Auburn is weirdly magnetic. You think you're just going for a game, and then suddenly you're three lemonades deep at Toomer's Drugs wondering if you could actually pull off wearing burnt orange every single day of your life. It’s the "Loveliest Village on the Plains," sure, but that nickname feels almost too dainty for a place that explodes with the energy of 85,000 people every Saturday in the fall. If you are looking for things to do Auburn Alabama offers a strange, perfect blend of high-intensity SEC sports culture and this surprisingly quiet, sophisticated botanical soul.
Most people mess up their trip by staying strictly within a two-block radius of the university. Big mistake. Huge. Honestly, if you don't venture out to the state parks or the weird little art nooks, you’re only getting half the story.
The Toomer’s Corner Rite of Passage
Look, we have to start here. It’s the law. Toomer’s Corner is the intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue, and it’s basically the heartbeat of the town. If Auburn wins a big game, this place gets absolutely buried in toilet paper. It looks like a blizzard hit a paper factory. Even when it’s not game day, you’ve gotta go to Toomer’s Drugs. They’ve been squeezing fresh lemonade there since 1896.
Is it the best lemonade you’ve ever had? Probably.
Is it tart enough to make your eyes water? Definitely.
You stand in that line, look at the vintage soda fountain, and realize this isn't some manufactured "Main Street USA" gimmick. It’s real. People have been coming here for generations. Pro tip: get the lemonade, but don't sleep on the grilled cheese or the ice cream. It’s simple, no-frills food that hits the spot when the Alabama humidity starts to feel like a wet wool blanket.
The Wild Side: Chewacla State Park
If you need to escape the brick buildings and the constant "War Eagle" chants, head a few minutes south to Chewacla State Park. It’s 696 acres of "I can’t believe this is right next to a college campus."
The star of the show is the 26-acre lake, but the real magic is in the trails. If you’re into mountain biking, the Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP) have done an incredible job building out trails that range from "leisurely stroll" to "I might actually die on this jump." The Falls View Trail takes you down to a waterfall that, while not Niagara, is peaceful enough to make you forget about your student loans or your job.
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The rock formations here are part of the Appalachian foothills. It’s rugged. It’s rocky. It’s a great place to go if you want to see what Alabama looked like before we paved everything. Bring a hammock. There are plenty of sturdy trees near the water where you can just hang out and watch the turtles pop their heads up.
Culture Without the Pretentiousness
Auburn isn't just football and lemonade. The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is legit. I’m talking works by Dalí, Picasso, and Renoir. The building itself is a piece of art, surrounded by curated gardens and a massive pond with "Spetch," a giant amber-colored glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly.
It’s free. Or rather, they suggest a donation, but it’s accessible to everyone.
Then there’s the Donald E. Davis Arboretum. It’s located right on campus and features hundreds of different plant species native to the Southeast. It’s a living laboratory. You can walk through different Alabama habitats—from the rocky coastal plains to the lush hills—all within a thirty-minute walk. It’s where the locals go when they need a moment of zen. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the carnivorous plant bog. Yes, plants that eat bugs. It’s fascinating and slightly terrifying.
The Culinary Shift
Auburn’s food scene has evolved. It’s not just fried chicken and biscuits anymore, though we still have plenty of that (and it’s delicious).
- Acre: Chef David Bancroft is a James Beard semi-finalist for a reason. They grow a lot of their own produce right on-site. The charcoal-grilled oysters? Life-changing. The chicken fried steak? It’s fancy but still feels like home.
- The Hound: This is where you go for bourbon and bacon. It’s rustic, loud, and the food is heavy in the best way possible. Their "Bacon Flight" is exactly what it sounds like.
- Amsterdam Café: Get the Turkey Sandwich. Trust me. It has melted havarti and cranberry ginger mayo. It’s been a staple for years and for good reason.
You’ll find that the "things to do Auburn Alabama" list is increasingly dominated by people traveling just to eat. The town has become a culinary pocket that rivals much larger cities like Birmingham or Atlanta, but without the two-hour wait times.
