Auburn-Opelika Historic Trail 

Built around 1850 by famed bridge builder Horace King for Penn and Mary Yonge, Spring Villa became a celebrated Opelika estate known for its gardens, lake outings, and lingering legends. Stories tell of a servant hiding on the staircase’s 13th step and killing Yonge, while others claim visitors can still hear the cries of girls who drowned nearby.

Built around 1900 by Otto Puls, the Salem–Shotwell Covered Bridge once crossed Wacoochee Creek. Constructed using Town’s lattice truss design with longleaf heart pine, white oak pegs, and cedar shakes, it is the last surviving covered bridge in Southeast Alabama.

Circa 1904, this home belonged to Dr. John Wesley Darden, the area’s first African American physician. It later became a social and political gathering place for leaders such as Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, and A.G. Gaston.

Monkey Park was once home to the Rocky Brook Rocket, a miniature 1:16 scale train and one of the park’s earliest attractions. Visitors also enjoyed Monkey Village, where eight spider monkeys entertained guests for nearly 25 years.

Constructed in 1865 by early Opelika settlers John and Sara Edwards, the “Gingerbread” House is the region’s only remaining Carpenter Gothic home. Its elaborate decorative trim closely reflects the design of the original Penn Yonge House at Spring Villa.

Located in downtown Opelika, the Museum of East Alabama opened in 1989 on the site of the former Clement Hotel and features more than 5,000 artifacts highlighting the history of Opelika and the surrounding region.

Toomer’s Corner is Auburn’s most famous gathering place, where fans celebrate victories by rolling the iconic oak trees. The original trees were lost in 2010 after being poisoned, but new oaks now stand in their place and continue a tradition that represents Auburn pride and resilience.

Pebble Hill is a beautifully preserved Greek Revival home that remains a significant part of Auburn’s historic landscape. Originally the centerpiece of a 100-acre plantation, the home has witnessed nearly two centuries of regional history. Today, it houses Auburn University’s Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities.

Located on the Auburn University campus, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art highlights American and Southern art through galleries, rotating exhibitions, and scenic lakeside walking paths.

Kiesel Park is Auburn’s largest park, covering 124 acres of scenic beauty and offering something for everyone. Nature lovers and walkers can enjoy picturesque trails walking through the landscape, while history enthusiasts can visit the historic Nunn-Winston House, an example of antebellum Greek Revival architecture from the 1850s.