Top 18 Things To Do In Opelika, Alabama

1. Pay a visit to Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge

Pay a visit to the Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge with lattice truss and see one of the 11 covered bridges in the State of Alabama that still exists today. This is one of the important landmarks of Opelika and it is more than 100 years old. It was originally located over the Wacoochee Creek but it was destroyed during a storm. The residents recovered some of the materials, which later were used to reconstruct the bridge over the Rocky Brook near the municipal park of Opelika. Although it is now shorter than the original, it still attracts a big number of tourists to the area. People come here to relax in the park, view the bridge, and take pictures.

Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge

Address: Park Rd, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

2. Chug down beers at Red Clay Brewing Company

If you are spending a day or two in Opelika, make sure to drop by Red Clay Brewing Company and gulp down the best beers in town. The brewery offers a free tasting for various types of beers. Service is very good and the background Irish music makes way for a cheerful atmosphere. You can watch football games on a widescreen or find a seat on the patio and enjoy the fresh air. Wonderful pizza is available and it goes down well with the beer. Red Clay is a place to have fun, relax, and enjoy the night.

Red Clay Brewing Company

Address: 704 N Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Red Clay Brewing Company

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri: 4pm - 2am; Sat: 12pm - 2am (closed on Sun)

3. Learn about Opelika at Museum of East Alabama

Learn about the history of Opelika at the Museum of East Alabama and get a glimpse of the way of life of the people from the time when Opelika was inhabited by Indians. The exhibits in the museum include pine needle baskets, vintage bubble glasses, and ancient bottles, as well as artifacts from the Indian inhabitants, the Prisoners of War Camp, and the Civil War. On display are the Roanoke Dolls, which were manufactured by Ella Gaunt Smith during the early days of the 20th century. It was a notable accomplishment for women during her time. These dolls were known worldwide for their durability. Replicas of the Covered Bridge and other heritage sites are also showcased in the Museum of East Alabama.

Museum of East Alabama

Address: 121 S 9th St, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Museum of East Alabama

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat: 2pm - 4pm (closed on Sun)

4. Plan a family picnic at Opelika Municipal Park

Make your family holiday complete with a picnic at the municipal park of Opelika, also called the Monkey Park. Your kids will find the park fun, especially the ride on a vintage miniature train or the Rocky Brook Rocket. The train has been one of the most attractive features of the park since 1955. Take a walk to the Rocky Brook Creek and see an ancient wooden latticed covered bridge, which is one of the only 11 covered bridges that still exist in Alabama. Children will enjoy the well-equipped and spacious playground. Because the park is dotted with picnic tables, it is an ideal place for a family picnic and bonding.

Opelika Municipal Park

Address: Park Rd, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Opelika Municipal Park

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

5. Learn how to make whiskey at John Emerald Distilling Company

John Emerald Distilling Company has been operating in Opelika for more than a century. The company is known for crafting alcoholic beverages and spirits using local ingredients. You can try gin made from the juniper berries freshly picked in Opelika. Vodka lovers can try the company’s corn-based drink that is filtered three times to achieve unique smoothness. The cocktails are terrific and learning how to craft them can help you make your own impressive mixture. You can come alone or with a group to see the facility, observe the preparation of the different drinks, and pamper your taste buds with the best spirits during the free tasting session.

John Emerald Distilling Company

Address: 706 N Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: John Emerald Distilling Company

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4pm - 12am; Sat: 12pm - 12am (closed on Sun)

6. Play games at the CyberZone Entertainment Center

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Play arcade games and laser tags at CyberZone Entertainment Center. This entertainment hub welcomes solo players, couples, groups of friends, and the whole family. You can find here various arcade games that your children love but you might not know how to play anymore. But you can still join the fun because there are plenty of retro games that you might have mastered during your heydays such as video games and those that you used to play on a portable play station. You can play the whole day since there is a diner in the center. You can take a break, enjoy a delicious meal, and go back to another exciting game. At CyberZone Entertainment Center, fun and excitement never end.

