Get your game face on in football college towns
You don’t have to be present for game day to appreciate the enthusiastic ambiance of a great football town. Here are three places that might appeal to the sports fans in your family:
Ann Arbor, Michigan: It’s all about the maize and blue in a community where the University of Michigan Wolverines capture the town’s attention every fall.
Those lucky enough to snag tickets to “The Big House,” as the 100,000-plus-seat stadium is called, will revel in the sweet smell of barbecue as fans fire up their grills before the game. While in town, enjoy breakfast at Zingerman’s, a local fan favorite, and visit the botanical garden. Stay at the centrally located Graduate Hotel, where you’ll appreciate the classic collegiate inspiration.
Boise, Idaho: This capital city, named by French Canadian fur trappers, is a destination known for its outdoor activities, a thriving culinary scene and an enthusiastic fan base that comes out in force to support the Boise State Broncos. You’ll want to ride bikes or stroll along the wooded Boise River. On game day, the “Smurf Turf ” — the artificial blue field at Albertsons Stadium — is center stage for the action.
Columbus, Ohio: Each year, Buckeye fever rises to red-hot as fans prepare for the annual rivalry with the Michigan Wolverines. For every home game, expect tailgate parties around the Horseshoe, as the stadium is known, and enthusiastic support for The Ohio State Marching Band Skull Session, a pregame music fest. In town, visit the world-famous Columbus Zoo and the Center of Science and Industry, and explore the historic German Village.