Eatonton, Georgia - what a unique name for a town! Many people probably haven’t heard of this place, but it does have a lot of history to its name. Eatonton was named after William Eaton, an official and diplomat during the time of the Tripolitanian War in the early 1800s. It went on to see the aftermath of the American Civil War, bringing with it buildings, stories, and influence from the revolutionary period. It’s also known as the Dairy Capital of Georgia because of its biggest industry. If those aren’t unique enough facts, Eatonton only has a population of 6,480 people! It’s such a small town, you’re probably left wondering, “Why then should I come here? What’s there to see?” Well, you should read on to find out more about the things to do in Eatonton, Georgia.
1. Visit the historic Uncle Remus Museum
Perhaps one of Eatonton’s most famous residents was Joel Chandler Harris, the man behind the stories of the Uncle Remus Museum. Uncle Remus was a character Harris created based on the tales some slaves would share with him during his time working at Turnworld plantation. The Uncle Remus Museum was opened in 1963 and today, it houses tales and artifacts from the beloved character and renowned writer. The museum’s exterior is unique as well because it is made of log cabins to symbolize the cabins that slaves used to occupy during the American Civil War, which inspired many of the characters and tales created by Harris, including the iconic Brer Rabbit.
Uncle Remus Museum
Address: 214 Oak St, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Historic Uncle Remus Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 2pm - 5pm
Price: Adult: 5 USD; seniors (aged 65+): 4 USD; students: 4 USD; children (aged 5 - 12): 3 USD
2. Grab a glass of beer at The Frisk Pub
If you’re in the mood for some good food, great beer and wonderful atmosphere, head on over to The Frisk Pub. Their menu offers a variety of delicious bar food that’s perfect to pair with your cold glass of beer. Some of these include burgers, chicken wings, nachos, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Enjoy all these while listening to live home-grown performances. Frisk Pub takes pride in being a veteran-owned bar and it aims to give a warm and welcoming atmosphere to its guests - a perfect place to catch up with friends.
The Frisk Pub
Address: 117 N Jefferson Ave, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: The Frisk Pub
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm; Wed - Thu: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 12am (closed on Sun)
3. Pay tribute to great writers at Georgia Writers Museum
The Georgia Writers Museum pays tribute to its local history by promoting the love for writing and reading, to its visitors. Its inception began in 2013 from the initiative of the Lake Country Arts, a group of local business owners who wished to boost Eatonton’s economy through art and literature. The Georgia Writers Museum was then opened in 2014 and it is home to exhibits of Georgia’s famous writers, namely, Alice Walker, Flannery O'Connor, and Joel Chandler Harris. They also have several special events so be sure to check their website for their list of upcoming activities!
Georgia Writers Museum
Address: 109 S Jefferson Ave, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Georgia Writers Museum
Opening hours: Thu - Fri: 11am - 5pm; Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed from Sun - Wed)
Price: 7 USD
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4. Visit the archaeological site at Rock Eagle 4-H Center
Rock Eagle 4-H Center is an educational program spearheaded by the University of Georgia and it is one of many 4-H development organizations across the United States. The organization takes pride in developing the skills of young people through the 4 H’s - Heart, Head, Hands, and Health. Georgia’s group is stationed at Rock Eagle Mound, a prehistoric archaeology site that holds a lot of ancient burial traditions of the early Native Americans. Rock Eagle 4-H Center uses part of the site for its lessons, meetings, campings, and other activities. It’s a great place to bring your children to learn about ancient history and be involved in recreational development programs!
Rock Eagle 4-H Center
Address: 350 Rock Eagle Rd, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Rock Eagle 4-H Center
Opening hours: Mon: 8:15am - 5:45pm; Tue: 8am - 5:45pm; Wed - Thu: 8am - 5pm; Fri: 8am - 2:45pm; Sun: 8:30am - 7pm (closed on Sat)
5. Release your inner creativity at The Artisans Village Art Gallery
Similar to the Georgia Writers Museum, the Artisans Village Art Gallery is another initiative by the Lake Country Arts. Aside from bringing tourism into Eatonton, the Artisans Village Art Gallery also aims to bring together various artists and art enthusiasts in a common space to share their love and passion for art. The Gallery also offers occasional art classes with fees ranging from 45 USD. For more information on registration and payment, head on over to their website to check the latest classes!
The Artisans Village Art Gallery
Address: 110 W Marion St, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: The Artisans Village Art Gallery
Opening hours: Thu - Fri: 11am - 5pm; Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed from Sun - Wed)
6. Play a round of golf at Uncle Remus Golf Course
Named after one of Eatonton’s iconic characters, Uncle Remus Golf Course is a nine-hole golf course in the heart of Eatonton. It’s a perfect time to get away with the family with about 6,780 yards (6,200 meters) from the longest tees. The golf course was opened in 1961 and today it offers membership fees at affordable prices. What are you waiting for? Shoot and take your aim like Tiger Woods at this awesome golf course!
Uncle Remus Golf Course
Address: 120 Hambone Holle Dr, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Uncle Remus Golf Course
Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 8am - 5:30pm (closed on Tue)
Price: 9 holes: from 8.50 USD; 18 holes: from 12.50 USD
7. Marvel at the Greek architecture of Slade Hall
Built sometime between 1852 to 1854, Slade Hall is a brilliant example of Greek revival architecture in Eatonton. Marvel at its notable features including the scroll columns out in the front porch, a beautifully designed iron gate, and most importantly, the brick facade of the house’s exteriors. It was built for Daniel Slade and his wife Elizabeth Trippe Slade. Slade was a teacher who moved to Eatonton around 1852. Today, the house has been renovated several times and it is up for property listings. Slade Hall is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Slade Hall
Address: 206 N Madison Ave, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
8. Go on a camping getaway to Lawrence Shoals Public Recreation
Located on Lake Oconee, Lawrence Shoals Public Recreation is a popular camping site that’s perfect for getaways with families and groups of friends. The site is complete from basic needs such as water and electricity to additional amenities such as hot showers, soft drink machines and payphones. There are also plenty of recreational activities to choose from. Enjoy a barbecue with their grills and picnic tables, take an epic ride on their ATVs, go on a stroll down the white beach or catch some fish down by the lake. The campsite is also pet-friendly, so bring along your furry family members!
