Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Juliette, GA

  • Published 2022/09/28

Famous for movies being filmed here, the community of Juliette, Georgia, possesses beauty equal to its name.

Unique experiences await visitors here through a mix of culture and nature highlights attractions in this small community.

With barely 300 people residing in Juliette, the place offers a quiet and calm place to spend a few days relaxing and unwinding.

Juliette brims with rich natural resources, including lakes, parks, and wildlife.

You can spend a day here exploring nature and enjoying its beauty.

To help you plan your next vacation, here are the best things to do in Juliette, Georgia:

Explore the Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site

Main house at Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site

Jeffrey M. Frank / Shutterstock.com

Slave houses during the 1800s remain at the Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site; these houses have become one of its major attractions.

Located along Jarrell Plantation Road, it was once a cotton plantation that African slaves farmed in the 1860s.

The slaves left the plantation during the Civil War, abandoning their houses.

Pathway at Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site

Jeffrey M. Frank / Shutterstock.com

Today, Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources manages the 200-acre site.

This place is a public site where visitors can tour historic structures, go on a picnic, watch films, and do many other activities.

Porch with wood and tools at Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site

Jeffrey M. Frank / Shutterstock.com

You can also see a renovated farmhouse, barn, and farm equipment like a sawmill, a sugar cane press, and a planer.

Bring the entire family here to look back at the history of the Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site.

Pets are allowed on the outdoor trails but keep them leashed.

A machine at Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site

Jeffrey M. Frank / Shutterstock.com

Enjoy Fishing on Lake Juliette

Fishing on the 3,600-acre Lake Juliette is a fulfilling experience because of the variety of fish.

If you are lucky, you can catch largemouth bass, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and bluegill, among others.

Lake Juliette strictly implements its rules, especially the ones keeping it a lake exclusive for fishing.

Large boats and water activities like jet skiing and aquaplaning are prohibited on the river.

You are allowed to swim and go on a picnic on the lake’s shoreline.

Bring your family and friends here to enjoy a view of Lake Juliette since admission is free.

Set up Camp at the Dames Ferry State Park

As a campground with the backdrop of the charming Lake Juliette, Dames Ferry Street Park promises a fulfilling adventure for the entire family.

You can find a total of 28 campsites here, mostly with views of the beautiful lake.

Set up tents or bring trailers and RVs for your camping trip.

Amenities include toilets, showers, electricity and water, and picnic tables.

Besides camping, you can also try other activities like biking, fishing, swimming, and nature photography.

Prepare your camping gear when you visit the Dames Ferry State Park.

Taste Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

Exterior of the Whistle Stop Cafe

Hannah Henderson / Shutterstock.com

A delectable treat of fried green tomatoes will welcome you at The Whistle Stop Cafe along McCrackin Street.

During a period of decline in the 1900s, the comedy-drama film “Fried Green Tomatoes” brought back life to the community.

The movie transformed Juliette into the fictional Whistle Stop community, where the main character Evelyn meets Ninny and starts a unique friendship with her.

After the film’s release in December 1991, the Whistle Stop Cafe did not stop operations.

People at the Whistle Stop Cafe

Georges_Creations / Shutterstock.com

Instead, it continued to offer the famous Fried Green Tomatoes Dish.

When you visit the restaurant, start with their famous dish and enjoy it with salads, sandwiches, and steaks.

You will also be treated to a historical view of Juliette from the restaurant.

Capture the Beauty of Juliette Dam

Grab your cameras and head to Old River Road, where you can find and see the beauty of Juliette Dam.

Constructed on the Ocmulgee River, the dam’s loud crashing water also appeared in the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes.”

This dancing waterfall is a marvelous sight, especially for visitors to Juliette.

To capture the best photos of Juliette Dam, you can head to the gristmill in front of it and walk near the waterfall.

You can also take videos of the dam to capture the captivating sound of the waterfalls, which is very relaxing to the ears.

Bike around Juliette Park on the Ocmulgee River

If you want to exercise your legs, breathe fresh air, and enjoy the scenery of nature, head to Juliette Park along Juliette Road.

You can enjoy a long bike ride with your friends while marveling at the Ocmulgee River in the background.

A visit to Juliette Park will also provide a quiet and peaceful place to relax and reflect while taking a nature walk around the area.

Benches and picnic tables are also available in the park for lunch dates or meals with friends and family.

Most of the time, you will have the park to yourself because the space is vast, and you can take long walks and bike rides.

There is also a pond nearby, with a great view of the river and the vast terrain surrounding it.

See the Animals at Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge

A type of moth at Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge

Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wildlife remains abundant in and near Juliette, and the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge is a testament to this.

You can find this refuge in Hillsboro, Georgia, seven minutes from Juliette.

Established in 1939, the 35,000-acre refuge houses endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker.

In the 1800s, the wildlife refuge area was planted with cotton, which led to soil fertility problems.

When they uprooted the cotton, the place almost had no more crops and a few wildlife.

It was only revived with the help of the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Today, you can visit the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge for a hike on its long trails.

