Reviewed by: Callie Puryear
7 things to do in downtown Opelika
ByElizabeth Hobbs
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Did you know downtown Opelika has so much to offer? You can easily make a fun day trip out of downtown if you know the right spots to hit. We’re giving you 7 fun, unique activities that will ensure you have a great downtown experience!
1. Enjoy a cup of coffee (or tea)
The coffee shops in Opelika are well worth the hype. (Elizabeth Hobbs / The BamaBuzz)
Opelika has some of the best coffee shops to fuel up at with a quality coffee or tea. I start every trip downtown with a quick coffee shop visit and sip on my drink of choice (normally a Side Track matcha) while I shop around. Whether you need a quick cup to-go or want to sit and get some work done, here are places you need to visit when you’re in downtown Opelika.
- Side Track Coffee—loved by college students for the community, aesthetic ambience, unique menu and pay what you want
- Location: 817 S Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8AM-4PM
- Website | Instagram
- The Coffee Shop—the perfect minimalist coffee shop for work meetings or a quick bite
- Location: 122 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Friday 7AM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-4PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
- Boonie Hat Coffee Company—Veteran-owned roastery and coffee bar (that also sells artisan popsicles)
- The Well—the tea hours of your dreams with a whimsical tea menu and themed tea rooms
- Address: 824 Ave A, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
2. Treasure hunt at thrift and antique shops
When people ask me how I can spend hours walking around downtown Opelika, the real answer is the thrift stores. Downtown Opelika has so many locally owned thrift shops FULL of goodies. I walk away with something every trip—this time, vintage martini glasses from Roland’s Thrift Store.
I always chat with the owner, Roland, while I’m browsing (fun fact: he has owned and operated his thrift store for 21 years since retiring!). You’re almost guaranteed to find something new and unique to add to your home when you visit these shops.
- Era Opelika—cherry-picked vintage shop with one-of-a-kind pieces
- Address: 925 S Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 10AM-2PM | Friday-Saturday 10AM-5PM
- Instagram | Facebook
- Roland’s Thrift Store—reasonably priced antiques, knick-knacks, household items and other goodies
- Address: 825 S Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30AM-3PM
- Almost Anything—retro video games, vinyl records, comic books, magic cards and more
- Location: 221 South 9th Street, Opelika AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM, Saturday 10AM-2PM
- Website | Facebook
- Railroad Junktion—seasonal items, antiques, and mid-century modern and vintage pieces
- Address: 913 1/2 S Railroad Ave, Opelika AL 36801
- Hours: Monday 10AM-2:30PM | Thursday 10AM-2:30 PM | Friday-Saturday 10AM-4PM
- Facebook | Instagram
- Fringe Consignment—quality second-hand clothing for reasonable prices (with brand name pieces already sorted out, so browsing is a breeze)
- Address: 125 S 8th St, Opelika AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
- Gatherings by Judy and Paula—furniture, housewares, trinkets and more
3. Browse records at 10,000 Hz
10,000 Hz has a wide range of genres in stock—perfect for me who loves indie pop and for my friend who prefers the oldies. (Elizabeth Hobbs / The BamaBuzz)
Perhaps my favorite past time in Opelika is flipping through the new and used vinyls at 10,000 Hz Records. As a record player owner and audiophile (if you know, you know), 10,000 Hz is one of my all-time favorite record stores.
The super knowledgeable staff can point me to any record I name off, or order anything they don’t have in stock. Even if you don’t have a record player, you can stock up on CDs or cassettes—or you can just go for the vibes.
