Top 10 Things to Do in Auburn, Alabama
Home to Auburn University—and a conveniently located Pants Store near campus—Auburn combines the excitement of an SEC college town with memorable food, outdoor recreation, shopping, and Southern hospitality. Whether you’re visiting for an Auburn Tigers game, touring the university, or planning a weekend getaway, these are some of the best ways to experience Auburn.
1. Explore Downtown Auburn
Downtown Auburn is the heart of the city and the perfect place to begin your visit. Located beside the Auburn University campus, this walkable district is filled with locally owned boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and nightlife. Spend the afternoon shopping, enjoy dinner with friends, and return in the evening to experience the energy that makes downtown Auburn special.
2. Walk Through the Auburn University Campus
Auburn University’s beautiful campus is filled with historic buildings, shaded walkways, and meaningful traditions. Stop for a photo in front of iconic Samford Hall, explore the Campus Green, and walk past some of the places generations of Auburn students have called home. Listen closely around noon and you may hear the Samford Hall clock tower play the “War Eagle” fight song.
3. Experience an Auburn Game Day
Few experiences capture Auburn’s personality better than a Tigers game day. Football Saturdays bring orange-and-blue outfits, packed tailgates, Tiger Walk, the eagle flight, and more than 88,000 passionate fans to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and other Auburn sporting events also provide plenty of excitement throughout the year.
4. Visit Toomer’s Corner
Located where the Auburn University campus meets downtown, Toomer’s Corner is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Stop at Toomer’s Drugs for its famous lemonade and take a picture beside the Auburn Oaks. After a major Tigers victory, fans gather at the corner to “roll” the trees with toilet paper in one of college sports’ most distinctive celebrations.
5. Explore the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art offers an impressive collection of art, rotating exhibitions, reflective pools, sculptures, and beautifully landscaped grounds. As Auburn University’s academic art museum, the Jule welcomes visitors of all ages, and general admission is free. It is an excellent choice for a quiet afternoon or a break from the excitement of game day.
6. Spend the Day at Chewacla State Park
Located just a short drive from campus, Chewacla State Park offers 696 scenic acres for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, camping, and picnicking. Visitors can explore wooded trails, see the park’s waterfall, or relax beside its 26-acre lake. It is an ideal destination for families and anyone looking to add an outdoor adventure to an Auburn weekend.
7. Explore the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center
The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center is a peaceful natural retreat located only a few miles from downtown Auburn. Its wooded trails lead visitors past streams, gardens, wildlife habitats, and other natural features. Families will especially enjoy the nature playground, while hikers and bird-watchers can spend hours exploring this beautiful Auburn University property.
8. Walk Through the Donald E. Davis Arboretum
Located in the heart of campus, the Donald E. Davis Arboretum is a free botanical garden showcasing plants native to Alabama and the Southeast. Walk the shaded trails, enjoy the seasonal blooms, and explore nationally recognized collections of oaks and native azaleas. The peaceful setting makes the arboretum a relaxing stop during a campus tour.
9. Enjoy Auburn’s Food Scene
Auburn’s dining scene offers something for every appetite, from classic Southern cooking and game-day favorites to casual brunches and elevated evening meals. Downtown is an especially good place to start, with many restaurants located within walking distance of campus and Toomer’s Corner. Arrive hungry, try a local favorite, and save room for a glass of Toomer’s lemonade.
10. Shop the Auburn Pants Store
Complete your visit with a stop at the Pants Store at 138 South Gay Street, Suite 101, conveniently located near downtown and Auburn University. The Auburn location is the perfect place to find a game-day outfit, stylish seasonal pieces, comfortable everyday essentials, and accessories for a night downtown. Auburn has a style all its own, and Pants Store is proud to be part of the Auburn Family. CLick here for the Women’s Auburn Gameday Collection https://pantsstore.com/collections/womens-auburn-gameday and click here for the Men’s Auburn Gameday Collection: https://pantsstore.com/collections/mens-auburn-gameday.