the vampire diaries tourist attractions

Screen Rant

10 vampire diaries filming locations you can actually visit.

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

The Vampire Diaries' Biggest Elena Book Change Secretly Revealed Her Ending 7 Seasons Early

8 harsh realities about the bridgerton books, 18 years after the series ended, what went wrong with your honor, bryan cranston's first "rotten" tv show on rotten tomatoes.

• Vampire Diaries was primarily filmed in Covington, Georgia as the fictional Mystic Falls, but also had some filming locations outside of Georgia.
• Fans can visit The Mystic Grill, Scoops, Lockwood Mansion, Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast, and other iconic places featured on the show.
• Some filming locations, like the Salvatore Boarding House, were filmed in multiple locations, including ones that are no longer accessible to the public.

Even the biggest fans of the series have wondered where was Vampire Diaries filmed. After filming the pilot episode in Vancouver, British Columbia, The Vampire Diaries moved the entire production to Covington, Georgia, where most of the series was filmed as the fictional Mystic Falls . Some Vampire Diaries filming locations can also be found outside of Georgia, though the show was rarely shot outside the state.

Watch on Max

Whether for casual fans or die-hard long-time viewers who followed the Vampire Diaries Delena episodes , these places are perfect for any Vampire Diaries fan tour. Throughout The Vampire Diaries' 8 seasons and 170 episodes, Elena (Nina Dobrev), Damon (Ian Somerhalder), and the rest of the ghoulish immortals spent a lot of time hanging out in real locations that fans can physically visit. Among the various establishments are cafés, ice cream shops, boarding houses, public squares, and historical mansions. So, where was Vampire Diaries filmed, and how can viewers find and actually visit these places?

RELATED: 20 Shows To Watch If You Love The Vampire Diaries

10 The Mystic Grill

The mystic grill can be found at 116 clark street, covington, georgia.

Probably the most famous of all The Vampire Diaries filming locations, The Mystic Grill is a real eatery that fans can visit in Covington . The restaurant was opened in 2014 by fans of the show. Viewers may only recognize the outside, as the exteriors of the restaurant were filmed for the iconic Vampire Diaries Mystic Falls haunt, while the interiors were filmed on a sound stage. Nonetheless, it's a cool, worthwhile place to visit for viewers who remember Alaric recognizing Damon at The Mystic Grill, or that awkward double date at the Grill with Matt, Caroline, Stefan, and Elena. The restaurant is open until at least 9:00PM on a regular basis.

Scoops can be found at 1131 Church St., Covington, Georgia

Any Vampire Diaries fan tour around Covington wouldn't be complete without a visit to Scoops, the colorful confectionary ice cream shop that Elena and the gang visit more than once on the show. Though the location didn't feature as much as The Mystic Grill, Scoops was frequented by The Vampire Diaries cast during filming. For instance, Damon Salvatore's (Ian Somerhalder) favorite treat at Scoops is the banana pudding milkshake (via Go Covington ). The ice cream shop is located in the heart of Covington Square and is open Monday-Saturday from 11 AM-10 PM and Sunday from 12 Pm- 9 PM.

8 Lockwood Mansion

Lockwood mansion is created from two covington locations.

One of the most iconic building locations on the show includes Lockwood Mansion, the place where fans can pay respects to the fallen werewolf Tyler Lockwood (Michael Trevino) and his family. Fans can visit the Lockwood Mansion in Covington, although fans might have to travel to two different locations. The first location includes Worthington Manor, a lavish abode situated in Covington. The place is a private residence but can be toured for a modest price by an outfit called Vampire Stalkers. For those who simply want to snap a picture outside where Klaus killed Mikael, it's located at 2129 East Street, SE Covington, Georgia.

Movies that filmed scenes in Covington include Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Remember the Titans (2000), and Jungle Cruise (2020).

7 Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast

Twelve oaks is located at 2176 monticello st, sw covington, georgia.

Where was Vampire Diaries filmed for the Lockwood Mansion flashback scenes? The second Lockwood Mansion is actually the Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast, a fully operational tourist spot where visitors can stay overnight. In fact, The Vampire Diaries cast members often stayed there during production themselves. The location plays a prominent role in "Memory Lane," the fourth episode of season 2. The elegant, upscale Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast was built in 1836. For those who don't want to stay overnight, daytime tours of the location can be arranged too.

Related: The Best Storyline In Each Vampire Diaries Season

6 The Gilbert House

The gilbert house is a private residence.

Elena and Jeremy Gilbert's (Steven R. McQueen) house, which burned down in The Vampire Diaries season 4, actually still exists. Long-time viewers who vividly remember how Elena burned down the house to cover for Jeremy's death may find it surreal to see this particular Vampire Diaries filming location still standing. The exterior was used to film shots for the show while the inside of the Gilbert house was created on soundstage sets. Currently a private residence, visitors should be more careful when attempting to visit the house and not disturb the residents. Those who want to drive by and grab a quick snapshot or selfie should make their way to 2104 Floyd Street, NE Covington Georgia. The Goonies fans, however, will remember how much the lives of private residents can be disrupted by eager fans as the Astoria home in the movie was frequently sought out by fans for decades.

5 Grams' House

Grams' house is a private residence.

Another great stop for any Vampire Diaries fan tour is the house of Shiela "Grams" Bennett (Jasmine Guy), who played Bonnie's (Kat Graham) grandmother. Bonnie visits the house whenever she needs words of wisdom or encouragement from her beloved family member, resulting in some of the funniest Vampire Diaries quotes alongside the wise insights from Grams. Even after death, Grams' spirit manages to protect Bonnie when she becomes The Anchor. Those who want to visit Grams' humble abode and see how it differs from the many historic mansions among Vampire Diaries' filming locations can head over to 2136 Conyers Street, SE Covington, Georgia.

4 The Clock Tower

The clock tower is located at 1124 clark street, sw covington georgia.

Where was Vampire Diaries filmed during scenes that feature the clock tower in the background? The clock tower that's often seen on the show is actually part of the Historic Newton County Courthouse. Across the street from the courthouse is a shop called "On Location Gifts," where fans can buy all sorts of The Vampire Diaries merchandise. Visitors and long-time Vampire Diaries filming location hunters can expect to be welcomed at both places. Non-vampiric visitors will want to avoid reenacting that scene in The Vampire Diaries where Damon and Elena hang out near the top and then jump off the clock tower.

3 Whitmore College

Whitmore college is actually part of emory university.

While most Vampire Diaries filming locations are in Covington, several other places in Georgia were used as well. One place worthy of visiting is Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, Georgia, which doubled as Whitmore College on the show. Notably, Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline (Candice King) attended Whitmore in The Vampire Diaries season 5. The college is also where Professor Shane kept most of the strange artifacts in his collection. Located at 801 Emory Street in Oxford, Georgia, the place was founded in 1836, the same year as Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast (Lockwood Mansion), and was likely chosen due to its similar Gothic architectural design.

2 Whitmore Frat House

The frat house is a real oxford college frat house.

