Auburn University, located in Auburn, Alabama is one of the largest universities in the south with an enrollment close to 24,000. Chartered in 1856, Auburn is a public research institution with thirteen different schools. Auburn traditions run deep and football reigns as king.  Students boast that the city's unofficial nickname is “The Loveliest Village On The Plains,” a claim backed up by U.S. News & World Report who ranked Auburn as one of the top ten places to live in the country. Opelika, Auburn’s sister city, is also full of quaint charm and rich in heritage.

Visitor Information: Tour Auburn

Transportation: Auburn is less than 60 miles northeast of Alabama’s capital city of Montgomery; about 30 miles northwest of Columbus, Georgia; and 100 miles southwest of Atlanta. If you are flying to Auburn, we would recommend either the Birmingham International Airport (Birmingham, AL) or the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, GA). Driving time from either airport is approximately 2 hours. Note: There is a one-hour time change (Eastern Time to Central Time) when driving across the Georgia-Alabama state line. You can book your flights here.

Traditions: The official mascot of Auburn is Aubie the Tiger, and all Auburn athletics teams are nicknamed the Tigers. However, the battle cry of Auburn is “War Eagle,” even though Auburn has never referred to any of its teams as “Eagles.” To students and alums “War Eagle” is much more than mere words. It’s a battle cry, a greeting and a cherished tradition to all members of the Auburn family.

Stay: Everything is within walking distance from The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, conveniently located on the Auburn University Campus. One parent told us the conference center fills up incredibly fast, “I have never been quick enough to get a reservation there,” so book well in advance. Other choices include the Courtyard by Marriott or the Marriott Towneplace.

Coffee: Students hang out and study at Coffee Cat or The Bean, a cozy vintage spot with killer cinnamon rolls.

Breakfast: Enjoy a sweet or savory breakfast crepe at Crepe Myrtle Café. Big Blue Bagel has more than great bagels with students heading there for omelets and breakfast burritos.

Lunch: Toomer's Corner is legendary at Auburn, a historic corner drugstore dating back to 1896, now famous for fresh-squeezed lemonade, also serving sandwiches & shakes. Students joke Toomer’s lemonade is what God drinks on game days, and the corner intersection also serves as a postgame meeting spot after any win where students hang the corner trees in toilet paper, a tradition known as “rolling the corner.” There’s plenty of BBQ in Alabama and locals are proud of their favorite spots. Located in an old dairy queen many say Byron's Smokehouse is the best in town. (Also a favorite at breakfast.) Rumor has it it’s hard to stop at just one chipped pork sandwich. Moe’s BBQ is another excellent spot for pulled pork, mac and cheese and other southern soul food specialties. For a quick bite, grab something at one of the food trucks on campus.

Dinner:

Casual: The Hound, downtown, has an excellent local craft beer selection to go with its new American menu of burgers, ribs, soups, salads, and sides.  

A Step Up: Acre is the top pick for parents and students alike when it comes to dining in Auburn.  The menu changes daily showcasing seasonal, locally sourced southern dishes. Be sure to book well in advance; nothing beats a table on the front porch on a nice night. The eclectic menu at Amsterdam Café, near the Stadium, is perfect for a pre or post game meal of fried chicken or apple brined pork chops. This seafood and southern style spot is also known for their Sunday brunch featuring bottomless mimosas.

Sweets: Satisfy your sweet tooth with an all-natural ice pop at Steel City Pops or a homemade cookie or ice cream sandwich at Mylks Cookies.

Must Do: After buying your Auburn gear at J&M Bookstore just south of Toomers, take your picture by the Auburn brick wall sign (by J&M) or in front of the Auburn sign by Samford Hall.

Local Attractions: Located at the entry to central campus, visit Auburn University's Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Situated on 14 acres of the main campus, The Donald E. Davis Arboretum showcases a living collection of native plants from the Southeast. Visit the Jonathan B. Lovelace Hall of Honor at Auburn Arena and take an interactive walk through Auburn athletics history. You don't have to be a bird enthusiast to enjoy Auburn University's Southeastern Raptor Center. Golf enthusiasts might want to add an extra day to their visit thanks to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a collection of 468 holes of championship-caliber golf at eleven sites across Alabama. The Grand National is in Opelika.