Scenic Rutledge, Georgia, may look to be approximately the size of a postage stamp, but this tiny town has plenty of charm. It’s no surprise that its slogan is “Small but Special.” In fact, it has even been a popular filming location. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter was filmed at the lake at Hard Labor Creek State Park here. Selma and Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories were also filmed in Rutledge.
Rutledge is certainly worth a visit for those looking for small-town charm paired with a scenic locale. Here are just a few things to do on your visit to Rutledge:
Visit Hard Labor Creek State Park
For the $5 price of a parking pass, you can take advantage of the many amenities available at Hard Labor Creek State Park. While the name might not be idyllic, the setting certainly is. Rent a canoe, kayak, or pedal boat and spend the day touring the lake. Grab a fishing pole and try your luck in the well-stocked lake. Check out the equestrian, hiking, or off-road biking trails. Choose between mini-golf (for a small fee) or check out the actual golf course located within the park. There’s plenty to do, and you can even stay at a campsite or rent a cabin to take full advantage of this scenic setting.
Enjoy Local Dining
There are really two favorite choices for dining in Rutledge: Yesterday Café or The Caboose. Both are located adjacent to the park at the center of town, and you can’t go wrong with either option. In fact, both offer breakfast, but I would recommend The Caboose for lunch and Yesterday Café for dinner.
Travel Back in Time
You won’t be able to miss the old-fashioned playground in the center of town. If the metal slide doesn’t remind you of burned bottoms on a hot summer day and the seesaw doesn’t give you flashbacks of sudden drops to the ground, then you can experience all this for the first time at this blast from the past that children still enjoy as much as they ever did. The town offers live music, craft fairs, and farmers' markets at the park throughout the year.
Visit the Rutledge Community Depot.
The Rutledge Community Depot is relatively new to the town, and it boasts a library, yoga classes, meditation classes, arts and crafts, and more. Activities (both virtual and in-person) are available throughout the year. This community hub offers much for residents and visitors.
Stop to Check Out the Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry
Located outside the Rutledge Community Deport, the Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry offer free reading and pantry items to anyone in need of a good book or good meal. There’s no payment owed, and no questions asked. Stop and help yourself. Feel free to leave items of your own in either the pantry or library to pay it forward.
Visit Rutledge Hardware
For the garden enthusiast, Rutledge Hardware will certainly be calling your name. If the lush plants outside don’t immediately draw you in, check out the window display with its vintage gardening vibe. While many items in the vintage display are not for sale, this is the perfect place to stock up on soil, grab a plant or two for your herb garden, or stock up on starter plants for your vegetable garden.
Enjoy Agritourism Seasonally
CJ Orchards is an ideal stop during peach season (mid-June to late July). This farm has been in business for 38 years and offers peaches, blueberries, pecans, melons, tomatoes, and vegetables. They are known locally for their peaches and offer 10 different varieties. Their website also offers recipes from summertime peach ice cream to fried green tomatoes to cobblers, cakes, and soup. Make this farm a stop on any summertime visit.
Get Creative at SoulShine Mercantile
This small shop celebrates community, children, and creativity through classes, crafts, local food, art, and even homesteading supplies. This is just one of several shops in downtown Rutledge. While it’s not exactly the hub that will meet all your shopping needs, there’s plenty to satisfy the curious tourist passing through. For more antiquing and shopping options, be sure to take a detour into nearby Madison or Social Circle.
Even the tiniest towns can make a wonderful destination for a day trip, family getaway, or relaxed stop on the way to somewhere else. Come for breakfast, spend a day shopping and soaking in nature, and take home a new-to-you book, handmade local art, a bag of peaches, or a surprising vintage find. You’ll likely find that Rutledge truly lives up to the town slogan of small but special.