Auburn with Kids: 15 Family-Friendly Adventures Beyond Game Day

My Porter crew has hunted waterfalls across six continents, but Chewacla State Park remains one of our favorite under-the-radar treasures. Just five minutes from downtown Auburn, this 696-acre natural playground features the modest but magical Chewacla Falls, where my youngest once spent three hours building elaborate leaf boats to send over the cascade. The park's six miles of hiking trails range from easy lakeside strolls to more challenging woodland paths—perfect for burning off kid energy without overwhelming little legs.

The mountain biking trails here deserve special mention. When we visited in 2018, my teenagers were thrilled to discover the CAMP-built wooden features, including the impressive 'Yellow Jacket' bridge that gives riders the sensation of flying through the forest. Even if your family isn't ready for serious mountain biking, rent bicycles in town and explore the park's gentler paths.

For bird-watching families like ours, the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (locally known as the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center) is pure magic. Pack your kids binoculars and look for pileated woodpeckers, eastern bluebirds, and if you're lucky, the striking red-shouldered hawks that nest in the preserve. My daughter spotted her first-ever scarlet tanager here, a memory she still treasures a decade later.

Auburn University isn't just a sports powerhouse—it's home to several fascinating museums that captivate curious minds of all ages. The Donald E. Davis Arboretum became an unexpected highlight of our last family visit. This 13.5-acre botanical garden features plants native to Alabama's Coastal Plain and is organized by habitat. My bird-watching obsession found a perfect outlet here, while the kids were enthralled by the carnivorous plant collection.

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art surprised us with its family-friendly approach to art appreciation. Their interactive children's programs transformed what could have been a 'boring museum day' (according to my then-12-year-old son) into one of his favorite memories from our Auburn adventures. The outdoor sculpture garden provides the perfect setting for kids to burn off energy between indoor exhibits.

The absolute standout, however, is the Auburn University Museum of Natural History. When we visited during their annual open house, my dinosaur-obsessed youngest spent nearly two hours chatting with graduate students about fossilized specimens. Before your visit, grab a copy of dinosaur field guide to enhance your children's experience—my kids loved identifying specimens they recognized from the book.

One of the joys of traveling with my children has always been watching their culinary horizons expand, and Auburn offers plenty of opportunities for food adventures that won't break the family budget.

Toomer's Drugs isn't just a landmark—it's a time machine. This historic pharmacy has been serving their famous fresh-squeezed lemonade since 1896, and watching the soda jerk prepare this tart, sweet concoction is entertainment itself. My kids still talk about how they learned to properly 'roll' their lemonade cups to mix in the sugar. Pro tip: bring your insulated water bottles to keep extra lemonade cold during your downtown explorations.

For a true Auburn experience that combines education and delicious treats, schedule a tour of the Auburn University Creamery. My children were fascinated learning how the university makes their famous ice cream, and the sampling session afterward was, predictably, their favorite 'educational experience' of the trip.

Barbecue is serious business in Alabama, and Mike & Ed's BBQ offers a family-friendly introduction to local flavors. The kids' meals come in portions generous enough that you might consider sharing, and their outdoor seating area gives wiggly children some breathing room. When my youngest proclaimed their pulled pork sandwich 'even better than Dad's,' I knew we had a winner.

Every family traveler knows the panic of dark clouds gathering when you've promised the kids a day of outdoor adventures. Fortunately, Auburn has several indoor options that saved our sanity during an unexpected spring shower.

The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center frequently hosts family-friendly art exhibitions and offers drop-in craft workshops that welcomed my children with open arms when we needed shelter from a thunderstorm. The kids created Alabama-themed crafts that still hang in our home, meaningful souvenirs that didn't come from a gift shop.

When energy levels demand physical activity regardless of weather, Surge Trampoline Park became our rainy-day hero. After two hours of bouncing, my normally inexhaustible children were pleasantly tired enough for an afternoon of museum visits. Before your trip, pack some trampoline socks to avoid having to purchase them at the facility—a budget-friendly travel hack I wish I'd known before our visit.

For families with train enthusiasts (I had two!), the Auburn Depot is worth visiting even in pleasant weather. This historic train station has been beautifully preserved, and though it's now used as an event space, the exterior architecture and old photographs inside tell the story of Auburn's railroad history. My son spent nearly an hour watching for trains and counting cars when a freight train rumbled past.

While Auburn itself offers plenty to fill a family weekend, some of our most memorable experiences came from short drives to nearby attractions.

Raphael's Refuge, just 25 minutes from Auburn, became an unexpected spiritual highlight of our trip. This butterfly-shaped sanctuary features stunning stained glass and offers children a peaceful space for reflection. My normally rambunctious crew fell surprisingly quiet here, mesmerized by the colorful light patterns dancing across the floor.

For a more active adventure, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park (about 30 minutes away) combines history with beautiful hiking trails. The Junior Ranger program here is exceptional—my history-loving daughter still has her badge displayed in her adult apartment. Before visiting, I recommend getting your kids a national parks passport to collect stamps and track your family's adventures through America's protected lands.

Chattahoochee Valley Railroad Trail provides a perfect family cycling experience just a short drive from Auburn. The paved path follows an abandoned railroad bed, making it mostly flat and ideal for children still mastering their balance bikes. The tunnel sections were a huge hit with my kids, who delighted in hearing their echoing voices as they rode through.