One thing I love about traveling is discovering the heart of a place. Sites like TripAdvisor might offer reviews of attractions, hotels and restaurants, but they don’t share the heart of a place. As an avid college football fan — “O-H” to all my Buckeye friends — towns that revolve around the home team are some of the best!
I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 college football towns for families. During the football season, these towns come alive in a whole new way. Beyond the football element, though, the towns on this list offer something for families to enjoy besides the football game: family friendly activities, good food and fun!
Side note to Columbus: I love you! While you didn’t make the cut here — you’re bigger than “just” college football — you will always be my number 1!
5. Clemson, South Carolina
My parents moved to Lake Keowee in Upstate South Carolina about 15 years ago. When we visit, the kids always know we’re getting close when we see the giant Clemson tiger paws on the streets. This town screams college football — from the roadways to the street signs. Need more proof? The city changes traffic patterns on football Saturdays! Clemson’s slogan, “In season every season” rings true, but I think fall might be the best season! The town sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the banks of Lake Hartwell which provides outdoor adventure options galore. Nearby Greenville, one of the top vacation cities in the world according to travel authority Peter Greenberg, so why NOT visit the region?
Top Picks in Clemson:
- Best restaurant: Larry’s 163. This bar and grill throws a great tailgate on football Saturdays!
- Best historical attraction: Fort Hill Plantation — home of John Calhoun.
- Best outdoor adventure: South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson. The children’s garden offers an especially fun play space for kids to run, play and explore.
- Best place away from campus to watch the game: Also Larry’s 163. For those who don’t mind the 30 minute drive, many restaurants in Greenville play the games on big screens too.
- Plan your Clemson visit here.
4. Stillwater, Oklahoma
Home of “the other OSU,” the town of Stillwater doubles in size during the school year. In football season, Cowboys fans take over downtown Stillwater. The friendly folks in Stillwater welcome guests like family. Besides Cowboys football — ESPN says OSU is a contender in the Big 12 this year — families visiting Stillwater will discover Red Dirt Music, Lost Creek Safari and a wide range of outdoor adventures on the region’s lakes and trails. Be sure to pack your cowboy boots and hat when you visit! Then head to the visitors’ bureau site for a chance to win tickets to an OSU Cowboys’ football game!
Top picks in Stillwater:
- Best restaurant: Hands down, it’s Eskimo Joe’s, the heart of Stillwater gatherings for 40 years!
- Best cultural experience: A red dirt music festival or live musical performance.
- Most unique food: Calf fries, but local flavor Fridays suggests other good options too!
- Best souvenir in Stillwater (besides custom made cowboy boots): An Eskimo Joe’s t-shirt.
- Best place away from campus to watch the game: This one also goes to Eskimo Joe’s.
- Plan your Stillwater visit using this handy resource.
3. Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, with its perfect fall weather and easy-to-use light rail system, makes visiting this charming town a delight and a perfect pick for our top 5 college football towns. Visitors should pack hiking shoes for a trek up A Mountain (officially called Hayden Butte Preserve Park) for views of the football stadium, campus and town. Tempe Town Lake — yes, a water oasis in the midst of the desert — provides water sports, hiking and biking, a splash park and more! Unique restaurants, great shopping and theater provide even more fun for visiting families.
Top picks in Tempe:
- Best restaurant: My pick for daytime dining is NCounter, in the heart of downtown. You might stand in line, but this is the place to gather with friends for expertly prepared casual dining in a laid back atmosphere!
- Best gathering place: Tempe Marketplace on the edge of Tempe town Lake. With dining, concerts, movies, events and outdoor space galore, this is a great place to meet friends or hang out with the family. Check the calendar for special events.
- Best outdoor adventure: Any and everything on Tempe Town Lake!
- Best place away from campus to watch the game: Well, that’s a toughie. There are tons of great options!
- Learn more about Tempe Tourism here.
2. Tallahassee, Florida
Florida’s capital city, home to the Florida State Seminoles, has been transformed in recent years. Near campus, restaurants and open space give families a number of options to enjoy pre-game and post-game activities. Beyond FSU football, the city boasts great weather, hiking and biking trails, water sports (kayak with a a manatee!), funky neighborhoods and museums for all interests. Tallahassee’s restaurant scene, driven in large part by marketing efforts at Madison Social (our favorite restaurant in Tallahassee), has evolved, too. Restaurants throughout the city provide outdoor dining, many with big screen TVs to watch the game and cheer on the home team… or the opponent, if you dare!
Top picks in Tallahassee:
- Best restaurant: Madison Social, near the FSU campus.
- Best outdoor experience: Tree to Tree Adventures.
- Best tour: Capital City Tours on “Wilma,” the street legal golf cart.
- Best way to see the city: By bike!
