You dropped your kiddo off at college. You survived the Target run, assembled the dorm room, figured out the meal plan, and hopefully made it out of town without crying in the passenger seat.
Now comes the fun part: getting to know the place they’ll call home for the next four years.
College towns across the SEC are about so much more than Saturdays in the stadium. They’re full of incredible restaurants, independent shops, music, museums, trails, historic neighborhoods, and plenty of reasons to make the drive long after move-in day.
Consider this your excuse to plan the next visit around something other than a football game.
Columbia, South Carolina
University of South Carolina
THE VIBE
Capital-city energy meets college-town charm.
KNOWN FOR
The Congaree River, Soda City Market, The Vista, Southern food and, of course, the Gamecocks. But Columbia is more than its college-town identity: As South Carolina’s capital, it brings together a lively downtown, arts and culture, outdoor recreation and a growing restaurant scene.
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Graduate Columbia
A playful, collegiate-inspired stay close to campus and downtown.
Hotel Trundle
A boutique option housed in three historic buildings in the heart of downtown.
The Lantern Hotel
A one-of-a-kind boutique stay in a restored historic fire station at the center of The Vista.
EAT THIS
Motor Supply Co. Bistro – A Columbia classic for a memorable dinner.
Halls Chophouse Columbia– For when Mom and Dad are picking up the tab.
The War Mouth– A converted auto shop serving up locally-sourced, Southern-inspired fare and craft cocktails.
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli– A casual breakfast stop worth getting up for.
Di Prato’s Delicatessen– An easygoing lunch spot for sandwiches, salads, and more.
GET OUTSIDE
Follow the Three Rivers Greenway along the Congaree, or make the short drive to Congaree National Park for hiking, paddling and one of the most unique natural landscapes in the Southeast. If you’re staying closer to campus, the riverfront makes for an easy afternoon escape.
SHOP + STROLL
Start in The Vista, Columbia’s walkable downtown district filled with restaurants, galleries, boutiques and bars. Then head toward Five Points for more local shops and restaurants. If your visit happens to fall on a Saturday, don’t miss Soda City Market.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
University of Alabama
THE VIBE
Roll Tide, yes. But there’s a whole town beyond Bryant-Denny.
KNOWN FOR
Alabama football, the Black Warrior River, historic campus traditions and a growing food, arts and culture scene.
Tuscaloosa is a town where football is practically a second language, but parents who venture beyond Bryant-Denny Stadium will find a city with plenty of personality. The river gives the town an outdoor backbone, while downtown and nearby Northport offer shopping, restaurants, history, and culture.
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Hotel Capstone
A classic option right on the University of Alabama campus.
The Alamite
A newer, upscale downtown hotel that’s ideal for a weekend in town.
AC Hotel Tuscaloosa Downtown
Modern, walkable and convenient for exploring downtown.
EAT THIS
Chuck’s Fish– A Tuscaloosa institution for seafood and sushi.
River– A polished option alongside the river for a parents’ dinner.
Dreamland BBQ– You can’t come to Tuscaloosa without trying the legendary ribs at the original Dreamland, which opened here in 1958.
DePalma’s Italian Cafe– A longtime local favorite serving Italian classics, pizza and pasta in a cozy downtown setting.
Rama Jama’s– An old-school diner practically in the shadow of Bryant-Denny Stadium, covered wall-to-wall in Alabama football memorabilia.
City Cafe– Known for classic Southern comfort food and its beloved meat-and-three lunches, just a short drive over the river to Northport.
Evangeline’s– A longtime favorite for a more leisurely Southern meal.
GET OUTSIDE
Spend an afternoon along the Black Warrior River or explore the Riverwalk. For a longer outdoor escape, head to Lake Tuscaloosa for fishing, water sports, and boating adventures.
SHOP + STROLL
Explore downtown Tuscaloosa before crossing the river into Northport, where you’ll find historic streets, independent businesses and a distinctly local feel.
Oxford, Mississippi
University of Mississippi
THE VIBE
Literary, leisurely and very good at dinner.
KNOWN FOR
The Square, William Faulkner, Ole Miss, independent shops, live music and one of the South’s most beloved college-town atmospheres.
Oxford may be one of the easiest SEC towns to fall for. The historic Square is its cultural and commercial heart, packed with restaurants, boutiques, galleries and bookstores. Then, there’s Rowan Oak, the former home of William Faulkner, plus the Grove and Ole Miss campus.
It’s a town that rewards wandering and lingering over dinner.
