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| The Tiger statue stands guard outside Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn University. |
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Twin cities
Alabama,
Southeastern Issue,
June 1, 2008
Although Auburn and Opelika are historic Southern towns situated deep in the rolling hills of East Alabama, they pulse with the energy that comes from being the home of Auburn University.
On a campus tour, groups can see the pristine lawns and carefully preserved historic buildings of the university, the state’s largest, which was chartered in 1856 as the East Alabama Male College.
The Southeastern Raptor Center, part of Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, is devoted to the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned birds of prey, education about raptors, and research. Programs are available for groups of 25 or more that schedule an event in advance.
At the Auburn University Jonathan B. Lovelace Athletic Museum and Hall of Honor, displays and interactive audiovisual exhibits honor Auburn’s storied athletic past and relate its current athletic achievements. The university also provides tours of the Auburn athletic complex, including Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Since October 2003, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University has served the community. The museum’s Louise Hauss and David Brent Mill Audubon Collection is one of the Southeast’s largest collections of prints by John James Audubon and is strong in the illustrator’s most famous series, Birds of America. Selections from the collection are on continuous exhibit, and the selections are changed every six months.
The Victorian Front Porch Tour takes place on Eighth and Ninth streets in the Northside Historic Area of Opelika from Wednesday through Sunday surrounding the second Saturday in December and is very popular with group tours. More than 60 historic Victorian homes are decorated with life-size reproductions of Victorian characters, Santas, angels, teddy bears, other figures, and thousands of lights and luminaries. Costumed residents stroll the streets and greet visitors, and live entertainment and carolers are part of the free evening event.
Wagon tours are available on Friday night only as part the Christmas in a Railroad Town festival. Wednesday through Friday and Sunday are available for vehicle tours, including motorcoaches. Passengers can disembark to get a close-up look at the decorations. On Saturday, the streets are closed to all vehicles for walking tours exclusively.
Tour options abound
The Auburn and Opelika Tourism Bureau will help tour planners create complete itineraries tailored to any group’s needs. With full access to the resources of Auburn University, superb golf, and top attractions, restaurants, and retailers, a wide assortment of activities are available. From art to the outdoors and from Auburn University athletics to golf at the lauded Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National, the bureau can provide dozens of ideas.
The bureau’s group itinerary menu lists 10 popular ideas. One of them is Eat Your Way Through, where groups can enjoy cooking classes, instruction, and/or demonstrations from award-winning chefs; select produce at Randall Farms and create a masterpiece in the farm’s professional kitchens; visit AU’s Heritage Market; travel to a nearby vineyard and enjoy wine-tasting classes with the proprietor of one of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 restaurants; and cap off the day with a progressive downtown dinner.
Auburn and Opelika Tourism Bureau
714 E. Glenn Ave.
Auburn, AL 36830
1-866-880-8747
www.aotourism.com
View Group Tour Media itineraries for Alabama.
View Group Tour Media Suppliers from Alabama.
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