Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Monticello, GA

  • Published 2022/08/23

The largest of the cities in Georgia’s Jasper County, Monticello is located around 65 miles southeast of Atlanta and 40 miles on the northern side of Macon.

Its southern charm is evident in the historic houses, tree-lined streets, and the historic center, which is home to the county courthouse.

You should visit Monticello in Georgia for several reasons, as the city is known for its beautiful parks and friendly people.

The newly formed Jasper County adopted Monticello as its county seat in 1808.

Monticello was incorporated as a town in 1810 and as a city in 1901.

There are also movies filmed in Monticello, including Murder in Coweta County and My Cousin Vinny.

These are the best things to do in Monticello, Georgia:

Discover Unique Finds at The Shoppes of Monticello

A distinctive shopping experience awaits you when you enter The Shoppes of Monticello.

This unique shopping village is home to clusters of numerous booths offering superb-quality retail and specialty goods, such as soaps, books, artworks, and trinkets.

Nestled on West Washington Street, The Shoppes of Monticello is perfect for those who love antiques, as there are also vintage furniture and clothing items on display and up for sale.

After shopping, you can rest and relax in the dining area and grab a burger.

The Shoppes of Monticello is also a great place to buy gifts for your friends and loved ones back home.

Strike a Pose at Sac O Suds

The famous convenience store from the classic movie My Cousin Vinny, Sac O Suds, can be found 9.5 miles west of the city center, on the south side of Highway 16, just east of the Ocmulgee River bridge.

The movie, which starred Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei, was filmed in Sac O Suds and the Jackson Court House, located across the street.

Sac O Suds no longer looks like it did in the film, but it is still worth a visit, especially for die-hard fans of the movie.

It also offers tubing rental services for those who want to enjoy the Ocmulgee River.

Sac O Suds is the perfect place for you if you love taking photos, as there are several photo opportunities inside and outside the store.

Marvel at the Gorgeous Sights of the Monticello Crossroads Scenic Byway

As you travel through Jasper County, the landscapes along the Monticello Crossroads Scenic Byway are dominated by pine trees and rolling fields.

The picturesque byway driving tour starts at the Dow’s Pulpit.

Reverend Lorenzo Dow, a well-known wandering evangelist, used to preach on this rocky platform.

Following State Highways 11 and 83 north from the City of Monticello, the 29-mile Monticello Crossroads Scenic Byway highlights the rustic and cultural aspects of the city.

These routes were historically utilized by Methodist Circuit Riders and evangelist Native American groups as they traveled around the state.

The majority of the Monticello City Limits and several specific buildings were on the National Register of Historic Places.

Practice Your Swing at Hunter Pope Country Club

Established in the late 1960s, Hunter Pope Country Club is a private club that features an 18-hole golf course.

Golfers can play 6,050 yards from the longest tees on the 18-hole course at the Hunter Pope Country Club.

The golf course in Hunter Pope Country Club has a 68.8-course rating and a 116 slope rating.

It also features practice facilities, including a driving range and a chipping green.

There’s also a swimming pool, tennis courts, a pro shop, and a fish pond.

You can practice on the golf course to win one of its tournaments, the Hunter Pope Club Championship or the Jim Arnold Memorial Classic.

Hunter Pope Country Club is located on Highway 83.

Go Hiking and Bing at the Ocmulgee Bluff Trail System

Tourists who love the physical challenge and the outdoors will enjoy the Ocmulgee Bluff Trail System.

This hiking, biking, and horseback riding trail system is on the north side of Highway 16.

Large groups of riders can park their automobiles and horse trailers in this area, which also has plenty of parking spaces.

Although the trail occasionally deviates from the river on newly acquired loops, it mainly follows the Ocmulgee River.

The Ocmulgee Bluff Trail System has several shorter trails that offer approximately 30 miles of fun and adventure for hikers, bikers, and riders.

There are also facilities for picnicking, grilling, and dispersed primitive campgrounds.

Get Your Creative Juices Pumping at The Studio Monticello

The Studio Monticello is a public art studio that offers a variety of art classes for adults and children.

It is located on Greene Street and features a room that will let you explore your creativity.

You can choose your material at the pop-in and paint room at Studio Monticello, and they’ll supply paint and tools, or you can bring your own.

Additionally, The Studio Monticello has a “pop in and create” area where you can stop during regular business hours, choose a surface and concept, and get the materials you will use to finish your one-of-a-kind work of art.

Art classes are also available for those who want to explore their creativity further.

The Studio Monticello also organizes events to help the community, such as networking events for ladies.

Shop Local at Yoder’s General Store

Yoder’s General Store sells various items, including clothing, footwear, and camping equipment.

It is located on Forsyth Street and offers seasonal discounts on its products.

If you love changing decorations according to season, this store is the place for you, as they offer a wide range of decorations for all occasions.

Yoder’s General Store is the perfect place to shop for gifts, as they offer a wide range of items, including candles, kitchenware, and hand-crafted wooden toys.

You can also find books here, making it the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Yoder’s General Store also has a wide range of items created by Monticello’s local artist Katie Cannon Designs, such as stickers, notebooks, bookmarks, and buttons.

Browse through the Books at the Jasper County Library

Located on Greene Street, the Jasper County Library has a wide range of new and old books.

The library also offers a variety of events, such as the Carlos Museum’s Wrapped Up in Reading program, where kids who can thoroughly read five books will receive a reward from the Jasper County Library.

It also has several computers that are available for public use, as well as Wi-Fi access.

The Jasper County Library also partners with other libraries or parks in the state, allowing their library card users to utilize their cards in other attractions, such as visiting parks or the zoo.

It’s a place where you can spend a rainy day, as you can browse through the books or use the computers to do some research.

