Upstate NY city named one of best college towns in U.S. Here's why

Emily Barnes, New York State Team

Rochester is packed with college culture as it's home to four campuses, plus a couple more on the outskirts, and now it's being recognized for it.

The Flower City was recently featured in media publication Thrillist's Best College Towns in the U.S. list, where Rochester and 19 other cities were named ideal college towns for their sports, traditions, food and nearby activities for students.

"From campuses set high in the Rocky Mountains to football stadiums nestled in happy valleys, the college towns below all offer unforgettable memories — whether you're an alum back on campus for homecoming or you just want a weekend away from your everyday life," the article states.

Here's why Rochester made the list.

What makes Rochester a 'best college town'

The new SHED (Student Hall for Exploration and Development) on the campus at Rochester Institute of Technology in Henrietta Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
The new SHED (Student Hall for Exploration and Development) on the campus at Rochester Institute of Technology in Henrietta Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.

Two words: Garbage Plates. That's really what sets Rochester apart, according to Thrillist.

"The heaping serving of macaroni salad, a cheeseburger patty, hot dogs, and French fries originated at Nick Tahou Hots and is now a citywide staple," the article reads. "And Rochester's confluence of students from the University of Rochester, RIT, and nearby SUNYs at Brockport and Geneseo have made it the stuff of late-night legends."

Rochester's also "teeming with college-friendly culture" thanks to the Neighborhood of Play and the Strong National Museum of Play's new World Video Game Hall of Fame. Another big contributor is the city's "staggering high concentration of breweries per capita," as the article includes a special nod to the Genesee Brew House.

And if you're looking for a "true scenic surprise," Thrillist says you'll find it just outside the Rochester area at Letchworth State Park.

Which other locations made the list

Although the cities and towns weren't officially ranked, Rochester came in sixth from the bottom of the list. Here's Thrillist's complete list of locations:

  • Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Athens, Georgia

  • Bloomington, Indiana

  • Boone, North Carolina

  • Boulder, Colorado

  • Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  • Clemson, South Carolina

  • Columbus, Ohio

  • Eugene, Oregon

  • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Madison, Wisconsin

  • Oxford, Mississippi

  • Providence, Rhode Island

  • Rochester, New York

  • San Marcos, Texas

  • State College, Pennsylvania

  • Tallahassee, Florida

  • Tempe, Arizona

  • Tuscon, Arizona

Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York State Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY named one of best college towns in U.S. Here's why

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