The Vampire Diaries Filming Locations
Where are The Vampire Diaries Filming Locations? Mystic Falls may be a fictional place but lucky for us, that doesn't mean that it does not exist. The real Mystic Falls is in Covington, Georgia, just 30 minutes southeast of Atlanta.
Warning! Contains spoilers
Mystic Falls, Virginia Sign at the Covington Visitors Center
1143 Oak St SE, Covington, GA 30014
Things To Know Before Your Trip
Where To Fly? Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is going to be the best option. It is one of the largest airports in the nation making the flight cost pretty inexpensive compared to other airports.
I recommend getting a rental car as there was no other transportation available to get to Covington.
Visit Town Square and hit the spots around it, then Visit the Covington Visitors Center and check out their Museum & get a self-guided brochure. They will allow you to park your vehicle and you can walk and tour the character homes. The cool thing about all the locations is they are within walking distance from each other. Elena's and Caroline's houses are across from each other.
There are a couple of tours available but The Mystic Falls Tours is the most popular one, currently $55 pp. Main Street Trolley is $35 pp. You can sightsee most locations on your own. The only difference is that Mystic Falls Tours claims to have access to Lockwood Mansion. Most homes are private and are occupied, so you will not be able to access the inside of these homes.
Please do not take photos on the porch without permission and respect the privacy of the residents.
The Alley & The Vampire Stalkers by the Town Square has merchandise and souvenirs you can purchase.
TVD Walk of Fame
Town Square
Town Square is a public square in Mystic Falls, which is called Covington Square in real life. The square features the famous Clock Tower, Mystic Grill, Benches. Many of the scenes in seasons 1 through 8 were filmed here. As soon as you see the square, you will feel like you're in the show as you will easily recognize the town. Around the same square, you can also find The Fire House and Grayson Gilbert/Elena Salvatore's Dr. Office.
Location: Covington, GA 30014
The Clock Tower
You can't miss the famous clock tower in downtown Cov. The clock tower is actually part of the Historic Newton County Courthouse. The construction on the clock began in 1865, the same time as the courthouse, and was completed in 1884. While the clock hands are not the original, the county still has them and the clock continues to serve to this day.
Location: 1124 Clark Street SW, Covington GA 30014
Mystic Grill
Built in 1906 as the Bank of Covington, the Mystic Grill was a bunch of law offices that got burned in May 2012. In 2014, Mystic Grill opened as a restaurant inspired by the show. The outside showcases the features you can see on the show, but the inside is not the same as it was filmed in a studio set. Either way, you can still enjoy the little hall of fame museum above. They also have rooftop seating!
Location: 1116 Clark St SW, Covington, GA 30014
Hours: Sun-Thurs | 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat | 11 AM-10 PM.
There was a line to get in at 10:45 AM.
The Alley
Located below Mystic Grill is the Alley. You may recognize this as another spot in Season 1. The Alley is a souvenir shop and a museum. They have Mystic Grill merchandise as well as blood bags (fruit punch).
Dr. Grayson Gilbert & Elena Salvatore's Clinic
Just across Scoops, which is the casts' favorite ice cream shop in town, is Gilbert's Doctor's Offices. Grayson Gilbert operated his medical practice out of the building until he died; it can be assumed that this is where Isobel gave birth to Elena.
This spot was once used as storage for filming props but the space has been purchased and turned into an Art Shop called WildArt LLC.
Location: 1105 Washington St SW, Covington, GA 30014
Character Homes
Elena Gilbert | 2104 Floyd St NE
Caroline Forbes | 2118 Floyd St NE
Lockwood Mansion | 2129 East St NE
Isobel Flemming Foreclosure | 2146 Conyers St SE
Grams House | 2136 Conyers St SE
While the majority of the Vampire Diaries Filming Locations were around the town square, the homes were located not very far from the square. As I mentioned, start in Town Square then go to the Visitor's Center (College Ave & Oak St). Turn to College Ave towards East Street. You will hit the Lockwood Mansion, then just a couple of houses down are Caroline and Elena's Homes (each corner across each other. When you go the other way, you will find Isobel's Foreclosure House and Gram's.
Cemetery
The street by Gram's and Isobel's Foreclosure home is the Southview Cemetery. While not very many scenes were shot here, part of the scene at the cemetery in As I Lay Down (2x22) was shot here. It was a 5-second clip when Damon walked away from Stefan after he told him that he was bit by Tyler Lockwood.
Sheriff Forbes Funeral
Known as Covington First United Methodist Church, this church was used to film Sheriff Forbes Funeral in Season 6, Let Her Go. Sheriff Forbes's death and the funeral were one of the saddest losses/scenes in TVD in my opinion.
Location: 1113 Conyers St SW, Covington, GA 30014
Bree's Bar
A little bit outside of the square, you can find Bree's Bar. In Season 2, Damon and Elena went to Georgia (what? lol) after Damon failed to open the Tomb and Elena got into an accident after learning she looked like Katherine. The bar scene was filmed in Depot, by the train tracks. Just around the corner, you will also find the spot where Lee, Lexi's boyfriend, beats up Damon.
Location: 4130 Emory Street
Looking For More Vampire Diaries Filming Locations?
Whitmore College and Whitmore Frat House in Oxford, GA
Mystic Falls High in Monroe, GA
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