It's No Big Secret This Funky Southern City Was Named One Of America's Best College Towns

It's official: Austin has been named the best college town in America for the third year in a row. Based on an annual analysis examining everything from the cost of living to crime rate to academic and economic opportunities to social environment, Austin has come out on top once again.

Although no one can accuse Austin of having cheap living costs anymore (they ranked 191 in that category), the quality and location of its institutions combined with the fun things to do outside of class makes it a fantastic place to spend your college years. Austin's unofficial slogan, "Keep Austin Weird", was coined in 2000 as a battle cry to keep the unique local small businesses and offbeat vibe of the city intact as the population grew and corporations began moving in.

Although a significant part of the city's "weird" personality has dwindled with the death of local legend Leslie Cochran and the closing of institutions like Lucy in Disguise With Diamonds or the original Threadgill's, you can still find pockets of the artsy Austin vibe all over the city.

Austin's official slogan has been "Live Music Capital of the World" since 1991, and that still rings true today. Perhaps you want to visit hallowed institutions like Antone's, Emo's, Stubb's, or The Continental Club. Maybe you prefer attending big events like SXSW Music Festival or Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park.

Whether it's listening to an acoustic guitar on a patio or laying in the grass with half a million of your closest friends listening to the biggest bands in the world, you can always find it in Austin. Aside from the banquet of musical options to choose from, the nightlife in Austin is hard to beat.

For those who desire the college bar scene, there's old school dives like Blind Pig Pub or Shakespeare's Pub on 6th Street. Historic Rainey Street has become a sought-after nightlife destination in recent years as old bungalows were bought up and converted to bars and restaurants. Among those is Lustre Pearl, a go-to spot for both craft cocktails and lawn games. For a simple night out with good beer on a patio, check out The Stay Put.

Don't sleep on South Congress for a dose of that famous unique Austin culture. You could spend hours browsing funky local shops like Allens Boots, Feathers Vintage, or Monkey See, Monkey Do. Plus, there are some seriously great places to eat. The Meteor offers the strange but delightful combination of food, wine, coffee, and cycling culture.

Although Jo's Coffee has gained popularity in recent years for their "I Love You So Much" mural, they've been serving up delicious coffee and breakfast tacos since 1999. Home Slice is rightfully famous for their New York-style pizza, but you should definitely try their incredible Italian sub as well.

One of the crowning jewels of the Austin landscape is Lady Bird Lake. The reservoir snakes its way through the middle of downtown offering countless amenities along the way. Although it's not safe to swim in, residents enjoy boating, kayaking, and canoeing on the water. You can always find walkers, cyclists, and joggers using the 14.5 miles of trails surrounding the lake or the amazing pedestrian bridges. When the weather is nice, remote workers and students alike can be found with their laptops out enjoying the gorgeous outdoor spaces along the shore like Butler Metro Park or Zilker Park