Lawrence Shoals Public Recreation
Address: 123 Wallace Dam Rd, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 7am - 8:30pm; Fri: 7:30am - 8:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 8:30pm
Price: 18 USD
9. Practice your aim at Cedar Creek Shooting Range
Cedar Creek Shooting Range is a 100-yard (90-meter) range located within the Oconee National Forest at the Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area. It has 10 available stations for you to practice your aim. Cedar Creek Shooting Range is one of 17 different public shooting ranges in Georgia, but just like any other shooting range, such activity requires several rules and restrictions. Though it may be an exciting sport, everyone’s health and safety is still a key priority.
Cedar Creek Shooting Range
Address: 242 Bradley Rd SW, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Cedar Creek Shooting Range
Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon - Wed)
Price: 5 USD (per shooter per day); 25 USD (per shooter per year)
10. Satisfy your comfort food cravings at Silver Moon
Silver Moon is dubbed as the favorite restaurant and bar of the neighborhood in Lake Oconee in Eatonton. And it’s no surprise why! Aside from the warm rustic interiors, the restaurant is popular in serving comfort food dishes, with fish and chips and creamy parmesan grits as their best sellers. Be sure not to miss out on the steak and seafood selections either. Also, don’t forget to try their home-made desserts. The unique thing about Silver Moon is they don’t take reservations, and there is no waitress outside to greet you. You simply write your name on a chalkboard should you decide to eat (and you should) and wait for your name to be called!
Silver Moon
Address: 1077 Greensboro Rd, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Silver Moon
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Sun)
11. Enjoy the outdoors at Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area
Take a little break from the urban world and spend some time outdoors at Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area. The massive 40,000 acres (16200 hectares) land is a total wildlife sanctuary. Visitors can opt to take a hike, have a group picnic or go on a little hunt. There is no rate to use the park, however, hunting will require special kinds of licenses. You may check these out on their website. Additionally, the Cedar Creek Shooting Range is also located here.
Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area
Address: Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area
12. Pay tribute to modern-day heroes at Veterans Wall of Honor Park
Veterans have always been renowned and respected members of the United States, and they are commemorated all over the country. In Eatonton, the Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor Park pays tribute to their homegrown veterans. Inside the park, visitors will find six walls made up of over a thousand bricks. These bricks are engraved with the names of many men and women who have served in the US Armed Forces. It’s a lovely way to pay tribute to these modern-day heroes. Should you have a family member who is also a veteran and would like to engrave their name, you may visit their website for more details.
Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor Park
Address: 304 W Marion St, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
13. Enjoy a cultural experience at The Plaza Arts Center
Eatonton takes a lot of pride in hosting a lot of events related to art and literature. A lot of those events take place at the Plaza Arts Center, a beautifully restored building for events, plays, concerts and the like. Fun fact about the Plaza; it used to be a school that was remodelled into the current facade. In line with this, the Plaza is also home to the Old School History Museum. Four of the old classrooms of the 1916 Eatonton School were designed to look like vintage establishments like a diner, a retail store and a classroom.
The Plaza Arts Center
Address: 305 N Madison Ave, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: The Plaza Arts Center
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed from Sat - Mon)
14. Go jet-skiing with Young Harris Water Sports
For thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, renting a boat or a jet ski at Young Harris Water Sports is the ideal activity for you. Young Harris Water Sports’ unique service allows people to not only rent out a boat or jet ski, but these will be delivered to their lake of choice. The list of lakes available for delivery is available on their website. Another awesome factor about Young Harris Water Sports is that they offer not only boat rentals, but should you need anything water-related, count on them to have it!
Young Harris Water Sports
Address: 1139 Lake Oconee Pkwy, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Young Harris Water Sports
Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 6pm
15. Experience horseback riding at Diamond K Stables
Because of a little girl’s love for horses, Diamond K Stables was born. Established in 2013, the 115-acre (46.5-hectare) property is home to a variety of beautiful horses waiting for you to visit them. Diamond K Stables offers services such as boarding, trail rides, clinics and lessons. They also hold special events from time to time so be sure to check out their website for more information. While at the stables, be on the lookout for a special team member - Buddy, the Barn Dog. This is an ideal place to take your kids and allow them to learn proper love and care for animals.
Diamond K Stables
Address: 217 N Wesley Chapel Rd, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Website: Diamond K Stables
Opening hours: 8:30am - 6pm (daily)
Price: From 40 USD
16. Play golf at Great Waters Course
Great Waters Golf Course is perhaps one of the most beautiful golf courses you’ll ever see and play at. The rolling landscapes that come together with Lake Oconee provide a truly scenic view. Great Waters Golf Course was established by golf legend Jack Nicklaus in 1992 and it has vowed to provide only the best facilities in the sport. They have also received multiple awards including Golf Course of the Year from Golf Course Owners Association. Past visitors have also noted that their food is delicious and the service is superb, adding more reasons to visit this amazing destination.
Great Waters Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee
Address: 112 Plantation Dr, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
Discover Eatonton, Georgia
For such a small town, there’s still surprisingly a lot of different activities to do. As with every town, they will always have something unique to offer. From history to art to nature, make sure to drop by and pay a visit to this lovely destination and you might be surprised at the things you will discover!
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