While exploring the trails, you will join Juliette’s historical and cultural tour.

Another activity to try is observing many one-of-a-kind species like the white-tailed deer and wild turkey.

Buy Gifts and Souvenirs at Kudzu Corner

Souvenir items like artwork, toys, and jewelry are available at Juliette’s leading souvenir shop, the Kudzu Corner.

This gift shop is beside The Whistle Stop Cafe and features antique items you can buy and take home after your trip.

You can score some lovely items here, including kitchenware, dolls, vases, decorations, old books, paintings, and glassware.

Drop by this antique store and explore exciting items to buy.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Though Juliette is a small community, it is near big areas you can also explore during your trip.

Some exciting attractions are just a few minutes’ drives away from Juliette.

They promise a day of adventure and exploration for travelers who want to go beyond Juliette’s beauty but don’t want to go too far.

These tourist attractions and activities are in towns and cities beside Juliette.

Here are some attractions near Juliette you can also visit and enjoy.

Hike and Bike at Dauset Trails Nature Center

Welcome sign of Dauset Trails Nature Center

Dsdugan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Drive for 21 minutes from Juliette to Jackson, Georgia, and arrive at the Dauset Trails Nature Center.

This center is perfect for hikers and bikers to explore.

Located along Mt. Vernon Road, the nature center has biking and hiking trails for various types of adventurers.

A bike or hike on the 30-mile trail will show you scenic spots like creeks, ponds, and wild animals.

There is also a 19th-century barnyard equipped with tools, wagons, and various animals, which you can explore during your visit.

If you want to spend a night at the nature center, camping is a viable option, with tent pads available for better sleep in the wilderness.

You can also book events and gatherings at the Dauset Trails Nature Center and eat your meals at the picnic areas.

Discover Various Plants at the Whimsical Botanical Gardens

Take an 18-minute drive from Juliette will take you to the captivating Whimsical Botanical Gardens along Highway 42 South in Flovilla, Georgia.

Here you will see antique collections, garden decorations, statues, and fountains that fill the entire garden.

A waterfall at the Whimsical Botanical Gardens also flows into three pools.

Of course, the main highlight for visitors wanting to learn more about gardening is the well-maintained vegetable, flower, and bird gardens.

You can bring your entire family or friends here and explore the garden in less than an hour.

There are also spaces for children to play and for your group to eat out.

Enjoy an Ice Cream Treat at Mrs. Lee’s Stagecoach Sweet Stop

Named after a woman who lived in the house, Mrs. Lee’s Stagecoach Sweet Shop offers sweet treats to customers, from brownies to ice cream.

Situated along Highway 42 South Flovilla, 18 minutes from Juliette, the dessert shop occupies an old building that has existed since 1893.

Visit this place on the weekend to enjoy an array of ice cream flavors and other sweet treats like chocolates and candies.

Among the most popular offerings are hand-dipped ice cream, homemade kettle fudge, and chocolate brownies with chocolate fudge.

Festivals, extravaganzas, and other gatherings also happen at Mrs. Lee’s Stagecoach Sweet Shop.

You can also order birthday treats and boxes for your picnics or parties at home.

Practice Your Golf Skills at the Brickyard Golf Club

About 17 minutes from Juliette is a world-class golfing facility in Macon, Georgia.

The Brickyard Golf Club provides a challenging yet breathtaking experience to every golfer who visits and plays here.

Started in the early 1960s by veteran golfer and golf course architect Charles “Chic” Adams, the golf course was envisioned as a top-class golfing facility in Georgia.

True to its vision, The Brickyard Golf Club is now among the best golf courses in the state, a qualifying site for golf tournaments.

When you play in this 18-hole course golf club, you will see thousands of pine trees and well-maintained greenery, which are pleasing to the eyes.

PGA Tour professional Mark Cucumber designed the golf course at the Brickyard Golf Club.

He ensured that every space would be appropriately utilized and added amenities like a swimming pool, clubhouse, and pavilion.

Take a Tour around the Hamlin Hills Fun Farm and Farm History Museum

As a prime farm destination in Georgie, the Hamlin Hills Fun Farm and Farm History Museum provide a unique experience for visitors.

Check out vintage farm equipment like antique cars, trucks, and tractors displayed on the farm.

People also flock here to taste the delicious barbecue grilled for tourists.

You can also find a zoo farm here, where you can see and interact with pigs, chickens, horses, and even goats.

The Hamlin Hills Fun Farm and Farm History Museum also grows fresh produce.

You can take home fresh tomatoes, strawberries, bell peppers, corn, and root crops.

Another exciting activity for families is the corn maze which transforms into a haunted corn maze at night.

Likewise, book parties and other celebrations at the farm, located in Forsyth, Georgia, 12 minutes from Juliette.

Final Thoughts

The small community of Juliette promises big things and activities for visitors.

Views of nature and the environment make this place interesting for many people seeking adventure during their trip.

Its rich history also contributes to the interest of tourists in Juliette as a travel destination.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Juliette, Georgia!

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