Summer Weekend Spots: Places to Reconnect With Your Auburn Friends!

About a month into summer, the excitement of being home is starting to fade. Days move at a slower pace, your favorite hometown spots feel familiar again, and you might find yourself missing the little things like running into friends on campus, grabbing coffee on a whim, and the constant energy.

Now is a great time to reconnect with your Auburn friends, whether you plan a quick day trip, a weekend away, or just a change of scenery together. From outdoor adventures to shopping trips and weekends at the lake, these places, many just a short drive from Auburn, are perfect for making new memories and enjoying summer together.

Chewacla State Park

If you and your friends decide to meet back in Auburn for the weekend, Chewacla State Park is an easy way to spend time together and explore the area without the business of school. It’s only about 10 minutes from downtown, which makes it perfect for a low-effort plan that still feels special. You can walk the trails, sit by the water, and catch up without the usual distractions. The waterfall area is a favorite spot to hang out and take photos, and it’s an easy place to spend a few hours talking and relaxing. Afterward, you can head back into Auburn for dinner or coffee and continue revisiting your favorite college spots together.

Montgomery

If Auburn feels too familiar, meeting in Montgomery is an easy way to switch things up while still staying close. The Shoppes at EastChase give you plenty to do, whether that’s shopping, walking around, or just spending time together. It’s less about the stores and more about having something to do while you catch up on everything you’ve missed. However, there is a Lululemon, Sephora, Aerie, and plenty of others to double the fun! You can also grab brunch, coffee, or dinner and make a full day out of it. It’s a simple option that doesn’t require much planning but still makes the weekend feel intentional.

Atlanta

Get ready to feel like a tourist and have a great time! Check out the classics like the Georgia Aquarium, Coca-Cola Factory, and of course, a Braves game. You can also visit the College Football Hall of Fame to see some famous Auburn coaches and players, including Coach Pat Dye and Bo Jackson. If you want to shop and eat, Avalon is an outdoor mall with lots of good food and stores.

Lake Martin

Lake Martin is a favorite summer weekend spot, especially if you want a more chill weekend. Renting a house or staying with someone who has a place on the lake lets you slow down and really enjoy each other’s company. A perfect day could be waking up with coffee on the dock with a late breakfast, then heading out to enjoy the day! You don’t need a boat to have fun; swimming, lying out, and hanging out on the dock are enough. You can also check out Wind Creek State Park for beach access and activities like putt-putt to have some fun. Lake weekends give you uninterrupted time together, making it easier to reconnect after being apart.

Orange Beach

If your group wants to turn it into more of a getaway, Orange Beach is a place where everyone can meet and spend a full weekend together. You can spend time on the beach, visit The Wharf, or go to OWA, an amusement park and shopping venue. There’s plenty to do at these locations if you want to spend the weekend riding roller coasters, playing games at the arcade, or even hitting up the pickleball courts. But if you want a more chill weekend, it’s still a great place to go and spend time together, even if it’s just grabbing a coffee and breakfast and heading to the water. A beach weekend gives everyone a chance to step away from their routines and focus on being together again.

Summer doesn’t last forever, and neither does this time of flexible schedules and fewer responsibilities. Before school starts up again and life gets busy, make the most of the time you have. Whether you’re trying something new or going back to a favorite Auburn tradition, it’s really about being together. These are the moments you’ll remember long after summer is over. So get the groupchat active and make a plan!

Be Well, Auburn.