Ask the Mascot: Tips on Where to Live It Up in 5 U.S. College Towns

Fun-loving, high-energy, colorful … college mascots have all the traits of someone you’d love to hang out with. Yet they’ve been underrated as college-town travel ambassadors, until now.

Some, er, highly scientific mascot consultation has yielded the scoop on five U.S. college towns — where to eat and drink, where to watch the big game and what to do — from the campus to the city.

Whether you prioritize college basketball and college football or prefer dining and culture, there’s something for you. Mascot costumes might be fuzzy, but these tips are clear winners.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

University of Colorado Boulder

Mascot: Chip

Campus: Chip, the ultra-athletic buffalo mascot, charges around at Folsom Field, the home of Buffaloes football since 1924.

To emulate Chip’s torrid pace, run laps at Potts Field, the Olympic-style track-and-field venue, or check out a game at Prentup Field, the soccer field framed by the Rocky Mountains. Alternatively, enjoy the Fiske Planetarium‘s surreal laser rock shows.

City: Pearl Street attracts shoppers with outdoor gear, handcrafted gifts and independent bookstores. Sip chai at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, which spotlights Persian traditions. For great rock-climbing and hiking, explore the sandstone Flatirons outside Boulder

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Mascot: Rameses

Campus: Rameses, a boisterous ram, isn’t shy about butting into Alumni Hall, where you can celebrate Tar Heels GOATs by buying UNC jerseys, caps and other sports merch.

Get some fresh air at the Coker Arboretum or jump into a volleyball game on the Upper Quad. Seeking a ready-made tailgate party? It’s chicken and biscuits at Bojangles for the win!

City: From galleries like the Ackland Art Museum to music clubs like the Cat’s Cradle, Franklin Street is where the action’s at. Get to the Top of the Hill brewpub early on UNC game days. (Rameses digs the Goat Cheese Salad and Ram’s Head IPA.)

After a sweet victory, stroll over to Crumbl Cookies and grab some milk and a chocolate chip cookie.

University of Memphis

Mascot: Pouncer

Campus: Got an insatiable appetite for art and history? Pouncer — arguably Tennessee’s most exuberant tiger — will send you to the Art Museum of the University of Memphis. Its diverse collection features more than 1,400 ancient Egyptian artifacts.

City: From wailing guitars at B.B. King’s Blues Club to Sun Studios and Johnny Cash memorabilia at the 1876-founded A. Schwab store, Beale Street is a music lover’s dream.

At the nearby Arcade Restaurant, slide into the Elvis booth and commemorate the King with a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. Or go full carnivore with smoked hot wings and beef brisket at a barbecue spot like Corky’s Ribs & BBQ or Tops Bar-B-Q.

University of California, Los Angeles

Mascots: Josie Bruin and Joe Bruin

Campus: Josie Bruin and Joe Bruin couldn’t bear for you to miss the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. With trophies and video highlights, this 8,000-square-foot venue celebrates everyone from Jackie Joyner-Kersee to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Get a feel for campus culture by checking out Auguste Rodin’s The Walking Man at the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden or strolling through the seven-acre Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden.

City: Bruins fans love chowing down at Fat Sal’s Deli, a legendary hangout near campus; the Westwood establishment’s fan-favorite bite is The Fat Bruin. Or, consider grabbing a bite and a brew at Rocco’s Tavern, another classic hangout for the UCLA set.

Texas Tech University

Mascot: Raider Red

Campus: Raider Red brings a feisty cowboy spirit to Lubbock, and the Texas Tech mascot loves whooping it up near the 1950-created Will Rogers & Soapsuds statue.

Standing nearly 10 feet tall and weighing 3,200 pounds, this tribute to the legendary entertainer and his horse is wrapped in red crepe paper by fans before Red Raiders games.

City: For a pregame feast, Spanky’s, serving classic burgers and crispy chicken sandwiches, is the place to be, right by Jones AT&T Stadium.

For post-game festivities, gallop off to Broadway Street, sampling the 60-odd craft beers at Bier Haus and chimichangas at Chimy’s.