Pike: Discover Cultural History and Nature

A special way to explore Pike’s natural heritage is at Pike County Pocosin. The two areas cover a total of 333 acres and are home to two distinctive plant communities, including an unusual evergreen pocosin community in deep ravines. The preserve also offers opportunities for birdwatching and observing other wildlife. Roadside parking is available at the Clayhill Road entrance; check access information before your visit.

Experience Nature and Choose Activities

Troy University Arboretum offers space for outdoor education and recreation. More than 8 miles of walking trails are open to the public. The trails give your visit a different focus from wildlife viewing at the preserve: time outdoors here is combined with an educational experience.

Pike County State Public Fishing Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. For a different activity, Pike County Community Archery Park has an area for adults with eight targets at distances of 15 to 50 yards. Rules and license requirements may change; check current requirements before use.

Museums, Architecture, and Local Culture

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama presents Alabama’s prehistory and the history of rural life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum includes 22 structures and numerous historic objects. The grounds offer a variety of experiences, too: they include certified wetlands and wooded trails, as well as an observation deck with the Conecuh River running parallel behind it.

The Hands on History program is run by volunteers for groups of children. It uses original artifacts and traditional techniques; confirm the program’s availability with the museum. Events documented annually include Pioneer Days, Spring Plantin', and Old Time Christmas.

The Johnson Center for the Arts is housed in a Classical Revival-style post office dating to around 1910. Admission for the general public is free; check current visitor information before your visit. The Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park features an outdoor display of terracotta warriors. The We Piddle Around Theater presents live stage productions.

Visitors to the Troy Historic District can see thirteen antebellum homes and a restored town square. The Troy Downtown Historic Commercial District includes historic buildings dating from the mid-19th century through the 1950s and was listed on February 21, 2013. The two names represent different historical perspectives on Troy: homes and a town square on the one hand, and a commercial district with buildings from several decades on the other.

Festivals and Planning Your Stay

The Peanut Butter Festival in Brundidge is an annual harvest and heritage celebration. Dates can change, so check the event schedule before your trip. Butter and Egg Adventures is an outdoor recreation facility and retreat center on a 48-acre property in Troy. Alongside museums and architecture, a recreation facility and stage productions offer additional options for visitors’ interests.

Troy is on U.S. Highway 231 between North Alabama and the Gulf Coast beaches. The Public Relations and Tourism Office in Troy provides visitor information and maps; check the office details before you arrive. When choosing a hotel, you can plan around the places that matter to you: many of the cultural and natural attractions described here are in Troy, while the Peanut Butter Festival takes place in Brundidge.

Discover more destinations: Troy, Brundidge, Geneva County, Clay County, Blount County, Macon, Clarke County, Russell.

For the broader travel overview: Alabama.