6 underrated college towns that make affordable summer road trip stops

America's best-known college towns — places like Ann Arbor, Madison and Boulder — have long attracted visitors with their historic campuses, lively downtowns and game-day traditions. 

But they're far from the only university communities worth exploring. Across the country, dozens of lesser-known college towns offer the same walkable streets, independent restaurants, local breweries, cultural attractions and, more often than not, plenty of nearby nature to explore.

In my 15+ years as a travel writer, I've discovered that visiting a big campus for the big game is a bucket-list experience. But I've also come to appreciate university towns during the summer, when campus crowds thin out and the true character of the town that attracted them in the first place is more easily accessed.

For this list, I focused on college towns that have remained under the radar and that are relatively easy to reach, either as weekend getaways from major metropolitan areas or as a stop on a summer road trip . Each offers its own unique sense of place beyond its campus, enough attractions to fill a long weekend visit, and places to stretch your legs after a day's drive.

1. Lawrence, Kan.

Go for: One of America's best college town main streets

While many college towns have become overwhelmed by chain stores, Lawrence has done a good job maintaining and supporting its local businesses. Home to the University of Kansas, the city revolves around Massachusetts Street, a walkable downtown lined with independent bookstores, coffee shops, galleries, restaurants and historic buildings. Live music is part of the local culture, and summer brings outdoor events without the crowds that arrive during basketball and football season. 

The University of Kansas campus is home to excellent museums, including the Spencer Museum of Art and the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum , while the nearby Watkins Museum of History explores the city's pivotal role in the Bleeding Kansas era. On hot afternoons, head to Clinton State Park for a lakeside hike or an afternoon on the water.

2. Bloomington, Ind.

Go for: Wineries and outdoor adventures

Bloomington pairs the amenities of a major university with the rolling hardwood forests, limestone hills and lakes that define southern Indiana. Indiana University's picturesque campus anchors the city, and the surrounding countryside is an interesting wine region, with numerous wineries scattered throughout the Indiana Uplands. 

Just outside town, Lake Monroe — Indiana's largest inland lake — offers boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing, while nearby Hoosier National Forest provides miles of hiking trails and scenic drives through dense woodlands. Brown County State Park , often called the "Little Smokies" for its rugged, forested hills, is less than an hour away. 

Tour Indiana University's beautiful limestone campus, spend an afternoon on Lake Monroe, then sample local vintages along the Indiana Uplands Wine Trail .

3. Missoula, Mont.

Go for: Montana's overlooked outdoor hub

Home to the University of Montana, Missoula sits at the confluence of several rivers and is surrounded by abundant public lands that support hiking, mountain biking, rafting and fly fishing. There's always enough space to spread out in Montana, but when the students flee Missoula for the summer, the surrounding trails become even more serene. 

The Clark Fork River runs directly through town, where locals spend summer afternoons floating downstream. Join them. Hike the short but steep "M" Trail for sweeping views over the city and surrounding valleys, or plan your own adventure in a nearby national forest. 

Downtown has bookstores, breweries, restaurants, live music venues and a surprising arts and ceramics scene. Catch a show at the KettleHouse Amphitheater , a 4,000-person outdoor venue on the banks of the Blackfoot River.

4. Harrisonburg, Va.

Go for: The gateway to Shenandoah

Home to James Madison University, Harrisonburg makes an ideal base for exploring Virginia's Shenandoah Valley . About 40 minutes from the Swift Run Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park , visitors can spend the day driving Skyline Drive, hiking to panoramic overlooks or exploring the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Nearby wineries such as CrossKeys Vineyards and Brix & Columns Vineyards showcase the Shenandoah Valley's wine country, while Grand Caverns and Endless Caverns offer a chance to explore some of Virginia's underground landscapes. 

Back in town, Harrisonburg's walkable historic downtown features restored 19th-century buildings, independent shops, a growing farm-to-table dining scene and the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center, which highlights the region's history.

5. Oxford, Miss.

Go for: Southern literary history

Oxford is best known as the home of the University of Mississippi, but it's also one of America's great literary towns. Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner lived here for more than 40 years, and his former estate, Rowan Oak , is set on 29 wooded acres and open for tours, allowing visitors to explore the rooms where he wrote many of his most celebrated novels.

A few minutes away, the historic courthouse square is anchored by the aptly-named Square Books , regarded as one of America's best independent bookstores, where nationally recognized authors regularly appear for readings and book signings.

The regional cuisine is also strong. Oxford's restaurants celebrate the flavors of North Mississippi with staples like fried catfish, biscuits, Delta tamales and slow-smoked barbecue. Nearby Holly Springs National Forest and Sardis Lake provide opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing and paddling during the hot summer months.

6. Athens, Ga.

Go for: Music, food and tons of southern charm

Folks who live in the Southeast are well aware of how awesome Athens is, but it's time for the rest of the nation to take notice.

Home to the University of Georgia, Athens pairs historic neighborhoods with a compact downtown filled with locally owned restaurants, breweries and independent shops. One surprising characteristic, however, is its influence on American music. The city's music scene helped launch bands like R.E.M. and the B-52s, and its downtown still revolves around legendary venues like the 40 Watt Club and Georgia Theatre .

It's also a great town to experience Southern cuisine. Longtime restaurants serving the South's traditional "meat-and-three" meals — where diners choose one entree and three side dishes — remain local staples alongside barbecue joints, biscuit shops and a newer generation of chefs putting contemporary spins on regional classics.

Local favorites such as Mama's Boy Restaurant , The Place , and Five & Ten showcase that range, from hearty Southern breakfasts and comfort food to refined interpretations of regional cuisine. Throughout town, you'll also find excellent slow-smoked barbecue, shrimp and grits, and homemade biscuits.