Road Trip Ready: Culture Craving

We could all use a little inspiration right now. Come see why our culture is more than football.

Inspiration is found in beauty. Immerse yourself in the bright and vivid colors of the old masters and wander immaculate gardens punctuated with out of the box sculpture installations. Browse the tomes of a neighborhood bookseller, stroll galleries of local art, and indulge in a few culinary masterpieces that will leave you feeling full and fancy. Auburn-Opelika is Road Trip Ready.

Day 1:

Check-In: Discover beauty and elegance the Auburn way when you check in to the Four-Diamond Hotel at Auburn University. From the moment you’re ushered from your vehicle by a smiling valet, you’ll know your experience is going to be a special one. This front door to Auburn University is a block from a diverse array of dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities. Lose yourself in a community rich in tradition, natural beauty, and unlimited fun.

La Beauté de l’Art: Experience the riotous color and inexhaustible energy of turn-of-the-century Paris when you visit L’Affichomania: The Passion for French Posters at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art.  Featuring lithographic prints by the five grandmasters of the medium, this traveling exhibit includes some of the most familiar and best-loved images of the era. Step “Out of the Box” when you visit the museum’s grounds and gardens to view the 15 impressive sculptures located throughout.

All Aboard: When culinary culture is on the agenda, The Depot is your next stop. An American Seafood brasserie located in the historic Auburn train depot, The Depot features grilled gulf-coastal cuisine with a globally inspired menu. Original elements of the train depot from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s have been all repurposed and serve as the backdrop to everything from oysters and crab to Wagyu burgers and heritage pork. Add one of their signature cocktails and you’ve created your own masterpiece!

Day 2:

Books are Fuel: At Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers, you can find a friendly face, fill your brain and your belly, and maybe see a little better when you leave. An independent bookstore in the heart of downtown Auburn, Auburn Oil features custom-made drinks (with a menu inspired by local authors) along with a specially curated selection of books, cards, and gifts. Sit, sip, and savor the experience of supporting a small business while you boost your brain.  

Explore Local: Spend your afternoon finding the perfect piece of local art to commemorate your trip. View the works on exhibit at the Jan Dempsey Community Art Center in Auburn or Opelika’s newest studio and gallery space, the ArtHaus in historic downtown Opelika. The locAL Market and the Gallery on Railroad both offer a wide array of paintings, prints, and handmade items by local artists in varying media. Take a piece home that will add a little inspiration to your every day.

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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