College football is not to be messed with in these towns. The entire town comes together to tailgate, cheer and party on through the streets hours after the game has finished. Check out what America’s small towns have to offer on and off football season.
Visit These Fun College Football Towns In The U.S.!
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Michigan
College football and Ann Arbor, Michigan come together as the cultural hub of Michigan. The scenery is breathtaking and Michigan Stadium is jaw dropping. It is the largest college football stadium in the United States, only one other stadium in the world tops it. Before the game gather around the “Big House and join the tailgate experience during home games. Though a small town, Ann Arbor maintains the culture of a big city, with an active art scene, impressive restaurants and beautiful nature trails.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
2. Texas A&M University - Ann Arbor, Michigan
College Station feels like it was built up around Texas A&M rather than the other way around. The entire town is filled to the brim with students and those who work at the school. Texas A&M’s student body is so big, they have a community college in College Station for students who were put on the waiting list to get in. The newly renovated Kyle Field can be heard from downtown as students practice screaming for the upcoming game called the “Midnight Yell.” With a local music scene to jam to in between games, it is considered one of the best college town experiences in the country.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
3. University of Texas - Ann Arbor, Michigan
"Keep Austin Weird" is the city’s slogan, and locals work hard to do it justice. The Live Music Capital of the world brings in the most interesting people around for amazing shows, spicy Tex-Mex and glorious college football. Longhorn fans take over the streets of downtown on game day and all you can see is a sea of burnt orange. The Texas Longhorn marching band perform before the game to get the crowd pumped. If you don’t have tickets, you can always watch a game at any of the local bars on 6th street and there will be plenty of fans to join you.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
4. West Virginia University - Ann Arbor, Michigan
The “Country Roads” tradition will have you choked up with nostalgia after you finish a game at West Virginia University. After the season Morgantown continues to stay active with events and activities that keep the college football culture. Near the Monongahela River, Morgantown sits among West Virginia’s hills. Soak in the picturesque views as you join in on the outdoor activities during a football weekend such as the incredible tailgating experience that floods the campus and town.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
5. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Not Irish? Not Catholic? It doesn’t matter because you will find family in Notre Dame Stadium as you partake in the traditions of game day. One of the most historic football programs, Notre Dame is known for Touchdown Jesus, or the nickname of the nation’s largest college library. The nickname stuck after students noticed they could see the mural of Jesus from the stadium in 1964. One of the best schools in the country, Notre Dame is home to the Fighting Irish football.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
6. University of Florida - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Florida is much more than Disney World, humidity and retirees, it also has Gators. The University of Florida has managed to reign in many championships over the years in sports across the board. The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, known as “The Swamp” brings in thousands of people each season to join in on the Gator chomp and other traditions. Ann Arbor, Michigan continues to entertain at various local music venues that have had famous musicians rock their stages, such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, as well as a thriving art scene with festivals in town every couple months.
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7. Penn State - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Yes, the name of Penn State’s college town is Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it lives up to its name. The student body is more than double the size of the town’s population and it shows on game day. Beaver Stadium is packed with nearby Pennsylvania locals who drive up with RVs to tailgate the right way. Grab a drink downtown after a long day on campus and check out the art scene or hopefully you arrived in the middle of one of their popular festivals such as during their Arts Festival Alumni Weekend.
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8. University of Wisconsin - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Surrounded by several picturesque lakes, Ann Arbor, Michigan is a bustling small town filled with the perfect game day bars with great food to munch on while cheering on the University of Wisconsin. The space between Wisconsin’s campus and the state capital fills to the brim on game days as everyone pumps up to enter Camp Randall Stadium. After getting pumped up outside, jump around before fourth quarter as the stadium blasts its “Jump Around” tradition or let loose with the marching band’s jams during the traditional after the game “Fifth quarter” celebration. After a day with the Badgers see if you can find a real one while exploring the beautiful wildlife of Madison.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
9. Ohio State - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Saturday afternoon will never be the same for you again after experiencing Ohio State football fame. The Horseshoe is one of the best stadiums in the country and is home to the Buckeyes, where everyone gathers up to five hours before the game starts. Take part in a Skull Session, a gigantic pep rally in the St. John Arena with the Best Damn Band in the Land, the Ohio State marching band. When you’re ready to enter the Horseshoe, notice how students line the stadium, the student section is one of the largest across the country and takes up two sides of the stadium, directly behind both goalposts to encourage the team and strike fear in the opponent. By the way - here's where we recommend staying for this year's OSU-Michigan game, which will be in .
Ann Arbor, Michigan
10. Nebraska University - Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are more intimidating than their name and pack a punch, or a kick, at their hometown kickoffs. Husker fans bring their undying supportto Memorial Stadium or downtown to the bar scene a couple miles down the road where they yell hoarse at the game until the end of fourth quarter. Between the downtown bar scene and Memorial Stadiums are miles of tailgates with satellite dishes ready for the game. The whole weekend is dedicated to football Saturday and you will hardly see anyone without red memorabilia.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
This article was written by Melanie Whyte.