Whenever you move to a new town or city, it naturally takes some time to learn your way around. What is there to enjoy when you’re off work? Where do you go for a day of fun with the family? Where can you go for cultural inspiration or to enjoy the outdoors? At Lowder New Homes, we want to help our new home customers settle into their new city as easily as possible — to become part of the community by learning the “locals’ secrets.” Auburn is a beautiful college town with plenty of great things to see, do and experience. If you’re new to the area, we’ve prepared the following locals’ guide to offer a sampling of what to do in Auburn, Alabama.
1. Get in Touch with Nature
Eastern Alabama is loaded with natural beauty, and there are some spectacular spots in and around Auburn to enjoy hiking, biking, camping, rafting, boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Here are a few key spots to check out:
Chewacla State Park
Easily one of the area’s most popular attractions, Chewacla State Park encompasses nearly 700 acres of natural beauty just south of I-85 in Auburn. Swim or fish in the 26-acre Lake Chewacla, explore the walking trails on foot or mountain bikes, enjoy lunch at a picnic area with the family, or camp out for the weekend. (Or all of the above!)
Kreher Preserve & Nature Center
Located between Auburn and Opelika, this 120-acre preserve takes an educational approach to nature with 6 miles of trails leading through 7 different natural habitats. The Nature Center offers a wide range of events and educational programs throughout the year for Auburn-Opelika residents and visitors.
Davis Arboretum
Situated on the Auburn University campus, the Davis Arboretum doubles as a public garden for visitors and an outdoor classroom for students; offering hundreds of species of flora on display centered around the 150-year-old Founders Oak.
Southeastern Raptor Center
In addition to the Davis Arboretum, the Auburn University campus is home to the Southeastern Raptor Center, an avian rehabilitation center that has treated and released thousands of birds of prey back into the wild.
2. Immerse Yourself in Auburn’s Arts & Culture
Auburn is no stranger to arts and culture. Across the area, you’ll find numerous art galleries, museums, and opportunities to be inspired and enriched by the arts, as well as an abundance of historic architecture and landmarks. A couple of highlights to add to your list:
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
Explore a growing collection of more than 2500 pieces of traditional and contemporary art in a lovely setting. It’s one of Alabama’s most extensive collections, and it’s right here on the campus of Auburn University.
Gogue Performing Arts Center
From touring musical acts to Broadway shows to dance, this multi-venue facility affords many year-round opportunities to immerse yourself in live music and other performance arts, and offers a variety of subscription packages to save money on tickets.
3. Become an Auburn Tigers Fan
Living near Auburn University, you’re in the heart of college sports territory, with abundant opportunities to watch sporting events throughout the year at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Enjoy Tigers men’s and women’s basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring, and football every autumn. For the most dedicated Tigers fans, there’s also volleyball, soccer, swimming, golf, softball, track, and gymnastics. No matter your game of choice, there’s always a great team to root for here.
4. Get Active Yourself
Of course, Auburn isn’t just a place to watch games — it’s also a place to play them. The City of Auburn offers a number of athletics programs for kids and adults alike. Youth recreational programs include baseball/softball, football, soccer, volleyball, track and cheerleading, while the adults can enjoy soccer, softball and kickball. The city also offers numerous opportunities to play tennis, and there’s even a pickleball court free to the public. Love golf? Nearby Opelika is home to the sprawling Grand National Golf Course — one of the premier golf courses along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Golfers come from around the United States to play at this golf course.
5. Get Involved with the Local Auburn Community
Auburn is a tight-knit community, and the event calendar is full of opportunities to enjoy a day of fun with the family while getting to know your neighbors. Kiesel Park is not only Auburn’s largest park with plenty to do year-round — it’s also a hub of community activity with annual events like Auburn CityFest, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and the Fall Sundown Concert Series at the Pavilion. Downtown Auburn also hosts regular events like the Mardi Gras Krewe Krawl in February and a one-of-a-kind Downtown Family Supper each May. And there’s always something happening at Toomer’s Corner, the historic heart of Auburn, where “rolling Toomer’s Corner” has become a celebratory tradition after Tigers’ wins.
If you’re looking for a new construction home in Auburn, Alabama, Lowder New Homes invites you to explore the Summerlin subdivision with luxury homes starting in the mid- to upper $300s. To learn more about availability, give us a call at 334-270-6789.