5 College Football Towns Near NYC That Bring The Boom
College football is officially back in action, and if you’re looking to catch some live sport beyond one of NYC’s sports bars, we’ve got you covered! If you’re a true sports person you know how much excitement comes with college football…from the crazy tailgates to the passionate fans. And while the Northeast and NYC are a little smaller on the scale of crazy football towns, there are a few that are worth a game day visit! Check out these electric college football towns near NYC that are worth a day or weekend trip.
1. Rutgers University – Piscataway, NJ
New Brunswick, New Jersey is unapologetically red, and the Scarlet Knights are a huge part of the fiber of the college town. The growing football culture in Rutger’s hometown has been bubbling for awhile, and has drastically risen since joining the Big 10 in 2014. They have a super dedicated fan base, a historic SHI Stadium, and tons of traditions (like tailgating, the Scarlet Walk, and more) that make it a great football watch. It’s one of our college football towns on the rise, if you will.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour
2. Penn State University – State College, PA
There’s a reason their chant is “WE ARE…PENN STATE” and that’s because it’s more than a culture…it’s a family. State College, the town the school is based in, is rightfully nicknamed “Happy Valley” quite literally because of how much the football team means to the college town. Every game day over 100,000 fans pack out Beaver Stadium to create an electric atmosphere that is rarely replicated in the Northeast.
Plus, there’s insane tailgates, local businesses decked out in Penn State colors, and so much more…everyone gets in on the action. They also have an incredible “White Out” tradition where all Nittany Lion fans dress in white to highlight the community’s deep connection to the team. This college town is the closest atmosphere you’ll find to those in the South.
Distance from NYC: 5 hours
3. Army – West Point, NY
Just a short ride up the Metro-North to West Point, NY is Army…a town who LOVES their football team. They have one of the most tradition-rich and patriotic college football programs in the country, winning multiple national championships and producing several Heisman Trophy winners over the years. Michie Stadium, home of the Army Black Knights, is one of the noisiest college football venues in the Northeast…complete with the stunning backdrop of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains.
Its town is centered around United States Military Academy, which means its communal military culture and spirit runs into the football program too. From cadet parades to tailgating, it’s one of the atmospheres you definitely need to check out.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes
4. Syracuse University – Syracuse, NY
With plenty of professional football alums, The Syracuse Orange football team is a heartbeat of the passionate Central New York city. Their athletics program across all sports is one of the best in the state, and their facilities (like the iconic JMA Wireless Dome [formerly known as the Carrier Dome]) are some of the best in the Northeast. Having one of the largest domed stadiums on a college campus and passionate fans tailgating through all hours of the day makes it one of the rowdiest towns and stadiums to watch college football.
Distance from NYC: 5 hours
5. Cornell University – Ithaca, NY
Cornell University is about 4 hours from the city, and the Ivy League’s juggernaut is one of the better college football towns in Upstate New York. While Cornell’s football program doesn’t have the college-town vibe is prominent as ever, offering a more intimate and laidback experience when there’s a game at Schoellkopf Field. Be sure to take in all of Ithaca, NY’s stunning natural beauty too while you’re in town…there’s waterfalls and hikes to be explored everywhere.
Distance from NYC: 4 hours
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