Auburn, Alabama

With first settlers dating back to the 1830s, one of the first investments ever made in Auburn, Alabama, was for its schools. Because of this, more and more families made their way into the city in seek of education. By 1858, out of its 1,000 residents, around 500 of them were students.

By the looks of it, it’s pretty clear that education is one of the city’s finest feats. After all, it’s also the home of Auburn University, which opened in 1859. Besides educational institutions, though, the city also has quite a passion for the arts. From dance schools to music groups, it also has the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, which displays 19th- and 20th-century artworks. Plus, they also have the Telfair Peet Theatre, which hosts plenty of musicals and plays every year.