I still remember laughing at Joe Pesci’s courtroom antics the first time I watched ‘My Cousin Vinny’. This 1992 comedy has fans searching for My Cousin Vinny filming locations across Georgia.
This guide covers every major location from the movie. I’ll walk you through Monticello’s courthouse, the famous Sac-O-Suds store, and hidden spots most people miss. You’ll get exact addresses and current status updates.
Here’s what we’ll cover: filming locations in Monticello and Covington, the prison where Bill and Stan stayed, hotels and diners from the movie, and practical tips for visiting.
About the Movie
‘My Cousin Vinny’ follows two New Yorkers wrongly accused of murder in a small Southern town.
Vinny Gambini is a lawyer who passed the bar on his sixth try. His girlfriend Mona Lisa Vito knows more about cars than anyone expected. Bill Gambini and Stan Rothstein are the cousins stuck in jail, hoping Vinny can save them.
Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for her performance as Mona Lisa. Her courtroom testimony scene became one of the most quoted moments in film history.
The movie earned over $64 million at the box office. Critics praised its humor and surprisingly accurate legal procedures. Law professors still use it to teach trial basics.
Georgia became Alabama on screen. The production team chose small towns that matched the script’s setting. These locations gave the film its authentic small-town feel.
Primary Filming Locations in Georgia
Here’s where the magic happened across small Georgia towns that brought Wahzoo City to life.
Monticello, Georgia
Monticello played the fictional Wahzoo City in the movie. This small town sits about 60 miles east of Atlanta. The downtown square became the center of many scenes, including Vinny’s car troubles and courthouse visits.
Main Street appears throughout the film with local businesses as backdrops. Visitors can park around the square and walk the same paths. Most buildings look exactly as they did during filming.
Sac-O-Suds Convenience Store
Address: 54 GA-16, Monticello
This is where Billy and Stan supposedly stole tuna cans, starting their legal trouble. The building closed after filming but reopened in 2014 with movie memorabilia inside.
The exterior looks the same as it did in 1991. You’ll find signed photos and props from the production.
The Ocmulgee River runs nearby, and many visitors combine their store visit with river tubing during warm months.
Jasper County Historic Courthouse
The courthouse sits on Monticello’s town square. Exterior scenes show Vinny entering and leaving for trial. The building’s hexagonal cupola clock tower appears in multiple shots.
Some interior courtroom scenes were actually filmed in Covington because the production needed more space.
The courthouse still operates today and you can view it from outside anytime. The architecture dates back to 1895.
Covington, Georgia
Covington provided the interior courtroom set where the production built the trial room. Weather caused filming challenges as frequent rain and sound issues delayed several scenes.
The town sits 35 miles east of Atlanta and hosts many film productions. Most visitors focus on Monticello instead, but film buffs appreciate knowing where the actual trial scenes happened.
Lee Arrendale State Prison (Alto, GA)
Bill and Stan waited here during their trial. This max-security prison provided authentic jail scenes, as the cells and visiting areas look real because they are. Guards and prisoners appear briefly as extras.
The prison still operates as a women’s correctional facility, so you cannot tour inside, but you can view the exterior from public roads.
Alto sits in northeast Georgia and the drive takes about 90 minutes from Atlanta. Most fans skip this location unless they’re making a complete tour.
Hotels and Motels
The accommodations where Vinny and Mona Lisa struggled to get a good night’s sleep.
General Putnam Motel (Eatonton, GA): Vinny and Mona Lisa stayed here first. The building has since closed, but you can still drive by the site. Eatonton sits between Monticello and Madison on Highway 441.
Susie Agnes Hotel / Parker Hotel (Bostwick, GA): The pig slaughterhouse scene happened here where Vinny couldn’t sleep because of squealing pigs next door. The hotel still stands but operates differently now. Bostwick is a tiny town worth a quick photo stop.
Wahzoo City Hotel / Pool Hall (Mansfield, GA): This building appears in background shots. The structure remains in Mansfield’s small downtown, and most visitors recognize it from the movie. The town sits near Monticello.