- Location: 717A 1st Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Friday 11AM-6PM | Saturday 10AM-5PM | Sunday 12-5PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
4. Grab a bite to eat
You’ll work up quite the appetite after spending all that time walking around the shops. Good news—downtown Opelika has plenty of tasty food that’ll hit the spot (and keep you fueled for even more downtown exploring). Here’s what’s popular:
- Irish Bred Pub—spacious sports bar serving pub grub with an Irish influence, plus dancing & games
- Address: 833 S Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 11AM-12AM | Sunday 12-5PM
- Menu
- Zazu Gastropub—low-key, rustic-chic tavern featuring 20+ craft brews on tap, plus New American eats & wine
- Address: 112 S 8th St Opelika, Alabama
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-10PM | Sunday 10AM-2PM
- Menu
- Niffer’s Place Opelika—the best burgers and corn nuggets around
- Hours: Monday-Tuesday 11AM-3PM | Wednesday-Thursday 11AM-8PM | Saturday 11AM-9PM Sunday 11AM-4PM
- Menu
- Jefferson’s Opelika—branch of an easygoing American chain specializing in chicken wings, burgers and oysters
- Address: 905 S Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 11AM-9PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-10PM | Sunday 11AM-4PM
- Menu
- Dough Pizzeria—traditional wood fired pizza and draft beer
- Address: 104 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 11AM-9PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-10PM
- Menu
- The Breezeway—laid back restaurant with great appetizers, sandwiches, chicken baskets and wings
- Address: 213 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30AM-8PM | Saturday 10:30AM-3PM | Sunday 10:30AM-2PM
- Menu
- Cafe One Twenty Three—fine dining restaurant serving Southern American Cuisine with a classic French influence
- Address: 123 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5-10PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM–2PM, 5–10PM | Sunday 11AM-2PM
- Menu
- Viva la Vida Opelika—Mexican cuisine
- Address: 870 N Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11AM-9PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-10:30PM
- Menu
- Twice Baked—family-owned BBQ restaurant featuring made-from-scratch staple foods (think meat, bread and potatoes)
- Address: 909 S Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11AM-8PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-12AM | Sunday 11AM-5PM
- Menu
5. Get a sweet treat
If your sweet tooth starts to ache or you want to bring something home to show for your day, consider bringing home a sweet treat.
- Tart & Tartan Bakery—cakes, casseroles, cookies, pies and other sweets
- Address: 117 S 8th St Suite 203, Opelika, AL 36801
- Menu | Website | Instagram
- Cakeitecture Bakery—cakes, cake pops, cookies, pastries and made-to-order sculpted cakes
- Kath’s Bakeshop pop-ups at The Well—Filipino bread and desserts
- Address: 824 Ave A, Opelika, AL 36801
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
- O Town Ice Cream—ice cream, Italian ice, sundaes, cookies and pastries
- Address: 700 2nd Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
6. Have a picnic in the park
What’s not to love about a classic picnic? Grab some friends and a cute picnic setup for a tranquil visit. Whether you go all out for a birthday or holiday picnic, or you want somewhere to take your to-go lunch, the park in the heart of downtown Opelika is the perfect spot. Pro-tip: find cute glassware, bowls, baskets and picnic accessories at the thrift store for an affordable, unique setup.
- Address: 215 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801
7. Channel your inner gamer
Downtown Opelika is the best spot to unleash your inner child with gaming hotspots like these: Gear Gaming, Rock ‘N Roll Pinball, and CyberZone Entertainment.
- Gear Gaming—table top games and hobbies, fun weekly events, wine, beer and mead
- Address: 817 S Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 12-10PM | Friday-Sunday 12-11PM | Sunday 12-6PM
- Instagram | Facebook
- Rock ‘N Roll Pinball—30+ pinball machines and video arcades, Jailhouse adult beverages, family and pet friendly
- Address: 815 S Railroad Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11AM-9PM | Thursday 11AM-10PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-12AM | Sunday 12-5PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
- Price: $10 an hour | $20 wristband to play until close (play, leave and return) including Jailhouse access | all games set to free play—no quarters or payment at games is needed
- CyberZone Entertainment—laser tag, virtual reality, Esports Arena and arcade video and ticket games
- Address: 107 N 9th St, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4-9PM | Friday 4-11PM | Saturday 12-11PM | Sunday 12-6PM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
- Price: Laser Tag: $9 per game, $17 for two games | Virtual Reality: $5 King Kong Vr, $8 Hologate VR | Esports: $8 per hour, $30 day pass (visit their website for more pricing details and game requirements)
- NERDtorch Cafe—countless video games, comics, food, weekly community game nights, tournaments and fun events
- Address: 225 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 4PM-12AM
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
- Price: $10 1-day pass | $25 1-month pass | $250 1-year pass
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