Before leaving Oxford, anyone on a Vampire Diaries fan tour ought to check out the Oxford College fraternity house called Orna Villa. This real location served as the thematic "Murder House" in The Vampire Diaries season 4, episode 4, "The Five." Even before being accepted to Whitmore, Elena and Damon shared a key moment in The Vampire Diaries by attending a fraternity costume party in this episode, which memorably ended in a grisly massacre and some huge revelations. Erected in the 1820s, the Orna Villa site is just down the street from the Whitmore College campus at 1008 N Emory Street, Oxford Georgia.

The Vampire Diaries spinoff series Legacies is available to stream on Netflix.

1 Salvatore Boarding House

Salvatore boarding house has a location in covington as well as in british columbia, canada.

Much like the Lockwood Mansion, the Salvatore Boarding House seen on the show was filmed using two different Vampire Diaries filming locations . In the pilot, the location used was Foxglove Farm addressed at 6471 224 Street, Langley, British Columbia. The enchanting place has been used for several films and TV shows and can be visited by interested fans. The second location used for the Salvatore Boarding House includes Glenridge Hall, situated at 598 Abernathy Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia. While both sprawling locales feature the same open courtyard driveway and wooded surroundings, eagle-eyed fans will notice the architectural differences. Moreover, visiting both places would require 2,500 travel miles.

Vampire Diaries fans will be disappointed to learn that damage to the older Glenridge Hall left the house beyond repair. The house itself was demolished several years ago to clear the property for a new development. Sets have been recreated as part of studio tours, however, that Vampire Diaries fans can still see, even if they can no longer visit the actual house.

The Vampire Diaries

Outdoor Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Things to Do in Mystic Falls and 39 Filming Locations From The Vampire Diaries

If you’ve followed me for some time, you already know I’m a die-hard fan of The Vampire Diaries franchise, a Georgia-filmed series. This is why these awesome things to do in ‘Mystic Falls Georgia’ (as most people call it) are mostly related to the show.

Writing about this makes me remember how excited I was to visit the filming locations from The Originals —a spin-off series from The Vampire Diaries , in New Orleans.

So, yes, believe me when I say that Covington, Georgia is the place to be if you’re a fan of TVDU (The Vampire Diaries Universe) .

In Covington, you will get to see epic locations like Elena’s house with its iconic porch, the Lockwood Mansion, and even the places where the decade dances were filmed.

However, even if you’re not a fan of this popular vampire show, this picturesque town still has many promising experiences to make for an amazing trip.

Disclaimer: Some affiliate links are placed in this content which means we receive a percentage of the revenue made from purchasing products via those links–at no extra cost to you . All of the opinions are our own. Thank you for supporting our blog!

Can You See Mystic Falls Without a Tour?

Absolutely! You don’t need to be part of a tour to see and explore the many filming locations from The Vampire Diaries that took place here.

The fictional town of Mystic Falls is located in Covington, GA, and the town square is pretty much where most of the iconic scenes take place. This is an incredible place where you truly get “ The Hollywood of the South ” experience even with a self-guided tour.

Additionally, you can shop for goodies like blood bags, sip coffee at the local Bread & Butter Coffee Shop, and have a delicious lunch or dinner at the popular Mystic Grill.

You can do all of these and more, without the need of being part of a tour and there are incredible places in Covington to make your trip a truly unforgettable one.

11 Best Things to Do in Mystic Falls

Let me just start by saying that if you’re planning a trip to Mystic Falls , you will have the time of your life. For starters, you can walk around Mystic Falls for free because it’s an actual town!

There are many ways you can enjoy your trip to this beautiful town and explore the exciting things to do in Covington, Georgia. But one of the most popular ways to do so is by visiting the filming locations of the show The Vampire Diaries .

[BTEN id=”2594″]

These are some of the places you can visit if you want to do a Mystic Falls self-guided tour.

1. Go to the Welcome Center

One of the things you don’t want to miss is the Welcome Center! You’ll get all of the info you need for a full experience of this beautiful town of Covington, Georgia.

Plus, they have a great collection of original props used during the filming of The Vampire Diaries series.

In fact, since my last visit, the welcome center got an upgrade and it’s bigger and better than ever.

You might even be able to see Damon and Stephan’s cars on display or it’s possible to see their doppelgangers out in the square, especially during the weekends.

2. Take a Picture of the Iconic Clock Tower

Even if you haven’t watched the show, you’ll be in awe of the beauty of the town’s clock tower built in 1884!

This tower is iconic to the fans of the show but it’s also one of the best places for photos in the town square. I suggest you take a walk around and take pictures of it from many different angles!

3. Schedule a Tour with The Vampire Stalkers/Mystic Falls Tours

For those of you who prefer tours, the Mystic Falls Tour is a great choice. The tour takes you through the filming locations of The Vampire Diaries series and the guides tell some interesting facts about things that happened on set.

However, even if you don’t take the tour, you’ll still be able to see the majority of these locations up close–except for ‘ The Lockwood Mansion ‘ (real name is Worthington Manor).

4. Eat Ice Cream at Scoops

This ice cream is delicious! It’s velvety soft and the picturesque shop is worthy of a visit. Scoops was a favorite stop for the cast of The Vampire Diaries during their filming days.

And if you’re a fan of Ian Somerhalder (Damon in the series), like I am, then you should try Ian’s favorite which is the Banana Pudding milkshake. But this day, I had a cup of Belgian Chocolate. Yum!

5. Walk Around the Town Square

Covington, Georgia is a very charming town! I love every inch of the square and all of the photo ops. Georgia is called the Hollywood of the South for a reason!

This is why all around the square, you’ll see stars from the different films/shows that have taken place in this beautiful town.

Most recently, Covington became the home of Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias series.

6. Take a Picture with the Mystic Falls Sign

Fan or not, a picture with the Mystic Falls welcome sign is something you don’t want to miss! Mystic Falls is where everything happens. It’s also where everything begins.

In other words, it makes total sense to begin your Hollywood of the South experience with a picture next to the Mystic Falls sign.

You will find the actual wooden sign inside the Visitor’s Center, and another one painted on one of the walls in The Alley.

🎥 Keep reading for a full list of the filming locations of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES in ‘Mystic Falls’ 🎥

7. Make a Stop at the Mystic Grill in the Iconic “Mystic Falls Georgia”

Again, die-hard fans like me will know about the Mystic Grill . But even if you’re not, you should go here.

While I did not get to eat here this time around, I did go inside and took pictures of the bar.

They say the food at the Mystic Grill is delicious and I intend to try at least a salad on my next visit. While you’re here, visit The Alley Shop downstairs. In my opinion, it’s the best Vampire Diaries-related gift shop around town!

8. Visit the Plantation House that was the Inspiration for the Classic Film Gone with the Wind

Fans of The Vampire Diaries will also recall this, as it was in parts of the 1864 flashbacks .

But this beauty was also the inspiration behind the plantation featured in Gone with the Wind. Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast is a must-see around Covington, Georgia.

