THE AUBURN-OPELIKA EXPLORER

Welcome to the Visit Auburn-Opelika Blog!

Get to know Auburn-Opelika, Alabama, through local stories, travel tips, and recommendations from people who know the area best. From favorite restaurants and upcoming events to arts and culture, outdoor adventures, and Auburn football traditions, our blog offers inspiration and practical advice for planning your next visit.

Author

Maggie Randall

Michelin Star-winning Chef Joël Antunes: Rooted in the farm, seasoned by the world

By Maggie Randall on Oct. 17, 2025

When Chef Joël Antunes talks about food, he speaks the way an artist does about color: with admiration and joy. His culinary journey began in the south of France on his grandparents’ farm, where his earliest lessons in cooking started in his grandmother’s kitchen. "When I was a kid, I spent most of…

A Brief History of Tailgating in Auburn

By Maggie Randall on Aug. 25, 2025

Few traditions capture the heart and spirit of Auburn University, and the South in general, like tailgating on the Plains. Long before the first whistle blows in Jordan-Hare Stadium, the streets, lawns, and parking lots of Auburn come alive with the smell of tailgate food and the sound of…