The best things to do in Opelika, Alabama, are on and around Railroad Avenue in its historic downtown: a distillery tour, two breweries, a pinball arcade, a gallery in an 1865 building and a run of locally owned restaurants and shops, all within a few walkable blocks. Add the free Museum of East Alabama, a drive through the Victorian homes of the Northside Historic District and a round at Grand National, and Opelika easily fills a day.
Opelika sits next door to Auburn in Lee County, but it has its own pace and personality. This guide covers what to see, where to eat and drink, where to shop and when to come. For the bigger picture of both towns, see our Auburn and Opelika guide.
Opelika at a glance
- Where: East Alabama, on I-85 about 7 miles northeast of downtown Auburn. Opelika is the Lee County seat.
- Getting there: Columbus Airport (CSG) in Georgia is about 40 to 45 minutes away, Montgomery Regional (MGM) about an hour and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) roughly an hour and 40 minutes.
- Downtown core: North and South Railroad Avenue along the tracks, plus South 8th Street, South 9th Street, 1st Avenue and Avenue B.
- Time needed: An afternoon and evening for downtown; a full day if you add golf, Spring Villa Park or the Museum of East Alabama.
- Best for: Couples, small groups, beer and whiskey lovers, antique and record shoppers, and anyone who likes a walkable small-town downtown.
What is downtown Opelika like?
Downtown Opelika is a compact railroad district of restored brick storefronts, most of them built in the 1880s after a fire in 1868 destroyed much of the town. The railroad still runs through the middle of it, so you will hear and see trains while you walk. A revitalization effort that began in 1987 turned the old storefronts into restaurants, breweries, galleries and shops, and the restored train depot is now home to Opelika Main Street.
The best approach is to park once and walk. Most of what you want sits on Railroad Avenue and the short cross streets between it and the 1896 Lee County Courthouse on South 9th Street. Late afternoon into evening is the liveliest time, especially Thursday through Saturday, when the taprooms and restaurants fill up. Our Opelika area guide lists everything in town, and the Opelika things to do page has the full set of attractions.
What is there to do on Railroad Avenue?
Railroad Avenue is where Opelika’s downtown comes together: a distillery and brewery on the north end, and a gallery, an arcade and a game store on the south end. Plan on two to three hours to walk it slowly with a tour and a drink.
John Emerald Distilling Company
John Emerald Distilling Company, at 706 North Railroad Avenue, is a family-owned distillery whose tours are led by one of its own distillers, not a hired guide. You walk through the working distillery and hear how the mash, fermentation and distillation are done. Its signature single malt whiskey is made from malted barley, part of it smoked over peach and pecan wood, and the lineup also includes a bourbon, a rye, two rums and a gin. Tours run 30 to 45 minutes, several times a day most days, and the distillery lists tours from $10, or $15 with three tastings. Book ahead on football weekends.
The Gallery on Railroad
The Gallery on Railroad, at 809 South Railroad Avenue, has been part of downtown since 1980, long before the brewery boom. It sits inside a brick storefront raised in 1865, one of the oldest buildings in the district, and sells original art, pottery, home decor and gifts from regional makers. It is also the go-to custom framer in town.
Rock ‘N Roll Pinball
Rock ‘N Roll Pinball, a few doors down at 815 South Railroad Avenue, packs more than 30 pinball machines into one room, many of them music and movie tables, plus multicade cabinets loaded with thousands of classic video games. Nearly everything is set to free play once you pay admission. It is family friendly during the day and 19 and up in the evening, with beer and snacks.
Off The Rails Gaming
Off The Rails Gaming, next door at 817 South Railroad Avenue, is the local tabletop and trading card game store, with a board game library, trivia nights and weekly tournaments. If you have kids or teens who play, it is an easy hour.
Where should you eat in downtown Opelika?
For dinner, book Cafe 123 or Piedmont on Piedmont; for a casual meal, go to Zazu Gastropub or Chuck’s Bar-B-Que. All four are within a short walk or drive of Railroad Avenue.
- Cafe 123: Downtown’s fine dining room, at 123 South 8th Street in the building that housed Haynie’s Drug Store for most of the 20th century. The menu is Southern with a classic French influence, and there is a full bar and Sunday brunch.
- Piedmont on Piedmont: An owner-operated Italian restaurant and wine bar at 1001 Avenue B, with pasta made in house and a build-your-own pasta option.
- Zazu Gastropub: A scratch kitchen and bar at 112 South 8th Street that sources from local farms and has separate lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch menus, plus a dedicated beer list.
- Chuck’s Bar-B-Que: Pit-cooked chicken, pork, turkey and ham on Short Avenue since 1976, finished with a tangy mustard-based sauce that sets it apart from most Alabama barbecue.
- Botanic: A short drive out on Frederick Road, a plant shop, market and florist by day and a reservations-recommended Southern dining room by night, with pond-view seating.
Coffee and sweets
Three of downtown’s best daytime stops sit side by side on South 8th Street. Boonie Hat Coffee Company is a veteran-owned roastery that sells whole beans and artisan ice pops, The Coffee Shop has window seats and rotating local art, and Cakeitecture Bakery is a custom cake studio with an espresso bar and a Fresh Bread Friday tradition.
Where can you get a drink in Opelika?
Downtown Opelika has two breweries, a distillery and a craft beer pub within a few blocks, which makes it the best place in Lee County for a beer crawl. Red Clay Brewing Company on North Railroad Avenue pairs house beer with wood-fired pizza and has Tuesday trivia, Resting Pulse Brewing Company on 1st Avenue is the smaller, quieter taproom and is open Sunday, and Whistle Stop Bottle & Brew pours from more than 26 rotating taps and welcomes kids and pets. Our guide to Auburn and Opelika breweries and a distillery covers hours, what to order and how to plan a walking route.
