Test Drive 2014 Welcome Home Magazine | Page 22

62 Things to Do In and Around Monroe County 12 Devour the blue-plate special at Forsyth’s popular Grits Cafe, re-built in 2013 after a devastating fire. Located on the courthouse square, Grits Cafe draws visitors from around the South. You may bump into Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss or Otis Redding’s manager, Alan Walden, while you’re there. 13 Locals enjoy entertainment at The Rose Theater. 1 Visit the Welcome Center on North Lee Street for brochures on places you can visit, or point your web browser to www.themiddleofeverywhere.com. 2 Stroll around the historic downtown square to see the county’s red-brick Victorian courthouse and other historic buildings. 3 Worship in the oldest brick Methodist church in Georgia at the Culloden United Methodist Church, Main Street, C ulloden. 4 Stop off at the Culloden Cemetery and Culloden Museum to learn about the Battle of Culloden, which was fought after the surrender at Appomattox, then go visit the site of the Battle of Culloden, which is marked by a historical marker. 5 Visit the Forsyth Soldiers Cemetery at the City Cemetery off Newton Memorial Drive in Forsyth where 299 soldiers lie, as well as a female nurse who died rendering care to wounded soldiers. 22 6 Hike a trail in the Oconee National Forest, or take a canoe out on the Ocmulgee River, an excellent canoeing river. In the spring, fish for redbreast sunfish. Get a great seat for the Hometown Holidays Parade held annually in downtown Forsyth the first Thursday after Thanksgiving. 14 Visit the courthouse square, surrounded by eight blocks that contain 61 Register of Historic Places in March 1980. Get lunch at the delectable Lockett’s Country Kitchen. 17 Ever wonder about your family’s past? Check out the genealogy room at the Monroe County Historical and Genealogical Museum. 18 Visit historic Juliette, a Monroe County community colorfully sprinkled with a historic grist mill, whistle-blowing trains, antique shops, gift shops, and great Southern cookin’ at the world famous Whistle Stop Café—home of fried green tomatoes and the site chosen to film the hit movie of the same name. 7 Get to know the people who protect us by touring the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Spend some time honoring those who gave their lives for our safety. 8 After a Mary Persons football victory on a Friday night, stroll by the Reporter on Jackson Street and ring the Victory Bell. 9 Watch the stage come alive at the Rose Theatre and see a play. Go to www. thebacklotplayers.tripod.com. 10 Kick off spring with the annual Forsythia Festival held annually the second weekend in March. (www. forsythiafestival.com) 11 Celebrate the Green Tomato Festival in Juliette, held annually the last weekend in October. An aerial view of the 2014 Forsythia Festival on Jackson Street, one of the big events of the year in Monroe County. structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 15 16 Shop in downtown Forsyth. Visit downtown Culloden. Its historic district was listed on the National 19 Eat a plate of fried green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café. 20 Stroll through scenic Juliette and browse for unique gifts or collectibles in the shops along McCrackin Street. Welcome Home: The Forsyth-Monroe County Relocation Guide and Membership Directory