The Spirit of Jordan-Hare
We can’t talk about Auburn without talking about the stadium. Even if you aren't a sports fan, the energy of Jordan-Hare Stadium is visceral. If you can score a ticket to a game, do it. But the real spectacle happens before kickoff.
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The Eagle Flight.
A golden eagle (usually Nova or Aurea) or a bald eagle (Independence) is released from the top of the stadium and circles the crowd before landing at midfield. It is, without hyperbole, one of the coolest things in all of sports. The crowd goes silent, then erupts as the bird nears the ground. It’s a physical manifestation of the school’s "War Eagle" battle cry.
If it’s not game day, you can still visit the Southeastern Raptor Center. They do "Football, Fans, and Feathers" shows on Fridays before home games where you can see the birds up close and learn about their conservation efforts. These aren't just mascots; they are part of a massive rehabilitation program that helps injured birds of prey get back into the wild.
Shopping and The Local Vibe
Downtown Auburn is walkable. That’s its greatest strength. You can park your car and not touch it for two days.
Browse through J&M Bookstore for some old-school Auburn gear. It’s been there since 1953. Then wander over to Ellie Clothing or Behind the Glass if you want something a bit more stylish than a screen-printed t-shirt.
The vibe here is "Southern Professional." People dress up for things. You’ll see guys in polos and khakis and women in sundresses even when it’s 95 degrees out. It’s a specific kind of polish that defines the town.
Beyond the City Limits
If you have a car and an afternoon, drive about 15 minutes over to Opelika. It’s Auburn’s sister city, and it has a completely different feel. While Auburn is collegiate and polished, Opelika is industrial-cool.
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The downtown area, Historic Railroad Avenue, is full of refurbished warehouses. You’ve got John Emerald Distilling Company for local spirits and Red Clay Brewing Company for a pint of "Haymarket." The tracks run right through the middle of town, and yes, the trains still go by, shaking the windows of the restaurants. It adds character.
Things to do Auburn Alabama: The Practical Details
Auburn isn't huge, but it gets crowded.
Planning is key. If you’re coming for a graduation or a big football weekend (especially the Iron Bowl against Alabama), you need to book your hotel roughly six months to a year in advance. I’m not joking. Prices triple. If you want a quieter experience, come in the summer. The students are mostly gone, the streets are empty, and you can actually get a table at Acre without a reservation.
Getting Here:
The closest major airport is Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta (ATL). It’s about an hour and forty-five minute drive. There is a shuttle service called Groome Transportation that runs between the airport and Auburn multiple times a day. It’s incredibly convenient if you don't want to rent a car.
Weather Reality:
It is hot. No, you don't understand. It’s "humidity that feels like a physical weight" hot from June through September. If you’re doing the outdoor stuff like Chewacla or the Arboretum, do it at 8:00 AM. By 2:00 PM, you’ll want to be inside a museum or a movie theater.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your time in Auburn, follow this loose itinerary:
- Check the University Calendar: Before you book, see if there’s a home game or a major event like "A-Day" (the spring scrimmage). If you want peace, avoid these dates. If you want the party, embrace them.
- Download the ParkMobile App: Parking in downtown Auburn is strictly enforced and uses this app. Don't be the person with a yellow ticket on your windshield.
- Book Dining Reservations Early: Use OpenTable or Resy for Acre and The Hound at least two weeks out.
- Visit the Raptor Center: Check the official Auburn Raptor Center website for presentation times. It’s the most underrated thing in town.
- Walk the Tiger Trail: It’s like the Hollywood Walk of Fame but for Auburn athletes. It’s located in the downtown sidewalk areas and is a great way to learn the history while you shop.
Auburn is one of those places that feels like a small town but thinks like a big city. It’s a place where tradition is heavy, but the food and art scenes are constantly pushing forward. Whether you’re there to scream your lungs out at Jordan-Hare or just want to sit by a waterfall at Chewacla, you’ll find that the "loveliest village" lives up to the hype. Just don't forget to grab a lemonade on your way out. Seriously. Get the lemonade.