The can’t-be-missed Green Tomato Festival is right around the corner, folks. It is time to plan your trip to Juliette!
If you are from middle Georgia, you are probably familiar with lovely little Juliette. Her fame from the movie Fried Green Tomatoes and its unforgettable leading ladies, Ruth and Idgie, is only a tiny part of what makes this charming Southern town an absolute delight to visit. From local history to movie landmarks, we’ve compiled some of our most beloved and must-see attractions in Juliette for you right here. Be sure to download our Ultimate Juliette Bucket List + Map to add a bit of adventure to your stay!
The Fire Station
When you first pull in off Juliette Road onto McCrackin Street, there is a red and white building that is an actual working fire station. There is a small parking lot where you can park to wander the town. Public restrooms are further down behind the Sheriff’s Department. If full, there is more parking behind the little red shop across the street.
The Honeycomb
Directly next to the fire station/parking lot is the very first Juliette shop, The Honeycomb, run by longtime locals Joann and Tommy Moon. In this shop, you’ll find locally made honey, honey-filled candies (Mr. Tommy is famous for these!), and other honey products like soaps and candles as well as handcrafted items and Fried Green Tomatoes memorabilia.
The Green Frog
Across the street from The Honeycomb, this cute little red building sells gifts and other fun finds!
Cutest Lil Gift Shop EVVAH
Beside The Honeycomb, you’ll find this is truly the cutest lil gift shop EVVAH according to owner Ms. Nancy Mason. You’ll find candles, soaps, wax melts, jams, and jellies—it’s a great place to pick up unique items for gift-giving.
Juliette Opry House
Originally built in 1884 as a general store with a masonic lodge upstairs and still owned by the Williams family, the “Opry House” as it was renamed for the movie occasionally opens for front porch jams and is always a great photo spot!
Kennington’s Pillar to Post
Across from the Opry House, you’ll find Kennington’s, a small shop known for its Georgia Grown specialty food items, like cane syrup, pecans, and handcrafted, antique and vintage furniture.
Open only on Saturdays and Sundays.
Outdoor Theater
An extension of the Juliette Opry House, there is a small outdoor stage surrounded by lush grass behind the buildings across from the Opry House. It lies alongside the riverside park, and from here you can hear the rush of the Ocmulgee’s waters.
The Grave of Buddy’s Arm
In the movie, Buddy loses his arm in a railroad accident. Family and friends come together to bury his arm and the gravestone marks the place where his arm was buried.
The Littlest Police Department
Across from the Opry House and before you reach the old train depot is the “Littlest Police Station,” a must-stop photo op!
The Courthouse
The little white courthouse from the movie is now a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office substation.
The Whistle Stop Train Depot & Gift Shop
(Simple Home Goodness)
The original Juliette depot, used to be next to the railroad tracks. It houses a shop filled with unique gifts, movie memorabilia, home decor, and other items.
The Whistle Stop Cafe Gift Shop
(Old Liberty Bank)
The red brick bank building, built as simply a facade for the movie, was enclosed to become a gift shop. Like the other shops in town, you’ll find tons of unique movie memorabilia, souvenirs, and gifts.
Ruth & Idgie’s Place
The little white house used as Ruth and Idgie’s home in the movie now sells vintage photographs of the area, knives, fudge, and more!
The Whistle Stop Cafe
From grocery store to hardware store to movie set to cafe, this building has a lot of stories to tell. On display, you’ll find both movie props and items from the original store, like the old cash register and meat block. Come try the famous BBQ and fried green tomatoes from Ruth and Idgie’s kitchen, complete with its horseshoe counter.
BBQ Pit from Fried Green Tomatoes
Big George’s infamous BBQ pit is located behind the Whistle Stop Cafe. You won’t want to miss the chance to caption a selfie with one of the movie’s most quoted lines, “The secret’s in the sauce.”
The Grave of Frank Bennett
Near the pit, you’ll see a gravestone placed to memorialize the above scene, inscribed: “Here Lies Frank Bennett of Valdosta — The Secret Was in the Sauce and here!”
Smokey Lonesome’s Shack
To the left of the BBQ pit and behind some of the other shops in Juliette, Smokey Lonesome’s shack can still be seen. Take a peek for yourself in this small one-room log cabin.
Verna Cora’s
A treasure trove of antiques and vintage items awaits you at Verna Cora’s, one of the last shops along McCrackin Street. From movie memorabilia to books, housewares, collectibles, and more, you never know what surprises you’ll find at Verna Cora’s.
Southern Grace Gifts & Wine Shop
The words “best for last” have never been truer about Juliette—the last shop along McCrackin Street is a wine shop, which you definitely won’t want to miss!
Juliette Dam & Park
A small quaint park tucked behind Juliette with riverfront views, enjoy a picnic at one of the available tables and take in the scenery, fish, or skip rocks from the shore.
Juliette Methodist Church Cemetery
(Site of Buddy & Ruth’s Graves)
While not in town, true fans won’t want to miss the graves of Buddy Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison, set within the cemetery of nearby Juliette Methodist Church, about a five-minute drive (hint: look for the honey). It’s also home to the plots of many prominent local families, like the Williams Family, the longtime owners of the buildings on McCrackin Street.
Sound like fun? Find a local hotel, and we’ll see you October 29-30, 2022 in Juliette! Remember to use the hashtag #GetFried when you share your favorite moments on social.
