The next time you find yourself seeking a gay-friendly, reasonably priced, manageable vacation destination that would be ideal for a two- to three-day vacation, consider choosing one of the nation’s dozens of hip and vibrant college towns. These communities tend to offer plenty to see and do, both in terms of cultural attractions and cool dining and nightlife options. And many cities dominated by academic institutions tend to be overwhelming progressive and gay-friendly – easy places to feel comfortable walking arm-in-arm with a same-sex companion, or perhaps to meet new friends.

Here are 10 favorite towns and small cities around the United States where the collegiate vibe is strong, especially in autumn, with students back on campus.

In eastern central Michigan, less than an hour from Detroit, hip and lively Ann Arbor is one of the Midwest best-kept gay travel secrets. Among America’s largest educational institutions, the city’s University of Michigan (U of M) has long been a beacon of liberal politics, high culture and vibrant campus living. It is the primary attraction for many of the city’s 115,000 residents. For the many gays and lesbians, the sense of community and the overwhelming tolerance of the university, the police and government officials make this a wonderful place to call home. The city’s human-scale downtown and spirited campus meld together almost imperceptibly, each feeding off the energy of the other. Visitors appreciate several superb museums at the University of Michigan and the many great restaurants and several gay-friendly nightspots downtown, with Aut Bar being the most famous.

Stay: Comprising a pair of homey, charming homes within a short walk of U of M campus, the Burnt Toast Inn (burnttoastinn.com) supplies guests with robes, slippers and yoga mats – a hearty full breakfast is included.

The home of the pine-shaded, rolling campus of Western Washington University, outdoorsy and scenic Bellingham hugs the shoreline of Bellingham Bay, affording spectacular views of the nearby San Juan Islands. Just a 75-minute drive south of Vancouver, BC and a 90-minute drive north of Seattle, this bustling city of about 82,000 has a lively downtown buzzing with craft breweries and artisan coffeehouses – the Woods Coffee, with a patio overlooking the water is an especially inviting hangout. In the historic Fairhaven section of town, you’ll find several blocks of quirky boutiques and cafes. This is a wonderful town if you’re a fan of hiking, biking and kayaking.

Stay: Perched on a bluff with commanding views of the waterfront and situated just a short walk from charming Fairhaven village, the casually elegant Chrysalis Inn and Spa (thechrysalisinn.com) is a perfect roost for accessing Bellingham’s great outdoors or simply treating yourself to a cushy spa retreat.

About a third of the 112,000 residents of Berkeley work for or attend U.C. Berkeley, whose reputation for liberal politics and academic excellent date back generations. This largely accounts for the heavy presence of lesbians (many of whom were among the pioneers of West Coast feminism) and gay men who have long resided here. Tourists sometimes overlook the city that’s just across the bay from San Francisco, but Berkeley has plenty going for it and is an excellent – and somewhat more affordable – option for lodging. There’s lots to do in this city that’s famous for not only for its free-spirited attitudes but also a beautiful botanical garden, the esteemed U.C. Berkeley Art Museum, and Shattuck Avenue’s "Gourmet Ghetto," a neighborhood of superb restaurants and markets headlined by Alice Waters’ renowned Chez Panisse and the Cheese Board Collective, which is famed for its crispy-crust pizzas and olive focaccia. The city is also home to one of the oldest gay bars on the West Coast, the White Horse Bar.

Stay: The stylish and intimate Hotel Shattuck Plaza (hotelshattuckplaza.com) has gorgeous rooms and close proximity to U.C. Berkeley campus and the stellar dining along Shattuck Avenue.

Attractive Boulder (population 98,000) lies just about an hour’s drive northwest of Denver and offers an enchanting, tree-shaded downtown loaded with cool shops and restaurants. A favorite place to live and visit among fans of outdoor recreation, eco-consciousness and alternative spiritualism, this gay-friendly town is a cycling, mountaineering and hiking mecca – it’s an ideal base for a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park and the even closer Eldora Ski Area. The University of Colorado Boulder accounts for the politically tolerant atmosphere and the strong appreciation residents have for the fine and performing arts. The city’s philharmonic orchestra is highly respected, and several music festivals draw thousands throughout the year.

Stay: The sleek, contemporary St. Julien Hotel & Spa (stjulien.com) is just a couple of blocks from the lively Pearl Street pedestrian mall, with its great shopping and café-hopping. Ask for a room with a mountain view, and consider treating yourself to the signature Canyon Rain soak, scrub and massage treatment in the hotel spa.

