Overview
Auburn is in the River Heritage region of Alabama, and home to Auburn University in downtown Auburn. During the university's home football games, the town fills up with thousands of alumni and college football fans for a weekend of tailgating.
6 sights · 3 things to do · 10 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 16 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Auburn
Auburn University
The scenic campus is home to 23,000 students and features buildings in the Greek Revival through the Modern styles.
Donald E. Davis Arboretum
The arboretum features native trees, shrubs and wildflowers of the southeastern United States, including 150 different tree species native to Alabama and the Southeast. Located on the corner of Mell Street and Simmons Dr…
Jordan-Hare Stadium
The 87,451-seat venue for Auburn University's football team located in the center of campus. No admission except on gameday, but still a terrific sight.
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
A 40,000-square-foot art museum opened in 2003, featuring visiting collections as well as a permanent collection devoted primarily to 19th- and 20th-century American and European art. Also features 15 acres of botanical …
Tuskegee National Forest
Just west of Auburn, it offers the 8.5-mile-long Bartram National Recreation Trail which is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching.
Chewacla State Park
A pleasant park to unwind which is located just off I-85.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Mar and Dec. (climate data from nearby Columbus)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CSG Columbus Airport, Columbus — 32 mi away. Directions
- MGM Montgomery Regional (Dannelly Field) Airport, Montgomery — 57 mi away. Directions
- ATL Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta — 94 mi away (major hub). Directions
Most people traveling to Auburn fly into either Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, GA or Birmingham International Airport (BHM) in Birmingham, AL, both of which are about 120 miles away.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $60–$119 a night (typical $79), from 7 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$280.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Auburn University, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Lovelace Athletic Museum
- Lunch Hamilton's on Magnolia
- Afternoon Donald E. Davis Arboretum, Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
- Dinner Amsterdam Café
- Evening 17-16
Day 2
- Morning Tuskegee National Forest
- Lunch Ariccia Italian Trattoria & Bar
- Afternoon Robert Trent Jones Grand National
- Dinner Brick Oven Pizza Co.
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
In addition to the usual fare found in most American cities, Auburn has some excellent local and regional restaurants:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Most people traveling to Auburn fly into either Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, GA or Birmingham International Airport (BHM) in Birmingham, AL, both of which are about 120 miles away.
The nearest commercial airports are Columbus Metropolitan Airport (CSG) in Columbus, GA or Montgomery Dannelly Field (MGM) in Montgomery, AL. Both are about 50 miles from Auburn.
By train
There is no passenger train service to Auburn.
By car
Auburn is accessible from Interstate 85, which runs four miles south of Auburn.
- I-85, providing access to Atlanta, GA and Montgomery, AL. Exits 51 (College Street) and 57 (Glenn Avenue) provide the most convenient access to Auburn.
- US-29, providing access to Troy and points south.
- US-280, providing access to Birmingham, AL. It is fastest to take AL-147 from US-280 into Auburn, as US-280 continues to Opelika.
By bus
Get around
By foot
Downtown Auburn is easily traversable on foot. The sidewalks and pedestrian crossings in and near downtown are heavily utilized by Auburn's student population which means that cars will often stop if they see a pedestrian waiting at a crosswalk. However, the further one gets from downtown, the greater the distances become. Eventually, you will need to reconcile yourself to using a car or bicycle.
Areas outside of Downtown and north Auburn, especially areas along South College and Wire Road, lack sidewalks and pedestrian crossings and are not suitable for pedestrian traffic.
By bicycle
Bicycles are a common method of transportation in Auburn, allowing one to cover longer distances than when on foot. Most areas in Auburn can be reached by a short bike ride of any other point. Auburn was voted a "bicycle friendly city" by the league of American Bicyclists because of the city's bike plan, bike lanes, and advocacy efforts. Both the City of Auburn and Auburn University have established bicycle committees.
Auburn City Police will occasionally cite bicyclists for riding on the sidewalk. In Auburn (like the rest of the U.S.), bikes are considered traffic just like cars, though drivers will often ignore bicyclists. Be aware of your surroundings.
By taxi
By transit
TigerTransit provides transportation services exclusively for Auburn University students and faculty, and is not accessible to people unaffiliated with the university.
Phenix City Express provides transportation services to the general public during football gamedays.
By car
Cars are the most popular form of transport in and around Auburn. Traffic can be bad during short periods of time near downtown Auburn. Parking can also be difficult to find near downtown Auburn at certain times of the day. On Friday and Saturday of home football game weekends, traffic and parking are particularly bad.