9. Stop at the Filming Location for Mystic Falls High School

Yeah! I found it! It took me like 2 hours to find this place but it was so worth it!

Where is the Mystic Falls Timberwolves Location ?

The Mystic Falls Timberwolves was located at Athens College in Monroe, GA but it’s no longer standing.

As of 2021, all that was left of the ‘ Mystic Falls Timberwolves ‘ has been torn down from where it used to be.

Unfortunately, loitering, vandalism, and unattended trash seem to be the culprits.

Please be responsible in your travels, pick up after yourself, and don’t take part in any type of vandalism. It’s best to do our part so that we can continue enjoying places like these!

10. Get a Taste of New Orleans in Olde Town Conyers, Filming Location from The Originals

The ornate ironwork–which is so iconic of the city of New Orleans , can be found all around Olde Town Conyers. Hence the reason why Conyers was one of the main filming locations for The Originals series for most of the filming of its five seasons.

What I loved the most about this quaint little town was that it’s very picturesque and gives you a sense that you’ve magically stepped into New Orleans. There’s also a train station, shops, and restaurants around the town.

While here, you’ll be able to see the street where the death of Jane Anne Deveroux took place , in the first episode of The Originals.

Additionally, you’ll find places like Simply Naked Candles which was the actual filming location for the Jardin Gris Voodoo Shop located at 906 Center Street, Conyers, GA.

11. View the Rooftop Shown in Season 1, Episode 2 of The Vampire Diaries

For those hardcore fans like me, you’ll remember this iconic rooftop featured in the first season of The Vampire Diaries.

An unforgettable scene was filmed on the rooftop of the Butter Bakery & Coffee Shop. In the scene, Damon said the iconic phrase “ That’s for me to know and for you to dot dot dot “. Who remembers this scene? 🙋🏻‍♀️

Where are the Filming Locations of The Vampire Diaries?

Wondering where are all The Vampire Diaries filming locations? I have you covered in the list included in this post!

Also, many of my readers ask “ Where is the gym in Covington? ” referring to where the 20s dance of The Vampire Diaries took place.

This gym in Covington is situated conveniently at the heart of the town. To be more specific, it can be found on the main route leading towards Academy Springs Park.

So if you’re looking for the exact location of the gym in Covington, head towards the center of town on your way to the Academy Springs Park, and you’ll spot it there.

“ Where did the Delena rain kiss take place? ” is also a common question, and this took place at Academy Springs Park right here in Covington.

But to get all your questions answered, I suggest you start at the Covington Welcome Center which is located at 1143 Oak St. This place is filled with a great collection of items from the set of the show and many people are very knowledgeable of the filming locations.

Alternatively, you can go on a Mystic Falls tour and experience many of the locations on a guided tour.

However, even if you don’t do the tour, this list is meant to help you make the most of your trip as a fan of The Vampire Diaries.

Mystic Falls Filming Locations

Now, take notes, because this list has the best locations! All of the names in this list are fictional names from the show.

• The Lockwood Mansion : 2129 East St, Covington, GA
• Elena Gilbert’s House : 2104 Floyd Street NE, Covington, GA
• Isobel’s House : 2146 Conyers St, SE, Covington, GA
• Caroline Forbes’ House : 2118 Floyd St, NE, Covington, GA
• Rebecca’s House : 3115 Pennington St, Covington, GA
• Mystic Grill : 1116 Clark St, SW, Covington, GA
• Grayson Gilbert’s Office Sign : 1105 Washington St, SW, Covington, GA
• 1864 Lockwood Mansion : 2176 Monticello St, SW, Covington, GA
• Dead Witches Mansion : 3188 Conyers St, SE, Covington, GA
• Grams’s House : 2136 Conyers St SE, Covington, GA

• Damon and Elena kiss in the rain location : 3120 Conyers St SE, Covington, GA
• Stephan’s Garage Job : 4162 Washington St, Covington, GA
• Mystic Falls High School – Timberwolves Football Stadium : 212 Bryant Rd, Monroe, GA 30655
• Whitmore College : 801 Emory St, Oxford GA
• Whitmore Frat House (the Murder House): 1008 N Emory Street, Oxford, GA
• Bell’s Grocery Store : 11377 Brown Ridge Rd, Covington, GA
• 1864 Salvatore Mansion : 617 Dixie Ave, Madison, GA
• Gillespie’s Pub (Celtic Tavern) : 918 Commercial St NE, Conyers, GA (S4 EP 8: “ We’ll Always Have Bourbon Street”
• The Armory : 1680 Westview Dr, Atlanta, GA
• Wickery Bridge : 5098 Klondike Rd, Lithonia, GA

• Salvatore Boarding House : 5520 Kent Rock Rd, Loganville, GA 
• The Falls (Amicalola Falls) : 418 Amicalola Falls Rd, Dawsonville, GA
• Bree’s Bar : 4122 Emory St, Covington, GA
• Damon & Elena’s Future Home : 11 Dartmouth Ave, Avondale Estates, GA
• Matt’s House : 1133 Conyers St, Covington, GA
• TJ’s Garage : 1186 Clark St, Covington, GA (Where Stefan stopped with Katherine)
• Caroline and Alaric’s House : 1134 Reynolds St SE, Covington, GA
• Damon and Elena Hotel Scene : 4300 Snapfinger Woods Dr, Decatur GA
• The Falls (Amicalola Falls State Park): 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA
• The Depot (Where Damon took Elena when he kidnapped her): 4122 Emory St NW, Covington, GA
• Delena’s Last Dance : the filming location for Damon and Elena’s last dance was a spot outside the studio property and there is no public access.
• Alaric’s Dallas House : 1134 Reynolds St SE, Covington, GA
• Liz Forbes’ Funeral : 1113 Conyers St SE, Covington, GA
• Prison World Hospital : 4159 Mill Street NE, Covington, GA
• Historical Society Beautification Day Picnic and Swimming Hole , Costley Mill Park, 2455 Costley Mill Rd NE, Conyers, GA
• Abby Bennet’s House : 6990 S Goddard Rd, Lithonia, GA
• Delena Human House : 11 Dartmouth Ave, Avondale Estates, GA
• Elijah and Katherine Gazebo Scene : 938 Main St, Stone Mountain, GA
• House where Bonnie stops Matt’s heart: 4145 Dorchester Dr. SE, Covington, GA 30014

The ‘Salvatore Home’

For those who are hoping to see the gorgeous estate featured on The Vampire Diaries as the home of the Salvatore Brothers , you should know that this property no longer exists.

Glenridge Hall , the real-life name of the Sandy Springs mansion that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was sold and demolished back in 2015.

Nowadays, the site where this property once stood is now home to the Mercedes-Benz Headquarters.

Have you been to Covington, Georgia aka Mystic Falls? Drop your comment below!

Save it for Later!

About the Author

Yanitza Ninett

Yanitza is an avid adventurer with 15+ years of hiking experience and outdoor travel. As a PADI-certified scuba diver, she's also passionate about ocean conservation. When she's not exploring the great outdoors, Yanitza obsesses over The Vampire Diaries and dreams of traveling to Mallorca, Spain.