- Best place away from campus to watch the game: On the patio at Midtown Caboose. Great burgers!
- Plan your trip with Visit Tallahassee.
1. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Oh how it pains me to admit that an SEC school is number one on our list of top 5 college football towns. Really! Cuts deep. BUT, there is no denying that LSU fans have taken the tailgate to a whole new level. Home game frenzy — sure! Most college towns can do that. In Baton Rouge, though, every Saturday is a tailgate Saturday. Jay Ducote, who gained national fame on Food Network Star earlier this year, launched his culinary career through LSU tailgating. It’s a big, big, big deal here! Beyond the tailgate, Baton Rouge has great weather, a growing culinary scene, history and outdoor fun.
- Best restaurant: Leroy’s Kitchen. Near the LSU campus, this family friendly restaurant extends hours on game day. AND the menu doesn’t have sandwiches, but offers samiches! That’s how I say it, so it wins. Seriously, read the story on Leroy’s — and the menu. Then go!
- Best historical attraction: The State Capitol Building. Governor Huey P. Long, who had presidential aspirations, was fatally shot here years ago. Intrigue! Beyond the history, the building is an architectural marvel and public elevators take guests to the viewing deck which offers views of the city, the Mississippi River and beyond.
- Best tour: Baton Rouge Plantation Country. To understand LSU’s devotion to tailgating, it helps to understand the cultural background of this wonderful area.
- Best local eats: Red Stick Farmer’s Market. The best farmer’s market in the world — at least according to me.
- Best place away from campus to watch the game: Forget it. Around here it’s the tailgate party and it’s not worth fighting. I won’t say #GeauxTigers… but I will say #GeauxTigerTailgating!
- Learn more about Baton Rouge at #goBR.
Not a football fan? Then Columbus is definitely your number 1… Enjoy!
Great post for this time of year 🙂 I want to visit Tallahassee Fl. & Stillwater Ok!!
Both are great choices, especially if FOOD is high on your list of college football gamely fun!
Who’s your team?
LOVE Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma made the list! Nothing says family friendly like the BEST cheese fries in the WORLD! #GoPokes!
Such a fun place to be. That’s true praise coming from a loyal fan of the “other” OSU, aka THE OSU. 🙂 #gobuckeyes
You need to check link at end of Stillwater section. It’s a link to Stillwater, MN, not Stillwater, OK.
Thanks. It’s fixed. That’s what I get for finishing while kids are doing homework and peppering me with questions! Lesson learned. 🙂
Stillwater, Oklahoma – my home state and Alma mater! Definitely a family friendly town with great people and lots of fun. Homecoming is a prime example of how much this town gets behind their University. A week full of activities leading up to the parade and big game.
Coming from the midwest and Big Ten country, I am a bit of a college football snob. There, confession made! Stillwater is such a fun and friendly place on a non-football weekend. I can only imagine how great homecoming week must be. (I’ll skip the calf fries though. Once was enough!)
Don’t call Oklahoma State “the other OSU”. That is so insulting; we are the real OSU.
I am a Buckeye. It will always be our great debate!
I am really surprised to see LSU on this list. The amount of drunken students and disorderly tailgates and the lack of civility towards other fans make this an absolute no way for me to ever visit again, much less take my family. I gave them two chances and I hope I don’t ever have to go back.
Thanks for sharing your opinion. I am an Ohio State grad, so LSU isn’t exactly my favorite team. I’m not a fan of any SEC team, for sure. Every time I’ve been to Baton Rouge or met anyone from the area, they’ve been nothing but nice to me. The tradition there is really tough to beat.
The “this handy resource” link for Stillwater is for Stillwater, Minnesota, not Stillwater, Oklahoma. Should probably have inserted this instead: http://www.visitstillwater.org/
I still can’t believe I got that wrong. Gah! Thank you for the correction. It’s updated now.
Columbus is a great place to visit with kids. The COSI (Science and Industry) museum there is great for kids. A lot to see, do and learn. And of course the football.
Elizabeth,
Columbus will always be my personal #1 college football town. We are as scarlet and gray as they come! (My son still thinks I’m crazy not to include Columbus on this list). We love COSI, the zoo, Scioto Mile, German Village, all the shopping in the suburbs, Graeters’ Ice Cream (all locations!!!) and the list goes on and on. Columbus didn’t make the list not because it’s great, but because it’s bigger than college football.
I think it makes a great family vacation destination year-round!
I love football so I definitely need to go and check out these towns!!! Thank you for linking up with Travel Tales!
Thanks for hosting! Do you have a favorite team?
YAY! I was certain LSU would be up here, but it warms my heart to see Baton Rouge as number 1! I’m class of 2014 🙂 But honestly, the football games are very family friendly and I can almost guarantee it’s the best food you’ll have at a tailgate. Great article and geaux tigers!