CyberZone Entertainment Center

Address: 107 N 9th St, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: CyberZone Entertainment Center

Opening hours: Sat: 12pm - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm; Mon: 12pm - 9pm; Tue - Thu: 4pm - 9pm:

7. Grab a snack from Mrs Story's Dairy Bar

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If you are new at Opelika and you are looking for someplace to have a hearty snack, Mrs. Story’s Dairy Bar is the place to go. Both locals and tourists in the city come to this place for delectable hotdog and ice cream, which have been the two menu options since the dairy bar was opened in 1952. Enjoy regular boiled hotdogs on steamed buns with chili, ketchup, slaw, and mustard. Onions are added upon request. The ice cream menu includes banana split, flurries, and milkshakes.

Mrs. Story's Dairy Bar

Address: 1900 Pepperell Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Mrs. Story’s Bar

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm (closed on Sun)

8. Swing by Angel's Antiques and Flea Mall

Come and visit Angel’s Antiques and Flea Mall and browse through a wide variety of sale goods. Checking out everything that is offered can be one way of spending a relaxing time while visiting Opelika. The store now occupies a Walmart that had been closed down. With 60,000 square feet (5,574.16 square meters) of floor space filled with boots and stalls, you will have a good chance of finding something to add to your antique collection. Everything is sold at very low prices every day. Come and have fun looking at lovely vintage items that you can have without hurting your pocket.

Angel's Antiques and Flea Market

Address: 900 Columbus Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Angel’s Antiques and Flea Market

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 7pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm

9. Spend an afternoon at Grand National Golf

Spend an afternoon at Grand National Golf and feast your eyes on the lush and scenic surroundings. This golf course was built by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., a world-renown golf course architect. Some of the holes in the golf course are very close to the shores of Lake Saugahatchee. Complete your visit to Opelika by watching one of the exciting golf games that you can only see once in a lifetime. Even if you do not play golf, just taking a seat and take in the peaceful water of the lake, the cool breeze, and the green grass. The trees will make you remember the elegant beauty of Opelika.

Grand National Golf

Address: 3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Grand National Golf

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

10. Take a leisurely stroll at Siddique Nature Park

Take a leisurely stroll at Siddique Nature Park and see colorful birds perching on trees, flying over the park, or diving to find food. Adjacent to the park is Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve, a wastewater lagoon that was converted to become the habitat of the wood duck and other birds of different colors, sizes, and sounds. Some of them are permanent residents of the preserve and the park while others are just passing by to rest after their long journey toward their final destination. Take a walk on the trails in the morning and watch the flocks of birds flying in a formation to forage for their sustenance. If you stay until late afternoon, you will witness their flight to the trees that they consider home.

Siddique Nature Park

Address: 3600 Waverly Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Siddique Nature Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

11. Peek inside the Carpenter Gothic plantation house at Spring Villa

Peek inside the Carpenter Gothic plantation house at Spring Villa Park and imagine people of a bygone era partying the night away. This carpenter house is one of the important historical landmarks in Opelika, Alabama. Made of wood with pointed roofs, spires, gables, and the usual gingerbread house adornment, the spooky-looking house became popular during the 18th-century, with its beautiful garden, trimmed lawn, a pool and a lake fed by a natural spring. Today, the Carpenter gothic house has been restored and it still looks like it was more than 200 years ago while the park has become one of the popular camping and picnic grounds in the area.

Carpenter Gothic Plantation House

Address: Opelika, Alabama 36804

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

12. Shop to your heart's content at Tiger Town Outdoor Shopping Center

While visiting Opelika, go and shop to your heart’s content at Tiger Town Outdoor Shopping Center, the retail center of the city that boasts of 92 stores. Everything that will make your shopping stressfree and convenient is present on the premises. You can easily find a restaurant as well as banks if you need to make transactions. You can easily find several restaurants in the area, presenting you with options for your dining preferences. There are banks and offices if you need to make some transactions. One day might not be enough to visit the stores and browse the items for sale. There are accommodations within the vicinity so that you can stay for a day or two for the best shopping experience of your life.

Tiger Town Outdoor Shopping Center

Address: I-85 & US-280, Opelika, AL 36804, United States

Website: Tiger Town Outdoor Shopping Center

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)

13. Relish on new American eats at Zazu Gastropub

Relish on new American eats at Zazu Gastropub where you can enjoy food fit for fine dining without going to an expensive restaurant. The menu includes many American dishes and a few international ones. But, what makes customers return is the food that is prepared with fresh local ingredients. Zazu Gastropub has teamed up with local suppliers of seafood, vegetables, fruits, meat and poultry products, dairy, and grains. This is to ensure that every meal will be a gastronomic delight to the customers. The restaurant has a wide selection of drinks to go with your meal.

