Seniors Drop By Opelika

My wife just commented to me that our country has an abundance of smaller communities that are simply great places for seniors to enjoy as we travel. Opelika is a prime example.

The seat of Lee County in the east central part of the State of Alabama, Opelika is the principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area.  According to the 2013 Census Estimate, the population of Opelika was 28,635. Now we are off to explore “Large Swamp, AL.”  What’s this? Keep reading and you will find out.

Let’s look into the name…Opelika, Alabama. This word was taken from the Muskogee language meaning “large swamp”. Settlement was sporadic until the late 1840s, when the railroad reached the town. This stimulated development of Opelika as a commercial center and it was incorporated later on February 9, 1854.

 Seniors Hike The Azalea and Dogwood Trail

Senior visitors can enjoy the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, the place where, during World War II, African American men were trained to become military pilots.

The city is also home to the world-famous Grand National Golf Course. Golfers can also visit the Beaver Creek Golf Course, Moore’s Mill Golf Club, and Pin Oaks Golf Club, and Saugahatchee Country Club.

The Chewacla State Park, spreads across 696 acres of land. Another place worth visiting in Opelika is the Azalea and Dogwood Trail. Following this trail, created by Nature itself, senior hikers can enjoy the numerous hues of the Southern Azaleas and Dogwood trees.

Seniors Enjoy Opelike Historic District

Senior visitors, let’s take a two minute driving tour of the Opelika Historic District.  We’ll see some beautiful and well kept homes and some awesome dogwoods. I don’t  think that I have seen that many historic homes one right after the other for quite some.

My wife and I love the older part of every town we visit. Tiger Town and Angel’s Antiques and Flea Mall would be of interest to my wife.

TripAdvisor’s listing of 17 things to do includes the Grand National Golf Course. Be sure to search out the Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge, also known as the Pea Ridge Covered Bridge. This locally owned wooden covered bridge spans Rocky Brook.

Seniors, its time to set your GPS for Alabama and hone in on Opelika. You will find that the hospitality in Alabama is as legendary as the Opelika landscape and the southern cooking…yum yum!  -jeb