Nestled in the foothills of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains, the northeast Georgia region exudes enough small-town charm to fill acre upon acre of peach orchards. And while you'll find plenty of the quintessential Southern hospitality in this corner of the Peach State, there's one idyllic town serving up a slice of Americana that offers its own unique blend of quaint and quirky appeal. Intersecting both Banks and Habersham counties, Alto, Georgia, is a rural mountain town and the perfect place to enjoy
a tranquil retreat amid a natural tapestry of rolling hills, vast forests, and sparkling rivers.
While you'll enjoy the spectacular natural landscapes around Alto, the town itself is a haven for eclectic artworks, with its colorful murals which add a uniquely imaginative element to the local ambiance. Be sure to visit the School Bus Graveyard where old yellow school buses are put out to pasture and delightfully metamorphosed into canvases for vibrant, family-friendly graffiti. And don't forget to get a taste of what Georgia is truly famous for, its peach cultivation. Nothing says Southern charm in northeast Georgia quite like strolling local peach stands and sampling these sweet, juicy fruits.
There's lots to pick from, including both cling (for canning and preserves) and freestone (whole eating and sliced recipes). And all the peach love is reflected in variety names such as nectar, flavorich, July prince, and, of course, Georgia belle, which are just a few of the many varieties available at farms in the region. To experience sweet Southern hospitality and the captivating culture in Alto and its surrounds, you can fly into the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is 84 miles from Alto and approximately a one-and-a-half-hour drive away.
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Alto's Visual Arts Offer Their Own Kind Of Southern Charm
What initially started as a safeguard for the owner's 5-acre junkyard is now Alto's School Bus Graveyard, an urban-style gallery of more than 120 buses (about 15 facing the interstate) and other vehicles such as RVs, trucks, and cars that form a protective fence around the property. Located on top of a hill off Highway 365 on Crane Mill Road, this zany collection of roadside art is repainted annually by local artists, and the revolving exhibit puts an unconventional twist on traditional open-air museums. The original creator of the School Bus Graveyard art, North Georgia native artist Nick "NACK" Morris, has organized the yearly effort to paint the buses since 2012.
Morris is an integral part of the broader cultural arts scene, and you can see more of his giant murals ornamenting buildings not far from Alto in Habersham County. Head to downtown Cornelia, just eight minutes' drive from Alto, and check out some of Morris' works at The Hollow Log, a custom framing store owned by his family. Stop in for a brick-oven specialty pizza and a cocktail at The Copper Pot in Clarkesville, only 20 minutes' drive from Alto, where you'll see one of Morris' huge and intricate masterpieces.
Sweet Spots Where Alto's Homegrown Peaches Delight
Pay a visit to Alto's Jaemor Farms for some of the best peaches in the area and a fun farm experience. Besides shopping Jaemor's market for fresh produce, you can snack on peach pastries at the bakery or have a leisurely lunch at The Eatery. Try the signature "Jaemor," a savory sandwich with bacon, pimento cheese, and hot pepper jelly.
Depending on the season, Jaemor Farms offers different family-friendly activities. Pick pumpkins, navigate the corn maze, and go on a hayride at its annual fall Harvest Celebration. As Jaemor's peach blossoms bloom in springtime, you can meander the fields, snap photos amid the flowers, and participate in farm games. Summer is the time to take advantage of Jaemor's U-Pick Peach Days when you can pluck these sun-ripened stone fruits straight from the orchard. Admission fees are nominal, but there are additional charges for peck peach bags to hold your yield of the trees. Peach Palooza is a summer day Jaemor Farms dedicates just to the peach. Families can take part in peach-themed contests and fill up on delicious homemade peachy treats such as pie and ice cream. Whenever you're in town, make sure to take home a curated gift box filled with peach preserves, peach cobbler syrup, and other Jaemor goodies.
Grier Orchard on Herring Mill Road is another farm in Alto where you can buy multiple peach varieties from early July through late August. Hidden in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains, other charming farms offer fun activities and fresh seasonal produce. About 33 minutes' drive away in Lakemont, Hillside Orchard Farms offers farm adventures and a country store with fresh peaches in season and an assortment of peachy condiments and pickled peaches. For more seasonal fruit in Georgia, head south to the "watermelon capital of the world," Cordele. Or, plan your trip around the annual Georgia Peach Festival, one of America's best summer food festivals.
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