Now that Auburn’s Fall Break has come and gone, many of us collegiettes are counting down the days to Thanksgiving Break. For a majority of us, these between-break days will be fraught with tests, lab reports, essays and just general stress. Through my years at Auburn, I have learned that nothing beats stress like taking an afternoon off, and nothing beats an afternoon off involving a mini road trip.
There are tons of places within an hour’s drive of Auburn that are interesting, unique and worth the trip! Here are a few:
Columbus, Georgia
If you’re looking to land yourself in a new time zone, this place is the one for you! This is an artsy little town right across the Alabama-Georgia border, full of beautiful brick buildings and a river scene to die for. Columbus has cutesy little book and coffee shops, tons of restaurants and bars for the over-21 crowd, and even zip-lining and kayaking across the river. Also, there’s a Krispy Kreme, so that’s reason enough to go.
Montgomery, Alabama
This is the capital of Alabama, the location of the First White House of the Confederacy, the Alabama State Capitol and the Montgomery Zoo. This is a city full of Alabama history, so if you’re a history buff you should head on down this way. It is also the home of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, if you’re into plays, and tons of cool landscapes. There is an endless amount of things to do in Montgomery, and it’s a little less than an hour away!
Tuskegee, Alabama
This town is also steeped in history. Home of the Tuskegee Airmen, and there are also museums dedicated to George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington and general civil rights. There are national historic sites in the town just 30 minutes away from Auburn, so go adventure there!
Opelika, Alabama
Even thought it’s just a skip and a jump away from our loveliest village on the plains, Opelika has a few exciting things to offer. There are cute blocks of shops and restaurants with an old Southern feeling. Victorian homes sparkle with Christmas lights during the winter season, and there are live music and wine tasting events all around the city. Get out of your comfort zone and fall in love with the city down the road in a new way.
For more info about the events going on in Opelika, go to www.aotourism.com.