In the September 2008 issue of the National Geographic Adventure Magazine, which hit stands today, you’ll find the 50 Next Great Adventure Towns in the US. These cities on the rise are not only great for visiting—they’re even better for living in. What’s more—almost every town listed (with the exception of maybe one or two) has a college or university nearby. For all you adventure-seekers, OTR has picked out the best college towns for you from that list. Here is the Top 8:

San Francisco, CA
Choose from San Francisco State University, University of San Francisco, Golden Gate University, or even nearby UC Berkeley or Stanford—it’s impossible not to find a school fit for you in SF. Who wouldn’t want a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, or the homes from the opening credits of Full House?

Boston, MA
With over 20 colleges in the city and around 30 schools in the surrounding area, Boston gives San Fran a run for its money as one of the greatest adventure college towns. Whether you’re a diehard Red Sox fan, a history buff, or a sucker for Bah-ston accents—Boston is the perfect environment for a scholarly adventure.

State College, PA
The students of Penn State were a major factor in National Geographic’s decision to put State College on the list. After all, its name is a given as the ultimate college town; and with Mount Nittany nearby, it’s hard to keep the “lions” off the trails.
 

Seattle, WA
As home of the 16th ranked university in the world, University of Washington, Seattle is a sight to be seen (save for its weather). Catch it on a dry, sunny day and you’ll fall in love with the Emerald City. Grab a ferry on the Puget Sound, scale the Space Needle, order a tall orange mocha cappuccino at the first Starbucks store—the world is yours.

Milwaukee, WI
Beer, anyone? Milwaukee once had the honor of calling itself the “beer capital of the world” when it was home to 4 of the world’s largest breweries. Venture down the bar-lined streets outside Marquette University or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and you’ll find a beer drinker’s mecca.
 

Missoula, MT
On the western side of Montana lies the town of Missoula—home to the University of Montana. According to the city’s website, they’re proud to call themselves a ‘literate town’. Well, isn’t that special. Missoula may not be comparable to Boston or SF, but it does boast a number of wildlife habitat and recreational areas, as well as the headquarters for the largest cycling membership organization in North America.
 

Ogden, UT
One of the few to make National Geographic’s top 12 list of adventure towns, Ogden is the place to be if you seek an active lifestyle. Try hiking, climbing, fishing, cycling, kayaking, golfing, water skiing, snowboarding, or even skydiving. Ogden has it all. Plus, if you’re a zealous college basketball fan, check out Weber State University whose Division I basketball team is a powerhouse in the Big Sky Conference.

Chattanooga, TN
On the border of Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia, sits Chattanooga. While the bigger Tennessee cities (Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville) tend to steal the spotlight, Chattanooga is starting to make its way to the top as an ideal destination. Here, students of the University of Tennessee can enjoy a picturesque view of the city from the top of Lookout Mountain or the 7 bridges across the Tennessee River.