• Yanitza Ninett https://nextstopadventures.com/writer/nextstop 12 Historic Small Towns in Florida to Visit This Weekend
• Yanitza Ninett https://nextstopadventures.com/writer/nextstop 19 Free Apps for Outdoor Travel That Every Adventurer Should Have
• Yanitza Ninett https://nextstopadventures.com/writer/nextstop Hiking the Little Grand Canyon in Georgia
• Yanitza Ninett https://nextstopadventures.com/writer/nextstop 12 Lighthouses on the East Coast for an Epic Road Trip

70 thoughts on “Things to Do in Mystic Falls and 39 Filming Locations From The Vampire Diaries”

My daughter and I are here now 11/12/2023 for her 30th bday ! We love the towns !!

This is so exciting! What an EPIC way to celebrate a 30th birthday!

I am coming down the weekend of 09/29/2023(its my birthday weekend!) and I am so excited!! This is my first time coming and I cannot wait!!

Yay!!! You’re going to have so much fun! An EPIC birthday for sure! Let us know how it goes 🙂

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Join our Adventure: Get all my insider tips for traveling on a budget

The Wild Trek

Visiting Mystic Falls In Covington GA: The Vampire Diaries In Real Life

Are you a fan of The Vampire Diaries?  Have you ever wanted to step into the world of Mystic Falls Virginia and experience the supernatural for yourself? Look no further than Covington Georgia, the real-life location of the fictional town.

From the Mystic Grill to the Lockwood Mansion, there are plenty of iconic spots to explore. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what you can expect when visiting Mystic Falls in Covington, GA, and why it’s a must-see destination for any diehard Vampire Diaries fan.

As the real-life filming location for Mystic Falls, Covington offers fans a chance to immerse themselves in the world of vampires, witches, and werewolves. Here’s your ultimate guide to exploring Mystic Falls in Covington!

Where is Mystic Falls?

For a long time, I thought Mystic Falls was a real place. I never bothered to ask where Mystic Falls actually is. Turns out it’s not in Virginia!

Mystic Falls is located in Covington Georgia and isn’t an actual town – Covington is just the set  mostly used for the Vampire Diaries. You’ll see many of the iconic Mystic Falls town landmarks in Covington.

Covington is a city in the central region of Georgia, specifically in Newton County. It is situated approximately 35 miles east of Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia.

The city has a population of around 14,000 people and covers an area of approximately 14 square miles.

Covington is known for its historic downtown area, which features a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. And of course, because this is the home of Mystic Falls, you’ll see Vampire Diaries staples like the Mystic Grill and the town common.

Covington is easily accessible by car via Interstate 20 or by air through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , which is located approximately 40 miles west of the city.

Covington, Georgia is not only known as the home of the fictional Mystic Falls, but it has also been a popular filming location for TV shows and movies for over six decades.

Recently, the town has been the primary setting for the Netflix original series, Sweet Magnolias. In addition, Covington has been featured in several beloved films, including Remember the Titans (1999), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), and Selma (2014). Georgia is often referred to as the Hollywood of the South, and Covington’s popularity as a filming location is a testament to that.

As a devoted fan of The Vampire Diaries, visiting Covington was a dream come true. Despite being a popular destination for film and TV enthusiasts, the town maintains a charming and low-key vibe, with cute local shops and welcoming hospitality that will have you missing it before you even leave.

The Vampire Diaries Filming Locations In Mystic Falls/Covington Georgia

Though the initial episode of “The Vampire Diaries” was filmed in Vancouver, the remainder of the eight-series show was in Covington, GA.

And guess what? You’ll be thrilled to know that many of the show’s iconic filming locations are open to the public for exploration. That’s right – you can walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters and see the places where their supernatural adventures took place.

One of the most famous filming locations is the Mystic Grill , a beloved hangout spot for the show’s characters.

Another must-see location is the Lockwood Mansion , which served as the home of the Lockwood family on the show. 

Of course, there is the Town Square , the site of many of the show’s pivotal moments, and the Wickery Bridge, where the tragic accident that kicked off the series took place. 

Let’s dive into each of these locations in more detail to get you ready for your trip!

Top Things To Do in Covington Georgia for Vampire Diaries Fans:

Here are the top things to do, ranked. I recommend either driving or renting a golf cart (which we did and it was awesome!) since some of these spots are a pretty long walk.

10. Join a Mystic Falls Tour  

Going on a tour with Vampire Stalkers is a great way to start of your Mystic Falls journey if you want to see everything at once. This tour will take you all around Mystic Falls and show you the most iconic places. You can easily see many of these places on your own, but the tour does make it a little easier.

You’ll have stops at famous filming sites like the Mystic Grill , the Town Square, and the Lockwood Mansion .

This tour does boast “exclusive” access to the Lockwood Mansion , which is a private residence, but this only means you get to go inside the gates (not inside the house). But you DO get to see the iconic Caroline and Klaus bench, which was totally worth it for me.

You’ll also get to see Elena’s home , Caroline’s home , and Isobel’s home .

But this tour is notable for more than just the places on the TV series. The guides at Vampire Stalkers know everything there is to know about Mystic Falls, and they love to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with other fans.

This tour takes about 2.5 hours and is a great way to see all of the Vampire Diaries spots in one swoop.

Check out more info about the tour here.

9. See The Characters’ Homes

Would you rather go on a self-guided tour? You can easily check out the characters’ homes yourself. Here are the addresses:

Elena Gilbert’s House : 2104 Floyd Street NE, Covington, GA

Caroline Forbes’ House : 2118 Floyd St, NE, Covington, GA

Isobel’s House : 2146 Conyers St, SE, Covington, GA

8. Dine at the Mystic Grill   

Yes, you read that right! You can actually dine at the Mystic Grill!

The Mystic Grill is a common place for The Vampire Diaries characters to hang out. You will love it more if you are a fan, as the restaurant has many souvenirs and props from the show.

But this place is also a great restaurant in its own right, with a menu full of Southern-inspired dishes and a cozy, welcoming setting that will make you feel at home. It serves both lunch and dinner. The Mystic Grill has something for everyone , from essential comfort foods like mac and cheese to more sophisticated dishes like pan-seared salmon. If you are there for dinner, try one of the Mystic Burgers or get the 13 Oz Ribeye. Either one won’t disappoint!

The bar area is exactly like the show, but the restaurant area looks a little different. Either way, coming here feels super iconic. If only Matt was actually our waiter.

You can also grab a seat on the rooftop (not shown in the Vampire Diaries but super beautiful!) and listen to live music on the weekends (think Caroline singing to Matt).

So, come for the food, stay for the mood, and feel the magic of the Vampire Diaries at Mystic Grill !

7. Visit The 1864 Flashback Plantation House

Fans of The Vampire Diaries may recognize the beauty of Covington, Georgia from the 1864 flashbacks featured in the show.

However, this home has also served as the inspiration for the plantation featured in the classic film, Gone with the Wind. One must-see location in Covington is the Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast , which captures the charm and elegance of the antebellum South.