Mitchell’s Department Store (Monticello): Vinny bought his second suit here. The store operated as a secondhand shop in the film and is located on Monticello’s main square. The building now houses a different business.
Dining & Other Locations
Key spots where Vinny and the crew ate, hunted, and moved through the story.
Martha Jane’s Southern Cookin’ (Monticello): Vinny and Mona Lisa reviewed photos here. The restaurant served real Southern food during filming but has since closed. The building remains on Monticello’s square.
BBQ Lunch Scene: This happened near Highway 16. The exact spot remains unconfirmed, though local fans have theories. Most agree it was somewhere between Monticello and Madison.
Hunting Scene with Prosecutor Trotter: Located at Maddox Street at Seven Islands Road, Vinny goes hunting with the prosecutor in this scene. The rural crossroads still looks much the same, with trees and open fields surrounding the area. You’ll need GPS to find this spot.
Filming Trivia & Fun Facts
Joe Pesci based Vinny on Brooklyn lawyers he knew growing up, which gave the character authentic New York flavor. Law schools actually use the film to teach proper courtroom procedure, and legal experts call it one of the most accurate trial movies ever made.
Georgia stood in for Alabama perfectly after the production team added Alabama license plates to cars and changed road signs temporarily with full cooperation from local businesses.
“What is a yute?” became a pop culture reference that still gets quoted 30 years later, thanks to Judge Haller’s confusion over Vinny’s accent creating an iconic moment.
Marisa Tomei almost didn’t audition because she thought the role was too small, but her Oscar win proved everyone wrong.
Visiting the Filming Locations
Plan your trip to see where Vinny worked his courtroom magic across Georgia.
- Start at Monticello’s courthouse square and visit Sac-O-Suds first. Walk downtown for 30 minutes and take photos at each filming spot. Park free around the square and ask local shop owners about memorabilia displays.
- Drive to Covington for the courtroom connection if you’re a serious fan, though most people skip this 45-minute detour. Then head to Madison for mansion and road scenes, which adds another hour but offers great lunch options.
- Bring a camera for the courthouse and Sac-O-Suds, as these are the most popular photo spots. Morning light works best for exterior shots, and you’ll capture the same angles seen in the movie.
- Visit during spring or fall for ideal weather, as summer gets hot and humid in Georgia. Winter rarely causes problems, though some sites close early. You can finish a full tour in one long day.
- Create your own self-guided route using Google Maps with the addresses provided, as no official tours exist. Some Atlanta film location companies offer custom tours for $200+ per person, but most fans prefer controlling their own pace.
Conclusion
I’ve shown you where Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei brought this comedy to life. Monticello’s courthouse, Sac-O-Suds, and Georgia’s back roads wait for you to visit.
These locations still look remarkably like they did in 1992.
Pack your camera and make the drive. You’ll walk where Vinny walked and see what he saw. The small towns welcome fans warmly.
Have you visited any of these spots? Share your experience in the comments below. And if you’re planning a trip, let me know which location excites you most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was My Cousin Vinny filmed?
The movie was filmed in Monticello, Georgia, which played fictional Wahzoo City. Other Georgia towns like Covington, Madison, and Bostwick also hosted scenes for added authenticity.
Can you visit the Sac-O-Suds store?
Yes, the store reopened in 2014 at 54 GA-16 in Monticello. You’ll find movie memorabilia inside and the exterior looks exactly like it did during filming.
Is the courthouse from the movie still there?
The Jasper County Historic Courthouse still stands on Monticello’s square. You can photograph the exterior anytime, though interior scenes are actually filmed in Covington.
How far is Monticello from Atlanta?
Monticello sits about 60 miles east of Atlanta. The drive takes roughly 75 minutes via I-20 East, making it an easy day trip.
Did they really film in Alabama?
No, all filming happened in Georgia. The crew added Alabama license plates and changed road signs to make Georgia towns look like Alabama.
