Auburn is much more than a SEC college football campus. There is a city surrounding the University's grounds that students often don't explore. Since the semester is still young and the classes are still manageable, take a break and explore the area outside of the library's walls.
Arts and Entertainment:
If you take a ride down North College Street, you'll find a string of bars to satisfy your nightlife adventures.
Downtown Auburn's bar scene includes Skybar Cafe with an open roof atmosphere, The Bank Vault, Piccolo, 17-16, Quixotes, En Fuego, Bourbon Street, The Hound and the Balcony Bar.
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, located at 901 S. College St., offers free admission and is open Monday through Saturday. The museum is offering free online student memberships.
On Thursday, August 22, the band Adventure the Great will play at 5 p.m.
"At JCSM, we believe art changes lives," said Charlotte Hendrix, print and digital media producer for JCSM. "Our mission is to share the transformative power of art with the university and community."
During the week, the museum holds 30-minute tours at 1 p.m. Currently, students can view Auburn alumna Jean Woodham's sculpture and a permanent collection of lithographic prints.
After Woodham, the museum will feature David Henderson's exhibition A Brief History of Aviation, opening Sept. 26 at 5 p.m.
"The museum has several exciting events with students in mind for the fall," Hendrix said. "One way to discover your museum is to attend the Welcome Week/Membership Week programs we have planned."
Parks and Recreation:
Auburn offers parks for students and their furry friends short distances from the campus. Kiesel Park is Auburn's largest park with a garden, pond and a walking trail. The park is located at 520 Chadwick Lane. Kiesel Park features an off-leash dog area with playground and obstacle course.
Town Creek Park, 1150 S. Gay St., is free to the public and offers a walking trail.
Chewacla State Park, which is just a short car ride from campus, offers hiking trails, swimming areas, picnic areas with grills and campgrounds all tucked into its 696 acres. During the week students are eligible for a $2 entrance fee.
"They have all kinds of good hiking and biking trails, especially mountain biking. There's been a whole lot of activity out there with a group of folks who were able to get a grant from the state to build trails out there," said Robyn Bridges, vice president and public relations director for the Auburn and Opelika Tourism Bureau. "They have done a lot. There's over 25 miles of mountain biking trails."
So whether you are interested in cultural events and nightlife or exploring Auburn's paths less traveled, there's more to the area than Ralph Brown Draughon Library and the Haley Center.
"You are missing a lot of really good opportunities if you stay near campus and don't venture out," Bridges said.
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