You can simply visit or actually stay in this home – we’ll cover more about that in the hotel section further down this post.

The address for this spot is 2176 Monticello St, SW, Covington, GA.

6. Explore Covington Square and The Clock Tower

As a fan of “The Vampire Diaries”, visiting Covington, Georgia was a dream come true. One of the highlights of my trip was exploring the Covington Square and Clock Tower.

The square is the heart of the city and offers a variety of local shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

The Covington Clock Tower , which has been a fixture of the city since 1896, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the square. It’s a truly beautiful spot!

The square is also home to several events throughout the year, including the Covington Farmers Market and the Covington Art Walk . You can look around the shops and stores, which sell everything from handmade crafts and artisanal goods to unique gifts and souvenirs.

Or, grab a bite at one of the many cozy cafes, hip bars, or fancy restaurants that line the square. Many of these places serve delicious Southern-style food and other favorites from the area.

Covington Square also has a lot to offer regarding fun things to do. The town center has live music performances, art shows, and other annual special events. And of course, our characters in the Vampire Diaries experience all of that, so this is a must-visit.

5. Visit Lockwood Mansion

Another stop to visit as you explore the real-life town behind Vampire Diaries is the Lockwood Mansion . This stately historic home was the outside setting of the Lockwood family house on the show. It has now become a popular place for fans of the show who desire to venture into the world of Mystic Falls.

You’ll feel like you’re in The Vampire Diaries as soon as you get close to Lockwood Mansion . It’s easy to imagine the characters from the show walking around the property because of the grand columns, long roads, and lush landscaping.

You can’t actually go inside (and can only go in the gates on the tour) but it’s still worth a stop to see from the outside.

4. See The Iconic Damon/Elena Kiss Spot:

You know that iconic kiss in the rain? That took place at the Academy Springs Park , which is super close to downtown. The park itself is pretty beautiful, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

The address for the park is: 3120 Conyers St SE, Covington, GA.

3. Spend Some Time at Mystic Falls Cemetery   

A Vampire Diaries tour wouldn’t be complete without stopping at the Mystic Falls Cemetery , one of the most critical settings of the show. But seriously: how much time did the characters spend here?

The stone walls, tall trees, and twisting paths of the cemetery all show up in different episodes, and it’s easy to picture the show’s characters wandering through the graves. This is where the group mourned so many iconic characters.

Even without Vampire Diaries, the cemetery is famous for photographers and history buffs because of its beautiful grounds and memorials. Its quiet atmosphere is a nice break from the business of everyday life.

The address for the cemetery is: 2151 Davis St., Covington, GA.

2. See The Welcome Sign

Grab a picture with the iconic Mystic Falls Virginia sign !

You will find the actual wooden sign inside the Visitor’s Center, and another one painted on one of the walls in The Alley.

1. Check Out Some Vampire Diaries Merchandise and Gift Shops

You can visit many places in Covington, Georgia, where the TV show took place, but there are also a few places in town that sell cool Vampire Diaries stuff.

The Vampire Stalkers tour group, located near the Town Square, runs one of the largest gift shops with the most extensive selection of Vampire Diaries items. 

The gift shop is a haven for fans who want to take a piece of Mystic Falls home. What’s great about it is that it is just a few steps away from some of the most famous film locations of the show, so it’s a quick stop in while sightseeing. 

Replicas of the show’s props are among the most popular things in the gift shop. You can get Damon Salvatore’s vervain collar and the Gilbert family ring , complete with great care and attention to detail.

But even if you don’t want a copy of a prop, the gift shop has a lot of other things to offer. You can get a Mystic Falls t-shirt or a mug with your favorite characters on it to show how much you like the show. And if you want a unique souvenir, you can have a piece of jewelry made just for you with a design inspired by the show.

That’s pretty much it for the big locations in MysticFalls. However, there are some smaller places to see, too:

Bree’s Bar – 4139 Emory St NW, Covington, GA Whitmore College – 801 Emory St, Oxford, GA Sharp Gym 20’s Decade Dance – 2140 Newton Dr., Covington, GA

Other Things To Do in Covington, Georgia

Apart from exploring the filming locations of The Vampire Diaries, there are many more things to enjoy in this town. Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply considering a relaxing getaway, the following things to do will surely make lasting memories!

Play a Round of Golf at Ashton Hills Golf Club

You can’t miss the chance to play at one of the best public courses. A golf course is a place where history and new ideas meet. The Ashton Hills Golf Club takes pride in giving players unique places to play and exciting things to do in Covington, GA. 

When you get there, you’ll see a lot of things. Clean greens and well-kept fields are just the start. You can play 18 of the best rounds at their Desmond Muirhead-designed course. The golf course is 6906 yards long, and it is a golfer’s dream. 

Give it a few swings to find out for yourself.

Partake in Covington Ghost Tour

For a more exciting time, go on a walking tour of Covington’s historical sites . Seasoned Ghost Guides will show you around a city with a long history of hauntings and give you a preview of what makes it the “Hollywood of the South.” 

You will visit places where TV shows like “In the Heat of the Night,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and “The Vampire Diaries” were filmed. Most of the time, the walking ghost trip takes about 2.5 hours. The best way to see the hidden side of Covington City is on a Covington Ghost Tour .

View Local Arts at Southern Heartland Art Gallery

The Southern Heartland Art Gallery opened in 2004 on Covington’s old square. So far, the art center has done an excellent job of showing off unique and exciting works by local creators and artists. 

Since the gallery is in a great spot in the city, it is easy to get to and gets a good number of visitors every day. Even more, the Southern Heartland Art Gallery has several shows. 

Check their schedule to plan your trip to the city around it!

Appreciate the Outdoors at The Eastside Trail

The Eastside Trail is the newest multi-use greenway walk in Newton County. 

It goes from downtown Covington to Eastside High School, which is 2.5 miles away. It starts on Ramsey Drive, and for the first few miles, it winds behind the library and Newton County Health Center into an area of woodland. 

After taking a slow path through the woods, the route will traverse Martin Street at the crossing. The view on the trail will bring anyone relaxation .

For free things to do in Covington, GA, you can rent a bike from a shop close and ride down the trail. 

Go Sightseeing at Turner Lake Trail

The Turner Lake Complex is in Covington, near the end of Clark Street on the west side. Visitors can park at the Turner Lake Facility and use the trails behind the complex and along the lake to get to the lake.

After seeing the sights, you can get to downtown Covington. You can reach it via the boardwalk, a tunnel under the roundabout, or bike paths.

The trail’s natural setting allows you to escape all the distractions and focus on yourself. And, if you are with your loved ones, you can stroll down Broadway to have an excellent time!

Getting To Mystic Falls (Covington, Georgia)

Getting to Covington Georgia, is a breeze, with various transportation options available. Whether traveling by car, plane, or bus, there are numerous ways to reach this charming town and explore all Mystic Falls, Virginia, has to offer.

