2 NC college towns rank among the best in the South. What makes them special?
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- Southern Living asked readers to share the best college towns in the South.
- Chapel Hill ranks No. 2 and Boone is No. 5 in the region.
- The North Carolina towns were praised for their attractions and downtown businesses.
As college basketball steps into the spotlight, two North Carolina destinations have been named ideal places for a taste of campus life.
Chapel Hill ranks No. 2 and Boone is No. 5 on a list of the best college towns in the South, according to results published Thursday, March 12.
“School pride is just a small part of the equation for these places that effortlessly blend town and gown to create one vibrant community,” Southern Living magazine wrote in its report. “Whether you’re celebrating college football with a legendary tailgate or strolling Main Street in search of delicious food and unique shopping, these college towns deliver on all fronts.”
To determine the top 10 college towns, Southern Living said it teamed up with researchers at Proof Insights. From July 9 to Sept. 9, they conducted an online survey asking readers to “rate their favorite places across the South.”
Why NC college towns rank high
The survey garnered more than 17,000 responses across several South’s Best categories. When it came to the college towns, Southern Living called the top 10 winners “lively communities that are known for offering art, culture, and school spirit in spades.”
Of the two North Carolina destinations that earned spots on the regional list, Chapel Hill ranked the highest at No. 2. Southern Living said the Triangle town of roughly 64,000 people is closely “intertwined” with the University of North Carolina’s flagship campus.
“Several of the town’s top attractions, including the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center and the Ackland Art Museum, are affiliated with the university,” the magazine wrote. “Everyone gathers on Franklin Street, the town’s historic thoroughfare that’s full of restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, shops, and more.”
Southern Living shared the results as just as March Madness is getting underway. The UNC Tar Heels basketball teams are set to compete in the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments, The News & Observer reported.
Also on the Southern Living list, Boone took the No. 5 spot. The town, a roughly 85-mile drive west from Winston-Salem, is home to Appalachian State University and about 20,000 residents. While the Mountaineers didn’t make it to the NCAA basketball tournaments this year, the college town still has a lot to be proud of.
“The sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains are unrivaled here,” the magazine wrote. “Appalachian State students and visitors from near and far spend the weekend marveling at their splendor. But increasingly, there are more things to do than just hike. The downtown bustles with businesses both old and new.”
Across the South, the No. 1 college town was Athens, Georgia, home to the University of Georgia. Here are the other cities that landed in the top five:
- Charleston, South Carolina, at No. 3
- Knoxville, Tennessee, at No. 4
Southern Living didn’t immediately respond to a request for additional information on Thursday, March 19. In the past, it has considered the South to consist of the following places: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia, The N&O previously reported.
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 12:29 PM with the headline "2 NC college towns rank among the best in the South. What makes them special?."
