Discover Lee: Nature, History, and Parks

Lee combines outdoor experiences with regional history. Options range from trails for hikers and mountain bikers to wooded paths with observation blinds; museums and historic buildings offer a different focus. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether your trip will center more on natural areas, water, or a visit to Opelika’s historic center.

Nature Along Trails, Water, and Wildlife Viewing

Chewacla State Park covers 696 scenic acres. Its trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. At Lake Chewacla, visitors can fish and swim in the beach area. The same park therefore offers a choice of activities on the trails and by the water.

Wood Duck Nature Park has a different focus: More than 170 bird species have been recorded there. Visitors can follow more than two miles of wooded trails to two observation blinds overlooking the lagoon. If you’d like to plan an outing around birdwatching, you’ll find a combination of woodland trails and views of the lagoon here.

Kreher Preserve and Nature Center is a 120-acre area with seven natural habitats. Its diversity offers another perspective on the landscape, alongside the trails and wildlife-viewing spots at the other natural areas. The 16-acre Donald E. Davis Arboretum serves as a botanical garden, outdoor classroom, and conservation resource. It is dedicated to the native plants and natural communities of Alabama and the southeastern United States. Its nationally accredited collections include oaks and native azaleas.

History and Cityscape

The 350-acre Spring Villa Park includes an Antebellum home and nature trails. Spring Villa was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 3, 1978. The site therefore offers both a connection to architectural history and trails through nature. The Old Trade Center is the oldest commercial building in Lee County.

The Museum of East Alabama is located in Opelika’s historic downtown, next to Lee County Courthouse Square. It displays more than 5,000 artifacts about the history of Opelika, East Alabama, and Alabama. The museum opened in August 1989 at the original site of the former Clement Hotel. For a visit focused on local history, the museum is a specific landmark in the historic center.

Regional Experiences and Getting Here

The Pimento Cheese Trail in Auburn-Opelika leads to different varieties of pimento cheese at several local stops. Participating businesses may change, so check in advance which stops might suit your trip.

The drive from Montgomery Regional Airport to the Auburn-Opelika area takes about an hour. Groome Transportation offers shuttle service between Atlanta Airport and several destinations in the area. Check which connection works for your destination when planning your trip.

When choosing a hotel, you can start with your planned activities: Opelika’s historic center is a convenient reference point for visiting the museum; for days spent in the natural areas, it helps to compare your hotel’s address with your planned outings.

Discover more destinations: Valley, Auburn, Opelika, Coffee County, Shelby County, Marshall County, Dallas County, Marion County.

For the full travel overview: Alabama.