If you’re driving by car to Covington, Georgia, the trip will be beautiful and easy. The town is easy to get to from Atlanta and other nearby cities because it is right off Interstate 20.

It takes about an hour from Atlanta to Covington, but that can change based on how busy the roads are. If you’re going from out of state, plan your route and leave plenty of time for rest stops and to get gas.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the closest airport if you come by plane. You can rent a car, take a cab, or use a shuttle service to get to Covington from there.

Depending on traffic, the trip takes about an hour. Flights to Atlanta cost different amounts based on the time of year, but round-trip tickets usually cost less than $200.

Book your flights early to get the best deals and arrive in Covington at a good time. And don’t forget to bring only what you need. Airlines often charge extra for checked luggage.

If you would instead take a bus, the closest bus station to Covington is in Atlanta. You can take a GRTA bus from there; the trip takes about an hour, depending on the road conditions.

Just check the bus schedules before you go so you can get to Covington quickly.

Where To Stay in Covington, Georgia

If you plan to go to Covington Georgia, you should stay for more than one day. We suggest staying for at least a weekend or longer because there are so many places to see and charming Southern hospitality to enjoy. 

Luckily, there are a lot of places to stay, and there are options for all budgets and preferences. Here are the ones we like best!

The Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast

Do you like The Vampire Diaries? If so, you won’t want to pass up the chance to stay at the Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Covington, Georgia! This beautiful house is in the middle of Mystic Falls and offers guests a luxurious and unforgettable stay.

The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast is just a short walk from downtown Covington , so it’s a great place to stay while you check out the town’s charming shops, restaurants, and sights. The house is a work of art in and of itself. It has grand rooms and elegant furniture that take visitors back in time.

At the Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast , guests can choose from six rooms , each with its style and personality.

There’s something for every taste and budget, whether you want a cozy room with a fireplace or a large suite with a four-poster bed. And with high-speed Wi-Fi and luxurious blankets, guests can enjoy all the comforts of home in a truly unique setting.

The delicious breakfast given every morning is one of the best parts of staying at Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast. In the elegant dining room of the house, guests can enjoy a gourmet meal, or they can have a more casual meal in the cozy breakfast nook.

Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast rooms start at around $200 per night , varying on the season and room type. Even though it’s not the cheapest place to stay in Covington, the luxurious rooms and fantastic service make it well worth the extra money.

We  highly recommend staying at Twelve Oaks for the full Covington Georgia Mystic Falls experience! You’ll feel like you’re part of Vampire Diaries during your stay – the rooms are just incredible.

Holiday Inn Express Covington

The Holiday Inn Express Covington is a popular hotel located in the heart of Covington, Georgia. The hotel offers a variety of amenities and services to make guests’ stays comfortable and enjoyable.

The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, featuring comfortable beds, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.

Additionally, the Holiday Inn Express Covington is located close to many of the city’s top attractions, including the Mystic Grill and the Covington Square. The hotel also offers easy access to nearby highways, making it a convenient option for those traveling by car.

And what about pricing? Rooms at the Holiday Inn Express start at around $100 per night , depending on the season and room type. It makes it a fantastic option for budget-conscious travelers who still want a comfortable stay with all the modern amenities.

Hampton Inn

Hampton Inn is your home away from home in the charming town of Covington, Georgia! If you’re looking for a comfortable yet affordable stay with a touch of Southern hospitality, look no further than this cozy yet affordable hotel.

It is right off Interstate 20, making seeing all the town offers easy. Also, its friendly staff is always happy to improve your stay by giving suggestions and secret tips.

You can choose from different rooms, such as standard rooms with one or two beds or large suites with living rooms. Some comfortable rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, and soft mattresses.

Are you looking to stay active and fit during your trip? No problem! The Hampton Inn has you covered with an outdoor pool and fitness center, so you can break a sweat and cool off in style.

Moreover, the best part is that living here won’t break your budget. Prices start at about $100 per night , which makes it an excellent choice for tourists on a budget. You can be sure you’ll feel right at home as soon as you get there!

La Quinta Inn & Suites 

Looking for a place to stay in Covington, Georgia, that’s cozy and easy to get to? La Quinta Inn & Suites is an excellent place to stay . This famous hotel chain has clean, comfortable rooms, modern amenities, and a prime location.

The rooms at La Quinta Inn & Suites are large and comfortable, with flat-screen TVs, premium cable programs, and high-speed Wi-Fi so you can stay in touch while there.

Plus, you can choose between standard rooms and larger suites with separate living rooms to find a room that fits your wants and budget.

But La Quinta Inn & Suites has more to offer than just that. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a complimentary breakfast served every morning in the dining room. You can have an excellent start to your day with various hot and cold foods, like eggs, toast, cereal, and more!

Additionally, service is one thing that makes La Quinta Inn & Suites stand out from other hotels . Some of the friendliest and most helpful individuals you’ll ever meet work here. They are always keen to go above and beyond to make your stay as easy and enjoyable as possible.

La Quinta Inn & Suites is right off Interstate 20, which makes it a good choice for travelers passing through the area or those who want to explore the town’s many charms and nearby sites.

This place has reasonable prices, with rooms starting at around $90 per night , based on the time of year and the room type. It makes it an excellent choice if you want to explore the town while on a budget!

FAQs About Visiting Mystic Falls Virginia (Covington Georgia):

Can you see mystic falls without a tour, can i visit the lockwood mansion, what is the best time of year to visit.

The best time of year to visit Covington, Georgia, to experience the Mystic Falls filming locations and immerse yourself in the world of “The Vampire Diaries” can depend on a few factors:

Spring (March to May): Spring can be a lovely time to visit. The weather is mild, and the blooming flowers and lush greenery can enhance the overall ambiance of the town. The pleasant temperatures make it comfortable for walking tours and exploring the filming locations .

Fall (September to November): Fall is another popular time to visit. The changing foliage adds a beautiful backdrop to your experience, and the weather remains comfortable. The fall season can also coincide with fan events or conventions related to “The Vampire Diaries.”

Summer (June to August): Summer is a peak tourist season, so you might encounter larger crowds. However, if you’re willing to brave the heat and the possibility of some rain, summer can be a good time to visit if you want a lively atmosphere and longer daylight hours for exploring.

Winter (December to February): Winter is the off-peak season for tourism in Covington. While the temperatures can be cooler, this might be a quieter time to visit the filming locations without the crowds. Some events or attractions might have limited availability during this time, so it’s good to check in advance.

Final Thoughts

That’s it for this guide on exploring the real-life town behind Vampire Diaries!

Mystic Falls Virginia, or more precisely, Covington Georgia , offers an unforgettable experience whether you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries or not. From exploring iconic filming locations to shopping and exploring the outdoors, Covington has something for everyone.

So pack your bags now and embark on a journey to this magical town!

