Two Alabama cities nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Small College Towns in the country

This year’s version of the USA Today reader’s choice awards is rolling on and two more small-town gems are up for the same category.

Jacksonville and Florence have both been nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Small College Towns, making a list of 20 finalists from across the country.

You can vote once per day through the end of the month with the top 10 officially being announced on April 9.

Keep reading to learn more about both college towns + why USA Today’s panel nominated each of them.

Florence — University of North Alabama

Florence is home to the University of North Alabama, the oldest four-year public university in the state.

But the college town is welcoming to more than just students, giving a variety of options for visitors while holding on to its small-town feel.

“Florence is a small town with a large presence. Part of the area known as The Shoals — Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals — music has been central to the area since the 1960s, when legendary studios like FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound began recording some of the world’s biggest hit songs. Today, you can find live music every night in The Shoals, and the university’s entertainment program has been a forerunner in educating generations of musicians and industry professionals.”

USA Today 10Best

Planning a trip to Florence sometime soon? Here’s a list of some of our recent stories featuring the city, UNA + the Shoals area:

• Happy 195th Birthday to UNA
• North Alabama wins share of regular season conference title
• Improvements coming soon to Florence’s beloved McFarland Park
• Florence’s GunRunner Boutique Hotel named best Boutique Hotel by USA Today
• Alabama’s oldest river bridge, The Old Railroad Bridge in Sheffield

Jacksonville — Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville may be one of the oldest cities in the state but the growth of Jacksonville State University and the nearby downtown district has garnered more attention in recent years.

The school first opened in Jacksonville in 1883 and one thing that hasn’t changed over the last century is the town’s quick access to plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

“Situated near the Appalachian Mountains, it’s known as the “Gem of the Hills.” Visitors love riding Alabama’s first rails-to-trails bike path known as the Chief Ladiga Trail that wends through town, and birders find much to admire along the North Alabama Birding Trail. Jacksonville’s theater scene is also a big draw in this college town, with productions at both the university and the Community Actors Studio Theatre.”

USA Today 10Best

Books, brews + bites: Exploring the historic Jacksonville square

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