Where should you shop in Opelika?
Opelika is the better of the two towns for shopping, with records, antiques, jewelry and home decor downtown and a huge antique mall by the interstate. See the full list on our Opelika shopping page.
- 10,000 Hz Records: Roughly 10,000 new vinyl titles plus used records at 717A 1st Avenue, in a building that once held the offices of the Montgomery Cotton Company. Open seven days.
- Designer’s Warehouse: A home decor shop and interior design studio on North Railroad Avenue, with furniture, lamps, rugs and art arranged in room-like vignettes.
- Studio 3:19: A size-inclusive women’s boutique in the same North Railroad Avenue building, with a custom hat bar.
- Taylor Made Designs: Handcrafted jewelry on South 8th Street, family owned since 1990 and now in its second generation.
- The Surcie Shoppe: Gifts, apparel and baby items on South 9th Street, named for the Southern word for a small, just-because gift.
- Angel’s Antique & Flea Mall: More than 400 vendors in an air-conditioned building just off I-85 at Exit 62, with loading help for furniture.
What history and arts can you see in Opelika?
Start with the Museum of East Alabama, then walk to the courthouse and drive the Northside Historic District; if you are staying the evening, check what is on at the performing arts center.
- Museum of East Alabama: At 121 South 9th Street, with exhibits on World War II’s impact on the area, including a former prisoner of war camp, and the origins of pine needle basketry in the region. Admission is free, with donations welcome. Alabama’s tourism department lists hours as Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Lee County Courthouse: A Classical Revival courthouse built in 1896 at 215 South 9th Street and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Northside Historic District: Victorian homes along North 8th and 9th Streets, just north of downtown. It is a pleasant walk any time and the setting for the town’s biggest holiday tradition (see below).
- Opelika Center for the Performing Arts: Run by the nonprofit East Alabama Arts at 1103 Glenn Street, with an annual Performance Series of touring acts alongside regional talent.
Where can you play golf or get outdoors in Opelika?
Opelika’s two big outdoor draws are Grand National, for golf, and Spring Villa Park, for camping and walking. Both are a short drive from downtown.
Grand National is one of the flagship stops on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, with 54 holes across the Lake, Links and Short courses. Thirty-two of those holes play along Lake Saugahatchee. Spring Villa Park is a 350-acre city park south of town, listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its antebellum house, with nature trails, picnic shelters and a 30-site hookup campground. For hiking, mountain biking and a waterfall, drive 20 minutes to Chewacla State Park, covered in our guide to Chewacla State Park and the outdoors around Auburn.
When is the best time to visit Opelika?
The best times to visit Opelika are fall, for mild weather and football weekends, December, for its holiday events, and spring, for the Opelika Songwriters Festival. Summer is hot, but downtown is quieter and the indoor stops (the distillery, the arcade, the record store) make it easy.
- Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour: Homes in the Northside Historic District decorate their porches, and visitors drive through from 5 to 9 p.m. on December 9, 10, 11 and 13, 2026, or walk it from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2026.
- Holiday season downtown: Opelika runs a full calendar of holiday events each year, including a Christmas parade and tree lighting downtown. Check the city’s holiday calendar for 2026 dates.
- Opelika Songwriters Festival: More than 80 performances across downtown venues each spring. The 2026 festival ran March 26 to 29.
- Auburn home football Saturdays: Opelika is busier and lodging fills, but downtown is a good place to eat before or after the game. The remaining 2026 home dates are October 24, November 7 and November 21.
A one-day Opelika plan
| Time | Stop | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Coffee on South 8th Street, then the Museum of East Alabama | Downtown is quiet, and the museum opens at 10 a.m. on weekdays. |
| Midday | Lunch at Chuck’s Bar-B-Que or Zazu Gastropub | Two very different takes on a local lunch. |
| Early afternoon | The Gallery on Railroad, 10,000 Hz Records and Designer’s Warehouse | Shopping while the streets are easy to walk. |
| Mid-afternoon | Tour at John Emerald Distilling Company | The best hour in town, led by a distiller. |
| Evening | Pizza and a pint at Red Clay, or dinner at Cafe 123 or Piedmont on Piedmont | Downtown is at its liveliest after 6 p.m. |
| Late | Rock ‘N Roll Pinball | Free play after admission, and 19 and up after dark. |
FAQ
Is Opelika, Alabama, worth visiting?
Yes. Downtown Opelika is one of the most walkable small-town downtowns in Alabama, with a distillery, two breweries, good restaurants and independent shops in restored railroad-era buildings. It pairs well with a day in Auburn, 15 minutes away.
What is Opelika known for?
Opelika is known for its historic railroad downtown, the Grand National courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and a busy event calendar that includes the Opelika Songwriters Festival and the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour. It is also the county seat of Lee County.
Where do you park in downtown Opelika?
Street parking and small lots are spread along Railroad Avenue and the cross streets near the courthouse. Park once and walk, since nearly everything downtown is within a few blocks.
Is downtown Opelika good for kids?
Yes. Rock ‘N Roll Pinball is family friendly during the day, Off The Rails Gaming has a board game library, Whistle Stop Bottle & Brew welcomes kids and pets, and the Museum of East Alabama is free. Spring Villa Park has room to run.
How far is Opelika from Auburn University?
Downtown Opelika is about 7 miles from Auburn University’s campus, roughly a 15-minute drive. Many visitors stay in one town and eat or explore in the other.