Similar Posts

20+ Colorado Mountain Towns That Are Too Cute To Pass Up

The 28 Best Breweries in Vermont For Amazing Brews

The Ultimate Guide to Quechee Gorge in Vermont

20 TOP Restaurants In Burlington Vermont

Top 14 Restaurants in Bend, Oregon (By A Local)

20 Incredible Hot Springs in Nevada

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

This Is My South

A travel guide to the Southern USA

The Ultimate Vampire Diaries Fan Guide to Georgia

June 8, 2022 By Caroline Eubanks Leave a Comment

Starting in 2009 and running for eight seasons, not to mention spawning multiple spinoffs, The Vampire Diaries is one of the most popular series to be filmed in Georgia. Its impact is still seen today as the show gains popularity on streaming platforms.

It tells of a young girl who meets a pair of vampire brothers and finds herself falling deeper into their world. The show starred Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder and was filmed primarily in Covington, Georgia. This is also where Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias is filmed.

There are many to find but some have since been demolished . Other locations are private and not open to the public. But here are some of the best spots to visit for The Vampire Diaries fans.

Looking for more fan guides? Check out our posts from Outer Banks , Stranger Things , and The Walking Dead .

This post contains affiliate links.

The Vampire Diaries Filming Locations

Homes from the vampire diaries.

There are many homes used in the series over the years. It should go without saying, but DO NOT TRESSPASS , even if you find the address online.

Mayor Lockwood’s mansion is on East Street and visible from the street, the site of Caroline and Stefan’s wedding. You can usually snap a photo from the gates, but if you want to go onside, you’ll have to book a tour with Vampire Stalkers.

Elena’s House can be found at East and Floyd streets. Caroline’s House is right across the street. Gram’s house is on Conyers Street between Davis and East. Isabel’s mansion is next door to it.

Newton County Courthouse

The Newton County Courthouse and its iconic clock tower is featured heavily in the show and was originally built in 1884 in the Second Empire architectural style. It’s where Katherine prepares to jump and where Sheriff Forbes’ office is located. You may not be able to go inside since it’s an active courthouse, but you can see the outside.

Nearby you can also find Dr. Gilbert’s medical practice and Covington’s “Walk of Fame,” honoring the many television and film productions that have filmed here.

Oxford College, Oxford

Located five minutes drive down the road, Oxford College at Emory University is the Atlanta school’s original campus, founded in 1836. It stands in for Whitmore College, where Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline attended school in season five. It was also featured in the first episode of The Dukes of Hazzard , along with In the Heat of the Night and Vacation .

Nearby, check out the exterior of Orna Villa , the former home of the college president. It was used in a particularly gruesome episode as a fraternity house.

Mystic Grill

While originally created as a set, Mystic Grill opened in 2014 and is now an operational restaurant, full of memorabilia from the series. The restaurant has a diverse menu that includes fried chicken, burgers, and sandwiches. There’s also a rooftop where you can see the best views of downtown.

Southview Cemetery

Iron gates surround Southview Cemetery , a historic cemetery in downtown Covington. The oldest plots date back to the 1800s. One of the more notable scenes from the show filmed here was when Damon and Elena kiss in the rain.

Set in a former train depot, The Depot is a popular sports bar on the road to Oxford. The menu includes beer and food, including buffalo wings and burgers. In the show, it stands for Bree’s bar.

The Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast

The 1836 Antebellum mansion was used for flashback scenes on The Vampire Diaries . The home now operates as a bed and breakfast, boasting hearty Southern meals, spa tubs, and fine Turkish linens. Over 90 television shows and movies have been filmed here, including Madea’s Family Reunion , Life of the Party , and Bessie . It’s also been cast and crew accommodations.

The Vampire Diaries Tours and Experiences

If you’re looking for the best tour of the filming locations and stories from behind the scenes, your best bet is Vampire Stalkers , which has an office downtown. They also have artifacts from the show and souvenirs.

The Alley at Mystic Grill , located beneath the restaurant, is a must-see for fans of both The Vampire Diaries and Sweet Magnolias. It has souvenirs and memorabilia as well as a small museum of signed posters and props.

Where to Eat in Covington, Georgia

Downtown Covington has an abundance of fantastic restaurants. For fans of the show, it’s fun to try the places seen on screen, including Mystic Grill and The Depot. But that’s not all!

City Pharmacy is an award-winning restaurant in a former pharmacy building. Here you can enjoy dinner and brunch, including burgers, steaks, and pasta. For a sweet treat, Scoops ice cream shop is a favorite of the actors. Bread and Butter is a coffee shop and bakery in town with “wine blood bags” to appeal to fans.

Where to Stay in Covington, Georgia

Looking for a place to stay during your Vampire Diaries-themed trip?  The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast  is popular with visitors, featured in television and film, with cozy rooms and daily breakfast.  Hampton Inn Covington  has amenities like daily breakfast.  Rental houses  are also a good option.

Must-Have Vampire Diaries Gear

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is the editor of this website, a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

This Is My South is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees at no cost to the consumer by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. For further information, visit our Privacy Policy page.

This site is managed by Reggio Digital .

• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

Mystic Falls Virginia – Touring The Real Town Behind The Vampire Diaries

If you happen to be a fan of the CW hit show “The Vampire Diaries”, you may find yourself asking a few questions when it comes to the town of Mystic Falls Virginia. Like first of all, is Mystic Falls real?

If so, where is Mystic Falls? And more importantly, can you eat at the famous Mystic Grill in real life?

+ For a quick preview of this post, check out our Mystic Falls Virginia Story .

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Therefore, this post may contain affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission on qualifying purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.

These are just a few of the questions I’ve had over the many years of binge watching TVD and, through a pretty coincidental stroke of luck, I was able to get the full lowdown on the famous Mystic Falls Virginia during a quick trip to Atlanta, GA.

Keep on reading to learn more about how you can visit Mystic Falls VA and see all the iconic Vampire Diaries shooting locations for yourself (and yes, you really can eat at the Mystic Grill!).

Table of Contents

Where was Vampire Diaries filmed?

Though the pilot episode of “The Vampire Diaries” was filmed in Vancouver, the remainder of the eight series show  was filmed in Covington, GA.

Covington has been a popular filming destination for years and has even been unofficially declared the “Hollywood of the South”.

The small town is located nearby Atlanta, making it an ideal day trip destination for anyone visiting the city.

Is Mystic Falls Virginia a real place?

Mystic Falls Virginia is NOT a real place!

You can still grab a great photo with the real welcome sign from the show though at the Covington Visitor Information Center .

In order to visit “Mystic Falls Virginia” in real life, you’ll have to go to Covington, GA.

Covington GA to Atlanta GA

It’s incredibly easy to get to get from Covington GA to Atlanta GA. In fact, it’s only about a 40 minute drive.

A trip to Covington is definitely worth it if you’re visiting Atlanta, and vice versa.

There are so many amazing things to do and see!

Related: 24 Things to Do in Atlanta, Georgia This Weekend

Things to Do in Covington GA

Vampire diaries tour.

Hands down the best way to explore Covington, GA is through an official Mystic Falls Tour .

We went through the company Vampire Stalkers , which is the TVD cast’s #1 recommended tour.

