We’re happy to announce that Stuckey’s recently opened up its newest location in Perry, Georgia. Stuckey’s of Perry is the first in what will hopefully be many in our effort to take back the American roadside and bring you the highway happiness that you’ve relied on us to bring since W.S. Stuckey opened his first pecan stand in Eastman, Georgia, 44 minutes west of Perry, in 1937. So, after you’ve relaxed, refreshed and refueled at our new Stuckey’s location, hang around Perry for awhile and take in all the peachy things to see in and around the Perry, Georgia, zip code.
The charming but prosperous city of Perry is located in the heart of the state, giving it its nickname “Where Georgia Comes Together”. It is here in Perry that you will find a certain peace and quiet you’d expect of this relaxing retreat that moves at a slower pace than the rest of the world because Perry likes to take its time and get to know people a little better – something you’ll notice as soon as you receive their warm and inviting welcome.
Sam Nunn Exhibit │1100 Main St.
The Sam Nunn exhibit is also a self-guided tour housed in the Houston County Board of Education Building. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the exhibit displays memorabilia from retired Senator Sam Nunn’s early childhood days to his days serving as a Georgia senator in Washington, D.C.
Go Fish Education Center│1255 Perry Pkwy.
Speaking of fishing, you can catch fish in the stocked pond and try out interactive fishing and boating simulators at the Go Fish Education Center in Perry. You also get the chance to explore Georgia’s underwater habitats from mountain streams to black water swamps as well as Georgia’s aquatic wildlife including trout, large mouth bass and even live alligators. No trip would be complete without visiting the center’s high-definition theater where you can discover Georgia’s fishing options and traditions. There’s also a nature trail on the grounds. The center is open Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Schultze’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop│ 757 Carroll St.
While touring around Perry, step back in time and cool your heels (and your taste buds) at the nostalgic Schultze’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop for a heaping helping of all of your old soda shop favorites like egg creams, strawberry blondes and brown cows, or try some of their original frozen treats like the Tennessee Jack Sundae – a toffee ice cream laced with a smooth whiskey sweet sauce and garnished with broken Heath bars layered with caramel, butterscotch, and even more Heath bars!
If you’re there for lunch, be sure to try their new Schultze’s cheeseburger – a 1/4 pound of fresh ground beef with melted butter on a chrome plated brioche bun (cheese grilled to each slice), grilled onions and house burger sauce. Also, their Nashville Hot chicken sandwich – a fried chicken breast basted in their own homemade Nashville Hot Sauce, topped with slaw, pickles, jalapenos, and finished with a pepper jack chrome plated bun – is smoking hot delicious!
Many of their original dishes and desserts are sold for a limited time only, so be sure to check out their Facebook page before visiting and see what other delicious concoctions they’ve come up with today! Schultze’s is open Monday to Thursday from 11.a.m to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. They’re closed Sundays.
Things to Do In Places Around Perry
While you’re in the area, don’t miss these other exciting places that are just a few minutes’ drive from Perry!
Macon, GA
- Allman Brothers Band Museum│ 2321 Vineville Avenue
Also known as The Big House, the Allman Brothers Band Museum was once home to the original members of the Allman Brothers Band and their families and friends from 1970 to 1973. The band spent those three years in The Big House writing and composing many of their most popular songs including Ramblin’ Man, Please Call Home, Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More, and Midnight Rider.
By 1973, however, two key members of the Allman Brothers Band had died – Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident in October 1971 and just a little over a year later, and three blocks away from where Duane was killed, Allman Brothers bassist Berry Oakley was also unfortunately killed in a motorcycle accident – and the band quickly fell apart afterwards.
Just two months after Berry’s death, what was left of the members of the Allman Brothers band and their families were evicted from The Big House. In 2009, The Big House was turned into an interactive museum by The Big House Foundation where you can view some of the bands clothing and instruments including the “Eat a Peach” tribute guitar.
The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (gate closes at 5:30 p.m.) and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (gate closes at 3:30 p.m.).
- Allman Brothers Graves │ Rose Hill Cemetery
Many of the deceased members of the Allman Brothers Band including the band’s namesakes, brothers Duane and Greg Allman, their bassist Berry Oakley and drummer Butch Trucks are interred here at Rose Hill Cemetery – a 50-acre cemetery located on the banks of the Ocmulgee River.
