegan and vegetarian offerings. 

There’s much to appreciate about this college town: outdoor recreation, a lively social scene, and most importantly, a tight-knit community of die-hard Razorback fans anchoring it all.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Where Food And Football Go Hand-In-Hand

With zany fans known for being a little extra, Baton Rouge is a larger-than-life college town whose hometown adoration is always on full display. The Louisiana capital pulses with energy for the LSU Tigers, the Southern University Jaguars, and the local culture both have spawned.  

No surprise, food is central to this college town’s identity. On home game weekends, LSU tailgaters create a veritable gastro-civilization around Tiger Stadium with elaborate cooking rigs and detailed menus that eschew ho-hum burgers and dogs. Known for offering plates to fans of the opposing team, ride-or-die cooks spend weeks fussing over menus influenced by a variety of factors, from an opponent’s mascot to the time of year. This season’s games against Arkansas and Florida, for example, will inspire a litany of dishes featuring pork and gator in the starring role. 

Beyond game day, restaurants near LSU’s campus attract diners eager for an authentic Baton Rouge experience. Be sure to order oysters on the half shell at The Chimes; its new roof garden provides a bird’s eye view of the Old War Skule’s famed live oaks. For a true Red Stick nosh, sample a stone-deck pizza topped with Cajun boudin or a fried shrimp po’boy at the Pastime Restaurant. Founded in the early 1920s and bedecked in LSU paraphernalia, the friendly hole-in-the-wall is a favorite fan stop year-round.

Between meals, stop to see LSU’s beloved mascot, Mike VII, a live Bengal tiger who lives in an impressive 15,000-square-foot habitat across from Tiger Stadium. Ever the showman, Mike is known to splash in his pool and even stand on two feet for curious onlookers. The adjacent bronze Mike statue is perfect for Instagrammable back rides on the big cat. 

On the Southern University campus, otherwise known as The Bluff, take in the prettiest view of the Mississippi River anywhere in Louisiana. The area is flush with outdoor sculptures by famed American artist Frank Hayden, who taught at the university for decades. 

Speaking of the river, there’s no better way to enjoy it than by walking, running, or biking along the Mississippi River Levee Trail, a 12.5-mile paved pathway that spans downtown Baton Rouge all the way to the L’Auberge Casino & Hotel near the parish line. 

Any respectable college town should have a great farmers' market, and Baton Rouge’s 27-year-old Red Stick Farmers Market fits the bill. Find dozens of vendors selling fresh local produce, artisan cheese, meats, Gulf seafood, and baked goods at the market held Thursdays at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Saturdays at the intersection of 5th and Main Streets downtown. 

Baton Rouge’s eclectic character really comes to life in Mid City, whose main thoroughfare, Government Street, is outfitted with traffic calming measures and bike lanes. Start at the west end’s Electric Depot, a reimagined electric company substation that’s now a mixed-use development offering everything from vintage bowling lanes and live music at Red Stick Social, to hand-pulled noodles at Boru Ramen, to specialty coffee at City Roots. Pick up fun LSU graphic tees and accessories (like a headband with purple and gold sequined stripes) from Sweet Baton Rouge boutique.

Head east along Government to experience two jam-packed miles of shops, activities, and restaurants. At Barracuda Taco Stand, you’ll find fiery street tacos with homemade tortillas, as well as margaritas and ranch water best enjoyed at the spot’s outdoor tables. Dive into pastry paradise at Elsie’s Plate Pie where a family recipe enrobes sweet and savory goodness. And enjoy all manner of craft beer at spots like the open-air Mid City Beer Garden, local tap room Cypress Coast Brewing Co. and Tap 65, where a card-activated wall of 65 beer taps pairs with a menu of robust Indian street fare.