Auburn, Alabama: A Guide to Unique Activties the City Has to Offer
Here are just a few unique things to see and do in Auburn, Alabama:
The Jonathan Bell Lovelace Athletic Museum and Hall of Honor
Located in Auburn University’s athletic complex, The Jonathan B. Lovelace Athletic Museum and Hall of Honor is a must for sports fans. Although it will be most interesting to Auburn University fans, the museum hosts a variety of items unique to the Southeastern Conference’s rich athletic history, a variety of trophies (including two Heisman Trophies), and items unique to Auburn University’s tradition and sports legacy. My own favorite item is the cup Auburn won in 1892 when they beat the University of Georgia at football in Atlanta and began the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University
Located on South College Street, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art features Auburn University’s permanent collection of American and European Art. The Collection includes works by John Marin, Georgia O’Keefe, Ben Shahn, Arthur Dove, Ralston Crawford, Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden as well as an extensive number of works by naturalist John James Audubon on rotation in the Louise Hauss and David Brent Miller Audubon Gallery.
Located just to the east of the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine art is the Cullers Rotation. The Cullers Rotation is a soil fertility experiment at Auburn University, it is the oldest continuous soil fertility experiment in the South and is the second oldest cotton fertility experiment in the world. The rotation began in 1911 and has been part of Auburn University since 1938; it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cullers Rotation is not open to the public (because it is an ongoing experiment), but you can see it from the grounds of the Jule Collins Smith Museum.
Auburn University Historic District
The Auburn University Historic District features Auburn University’s oldest buildings including: The Auburn University Chapel (Auburn, Alabama’s oldest Public Building), Samford Hall, and Langdon Hall which are all on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings are all around Samford Park, which is a beautiful green space. Don’t miss the Civil War cannon lathe just to the right of the front of Samford Hall, campus legend states that if you take your date to the lathe on your first date and kiss them at the stroke of midnight, that the lathe will move if they are your true love.
Toomer’s Corner & Toomer’s Drugs
Toomer’s Corner (at the intersection of College and Magnolia) is home to a large oak, which is rolled after every major Auburn University Victory and occasionally when something especially good happens at Auburn. After a major football victory the area is flooded with people and completely covered in toilet paper. Auburn, Alabama actually has money allotted for toilet paper removal in the town budget, because the tradition has become so firmly fixed into the Auburn Community.
While you’re on the corner you have to cross the street and enter the corner’s namesake: Toomer’s Drugs. One of Auburn, Alabama’s long-time landmarks, Toomer’s Drugs has what is reputed to be the very best lemonade in the country. Legend has it that the lemonade was a favorite of John Heisman’s (the coach the Heisman Trophy is named for) when he coached at Auburn University in the 1890s. You won’t be disappointed, but you might have to wait just a little while, there’s usually a crowd waiting for their own taste of the famous lemonade.
The Tiger Trail of Auburn
While you’re leaving Toomer’s Drug’s look down, you’ll see part of the Tiger Trail of Auburn. The Tiger Trail features Auburn’s greatest athletes and coaches throughout their long history. Each year new stones are added by Auburn, Alabama’s Chamber of Commerce. So take a look down as you walk the streets of Auburn, you’re bound to see a few names you recognize.
Nature in Auburn
Auburn University is also home to a variety of nature oriented activities. The Donald E. Davis Arboretum (at the intersection of Garden Dr. & College street) showcases 150 native tree species as well as native shrubs and wildflowers along a scenic trail. The Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserver has 110 acres of wooded hiking and offers a variety of regularly scheduled programs. Outside of Auburn University (but still part of Auburn, Alabama) is Chewacla State Park. Chewacla State park is home to a 26-acre lake and the park offers rental boats, camping, picnic tables, playgrounds and even a swimming area.
In addition to these unique activities and locations, Auburn, Alabama has a lot of things that you could find in larger cities. Thanks to their large student population a lot of more mainstream activities, restaurants and locations are available for your enjoyment. You can catch a movie, go bowling, spend the day at the water park and dine at nearly every level of expense and dress. In addition to this, Lee County is considered to have some of the best golfing available in a metropolitan area.
For more information regarding these activities and the many other things to see and do in Lee County Alabama, contact or visit the Auburn-Opelika Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Careful planning could help you avoid a massive football crowd (Auburn University has one of the largest on campus stadiums in the nation and a very large fan following) or help you wind up at an excellent event such as the annual Auburn Cityfest or at Auburn University’s Ag Heritage Park Farmers Market (which has a limited schedule).
Finally, if you find yourself in any need to Auburn University gear after your visit, I fully recommend the J&M Bookstore on College Street in Downtown Auburn. On every occasion I have visited the staff has been very friendly, and extremely helpful. They also have practically everything Auburn from baby gear to trailer hitch covers.
