58 Things to love about Alabama: Chilton County Peaches

On I-65, about halfway between Birmingham and Montgomery, pretty much any Alabamian worth his truck will have seen the giant peach in the sky at one of the Clanton exits.

The water tower painted like a peach is in the heart of Chilton county, which is home to some of the most famous peaches around. Now, I’ve grown up in the area, so I can’t really speak for how they compare to peaches in other states, as Chilton county peaches are all I’ve ever really had.

Driving Highway 82 between Montgomery and Tuscaloosa will give you plenty of opportunities to see acres on acres of rows of peach trees growing along the highway, and plenty more opportunities to stop at roadside stands to buy them from local farmers during the summer.

Chilton county has a Peach festival every year, and their beauty pageant winner is named “Miss Peach.” You might say they’re obsessed with the yellow, nectary fruit.

And then there’s Peach Park. On exit 205 (two exits south of the water tower), this farmer’s market/restaurant is a local legend for their peach ice cream. The one time road side stand has grown to a full travel stop with a BBQ joint, gift shop, picnic area, and pretty much anything made out of peaches that you can possibly think of.

With July fast approaching, now is the time to stop at the nearest roadside stand next time you’re traveling in that triangle between Montgomery, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa.