24 Hours in Opelika, Alabama: a guide to local favorites

Often overlooked by visitors to Auburn, historic Opelika has plenty of reasons to make it a destination in its own right. Just 15 minutes from the Plains, this railroad town pairs historic neighborhoods and independent shops with a growing food scene, craft breweries, and unexpected places to explore. You can spend the morning browsing antiques, the afternoon sampling local brews, and the evening over a thoughtfully prepared dinner or a cocktail behind an unassuming door. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or adding a few stops to an Auburn trip, here are some of the best ways to spend 24 hours in Opelika.

Start the Day at Botanic

For a slower start to the morning, head to Botanic, a garden-inspired destination on Frederick Road that brings together food, plants, and locally minded shopping. Start with coffee and a pastry at The Market, where you can also find breakfast, made-to-order crepes, salads, and housemade goods. Then take time to explore the greenery, browse the Garden Shoppe, and shop for gifts and goods from local makers.

Botanic offers more than a quick breakfast stop. With its greenhouse, garden spaces, and multiple dining areas, it’s a destination where you can easily spend a little extra time before heading downtown. If your schedule allows, return for lunch in The Garden or make a reservation at The Grille for dinner.

Take a Mini Brew Tour

For a town of Opelika’s size, the local craft beverage scene offers plenty to explore. Downtown, Red Clay Brewing Company and Resting Pulse Brewing Company give visitors two ways to sample locally made beer within walking distance of other downtown stops.

Red Clay Brewing Company opened in 2015, bringing together Auburn University alumni and an Ole Miss graduate with a shared interest in craft beer. Resting Pulse followed in 2019, creating another gathering place for beer enthusiasts. Both offer rotating selections alongside their regular brews, making them easy additions to an afternoon of exploring downtown. Check their websites for current tap lists, hours, and events before visiting.

Taste Alabama Whiskey at John Emerald Distilling Company

At John Emerald Distilling Company, father-and-son team John and Jimmy Sharp helped put Opelika on Alabama’s craft spirits map. The family-owned distillery is known for John’s Alabama Single Malt Whiskey, recognized as the first legally distilled whiskey in Alabama since Prohibition.

Visitors can sample the distillery’s spirits, which include whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum, or order a cocktail in the tasting room. Tours offer a closer look at the process behind the bottles, from production to the finished spirit. Check the distillery’s website for current tour availability and tasting-room hours.

Explore the Northside Historic District

A short walk from downtown’s railroad tracks, the Northside Historic District offers a glimpse of Opelika’s architectural past. Turn-of-the-century homes line the neighborhood, with historic details and restored porches that invite a closer look at the city beyond its commercial center.

The district is particularly festive during the holiday season, when the annual Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour showcases decorated homes and brings residents and visitors together. Even outside the holidays, a walk through the neighborhood is a worthwhile way to appreciate the history and character that make Opelika distinct.

Go Shopping Downtown

Opelika’s independent shops are part of what makes a downtown visit worthwhile. Start at Southern Crossing for home décor, gifts, and Southern-inspired finds. For women’s clothing, Studio 3:19 offers a boutique shopping experience, while 10,000 Hz Records is the place to browse new and vintage vinyl.

If you’re looking for something with a little more history, add Roland’s Thrift & Antiques to your itinerary. The shop is filled with antiques, collectibles, and unexpected finds, but its appeal goes beyond what’s on the shelves. Roland himself, an 86-year-old Opelika fixture, is part of the experience, known for the humor and kindness that make a visit feel personal. It’s the kind of independent business that reminds you some of the best discoveries are about the people you meet along the way.

Find Opelika’s Street Art

Keep an eye out as you explore downtown: Opelika’s murals add color and local character to its historic streets. Look for the bright blue “Bless You” mural and the Yellow Umbrella mural, two recognizable backdrops for photos and reminders that public art can be part of the everyday landscape.

You can also seek out the “Greetings from Opelika” mural near the Opelika Public Library. Make a game of finding several of the city’s murals on foot, taking time to explore the storefronts and side streets between stops.

Eat Like a Local at Mrs. Story’s Dairy Bar

For a taste of old-school Alabama, make your way to Mrs. Story’s Dairy Bar on Pepperell Parkway. The drive-up spot has been serving Opelika since 1952, and its all-the-way hot dogs and thick milkshakes have earned it a place in local food lore.

Order a hot dog loaded with chili, cheese, onions, relish, and mustard, or ask the staff what they recommend. And save room for a shake. Mrs. Story’s is a reminder that a memorable meal doesn’t have to be complicated; sometimes, a classic combination served at a longtime neighborhood favorite is exactly what a road trip calls for.

Make Time for Dinner

When it’s time for a sit-down meal, Opelika offers options ranging from relaxed gastropub fare to more polished Southern cooking. At Zazu Gastropub, a second-floor patio overlooks downtown storefronts, while the menu features dishes rooted in Southern ingredients and flavors. It’s a good option for dinner with a view of the streets you’ve spent the day exploring.

For a more elevated evening, Café One Twenty Three combines Southern fine dining with French influence. The menu has included everything from mussels marinière to more playful takes on familiar ingredients, making it a fitting stop for a special dinner.

If you’d rather plan a meal around Botanic, The Grille offers another option for a reservation-worthy dinner, with a menu centered on Southern cuisine and several distinct dining spaces. Check current menus and reservation availability when planning your visit.

Sneak Away for a Nightcap

End the day at Sneak & Dawdle, a speakeasy-style bar tucked behind an understated entrance in downtown Opelika. The moody interior, exposed brick, and velvet seating set the scene for cocktails and conversation, offering a different atmosphere from the breweries and distillery nearby.

Look for the arched wooden doors and the small golden bear above the handle. Once inside, order a cocktail and settle in for the final stop of your Opelika itinerary. The unassuming entrance is part of the fun, but the experience also captures something that runs through the town’s best places: the pleasure of finding something memorable just off the main road.

Opelika may sit in Auburn’s shadow on some travel itineraries, but a day here reveals a destination with its own character. Between historic streets, independent businesses, locally made drinks, and restaurants worth planning around, there’s plenty of reason to stay awhile.