Visitors are advised to pay close attention to any notices concerning the towing of unauthorized vehicles. Towing notices are enforced on a regular basis. In particular, towing from apartment complexes may occur at any time of the day or night.
Car Rental Companies include:
See
- Eagle's Nest, on top of Haley Center on the Auburn University campus. The highest point in Lee County provides a fantastic view of campus and the surrounding countryside. Can only be accessed by Auburn University Student Recruiters and War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen, so take a campus tour starting from the Upper Quad.
See Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
A 40,000-square-foot art museum opened in 2003, featuring visiting collections as well as a permanent collection devoted primarily to 19th- and 20th-century American and European art. Also features 15 acres of botanical gardens featuring large-scale sculpture, a three-acre lake, and a landscape that incorporates walking paths, benches and water features. Located on South College at Kimberly Drive.
- Spring Villa, 1474 Co Rd 148, Opelika. An antebellum home in Spring Villa Park.
- Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge, Park Rd in Opelika Municipal Park.
- Museum of East Alabama, 121 S 9th St, Opelika. Small museum covering history of the region, including Opelika's railroad origins and lawless era. +1 334-749-2751
Do
- Roll the trees at Toomer's Corner (intersection of Magnolia and College streets in downtown Auburn) following an Auburn victory.
- Get lemonade at Toomer's Drugs, located at Toomer's Corner. Once there was also a nostalgic college bar called the War Eagle Supper Club, but it was demolished in 2016.
- Follow the Auburn University Walk of Fame on the streets of downtown Auburn.
- Take a bike ride on Auburn's many on-street bike lanes and off-street bike paths (or, in absence of a bike lane, ride on the street because bikes rule the road in Auburn!)
Golf
Golfing is an enormously popular outdoor sport in Auburn among both visitors and those associated with the university. The area's mild winters mean that the game can be played year-round, and a number of fantastic golf courses are located in and around the Auburn area. Auburn was also ranked as the number one city in the nation for Golf in 2005 by Golf Digest. Among them:
- Indian Pines features 6,213 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. Green fees from $25 to $30.
Buy
Eat
In addition to the usual fare found in most American cities, Auburn has some excellent local and regional restaurants:
Eat Ariccia Italian Trattoria & Bar
A pricey but excellent Italian restaurant that is a great place to take a date.
Eat Brick Oven Pizza Co.
A gourmet pizza restaurant with pizzas and pasta. Eat outside if you can.
Eat China Palace
Serves an "Asian fusion" including Chinese, Thai, and even a sushi bar that is very reasonably priced and deliciously fresh!
Eat Laredo Mexican Grill (Laredo's)
A good Mexican place. Wednesday night is Margerita Night.
Eat Little Italy Pizzeria
Great pizza at a great price. Stagnooooooo!
Eat Mellow Mushroom Pizza
Downtown Auburn on College Street. Pizza joint with a great atmosphere and is always hopping, especially after an Auburn victory.
Eat Momma Goldberg's Deli (Momma G's)
An Auburn landmark, the run-down shack conceals some of the best sandwiches to be found anywhere. Be sure to try the "Momma's Love all the way."
Eat Niffer's Place
A local casual dining restaurant with good hamburgers, salads, wings, and sandwiches.
Drink
Auburn has several good bars for students and visitors. The bars in the downtown area regularly change names and redecorate, so keep an eye out for new bars.
A relic not to be forgotten is War Eagle Supper Club, as it was an Auburn classic. Once ranked by Playboy among the best college bars in the country, Supper Club was a different kind of place. It drew all crowds and all ages, and was unrivaled for great live music and dirty ambience.
Drink 17-16
A fairly large one story bar with a very relaxed feel. Pool tables in the back and an outdoor patio and bar in the back as well. Very popular with Greeks and not very rowdy, A good place to go early in the night before Bourbon or Sky Bar. 21+
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Nearby
Tuskegee
City / town · 5 listings · 18 mi away
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Park · 29 mi away
Columbus
City / town · 35 listings · 31 mi away
LaGrange
City / town · 7 listings · 39 mi away
Montgomery
City / town · 54 listings · 50 mi away
Warm Springs
City / town · 4 listings · 50 mi away
Millbrook
City / town · 2 listings · 52 mi away
Eufaula
City / town · 10 listings · 53 mi away
My experience
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