The 2002 film Sweet Home Alabama tells of a fashion designer in New York City who must return to her small hometown to get a divorce from her high school boyfriend. In the process, she becomes reacquainted with him along with her family and former friends and merge her two worlds.
It made a star of Tennessee native Reese Witherspoon, along with Patrick Dempsey, Melanie Lynskey, Josh Lucas, Ethan Embry, and Candice Bergen.
Despite the film’s name, the majority was filmed in Georgia. The opening scenes with the lightning strike on the beach took place in Captiva Island, Florida, near Fort Myers.
The big houses Melanie drives past on her way into her town are in Eufaula, Alabama, including the Shorter Mansion. And, of course, some of the New York City scenes take place at Lincoln Center, the Fashion District, and Tiffany’s.
All of these locations are open to the public. Some no longer exist or were created for the movie, so they’ve been left out. For more information on Sweet Home Alabama filming locations, visit Chris Credendino’s website.
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Sweet Home Alabama Filming Locations
Oak Hill and Martha Berry Museum, Rome
Set in the Northwest Georgia town of Rome, Oak Hill is the former home of Martha Berry, which is located on the campus of Berry College. Built in the 1880s in the Greek Revival style, Berry lived much of her life in the home before and after founding the school.
It contains stunning gardens from the 1930s and offers guided tours of the interior with admission. The Martha Berry Museum, near the home’s entrance, educates visitors on Berry’s life along with the history of the school and the town of Rome.
In Sweet Home Alabama, Oak Hill serves as the Carmichael Plantation. It’s here that Melanie pretends she lives when a reporter comes asking questions, and where she later has her wedding to Andrew before it all falls apart.
Starrs Mill, Fayetteville
The unincorporated area of Starrs Mill was established alongside a grist mill of the same name. It was first owned by Hilliard Starr, who owned the mill from 1866 until 1879, using the water-powered wheel to grind corn. Today, it operates as a free landmark with a few picnic tables and an area to walk around.
The building was used as the setting for Deep South Glass, Jake’s glass-blowing business, where Melanie and her friends go by chance before her wedding. You won’t find the yellow seaplane here, as that scene took place elsewhere, but instead locals fishing.
Downtown Crawfordville
The small town of Crawfordville, in eastern Georgia, was founded in 1825 for William H. Crawford, the former U.S. Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury. It’s home to less than 1,000 residents and has A. H. Stephens Historic Park.
The town was used as the setting for Pigeon Creek, Melanie’s hometown. Various buildings were used for the cafe, bank, and post office. There’s also the Taliaferro County Historical Society, which has artifacts from the films.
Few businesses are still open, but you can still go to Heavy’s Barbecue, which was the location for Stella’s bar. They have items from the movie on display, including the neon signs. The Taliaferro County Courthouse was used as the Pigeon Creek Sheriff’s Department.
Other Filming Locations to Visit
These locations were used for their landscapes, so you might not recognize anything from Sweet Home Alabama.
Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers
The Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, outside of Atlanta, was established in 1991 when Atlanta was awarded the location for the 1996 Centennial Olympics. Equestrian, mountain biking, and some of the pentathlon events were held in the park.
The over 1,000-acre park was used for concerts and other events following the Olympics. It continues to be open to the public for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, geocaching, and other activities.
It was the setting for the Civil War reenactment that Melanie’s father takes part in when Jake and Andrew meet. It was also used as a location for Stranger Things.
Lake Peachtree, Peachtree City
Lake Peachtree is one of three lakes in Peachtree City, fed by neighboring Lake Kedron. It was created in 1957 when Flat Creek was dammed. In Sweet Home Alabama, Jake’s house is located on the lake, where he also keeps his plane at the dock.
According to Southern Living, the production was fined for landing the seaplane on Lake Peachtree, which is against local ordinances. You can see it from the park adjacent to the city hall. Just don’t go looking for the house used as Jake’s from the movie. It’s down a private road.
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Looking for a place to stay while visiting Sweet Home Alabama filming locations? The Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Rome used to be a 1890s warehouse and still has the original floors and brick walls. Tru By Hilton Greensboro is close to Crawfordville.
Forgot to mention coon dog cemetery was used in movie actually in Russell ville which is right by red bay Alabama.
I’m from Greenville, AL. The water tower scene with the courthouse in the background features a courthouse that is almost identical to the one in the real Greenville, AL. I grew up alongside Pigeon Creek. They did a great job replicating our area.
Where she lives with her parents was Baileys trailer park. I lived close by. The place was fabulous, but unfortunately is no longer. It was in Covington Ga.