Discover Troy: Arts, History and Nature

Troy offers several ways to shape your stay: art in galleries, history at an open-air museum, and trails through diverse landscapes. The historic downtown is also an important landmark. When planning, it’s worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your trip: Would you like to explore art, learn about Alabama’s history, or spend time outdoors? The destinations differ in their themes and landscapes, so you can tailor your stay to your interests.

Art and Architecture in Troy

The Johnson Center for the Arts is located in a Classical Revival post office building dating to around 1910 in downtown Troy. There are seven galleries in the building. The two-story main gallery covers 1,400 square feet; together, the seven galleries give the arts center several exhibition spaces. Admission is free to the public.

The Fred “Nall” Hollis Museum at Troy University’s International Arts Center offers a different perspective on art. It showcases Nall’s work from the 1960s to the present. The Huo Bao Zhu Gallery in the same arts center presents changing art exhibitions and guest exhibitions. While the Nall Museum focuses on one artist and a long span of work, the Huo Bao Zhu Gallery is defined by its rotating exhibition program.

History at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama presents the history of prehistoric Alabama and rural life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The site includes more than 22 historic buildings. Historical themes are therefore presented not only through exhibits but also through buildings.

The Main Gallery covers a broad range of topics: agricultural implements, textile arts such as quilting and weaving, the material culture of pioneer Alabama, the archaeology of Native Americans in the Southeast, military artifacts from the Civil War and World War I, and Victorian-era Troy. Visitors especially interested in everyday life and material culture will find a different focus here than in the art galleries. The College Street Historic District is also part of the area’s historic attractions: it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Trails, Landscapes and Time Outdoors

Descriptions of the Magnolia Loop Trail and Meadow Loop Trail emphasize different landscapes. The Magnolia Loop Trail passes through mixed upland forests of pines and hardwoods to a wetland along a small stream. The Meadow Loop Trail runs through an upland pine forest and leads to an open grassland and wildflower area. Thus, one route centers on forest, stream and wetland, while the other features a transition from pine forest to open ground.

Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park includes a pond, an amphitheater and walking trails. Visitors can picnic and fish at Pike County Lake. The Heart of Dixie Trail Ride offers miles of trails through Alabama’s wooded landscape. Each destination offers a different focus: walking trails and park grounds, activities at the lake, or extensive trails through wooded surroundings. No specific walking time or difficulty level is implied.

Downtown and Events

Historic downtown Troy is the community’s focal point and a center for local commerce, government and culture. The Johnson Center for the Arts is located there, too. TroyFest is a two-day arts and crafts festival honoring Jean Lake, held downtown. If the festival is important to your trip planning, check the event dates in advance.

When choosing a hotel in Troy, the different themes of your trip can help guide your decision: arts and galleries, Alabama history, historic downtown, or the landscapes around the trails and lake. These destinations offer different areas of interest rather than prescribing a single type of stay. This helps you decide what to focus on during your trip before looking at specific hotel offers.

Discover more destinations: Brundidge

For the regional travel overview: Pike.