This Funky Little Town In Alabama Is A True Hidden Gem
By Lisa Battles|Published December 22, 2023
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
If you delight in exploring funky little places that are off the beaten path, do not miss the hidden gem town of Waverly, Alabama. While fewer than 200 people live there, it has a perfect blend of tiny-town charm and modern-yet-retro creative culture. Depending on whether the town is hosting one of its festivals or music shows, you could easily make a whole day of your visit. Here’s a snapshot of a few of the spots you’ll find.
Progress and preservation go hand-in-hand in this little place where people began to settle around 1835. Three counties converge in this section of central east Alabama.
It's within a 15-minute drive east of lovely Lake Martin and about the same distance southeast to reach the Loveliest Village on the Plains – Auburn. The town has a handful of independent businesses that give it a whimsical feel. That vibe blossomed after the 1991 arrival of the design and print shop Standard Deluxe.
Standard Deluxe Inc, 1015 Mayberry Ave, Waverly, AL 36879, USA
Wild Flour Bakery is the latest addition to the Standard Deluxe camp. Starting with the bakery's expansion to Waverly in 2023, people line up for sweet and savory pastries, muffins, fresh bread, cheesecake, coffee, and more.
Wild Flour Bakery and Espresso at Standard Deluxe, 1015 Mayberry Ave, Waverly, AL 36879, USA
One of the town's top destinations is The Waverly Local, which draws people throughout the state, region, and beyond. The independent restaurant opened in 2018 within a beautifully renovated space that housed one of the state's first Ford tractor dealerships.
When the weather is nice, the courtyard bar and dining area are tops for atmosphere. The menu and decor are creative and comfortable with an eye for thoughtful presentation. You can expect a lot of options that include locally sourced ingredients, too.
The Waverly Local, 1465 Patrick St, Waverly, AL 36879, USA
A couple of years after The Waverly Local opened, a mother-daughter team opened a specialty antiques, art, and gift shop in Waverly called Fig & Wasp. It's a go-to for people looking for unusual treasures, from fine Turkish rugs to original art and pottery.
Fig and Wasp, 1500 Patrick St, Waverly, AL 36879, USA
Waverly truly shines during its popular annual community events and shows at Standard Deluxe. The town's oldest event is a huge Waverly Community Club BBQ. Standard Deluxe started a music festival around 2001 called The Old 280 Boogie, which commemorates the impact the town felt from the US Highway 280 bypass. When that project sent traffic around the town, someone said they should just have a big party in the empty street. So they did.
That particular event now happens twice a year and always has an entertaining lineup of music artists. Standard Deluxe also hosts one-off shows at its outdoor stage and in the Little House year-round.
As you might imagine, your overnight options are a bit limited in town. There's no boutique hotel in Waverly ... yet. There is a quaint Airbnb option, the Waverly Railroad House.
Waverly Railroad House, 1330 Patrick St, Waverly, AL 36879, USA