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Graduate Oxford
Steps from the Square, with a playful collegiate-meets-boutique personality.
The Oliver Hotel
A sophisticated downtown option with historic character.
The Inn at Ole Miss
The move for parents who want to stay right on campus.
EAT THIS
City Grocery– A must for a classic Oxford dinner.
Saint Leo– Wood-fired Italian in a stylish setting.
Ajax Diner– Quintessential Southern comfort food.
Bottletree Bakery– Coffee, breakfast, and pastries.
Snackbar– A lively Southern brasserie known for oysters, craft cocktails and creative dishes that blend Southern ingredients with global flavors.
Proud Larry’s– Pizza, drinks and live music.
Taylor Grocery– Worth the short drive outside town for legendary fried catfish.
GET OUTSIDE
Walk Bailey Woods to Rowan Oak, or spend the day at Sardis Lake for boating, fishing and shoreline recreation.
SHOP + STROLL
The Square. Full stop.
Start at Square Books, then browse local boutiques, galleries and Neilson’s Department Store, a longtime Oxford institution. Give yourself permission to wander without a shopping agenda.
Photo By Bryan Redding
Athens, Georgia
University of Georgia
THE VIBE
Creative, funky, musical and just the right amount of weird
KNOWN FOR
Live music, indie shops, UGA, food, art and a creative culture that has been producing musicians and artists for decades.
Athens has long had a reputation as one of the South’s great music towns and there’s plenty more to discover. Downtown is packed with independent businesses, while Five Points and Normaltown each offer their own distinct personalities.
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Hotel Indigo Athens
Downtown, stylish and easy to explore on foot.
The Athenian
A beautifully restored boutique inn, steps from downtown Athens.
The Rivet House
A more intimate, design-forward stay for a quieter weekend.
EAT THIS
The National– Mediterranean-inspired and perfect for a longer dinner.
Last Resort Grill– An Athens classic.
Mama’s Boy– The parents’ weekend breakfast move.
Cali N Tito’s– Causal, colorful and beloved by locals.
Five & Ten– For a more elevated Southern dinner.
GET OUTSIDE
Spend an afternoon at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, explore Sandy Creek Nature Center or hit the trails around Sandy Creek Park.
SHOP + STROLL
Start downtown along Clayton Street for boutiques, vintage stores, records and local makers. Then head to Five Points or Normaltown to see a different side of Athens.
Knoxville, Tennessee
University of Tennessee
THE VIBE
Big-city amenities with Appalachian soul.
KNOWN FOR
The Tennessee River, Market Square, the Old City, Appalachian culture and easy access to some seriously good outdoor recreation.
Knoxville might be the biggest surprise on this list. It’s a legitimate city with a college-town soul, which means parents can spend an entire weekend here without running out of things to do.
Downtown alone packs restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, parks and plenty of places to grab a drink.
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The Oliver Hotel
Boutique, historic and right on Market Square.
Graduate Knoxville
A playful, college-inspired option near UT.
The Tennessean Hotel
A polished, upscale choice downtown.
EAT THIS
J.C. Holdway– A memorable dinner rooted in Appalachian ingredients.
Emilia– Italian-inspired and perfect for a parents’ night out.
Stock & Barrel– Burgers, whiskey and a casual downtown vibe.
A Dopo Sourdough Pizza– One of the city’s go-to pizza spots.
Calhoun’s on the River– Casual dining with Tennessee River views.
GET OUTSIDE
This is where Knoxville really shines. Explore Ijams Nature Center and the Knoxville Urban Wilderness, which offers miles of hiking and biking trails. You can also get out on the Tennessee River or make the drive toward the Great Smoky Mountains.
SHOP + STROLL
Spend an afternoon around Market Square, then wander through the Old City for independent shops, restaurants and galleries. For more shopping, head toward Bearden.
The SEC Parent Bucket List
Because eventually, you won’t need an excuse to visit anymore.
COLUMBIA: Catch Soda City Market, explore the river and eat your way through The Vista.
TUSCALOOSA: Spend a day on the Black Warrior River, explore Northport and find your new favorite restaurant.
OXFORD: Walk the Square, visit Rowan Oak and stay for dinner.
ATHENS: Catch live music, browse the vintage shops and spend an afternoon at the botanical garden.
KNOXVILLE: Hike the Urban Wilderness, wander Market Square and get on the river.
Your kid may have gone to college in these towns, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who get to have fun there.
So go ahead. Visit for the football game. Stay for the weekend. And maybe, just maybe, let them know you’re coming.