Join the Fun with Your Kids at the Jasper County Recreation Department

The Jasper County Recreation Department offers a youth sports program that encourages kids to participate in various sports and allows them to have fun while growing physically, emotionally, and socially.

Children aged seven to 14 can enroll in the program and learn the fundamentals of baseball with this curriculum while still having fun.

For younger kids, the Jasper County Recreation Department on Ted Sauls Road also offers Wee Ball and Tee Ball, which are appropriate for children ages three and four.

A uniform shirt and hat are included in the cost for both leagues, but each child is in charge of providing their equipment such bat, glove, and uniform trousers.

Kids ages five to 12 can participate in cheerleading at the program of Jasper County Recreation Department, where the foundational skills of cheerleading are the main focus of our recreational cheer program.

This includes having fun while performing jumps, cheers, and stunts during each practice to prepare participants for middle school cheerleading.

Paddle Down the Ocmulgee River Water Trail

The Ocmulgee River Water Trail spans over 200 miles from Macon to the point where the river meets the Oconee River near Lumber City, which joins the latter to form the main branch of the Altamaha River.

It offers a variety of recreational activities that support local and regional economic development and is a top destination for paddlers and river lovers.

The Ocmulgee River Water Trail Partnership, comprised of 11 counties, was established and is responsible for maintaining the water trail.

The partnership organizes events like Fall Line Paddle and the Annual OWTP Paddle-A-Thon and maintains access sites, trailheads, and campsites.

Paddling is one of the many ways to explore the Ocmulgee River, and the Ocmulgee River Water Trail Partnership makes it easy for everyone to enjoy this activity.

Try Some Local Produce at the Monticello Market on the Square

Open annually from May to September, the Monticello Market on the Square is a farmer’s market that sells local produce, such as fruits, vegetables, honey, and baked products.

The market also features a variety of artisan goods, such as soaps, pottery, and handmade crafts.

It takes place once a week in downtown Monticello.

The Monticello Market on the Square is a haven for those who love fresh, local produce and support the local economy.

It is the perfect place to spend a Saturday morning browsing the stalls and enjoying the fresh air.

Experience the Gorgeous Sceneries of Seven Islands Trail

Take a nostalgic trip as you explore Jasper County’s backroad when you take in the magnificence of the Seven Islands Trail.

This Indian trail was first used in 1670 and later developed into a stagecoach route.

Seven Islands Trail traverses much of Jasper County.

American Indians developed and used the road for hunting forays from their villages at a shoreline site of the Ocmulgee River known as the Seven Islands.

George Washington negotiated a deal with the Creek Indians in 1790, relinquishing land in exchange for a stagecoach route connecting Augusta and Mobile, Alabama.

Cotton growers used the Seven Islands Trail to transport their cotton from mills close to “Seven Islands,” which developed into a vibrant commercial district down the Ocmulgee River.

Other Things to Do Nearby

If attractions in Monticello are not enough, nearby cities offer a variety of things to do.

Enjoy the Outdoors at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

Welcome sign of Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

Georges_Creations / Shutterstock.com

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is in charge of the 6,400-acre Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, which provides a range of activities and programs.

It is simple to get to this lovely place from Atlanta, Athens, and Macon because it is conveniently in the middle of the state, close to Mansfield, in a gorgeous forested environment.

Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, which is 21 minutes away from Monticello, offers programs such as the Brooke Ager Discovery Area Program that approach wildlife education through a hands-on, holistic method.

While enrolled in this three-part program, students engage in enjoyable and satisfying nature exploration; they will use their knowledge of science, social studies, arithmetic, and reading comprehension.

Information board at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

Georges_Creations / Shutterstock.com

If you’re unsure where to start your outdoor adventures, start at the Charlie Elliott Visitor Center, whose personnel will provide details on the available activities.

Opportunities abound for anybody interested in outdoor activities like shooting sports, camping, riding, or even stargazing.

Discover the Charms of Indian Springs State Park

Near Jackson and Flovilla, Georgia’s Indian Springs State Park spans 528 acres and is named after the many springs in the Park.

One of the nation’s oldest state parks, Indian Springs is conveniently situated close to I-75 in central Georgia and is at least 21 minutes away from Monticello.

A well-liked destination for outdoor activities, the spring water was long sought after by Creek Indians for its medicinal benefits.

In the 1800s, the region was a thriving tourist destination.

Visitors can still taste the flowing spring water inside the stone Spring House, which the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed during the Great Depression.

Indian Springs State Park is a beautiful place to spend the day.

Take a Stroll in the Animal Trail at Dauset Trails Nature Center

A chapel at Dauset Trails Nature Center

Dsdugan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Early in the 1980s, Dauset Trails Nature Center had a self-guided trail with 13 places of interest that meandered through the woods near a small lake.

Later, animals that were harmed, abandoned, or were simply nuisances were gradually introduced to tourists and placed in an exhibit for viewing adjacent to the visitor center.

Dauset Trails Nature Center launched the Animal Trail, which gradually expanded because of the treated animals found in the woods in an attempt to give these creatures a second chance.

The Animal Trail winds through the woods for about a third of a mile and features native, non-releasable mammals and raptors.

Wheelchairs, strollers, and people on foot can all readily go through the Animal Trail, which is about 21 minutes away from Monticello.

Students are taught the value of each species and its place in our rapidly changing world using these animals.

Final Thoughts

Monticello is a hidden gem with plenty to offer visitors.

From exploring its vibrant commercial district and taking walks along nature trails in search of wildlife observations or just enjoying the view from any spot in the beautiful city—there’s always something new happening here!

The best things to do in Monticello, Georgia are perfect for relaxation or an adventure.

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