{"id":30072,"date":"2014-09-09T12:20:24","date_gmt":"2014-09-09T17:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=30072"},"modified":"2018-03-02T14:55:32","modified_gmt":"2018-03-02T20:55:32","slug":"the-absolute-5-best-college-football-towns-for-haters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/the-absolute-5-best-college-football-towns-for-haters\/","title":{"rendered":"The absolute 5 best college football towns for haters"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"At<\/a>

At Tallahassee’s Downtown Get Down, guests can mingle with cheerleaders, hear the band and enjoy tailgate food with attending the actual, you know, game. Credit Visit Tallahassee.<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s game time, and touchdowns and tailgating are in full swing. But not everyone is ready for some footballlll. Fortunately, these five great college towns offer plenty of amusements beyond the end zone. Here are our top picks for destinations that score big with football junkies and non-fans alike.<\/p>\n

AUSTIN, TEXAS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Take the University of Texas out of Austin, and what do you really have left? Plenty. Live music is ubiquitous in this self-proclaimed \u201clive music capital of the world,\u201d and you can\u2019t go wrong with a taping of PBS music show Austin City Limits<\/a>.<\/em> When you get hungry, browse the food trucks along South of Congress Avenue\u2014better known as SoCo. Also make reservations for a free guided walking tour<\/a> to explore the city\u2019s architecture, history and lore.<\/p>\n

Game day game plan:<\/strong> The night after a Longhorns victory, look for the 27-story-high UT Tower<\/a> to be glowing with orange light.<\/p>\n

EUGENE, OREGON<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

If the University of Oregon football isn\u2019t your bag, there are lots of other ways to get an adrenaline rush. Hike to the Salt Creek Falls Observation Site<\/a>, or head to the McKenzie River for rafting, fly fishing or mountain biking along the banks. Next, slow things down with a scenic drive to explore the region\u2019s covered bridges<\/a>; along the way, stop by one of the area\u2019s many wineries to taste what Oregon Pinot Noir is all about.<\/p>\n

Game day game plan:<\/strong> Hate the cold? No problem. Before home games, join thousands of Ducks fans for an indoor tailgate party at the Moshofsky Center.<\/p>\n

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

If the Florida State University Seminoles and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University Rattlers don\u2019t do it for you, spend your Saturday at the outdoor Tallahassee Downtown Market<\/a>. Also tour the Florida Historic Capitol Museum<\/a> for sweeping city views. From there, walk to Andrew\u2019s Capital Grill & Bar<\/a> for some of the best political people-watching in the state. As day turns to night, catch a live show at Bradfordville Blues Club or outdoor concert in Cascades Park.<\/p>\n

Game weekend game plan:<\/strong> Every Friday night before Saturday home games, fans of both teams head to the center of town for two celebrations<\/a>: the Downtown Get Down on Adams Street and the Friday Night Block Park in Kleman Plaza. Both events include live music, food vendors, street performers, kids\u2019 activities and more.<\/p>\n

MANOA, HAWAII<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors isn\u2019t just football paradise; it\u2019s actual paradise. Hike the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail<\/a> for gorgeous coastal views, then head to Manoa Marketplace for the semi-weekly farmer\u2019s market. To pick up the pace, go three miles west to indulge in Honolulu\u2019s world-class restaurants, shopping, spas, historical landmarks\u2026 We could go on.<\/p>\n

Game day game plan:<\/strong> Visit a local florist to pick up a ti plant, which fans wave at Aloha Stadium<\/a> (what did you expect it to be named?) for good luck.<\/p>\n

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The University of Notre Dame catapulted this quiet Midwest town into the spotlight. But even if you don\u2019t know the Fighting Irish from a bar of Irish Spring, you\u2019ll appreciate the Potawatomi Zoo and Wellfield Botanical Gardens. And while everyone else is noshing on stadium footlongs and cheap beer, treat yourself to a tour of the South Bend Chocolate Factory and Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Game day game plan:<\/strong> On Saturdays, 2 \u00bd hours before kickoff, catch a free performance<\/a> by the school\u2019s glee club at the serene Hesburgh Library Reflecting Pool.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where to go when not everybody’s ready for some football.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":30075,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1695,44,39],"tags":[92,72,1565],"class_list":["post-30072","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations","category-florida","category-hawaii","tag-florida-vacations","tag-hawaii-vacations","tag-texas-vacation"],"acf":{"api_active":null,"api_title":null,"api_excerpt":null,"api_featured_image":null,"api_lob":null},"posts_api_cpm_point":[{"name":"","description":"","thumbnail":"","address":"Oregon, USA","latitude":"43.8041334","longitude":"-120.55420119999997","icon":"\/images\/icons\/marker.png"}],"yoast_head":"\nThe absolute 5 best college football towns for haters | Orbitz<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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