Pullman, Washington

Pullman is the site of the largest and original campus of Washington State University (WSU), an NCAA Division I school. A member of the Pac 10 Conference, WSU is well known for its veterinary medicine, engineering, agriculture, pharmacy and communications schools. Pullman sits on four major hills that divide the city into nearly equal quarters: Military Hill (north west), Pioneer Hill (south east), College Hill (north east), Sunnyside Hill (south west). The town was originally named Three Forks, after the three small rivers that converge there: Missouri Flat Creek, Dry Fork, and the South Fork of the Palouse River. The city was later renamed after railroad carmaker George Pullman. The town hosts the National Lentil Festival, held annually during harvest season. The Pullman area is dry and clear for much of the year, with hot dry summers and cold wet winters.
Seven miles to the east of Pullman is Moscow, Idaho (also recommended by SmallTownGems.com) and the University of Idaho, another land grant university. A paved bike path (the Bill Chipman Trail) links the two towns.