I can't count the amount of times I've found myself around the Auburn area and said, "I wish I would have known about this place as a freshman."
Coming from Mobile, I was accustomed to the buzz a bigger city could provide. Good live music, open air and easy access to the water were norms for me. I was homesick for these things when I came to Auburn.
As a senior, I realized the problem didn't lie in Auburn.These things were here for me, it was that I wasn't looking hard enough.
Just to throw in a quick disclaimer, most of these locations require a car, so you might have to get creative if you don't have access to one. Aside from that, they should provide some fresh experiences while not taking you too far away from College and Magnolia.
1. The Standard Deluxe - Coined a "print shop with a live music problem," the Standard Deluxe is one of the most prized music venues not just in the Auburn area, but in the entire Southern region.
It calls for a 30-minute trip down 280 to the tiny town of Waverly and is worth the commute. By day, the venue serves as a studio for a print shop as well as home to the local who owns it.
But on certain evenings, the community gathers in the backyard under trees draped in string lights to watch bands perform on the tin-roofed stage.
Give them a like on Facebook to keep updated with shows. Pay special attention when they start promoting fall and spring "boogies" --they're once a semester music festivals you don't want to miss.
2. Downtown Opelika - I didn't venture into downtown Opelika until my junior year -- a decision I regretted as I drove down the quaint cobbled streets of the town.
Historic downtown Opelika is lined with quaint shops and unique eateries. The night life is also picking up, as local community leaders continue to bring in musical talent. Like Cottonseed Music on Facebook to stay posted with concerts in downtown Opelika.
3. Coffee shops - Auburn is home to some fine bean roasters who take their craft seriously. Their quality coffee has made me a coffee snob over the years (not a frugal vice to have, but one I definitely recommend).
Expose yourself to high end coffee and the sense of community that comes from being a regular at a local coffee shop.
If you want to stick around town, Mama Mochas and Wake Up Coffee Co. are both fantastic.
4. Parks - Sounds lame and obvious, but greenery and fresh air can be a saving grace to the insanity that sometimes ensues from dorm-life confinement.
You probably already know about Chewacala State Park. If you don't, you should. There are waterfalls. Enough said.
If you're living in The Hill, walk across the street to the Davis Arboretum every now and then. It's relatively large, and also home to a small music festival once a year around Earth Day.
Kiesel Park and the Ecology preserve are also short drives away and good ways to get your dose of nature in.
5. Lee County Fishing Lake - If you're used to having easy access to large bodies of water, this one could be make or break. The Lee County Lake is about a 35-minute drive down Moore's Mill Road, but like the Standard Deluxe, it's totally worth the drive. If you already have freshwater fishing gear, those who work at the lake can set you up with fishing boats.
If you're not into fishing and just want to get away for a little bit, you can also go there to hang out on the docks and soak in the scenery.
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