Whitney Jones posted a blog post
Seven Places to Visit and Things To Do Around Auburn
As graduation day quickly approaches, the May 2015 graduating class, including me, look back on their college years with a creeping sense of regret and anxiety. We think about all the things we haven't done while still inhabiting the Loveliest Village on the Plains. Some students may find themselves wondering, "Why haven't I ever walked on Pat Dye Field?" Some students might have more obscure places to visit, the list below has some popular and interesting places to visit in and around Auburn and the university that students should experience before they move away from the Loveliest Village.So grab this list, and if you’re leaving the paradise that is Auburn, go forth and conquer.1) Hang out in front of Samford Hall The iconic building that sums up the greatness Auburn encompasses is as beautiful as it is old. Built in 1888, Samford Hall was the main building for classes and even held the University’s library before RBD was constructed. Samford Hall represents the beauty and glory that is Auburn University. Tailgate for a home football game one weekend on the lawn, or just hang out with some friends on a nice day. Make sure to snap a picture while you’re there, because well, if you never had you picture in front of Samford, did you ever really go to Auburn?Information Source: Auburn University Picture Source: Wikipedia Commons2) Walk on Pat-Dye Field After years of cheering the Tigers on from the student section, experiencing all the highs and lows of seasons past, have you ever wondered what it would be like seeing the stadium from a player’s point of view? Looking up at the 87,451 seats from the 50-yard line and walking on the turf that has hosted numerous great players such as Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson and Cam Newton is an incredible experience. Don’t leave Auburn without stepping on the field. Information Source: Auburn University Picture Source: Whitney Jones3) Go to other Auburn sporting events besides football Okay guys, so football, especially Auburn football, may be a religious event for some people, and also one of the best sports to watch, but Auburn University has TONS, well more like 15, official NCAA sports that are fun to cheer on. Auburn University sports have won 18 total national championships- with its men and women’s Swimming and Diving teams holding 13 of these. We have had our Equestrian team win two championships within the last 8 years and many other sports that are just plain fun to watch. Many locals watch the Men's Baseball games on the top tier of the stadium parking deck because of the great view it provides. Plus with our new head coach for the men’s Basketball team, Bruce Pearl, Auburn will hopefully have some great seasons ahead.Information Source:Auburn Athletics Picture Source: AuburnTigers.com4) Go to Chewacla State Park Chewacla State Park is just a stone’s throw away from downtown Auburn. Located across I-85, Chewacla is home to miles and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, waterfalls (the main one is a roughly 50 foot man-made structure that leads to a base of boulders and streams that cut their way down to the adjacent creek that flows throughout the park) and picturesque scenery. Additionally, Chewacla houses a 26-acre lake that is perfect for swimming, canoeing, or fishing. Cabins surrounding the lake are also available for rent if you are in the mood for a weekend getaway. There are also smaller waterfalls around the park such as the one pictured above.Being surrounded by concrete all day long, whether you are on campus or in an apartment, gets monotonous after a while and taking a trip out to nature can rejuvenate your soul (and mostly likely the frazzled brain). Strap up your Eno hammock, bring a good book and take some time out of your day to stop and smell the nature.Information Source: Alabama State ParksPicture Source: Whitney Jones5) Go to Toomer’s Drugs and get its famous lemonadeToomer’s Drugs was first established in 1896 by Sheldon Toomer (he’s a pretty interesting guy) as a small drugstore at the corner of South College Street and Magnolia Avenue. Apart from the basics of a drugstore, Toomer’s sold old-fashion lemonade too. Over time Toomer’s changed ownership and in 1999 Don and Betty Haisten took over, revamped the places and re-instated selling Toomer’s lemonade. Toomer’s name spread from just the little drugstore to the entire intersection it inhabited. Now, where S. College and Magnolia intersect, locals and out-of-towners alike refer to it as “Toomer’s Corner”, and the infamous trees we roll after winning a game as “Toomer’s trees.” Not only is Toomer’s Drugs a little slice of history, its lemonade is irresistible and a beverage you can’t leave Auburn without trying. Presently, Toomer’s not only sells its famous lemonade, but food, apparel, trinkets and fan gear.Source: Toomer's Drug website Photo source: Wikipedia and Whitney Jones6) Take a stroll through downtown Opelika Opelika is located only about 15 minutes east of Auburn. The neighboring city has been around for ** years, but not only since the 80s did it start experiencing a stronger marketing effort, which enabled the City and non-profit organizations to start revitalizing the downtown area. Now, Opelika has been on the upward swing with an on-going facelift and has seen new restaurants and shops opening up, including some popular locations such as The Overall Company and the Irish Bred Pub. Opelika has some fun events they put on, too. Every fall and spring, the Opelika Main Street, a program working to revitalize downtown areas, collaborates with shops and eateries in downtown Opelika to host a food and drink crawl throughout the downtown area. Check it out here.Get out of Auburn one night and see what else the local area has to offer.Information Source(s): Opelika Main Street City of Opelika Photo Source: Wikipedia 7) Stroll through the Jule-Collins Smith Museum of ArtIf you didn’t know, Auburn has an art museum that holds more than 2,000 works or art varying from traditional pieces to contemporary art, including sculptures and statues. Technically apart of Auburn University, the Jule-Collins Smith Museum serves both students and visitors. The museum holds different exhibitions throughout the year along with art that stays up year-round. As the museum’s website describes, “[it is] one of Alabama’s leading art museums…and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.”So go get your culture on at the Jule-Collins Smith Museum of Art.Information Source: Jule-Collins Smith Museum of Art websitePhoto Source: Auburn MagazineJoin the Auburn Family! Enroll at Auburn.Please visit the Future Students page. Also, consider visiting Auburn for a Tour. We want you to join the Auburn Family … so Apply Now.See More