re: Auburn for LSU game?

Check the Auburn/Opelika travel and tourism website. They typically have a list (updated weekly) of hotels in the area that have openings, along with rates and minimum stays.

We try to stay at the Hampton Inn at exit 58 when we are aren't driving back to Atlanta after the game. If everything in the immediate area is booked, I would check up 85 into Georgia, around Lagrange - easier trip than driving 280 from Columbus.

If you get into Auburn early enough on Friday, check out the "Football, Fans & Feathers" show at the raptor center. They freeflight several of the different birds that they have there, and you get much closer than you do with the eagle flying pregame.

Otherwise, Auburn is your typical small town college town - dominated by the school and campus. A lot of the nightlife has been moved away from downtown as the businesses that have been going in around Toomer's Corner have been becoming more family friendly.

Gameday parking is a mix. You can park at certain places on campus to tailgate, but a good deal of the inner campus is off limits to parking. You can find pay lots (expect to pay $20-$30 for LSU weekend) on the edges of campus - especially along East Magnolia. Check out the churches on East Magnolia between Gay Street and Ross Street. You can also park in the University "hayfield" lots at South College and Donahue for free and either walk (a good hike) to take a shuttle to the campus.