Zazu Gastropub

Address: 112 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Zazu Gastropub

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 2pm

14. Watch a hit movie at AMC CLASSIC Tiger 13

Watch a hit movie at AMC CLASSIC Tiger 13 while visiting Opelika, Alabama. Enjoy a movie date with your family, friends, or a loved one. The AMC CLASSIC Tiger 13 is clean and has comfortable seats, with a friendly staff that is always responsive to the customer’s questions and needs. Get a bucket of popcorn or a big bag of nachos and pretzel and drinks and munch your way until the end of the movie. Avoid the long line at the ticket booth by buying tickets online. Movie titles and schedules are posted on the website of the movie house so that you can decide which movie to see and what time to go. For movie buffs, AMC CLASSIC Tiger 13 is the place to spend your free time while in Opelika.

AMC CLASSIC Tiger 13

Address: 1900 Capps Landing, Opelika, AL 36804, United States

Website: AMC CLASSIC Tiger 13

Opening hours: 1pm - 11pm (daily)

15. Practice your shooting skills at Southern Survival

Practice your shooting skills at Southern Survival, a gun store in Opelika. In the past, it only sold military supplies and collectible items. Today, the store also provides education and training for gun owners regarding handling, shooting, and proper use of guns. If you are interested in learning how to hit your target using any type of gun, visit the virtual and live practice ranges of the company. You will be safe in both places while honing your shooting skills. For the virtual shooting range, you will be undergoing computer-aided training. You will be safe because you will be using blank ammos. In live training, you will be using real guns and ammunition when firing at a real target. Still, you will be safe because of the presence of professional instructors.

Southern Survival

Address: 1220 Fox Run Ave #206, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Southern Survival

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

16. Buy some local produce from the Opelika's Farmers Market

Shop for your week’s food supply at Opelika’s Farmers Market where you can find the freshest and choicest fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, and dairy products. All products come from nearby farms so that they are picked on the day that they are delivered. Try the tasty treats and delicacies including freshly baked bread, cakes, and pastries. If you are looking for organic products, you can surely find them in the designated section in the market. Visit Opelika’s Farmers Market on a market day when it comes alive with local people shopping and exchanging news and updates with long-time friends.

Opelika's Farmers Market

Address: 411 S 10th St., Opelika, Alabama 36801

Website: Opelika’s Farmers Market

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 5:30pm (closed on Sun)

17. Bring your children to Trinity Methodist Church

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Pay your respect at Trinity Methodist Church where you will receive a warm welcome. Even if you are away from your community, you can attend services in this church on Sundays. Bring your children along with you for an opportunity to grow spiritually through the different activities for students and for kids. There are group activities for adults where you will be able to connect with others and share your experiences and your faith. Through the church, you will meet new people and develop friendships that will grow even if you are already back in your own place.

Trinity Methodist Church

Address: 800 2nd Ave, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

Website: Trinity Methodist Church

Opening hours: Sun: 8:30am - 11pm (closed from Mon - Sat)

18. Pamper yourself at Sassy Salon

Pamper yourself at Sassy Salon while taking a vacation in Opelika. Enjoy excellent services by certified hair technicians and beauticians who can do wonders with your looks. Operating since 1989, this beauty salon has built an impressive customer base both in Opelika and the neighboring areas. It is well known for its efficient and affordable hairstyling services.

Sassy Salon

Address: S 8th St 210 Opelika, Alabama 36801

Website: Sassy Salon

Spend an exciting vacation in Opelika, Alabama

If you are looking for someplace to spend your vacation, book a trip to Opelika, a historic city in the state of Alabama. Opelika had played a crucial role in the cultural and political development not only of the city but also of the state of Alabama. There is always something to do for everyone, from toddlers to adults. History buffs, antique collectors, shoppers, connoisseurs, artists, birdwatchers, and nature lovers will never be idle because they will not run out of exciting things to do in Opelika, Alabama.