Auburn — “The Loveliest Village on the Plains” — offers plenty to explore before or after the conference.
Outdoors & Hiking
Chewacla State Park
A 696-acre park just south of campus with hiking and mountain biking trails, a lake for swimming, fishing, and kayaking, and a waterfall near the main trailhead. Easy-to-moderate hikes with a range of trail lengths.
Donald E. Davis Arboretum
A quiet, free arboretum right on campus featuring native Alabama plants — an easy walk from most conference hotels.
Kreher Preserve & Nature Center
A 120-acre nature preserve with walking trails, a butterfly house, and a small gift shop/café. A few minutes’ drive from downtown.
Tuskegee National Forest
About 20 minutes from Auburn, with hiking trails, mountain biking, and horseback riding for those wanting a longer outdoor excursion.
Attractions
Toomer’s Corner
The heart of Auburn tradition — stop by Toomer’s Drugs for the famous fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
A well-regarded university art museum with a rotating collection, a short drive from campus.
Auburn University Museum of Natural History
Free exhibits on natural history, located on campus.
Jordan-Hare Stadium
Home of Auburn football — worth a walk-by even outside game season.
Rooftop Bars
Walt’s on the Roof
Atop The Laurel Hotel & Spa at the Rane Culinary Science Center, right on campus. Cocktails and small bites with sweeping views of Samford Hall and the rest of campus, set alongside a rooftop garden.
War Eagle Supper Club (Graduate by Hilton)
The rooftop bar at the Graduate, a short walk from campus, with views over downtown Auburn.
Restaurants
On campus:
- 1856 – Culinary Residence — the signature restaurant at the Rane Culinary Science Center; a great lunch spot
- Hey Day Market — a lively food hall with nine local vendors, a bar, and a coffee roastery, also at the Rane Culinary Science Center
Downtown & walkable from most hotels:
- Amsterdam Café — casual, popular with students and visitors alike
- Acre — upscale Southern, a favorite for dinner
- The Hound — Southern comfort food, well-reviewed
- The Depot — Southern dining in a converted railroad depot
- Ariccia Cucina Italiana (at The Hotel at Auburn University) — Italian, brunch and dinner
- Piccolo 241 — craft cocktails, small bites, and live jazz
A bit further out:
- Lucy’s, Cafe de Fleur, and Botanic — highly rated, worth the short drive