It seems the stars align with Buc-ee's in Athens, Alabama, partly because of its proximity to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in nearby Huntsville, Alabama.  More specifically, it's close to Space Camp, a magnet for young people with stars in their eyes – sometimes the offspring of stars – who want to study the cosmos with the best in the world.

At least that was the case in June 2024 for country music star Keith Urban, who picked up his daughter from camp and stopped by our Athens Buc-ee's along I-65 on their way home to Nashville, about two hours up the highway. Urban chatted and posed for pictures with the few who recognized him, like Tyler Clark, his wife, and baby daughter, Emerson.

Earlier this spring, actress Elizabeth Berkley paid a visit. I am not sure what brought her to this part of our state and only guessing it may be a similar reason or she'd been on location filming a movie in Alabama – we have a lot of that here, too. While Lenny Kravitz made headlines in March for his Daytona Beach, Florida, Buc-ee's stop, I suspect this is more than a celebrity trend and just because Buc-ee's is Buc-ee's.

To that end, I can only tell you my non-celebrity but local experience at our Athens Buc-ee's. While it's not even a monthly must-do to have one so close to home, I cannot deny its appeal. It's even more interesting to discover how important we Alabamians have been in building the company that is now in seven states.

If you are from Alabama (or travel through it often) and love Buc-ee's, celebrate yourselves. Did you know Alabama customers have been pivotal in building this Texas-born brand that now has dozens of locations throughout the country? While most of the company's stores are in Texas, Alabama's Baldwin County was the first choice for expansion. The Robertsdale, Alabama store near our premier Gulf Coast destinations opened in January of 2019.

The second location opened in Leeds, east of Birmingham two years later. Athens was next in November 2022. A fourth opened in Auburn, Alabama in April 2024. Other locations outside of Texas have opened in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky since that first Alabama expansion.

I'll start by saying I recommend you put Buc-ee's on your road trip maps through the South for everything you may have already heard about it, like super-clean, semi-private restrooms. Do expect your ears to be confronted almost immediately with the brisket question about barbecue in the South. This is a Texas company that takes it seriously and demands its team to scream, "FRESH BRISKET ON THE BOARD!" when the meat hits the counter at the central carving station.

Aside: Brisket being the real barbecue is some tough talk in the Deep South, but that's Texas. While I have had the real deal in the Lone Star State, I've not tried it at Buc-ee's. I understand it has legions of fans. Share your thoughts.

Despite hearing the shouting over brisket about five times during my first and second visits, the real magnet to my once-6-year-old eyes was the Buc-ee's cookie dough cooler, which is a gleaming Pandora's box presentation of cookie dough bites.

Spoiler: You will find these same cookie dough cups in other parts of the store. They are delicious and somehow more satisfying if you snag them from this cooler than just buying cookie dough bites at your local market.

And around the counter from the cookie-dough cooler, you'll find a fudge display that rivals any 1980s-90s Appalachian mountains vacation pitstop. This counter speaks pure nostalgia to me, and I know I am not alone. While there is nothing exactly like finding a tiny-town fudge shop in an old-school mountain town, Buc-ee's has done a fine job of being almost as great.

Now, the famous Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets I can get behind fully, and I understand why it's a line that has expanded into scented candles. They are similar to a major brand's corn-puff cereal many of us knew in childhood, but better as a snack and without a 7 a.m. school day start.

As soon as I shook the quick Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets addiction, my niece in Georgia with little Buc-ee's fan offspring and students told me about the Buc-ee's Nug-ees snacks in savory flavors like white cheddar and assorted varieties. Also good, maybe even better.

I have also tried the famous pralines, which are good and yet not something I have visited to buy again. Along the same lines is what I was told is a top seller at this Buc-ee's in Athens: sampler packs of roasted and coated nuts – not just pecans but cashews, peanuts, almonds, etc. You can find the sampler packs on displays around the store.

The bakery section will knock you out with big-as-Texas cinnamon rolls. But anyone can do that these days. Meanwhile, the Buc-ee's kolaches are my favorites, partly because I haven't seen them in North Alabama before. I was disappointed to not see any available on my last visit. I also wish they'd offer a vegetarian kolache.

And after all these decadent things, you can also find fresh salads, Keto meal boxes, fruits, and vegetables in large cases at Buc-ee's in Athens. I've had the chicken Caesar salad, which was good overall – and superior for most road-trip options I've ever known.

If you are on a diet, just don't look up and around the shelves, where you will see a lineup of cups containing banana pudding, cookie dough, and fruit parfait cups adorning the end caps. Stay focused for fruit and yogurt cups and salad dressing options straight ahead.

You perhaps didn't think you'd shop for anything beyond road snacks at Buc-ee's, and yet the delightful mascot is everywhere, luring you to things you probably don't need and others you might. How can you not acknowledge the cuteness of a vintage truck full of Buc-ee's.

If you do need to shop, Buc-ee's probably has it, especially if you are on a road trip in the South and forgot something. If you need almost any vacation accessory or gear, it's here. It may or may not have a beaver face on it. The brand mark isn't on everything – the stores also carry many high-end outdoor brands for clothing, outdoor gear, etc.

In the boutique gift section, there are cute things to browse while the rest of your family or friend group agonizes over the best Buc-ee's jerky or nostalgic candy for the road.

Or while your TikTok'ers are checking out the pickled aisle.

Have you visited this Buc-ee's in Athens, Alabama? It seems uniquely positioned to show Alabama's best to the world. I have observed many families from countries all over the world making road-trip pit stops and getting a peek into this brand of Southern culture. Tell us about your experience and must-try buys.