November 2023

BY RICK HARMON

The home of Auburn University offers a burgeoning restaurant scene, chic hotels, acclaimed golf and a progressive, youthful vibe.

Friday

AFTERNOON 

Check into one of Auburn’s many unique hotels. The newest, the Laurel Hotel & Spa, is part of Auburn University’s recently unveiled Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center.

Both it and the AAA Four Diamond-rated Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center serve as teaching facilities for the university’s Hospitality Management Program. The boutique Collegiate Hotel, once a women’s dormitory, combines the nostalgic setting with modern luxuries. 

The Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National brings a touch of elegance—and a wonderful golf course—to the lodging scene. After checking in, check out downtown. No Auburn visit is complete without seeing Toomer’s Corner, where Auburn fans traditionally celebrate victories by rolling the oaks, aka blanketing the corner’s oak trees with toilet paper. Pop into Toomer’s Drugs while you’re there for a glass of its world-famous lemonade: Esquire once ranked it No. 1 in its “162 Reasons It’s Good to Be an American.” Want to fit in? Then pick up some Auburn Tiger merchandise at J&M Bookstore, a part of college life here since 1953.

EVENING

In 2021, Southern Living reported that Auburn had transformed itself into a foodie paradise, a designation further strengthened by the opening of the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center. Acre has made Southern Living’s Best Restaurants in the South list and was named Travel + Leisure’s top farm-to-table restaurant in Alabama. Its chef, David Bancroft, won an “Iron Chef Showdown” and is a four-time James Beard Award Best Chef in the South nominee. Another top restaurant to try is The Depot, an upscale, sustainable seafood restaurant with an incredible wine list. After dinner, do like the students and frequent the bars because, like any good college town, Auburn has some solid ones: The Hound, where a drink called The Cecil, a modern twist on the whiskey sour, helped it land on Southern Living’s list of Top 100 Bars in the South; the Avondale Bar and Tap Room; 17-16; and Skybar. 

Saturday 

MORNING

Hike the trails of Chewacla State Park, perhaps finding your way to the picturesque Chewacla Dam Waterfall. Or, get to know one of the state’s favorite pastimes by reliving gridiron glory at the Lovelace Hall of Honor, not a freestanding museum but a section in the Auburn basketball arena where you can see awards and trophies, including the National Championship trophy and the engraved silver cup Auburn won in 1893 after beating Alabama 32- 22 in the first football game between the schools. Admission is free except when there’s a basketball game; then you must buy a game ticket. Jordan-Hare Stadium is next door. 

NOON 

Break for lunch. Amsterdam Café serves combinations such as a crab cake and fried green tomato BLT sandwich. For international fare, try The Irritable Bao. Don’t let its name keep you from going because Southern Living says this Chinese dumpling and bao restaurant has “swiftly achieved legendary status.” 

AFTERNOON

Depending on your crew, you might consider shopping at Auburn’s cute boutiques. Try Wrapsody for trendy clothes, shoes and accessories. For your home, stop into Artifactory, recently opened by two Auburn alumni, for furniture, décor and gifts. If you have kiddos in tow, go to the new 60,000-plus-square-foot Town Creek Inclusive Playground. It is ADA-compliant accessible, features sensory components and facilitates parallel play. 

EVENING 

Lisa van der Reijden has won raves for Lucy’s, a bright, modern bistro with wine on tap and sippable cocktails. Acre’s Bancroft also operates Bow & Arrow, where you will find delectable slow-smoked brisket. Rane Center’s rooftop bar is perfect for “just one more” while taking in a view of “the loveliest village.” 

Sunday 

MORNING 

Book an early-morning tee time at the Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. After your round, grab a table at Pannie-George’s Kitchen, a meat-and-three pinnacle of traditional Southern cooking, including fried okra, collard greens, fried green tomatoes, cornbread and some of the tastiest fried chicken around.