"America's Cool College Towns"

No mention of an Iowa town...but an interesting topic...I have been to three from this article (Boulder, Madison & Ann Arbor) and have enjoyed all three towns...

America's cool college towns - CNN.com

I really hope you wern't expecting to see Iowa City or especially Ames on that list...

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Originally Posted by dtclones

I really hope you wern't expecting to see Iowa City or especially Ames on that list...

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that's kind of a dick thing to say.

I've spent a lot of time in Madison and it doesn't have much on Ames except population and the enjoyment of their fart aroma.

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Originally Posted by clones_jer

that's kind of a dick thing to say.

I've spent a lot of time in Madison and it doesn't have much on Ames except population and the enjoyment of their fart aroma.

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And 2 good sized lakes.

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Originally Posted by Cyrok

And 2 good sized lakes.

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that are a complete pain in the *** to drive around

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Originally Posted by Cyrok

And 2 good sized lakes.

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Which are only usable for things that are fun for about 6 months of the year (4 if you don't own a drysuit).

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Originally Posted by Cyrok

And 2 good sized lakes.

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So The University of Okoboji should be on that list as they have 6 lakes? Honestly I have been to Madison as well and other than Halloween weekend it seemed like Ames to me. I am not saying Ames should be on there, but Madison shouldnt be either

(Yes I know the U of Okoboji doesnt actually exist)

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Originally Posted by clones_jer

that's kind of a dick thing to say.

I've spent a lot of time in Madison and it doesn't have much on Ames except population and the enjoyment of their fart aroma.

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Hey now, easy on the dick comments. I didn't say anything about Madison being a great town, all I meant is that Ames and Iowa City don't compare to a lot of college towns out there. There's nothing wrong with either of them and they are decent towns but there also isn't anything special about them. ISU's campus is way underrated and gets left out of a lot of polls like this, but as far as Ames as a college town, it's pretty mediocre.

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Originally Posted by dtclones

Hey now, easy on the dick comments. I didn't say anything about Madison being a great town, all I meant is that Ames and Iowa City don't compare to a lot of college towns out there. There's nothing wrong with either of them and they are decent towns but there also isn't anything special about them. ISU's campus is way underrated and gets left out of a lot of polls like this, but as far as Ames as a college town, it's pretty mediocre.

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This is true...I do agree with you. And I am not ripping either campus (if EIU is actually a campus)! Or for that matter UNI's...very nice campus...but the towns they are all located in do not really stand out from many other towns in the USA. I like all three towns...but would I travel to visit any of them? Doubt it.

I've been to 6 of these places...this is a pretty eclectic list. A few comments:

+ Chapel Hill is nice
+ Not sure I would call Austin a "town"
+ Oxford is very similar to Ames IMO except its downtown is closer to campus and more quaint
+ I would rate Charlottesville as the best on this last (of the 6 I have been to)...far and away

Just thinking...I am surprised Athens, GA did not make this list just based upon reading the article.

It takes numbers, i.e...decent sized population... to create "cool college towns"...at least to the level to get on a list like this. Both Des Moines and ISU would have benefited greatly if the university had been established in the state capital, rather than in Ames.

Pls don't take this as an Ames vs DSM thing. It is just an observation that I believe is pretty universally understood. ie.....increase population = increased amenities.

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Originally Posted by cyfanatic

No mention of an Iowa town...but an interesting topic...I have been to three from this article (Boulder, Madison & Ann Arbor) and have enjoyed all three towns...

America's cool college towns - CNN.com

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Boulder, Colorado (University of Colorado)
In a town that always pops up on "healthiest cities in America" lists, bike trails are abundant and outdoor options are endless.
The Wild West begins along Baseline Road in Boulder, in the foothills of the Rockies known as the Flatirons, for their sharply angled faces. Rent climbing shoes from Neptune Mountaineering, whose in-store museum features dozens of ice axes and an early pair of Rossignol skis.
Local taste: The Chautauqua National Historic Landmark, built in the 1800s as a Methodist retreat, now serves up salmon with salsa verde on a wraparound porch. The on-site summer-camp-type cottages provide eagle-eye views toward the flatlands.


That town reeks of pot.

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Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

It takes numbers, i.e...decent sized population... to create "cool college towns"...at least to the level to get on a list like this. Both Des Moines and ISU would have benefited greatly if the university had been established in the state capital, rather than in Ames.

Pls don't take this as an Ames vs DSM thing. It is just an observation that I believe is pretty universally understood. ie.....increase population = increased amenities.

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This is spot on. I think the benefits to both DSM and ISU would be huge if the school would have been located in the capital city.

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Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

It takes numbers, i.e...decent sized population... to create "cool college towns"...at least to the level to get on a list like this. Both Des Moines and ISU would have benefited greatly if the university had been established in the state capital, rather than in Ames.

Pls don't take this as an Ames vs DSM thing. It is just an observation that I believe is pretty universally understood. ie.....increase population = increased amenities.

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Sure there would be some mutual benefits to having a large university in a large city, but then I don't think it could be considered a "college town." UW is in Seattle, but I didn't consider Seattle a "college town."