This cemetery played an important part in the early days of the Allman Brothers Band as its members would often visit Rose Hill Cemetery to relax and write songs. In fact, it was here that guitarist Dickie Betts was inspired to write “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, the bands first instrumental song, in 1970 – well, sort of.
You see, band legend has it that the song was inspired by a woman from Macon that Betts was involved with – a women he described as “Hispanic and somewhat dark and mysterious”. She also just happened to be the girlfriend of musician Boz Scaggs at the time. So, in an effort to cloak the mysterious woman’s identity, Betts decided to name the song after a headstone he saw at the Rose Hill Cemetery – that of Elizabeth Reed. Ah, the life (and death) of a rock stars!
The Rose Hill Cemetery is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Why People Leave Coins on Graves
While you’re visiting the final resting place of the Allman Brothers, you may wonder why you see so many pennies and other coins placed on and around the gravesites. Well, it turns out that, though it’s seems a relatively new practice, people have been leaving tokens and coins at burial sites for thousands of years. For instance, the Greeks and Romans used to leave coins on the graves of their fallen to pay the ferryman Charon and ensure he carried their souls safely arrived across the River Styx.
During the Vietnam War, there was a resurgence in this practice where soldiers promised to buy their buddies a beer when they met again and they would leave coins as down payment on the promise.
Afterwards, when soldiers would return home and visit the gravesites of their fallen comrades, they would leave coins as a sort of code – a penny meant you visited the gravesite. A nickel meant that the person who left it and the deceased soldier trained at boot camp together. If they served with the soldier, they would leave a dime. A quarter meant that the visitor was with the deceased when they passed.
So, the next time you’re in Macon, leave a penny for the members of the Allman Brothers Band, and one for Elizabeth Reed, too, letting them and their loved ones know you visited.
Warner Robbins, GA
- Museum of Aviation │Robins Air Force Base
Originally called the Southeastern Museum of Aviation, the Museum of Aviation was founded in 1980 when World War I aviator Guy Orlando Stone offered Robins Air Force Base his collection of aviation memorabilia with the caveat that the base had to build a museum to house it all.
The Air Force approved and with 20 aircraft on display in an open field and another 20 were in various stages of restoration, the Museum of Aviation opened to the public on Friday, 9 November 1984. Since then it has grown to become the second largest museum in the United States Air Force and has become a place that not only reminds us of the legendary heritage and history of the U.S. Air Force but also honors our veterans and their families who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Today the museum houses over 85 historic U.S. Air Force aircraft, missiles, cockpits and award- winning exhibits including the recently added statue of Eugene Ballard, the first African- American pilot to fly in combat.
The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 12 Noon – 4:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Fort Valley, GA
- Lane Southern Orchards│ 50 Lane Rd, Fort Valley, GA
Lane Southern Orchards has been growing the best tasting peaches and pecans since 1908. Stroll their Roadside Market and chances are the produce you’re looking at was picked straight from the plant just a few hours before. While you’re at the market, don’t forget to check out their wide variety of delicious, jams, jellies, dressings and a whole bunch of other Southern gourmet items to take home, too.
Can’t wait to get home and try some of their locally grown fresh produce? Then why not have lunch at their Peachtree Café? Just remember to save room for their homemade peach cobbler and ice cream (or take some home with you – after all, the Peachtree Bakery makes delicious pecan pies, fried pies, fritters, muffins and cupcakes).
They’re kid-friendly, too, so let yours play on their farm-themed play ground with real tractors while you relax in one of our rockers on the front porch. You see, at Lane Southern Orchards, everything is just Peachy!
Lane Southern Orchards is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
With so many exciting things to do and see in and around Perry, Georgia, don’t forget to make a Stuckey’s stop going in or out of the city for a Stuckey’s Pecan roll or any of our other fine pecan candies. Why not also pick up a few souvenirs for the folks back home while you’re there?
Can’t make it to Perry? Then stop by one of our other Stuckey’s locations near you or visit us on the web and we’ll deliver Stuckey’s pecan log roll and other unique treats right to your door.
Whether your next road trip is by car or by rail, it’s not really a road trip without taking Stuckey’s along. From our world famous Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls to our mouthwatering Hunkey Dorey, Stuckey’s has all the road trips snacks you’ll need to get you where you’re going.
For all of the pecany good treats and cool merch you’ll need for your next big road adventure, browse our online store now!
Stuckey’s – We’re Making Road Trips Fun Again!