The Best Weekend on the RTJ Trail
'Cues and brews and links with lakes. Time for a break with the bros.
Calling all dudes. Too much time stuck at home with the fam? Getaway with your bros without breaking the bank. We’ve got ‘cues and brews and links with lakes. Throw those irons in the back and get moving. Auburn-Opelika is Road Trip Ready.
Day 1:
Check-In: Named number one in the franchise for all of North America, the La Quinta Inn & Suites is conveniently located just off I-85 and an easy shot to some of the best golf in the world. Surrounded by a variety of options to chill or grab a bite, it’s the perfect home base for your weekend.
Time for a quick round: Use the afternoon to warm up with the Short Course at Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course. These 18 holes of one-shotters will give you a glimpse of how much you're gonna need to hedge your bets.
Dinner and Drinks: When it’s time to relax, refuel, and replay those shots you missed, check out Tex Mex meets Alabama potluck at Bow and Arrow by Chef David Bancroft. We recommend the mouth-watering brisket melt or the King George enchiladas, but let’s be real: there’s no such thing as a bad choice.
Take the quick jaunt to historic downtown Opelika and experience Alabama’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. One sip of John Emerald's “Alabama Single Malt Whiskey” reveals a smooth, sweet beginning that transports your taste buds to the hints of vanilla provided by its oak barrel aging. If suds are more your style, walk next door for a seasonal cider from the local crafters at Red Clay Brewing Company. Sidewalk seating throughout downtown means you can enjoy your sips with the sights and sounds of the night.
Day 2:
Get Serious: Robert Trent Jones himself proclaimed Grand National as the “single greatest site for a golf course” he had ever seen. Recognized by writers, designers, and players from around the world, Grand National has received accolades for everything from the “world’s prettiest hole” to the “world’s best public course.” Featuring 54 lake-hugging holes open 364 days a year, try your luck at the championship Lakes or Links course.
Chow down: – After a long day on the links, nothing will hit the spot like Auburn Plaza Bar & Lounge. Open seven days a week, they offer cocktails, cold beer, and late-night food that's 100% good. Their Warburger with the house BBQ sauce is definitely the salve for your wounded pride. Don’t forget to add cheesy tots or get the wickles pickles boiled peanuts to top off your meal. Go all-in with the brain freeze for your liquid dessert!
Don’t forget to tag us in your Road Trip pics on Facebook and Instagram @auburnopelika and with #auburnopelika.
Check out this map to see how close you are to Auburn-Opelika. Two hours from Birmingham, 45 minutes from Columbus, one hour from Montgomery, and an hour and a half from Atlanta. Our destination is closer than you think.
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