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Monticello Vacations, Monticello Tours and Travel Packages

Monticello, Jasper County, Georgia is a quaint and unique rural town and county, designated as the “Deer Capital of Georgia” and boasting a rich legacy of vast historical heritage dating as far back as the 1670’s beginning with the Seven Islands Indian Trail, one of the first trade routes of the Native Americans, Pioneers and Methodist Circuit Riders, as well as the Seven Islands Stage Coach Route, which connected Augusta, Mobile, New Orleans and the Natchez Trace.
 
Located in the Piedmont Region of Middle Georgia and centrally located between Atlanta, Athens and Macon, Monticello is the Historic Heartland’s hidden treasure and sparkling jewel. A Preserve America and Better Hometown community, it is the Trailhead for rolling pastures and dense pine forests that dot the landscape along the Monticello Crossroads Scenic Byway and Biking Trails, as it encompasses 29 miles of State Highways 11 and 83 heading north from the city.  The Scenic Byway also bisects the town of Shady Dale, which was on the direct route of the “March to the Sea” campaign in 1864 and where the Shady Dale Hotel housed its most famous guest, General William Tecumseh Sherman.

One of Georgia’s two national forests lies within Jasper County, The Oconee National Forest, containing close to 113,000 acres of unspoiled natural beauty, offering primitive campsites as well as the newly developed Ocmulgee River Horse Trails and Birdwatching Trails, both close to the untamed winding waters of the Ocmulgee River and the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge.

Another noted treasure located in northern Jasper County is the 6,400 acre Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, of which 6100 acres lie in Jasper County, managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, offering an array of outdoor programs, day camps, environmental education and teacher workshops, outdoor recreational activities, nature trails, 22 fish ponds, Visitor’s Center and exhibits, as well as a Conference Center, Banquet Hall and many other amenities for adults and children alike.

 Whether driving our Scenic Byways, or just “passing through”, our historic downtown square, Monticello, Jasper County, Georgia, is sure to catch the traveler’s eye.   Located on the Eastern Corner of the Historic Square, sits our majestic Courthouse, one of the settings for the highly comedic movie, "My Cousin Vinny."  Visit some of the movie sites around town and even eat at Dave's Bar-B-Que and Soul Food, another featured site from the movie!

Each Saturday beginning in May, Monticello’s Market Festival on the Square, an open-air farmers market, beckons the accidental tourist on their way through the Historic Heartland, to an aesthetically colorful panorama of lush Georgia Grown-Georgia Made fruits, vegetables, arts, crafts, fresh flowers & plants, children’s corner and some of the finest live local entertainment in Middle Georgia.  From Bluegrass to the Blues, Southern Rock to Gospel, Jazz to Alternative/Folk; Monticello is the tourists delight. 

In fact, Monticello is the birthplace of Country Music Recording Artist, Trisha Yearwood, who has received multiple Grammy and CMA awards, Broadway Star, Rob Evan, who currently stars in Tarzan and also starred in Jekyll & Hyde. Jason Aldean, another up and coming young talent who received the CMA Rising Young Country Star award for 2006, spent many a summer in Monticello. All are honored and featured on The Wall of Fame in The Visitors’ Center, housed in the renovated Monticello Government Complex and home to the offices of the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce and the Monticello Better Hometown Program. Reminiscent of the Art Deco era, the original woodwork and display cases feature and house Monticello and Jasper County’s most treasured and colorful history. Be sure to see our local artists work displayed in the Center.

The first weekend in November, the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce hosts the Annual Deer Festival. Now in its 41st year, this traditional festival abounds with arts, crafts, delectable foods, children’s activities, a Venison cook-off, Parade, Deer Stand Derby and awesome entertainment throughout the day.  The day kicks off with the Annual Deer Dash 1 Mile Walk/Fun Run and 5K.  In its 10th year it has become one of the most popular in the region! This challenging course is great fun for the entire family! Both events continue to draw in people from around the state and abroad.

Jasper County and Monticello, Tourism Friendly Community of the Year for 2006, celebrate their Bicentennials in 2007 and 2008 respectively. For 200 years the town square has been the gathering place for the community. Peruse the quaint shops for that special “something,” enjoy a therapeutic massage at one of our local day spa's, experience the local Art and Historic Home Tours, fish and hunt, attend a local festival! There’s something for everyone!

HistoricMonticello.com

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