The largest city in one of the top states in the country when it comes to gay rights and LGBT-welcoming attitudes, Burlington (population 43,000) is home to University of Vermont and claims the state’s most visible queer community. It’s just 90 minutes south of Montreal and enjoys a stunning setting, with Lake Champlain on one side and the rugged Green Mountains on the other. Visitors appreciate the vast opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, plus downtown’s network of redbrick sidewalks, cozy coffeehouses, great music and bookstores, and cheap eateries.

Stay: Modern yet rustic Hotel Vermont (hotelvt.com) enjoys a handy downtown location overlooking Lake Champlain and, in the distance, New York’s Adirondack Mountains – try to reserve a room with this view. The décor in both guest room and public areas is artful and urbane, utilizing natural materials and earthy tones.

An idyllic, quaint university town prized for its charming downtown, Chapel Hill buzzes with great dining and shopping. The fast-growing city has a population of 58,000, many of whom are students at the prestigious University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, which is notable for its many historic, attractive buildings. Spend time strolling through the hipster-favored West End, with its many inviting restaurants and shops. You’ll find gay bars in nearby Durham and Raleigh, cities also noted for their university scenes, which revolve respectively around Duke University and North Carolina State.

Stay: Upscale and boutique-y, the Franklin Hotel (franklinhotelnc.com) is set along Chapel Hill’s liveliest thoroughfare and close to campus – rooms and suites are large and graciously furnished.

Home to the University of Oregon (U of O), this vibrant center for education, the arts, and outdoors activities has a vibrant, politically active LGBT community. The Willamette River curves in a southeasterly direction through Eugene (population 160,000), fringed with bike trails and walkways and traversed by a couple of pedestrian bridges. Beyond hiking and biking, favorite activities include wine-touring in the surrounding Willamette Valley and exploring the locavore-driven dining, coffeehouse, and brewpub scene downtown and, especially, in the up-and-coming Whiteaker neighborhood.

Stay: Steps from the indie shops and restaurants of Fifth Street Public Market, the hip and elegant Inn at the 5th (innat5th.com) has 70 rooms outfitted with gas fireplaces, cozy window seats, and high-tech amenities – on-site perks include a wine-tasting room and spa.

Sure, when you think of Florida vacations, you’re probably inclined to head to the coast, but don’t forget charming Gainesville (population 128,000), which is home to University of Florida. In the downtown core, you’ll find a wealth of hip hangouts, from the lively University Club gay bar to mainstream but LGBT-popular eateries like Volta Coffee and The Top tavern. And if you are craving a visit to the beach, take heart – historic St. Augustine and its sandy beaches are just a 90-minute drive east.

Stay: It may be part of a predictable chain, but the Hampton Inn & Suites Gainesville-Downtown (hamptoninnandsuitesgainesville.com) has a terrific central location steps from downtown dining and nightlife, and the rooms are meticulously kept.

About 243,000 people live in this liberal stronghold of the northern Midwest, the state capital and home to the University of Wisconsin, which is also the district of openly lesbian U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin.  The city’s good vibes have inspired Money magazine to name it the best place to live in America. Other notable rankings include its selection as one of Outside magazine’s "Dream Towns," one of Bicycling magazine’s "Best Bicycling Cities," and one of Cosmo’s top cities for finding single men straight and gay. At the same time, Madison has a unified and highly visible feminist community. Much of the cultural and entertainment action here revolves around the University of Wisconsin, which lies along the beautiful shores of Lake Mendota.

Stay: Steps from Lake Mendota, the stately Gothic Revival Livingston Inn (livingstoninnmadison.com) contains four smartly furnished rooms with working fireplaces.

This coastal Connecticut city just 90 minutes by train from New York City enjoyed a dramatic renaissance over the past decade. New Haven (population 130,000) is a cultural powerhouse, with a rich history, dynamic and in some cases cutting-edge architecture, a critically acclaimed theater scene, and Yale University’s academic prestige. More recently, New Haven has seen an influx of fantastic restaurants, hip shopping and trendy nightspots, making this gay-friendly, well-educated city a highly appealing weekend retreat.

Stay: The comfy and contemporary New Haven Hotel (newhavenhotel.com) has spacious rooms, a large fitness center, and a great location within easy walking distance of gay bars, the city’s atmospheric Little Italy (be sure to dine at historic Frank Pepe’s pizzeria), the downtown Village Green and Yale’s stately Gothic-style campus..