Your "Sweet Home Alabama"

With so much to see, eat, and experience in Auburn, it’s no surprise the city has been named a Top 10 College Town by Livability. Grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat while you study or window shop at boutique stores in Auburn’s quaint downtown area. AMF Auburn Lanes features 24 lanes of bowling for weekend fun, while The Ceramics Studio at Dean Road Recreation Center and Perch Bead Studio offer a variety of innovative art classes for creatives who thrive on self-expression. Looking to play a quick game of golf? Enjoy the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, found in nearby Opelika, one of the areas beautiful golf courses. Want to catch the latest film on the big screen? No problem—in just a 10-minute drive, you can visit several movie theaters.

Southern food contains a hint of spice and tons of flavor. Try heirloom tomatoes with fried okra or fresh peas and some Southern barbeque for lunch, or homemade biscuits with gravy for the perfect breakfast. For shrimp and grits, a southern specialty, head to Acre Restaurant, and enjoy sides and desserts made with fruit, vegetables, and herbs grown in Acre’s gardens or sourced from local growers.

Ever had a French-style crêpe with sweet peaches, or a classic chocolate cake with pecans? Named after a popular flowering tree, Crêpe Myrtle Café offers breakfast, crêpes, and sweets you’ll be dreaming of long after you leave. From Bombay Indian Grill’s authentic dishes to the delicious entrées from Seoul Korean BBQ and Wooden Chopsticks, ethnic specialties are easily accessible in Auburn. And with local favorites like nachos and sandwiches from Mama Goldberg’s Deli or gourmet popcorn and fudge from The Auburn Popcorn Company, you’ll find all the flavors your taste buds desire.

When you’ve tasted all the food you can handle, Jazz awaits you at Piccolo, where you can listen to piano riffs from your spot in a cozy armchair. Or, if you want to spend the afternoon shopping, head downtown to the Auburn Mall or Tiger Town shopping center to find the latest trends.

For many Auburn locals, outdoor activity is a way of life. Chewacla State Park offers 696 acres of rivers and lush forests, perfect for recreation, campers, and hikers. Six historical stone cottages, originally built in the 1930s, are available for rental year-round and boast renovated stone fireplaces and hardwood floors. If you’re in the mood for a swim during the summer months, 26-acre Lake Chewlaca is a favorite. Or grab your bike and challenge yourself to the mountain trails! Visitors can rent or bring their own canoes, paddle boards, or kayaks for a peaceful day on the Lake or on one of Chewacla’s two winding creeks.

While Chewalca has plenty to offer, Kiesel Park is Auburn’s largest park, with a picture-perfect pond, garden, and walking trail. The city’s beloved Auburn CityFest, which takes place in the spring, occurs in the park every year. Auburn is also home to the Donald E. Davis Arboretum, open to the public free of charge and filled with tree and plant species native to Alabama and the Southeast.

When you’re done exploring the outdoors, continue your discoveries inside at the Julie Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. The museum attracts more than 30,000 visitors each year and offers over 200 programs and events. Its growing collection consists of approximately 2,000 pieces of traditional and contemporary art. Every Thursday, the Museum hosts A Little Lunch Music, where guests enjoy performances by the finest musicians in the region.

Always dreamed of experiencing a classic American football game? Head to Jordan Hare Stadium to see the Auburn Tigers in action and experience the flight of one of Auburn’s live eagles around the stadium at the start of home games. Before the game starts, Tiger fans love to tailgate in the stadium parking lot, gathering to grill food, paint their faces with Auburn colors, and get excited for the game. Auburn pride runs deep. Cheers are loud and the fans love to sing local favorites (you’ll learn the words to “Sweet Home Alabama” and will be chanting “War Eagle!” in no time); with your friends cheering along right next to you, we doubt you’ll be leaving anytime soon.

USA Today ranked Auburn-Opelika as among the top 25 cities in the U.S. with the most job growth. Part of the greater Lee County area, bio-science and technology industries in Auburn are growing. Education drives the city’s economy, and commercial and industrial development are also expanding. Looking to excel, grow, and create career connections? Nearly 30 percent of Auburn residents hold a four year or graduate degree, so you can work with and progress along with some of the best. Auburn’s industrial and technology parks are home to many manufacturing and research firms, and the city lies between two major automobile manufacturing facilities, Kia and Hyundai. Major employers in the area also include Falk Corporation, Master Brand Cabinet Company, EPOS Corporation, Briggs & Stratton, and Donaldson Company.