Fried Green Tomatoes Filming Locations to Visit

Fried Green Tomatoes is one of the quintessential Southern films, released in 1991. Based on a book by Fannie Flagg, an unhappy housewife seeks the advice of an elderly woman at a nursing home.

Ninny Threadgoode describes the life of Idgie Threadgoode, who grew up in 1920s Alabama. Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, Chris O’Donnell, and Cicely Tyson star.

In addition to the below locations, some have now changed or are private residences. The Winn Dixie is in Fayetteville but now a thrift store.

The Threadgoode home is in Senoia, home to The Walking Dead, but is a private residence, the Travis-McDaniel House. The bridge over the train tracks is also here but use caution even though the train is no longer operational. Another home used is in Williamson. All are in Georgia.

Looking for more landmarks from Fried Green Tomatoes? It’s Filmed There, Explore Georgia, and The Movie District have even more.

Fried Green Tomatoes Filming Locations

Whistle Stop Cafe, Juliette

The building that holds The Whistle Stop Cafe was originally built in 1927 as a general store but operated as a number of businesses until it was an antique store rented in 1991. It’s in Juliette, a small town north of Macon.

In Fried Green Tomatoes, Idgie and Ruth run the cafe known for its (what else?) fried green tomatoes. After the success of the film, two locals turned it into a real cafe, serving many of the classic Southern dishes mentioned in the movie like salads, burgers, fried chicken, and barbecue. Admire the artifacts from the film but don’t steal the menus!

The Dam, Juliette

Nearby, you can see the Juliette Dam on the Ocmulgee River where Idgie, Buddy, and Ruth walk along the dam with the red umbrella. You can get a glimpse from Juliette Park, around the corner from the Whistle Stop Cafe.

Rose Hills Convalescent Home, Newnan

This nursing home is where Ninny tells Evelyn about Idgie and Ruth. It is an actual home, Avalon Health and Rehabilitation, in Newnan. You can see it from the outside, but don’t try to go in.

Downtown Juliette

There are also locations around the town of Juliette. To the left is the building that stood in for the town grocery store. There’s also the cemetery where they placed the fictional plots for Buddy Threadgood and Ruth Jamison.

You can also spot the barbecue pit where they cooked up something special and visit First Baptist Church of Juliette, which is really Juliette United Methodist Church.

The Mill, Whitesburg

The trestle bridge is no longer there, but the Old Mill building where Ruth and Idgie play poker is at Banning Mills. The textile mill was created on the Snake Creek in 1846. Today it is a tourist attraction with ziplining, cabins, hiking, and other activities.

Courthouse, Zebulon

The red brick courthouse in Zebulon served as the courthouse for the trial in the film. The small town was originally founded in 1825 and named for Zebulon Pike, an American explorer. The Pike County Probate Court was built in 1895.

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Looking for a place to stay while visiting Fried Green Tomatoes filming locations? Banning Mills has onsite accommodations. Hampton Inn Forsyth and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Macon North are a short drive away.