Jessica, the owner of the company, is incredibly knowledgable on the show and the area, and she personally knows many of the cast members.

She has tons of great stories, and she really knows what she’s talking about when it comes to “The Vampire Diaries”, the spinoff “The Originals”, and now even “Legacies”, the third TVD spinoff!

Though you might be tempted to scout the locations from the show on your own, I’d definitely recommend taking the tour, because you’ll get access to lots of filming locations you wouldn’t otherwise (like the Lockwood Mansion, which is a completely gated property).

You’ll also learn a lot more about how the show was actually filmed and even get to hear funny stories about the cast, which I think is well worth the money.

The Mystic Grill

One of my favorite things to do in Covington GA was of course visiting the Mystic Grill .

Though the inside scenes at the Mystic Grill were filmed at the sound stages, the outside scenes were filmed right here at the Mystic Grill Covington.

It was really cool to sit outside here like the TVD cast did many times and look out at Covington Square or the clock tower…it really feels like you’re in Mystic Falls!

Another great thing about the Mystic Grill is that you can actually eat here.

The southern style food is delish, and they even have rooftop seating available that overlooks the town square.

I’m already planning on coming back here the next time I’m in Atlanta — it was just that good!

Related: Meeting the Cast of “The Vampire Diaries”

Covington Square & The Clock Tower

Another really cool spot is Covington Square.

It’s obviously pictured a lot throughout the series, and you can view both the Mystic Grill and the clock tower from here.

There’s also a number of cute shops to explore and some other tasty restaurants.

We really enjoyed visiting Scoops Ice Cream, which is rumored to have been one of Ian Somerholder’s favorite spots when The Vampire Diaries was filming here!

The Gilbert House

Getting to see the Gilbert house in person was awesome.

Though it’s just a normal residence to anyone who hasn’t watched the show, every true TVD fan knows that some pretty iconic scenes took place on this porch!

Scenes inside the house were filmed at the sound stages though, since it wouldn’t really be practical to take over someone’s home every time they needed to film.

FYI: If you want to visit the Gilbert house or any other of the homes used for filming during the show, make sure you’re on an official tour.

These poor homeowners have had some unfortunate run-ins with fans who have been less than respectful to their properties.

Remember that these are private residences, and Jessica, the owner of the Vampire Stalkers tour company is actually in regular contact with the homeowners to ensure that it’s okay for people to stop by each time she’s doing a tour.

Imagine if you had random fans showing up at YOUR doorstep without any warning.

The Forbes’ Residence

Another cool stop on our Vampire Diaries tour? Caroline Forbes’ house!

Again, inside shots were filmed at the sound stages, but they really did use the porch for any outside scenes here.

The Lockwood Mansion

Okay, here is another instance where you absolutely need to be on an official Vampire Diaries tour to get the full Mystic Falls experience!

On our Vampire Diaries tour, we were able to go behind the gates of the Lockwood Mansion and see the place where so many of the epic parties were really staged throughout this series.

We even got to meet the owners of the home, who were both incredibly kind and willing to answer any questions we had.

So many important moments were filmed in this backyard, and they actually did use the inside of the home for some party scenes as well.

It was an amazing treat to get to check out this place in person.

Related: 5 Things to Expect at the Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta, GA

Mystic Falls Cemetery

In addition to many of the main shooting locations already mentioned, it wouldn’t be a true Vampire Diaries tour without a trip to the Mystic Falls Cemetery.

Though Mystic Falls Cemetery isn’t featured as often as some of the above shooting locations, it’s surely one of the most iconic considering this is the very place where Elena meets Stefan Salvatore for the first time in the Vampire Diaries pilot.

While it may feel a bit cheesy, don’t pass up on recreating the famous Damon and Elena photograph from the finale while you’re there either!

Vampire Diaries Merchandise & Gift Shops

In addition to the many filming sites you can visit in person, there are also a few gift shops in town that sell some awesome Vampire Diaries merchandise.

One of the biggest gift shops with the widest range of Vampire Diaries merchandise is run by the Vampire Stalkers tour group and is located near the Town Square.

There’s also a great shop located off of the alley near the Mystic Grill that I actually bought a Mystic Grill t-shirt from while we were there.

Another option is of course to purchase your own Vampire Diaries merch before your visit so you can rock it around town during your visit.

These are just a few of the highlights of Mystic Falls (the tour was about three hours long, so there’s actually a lot I didn’t even mention in this post!).

There really are a lot of things to do in Covington GA, and I’m excited to go back the next time I’m in Atlanta.

Vampire Stalkers also has an “Originals” tour now too, which takes you around to some of the most popular The Originals filming locations.

I’m hoping to attend that next and see where some more of my favorite scenes were filmed!

Are you a fan of “The Vampire Diaries”? What are some of your favorite things to do in Covington GA?

Pin this post:.

Vampire Stalkers/Mystic Falls Tours-Vampire Diaries/Originals Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Vampire Stalkers/Mystic Falls Tours-Vampire Diaries/Originals Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Oh, the Places We Travel!

Places to See, Food to Eat, Things to Do and Where to Stay.... Oh, The Places We Travel offers tips on planning your vacation.

Tour of Mystic Falls and Saying Goodbye to The Vampire Diaries

March 9, 2017 By Dwan Perrin 19 Comments

Are you a fan of The Vampire Diaries television series? With the last episode of the series airing this week, we thought we would take you on a virtual tour of Mystic Falls. We love visiting towns that are shown in our favorite movies and TV shows. There is something magical about seeing your favorite story come to life. A few years back I was given the chance to take a guided tour of the fictional town of Mystic Falls to see where The Vampire Diaries was filmed. Although Mystic Falls is said to be in Virginia, it is actually hosted in a small town outside of Atlanta in Covington, Georgia. Covington… that just sounds like a vampire town, doesn’t it?

Covington, Georgia was ranked one of the top ten vampire destinations by the TravelChannel.com.

The 16th episode of Season 8 marks the end. The fan base for this television show is pretty massive and we are among the ones that are sad to see it come to a close. However, you can still experience a little piece of this reality on a weekend getaway to Georgia.

The first thing we recognized when driving into town was the iconic clock tower. The clock tower was significant during the last episode of Season Six but appeared quite a bit throughout this last season with the ringing of the bell. Remember Damon standing at the top when the town went dark? Now can you see where the action took place.

When we arrived in Covington we stopped at the visitor center and picked up a free map. The Mystic Falls map outlines where all the scenes were filmed and the best places to visit. You can mostly walk around the square snapping photos and see majority of the houses over a span of a few blocks. We drove around the small town in our rental car and followed the route they suggested.

Below the clock tower is where you can find Mystic Falls Courthouse and Sheriff Forbes Office. We didn’t actually go inside this place of business.

Have you always wanted to hang out at the Mystic Grill ? Now is your chance. This Vampire Diaries inspired restaurant is now open to the public. When we visited Covington the Mystic Grill was undergoing renovations and preparing to open so unfortunately we did not get a chance to eat lunch there. However, I have since read great reviews. The restaurant is located in a historical building within the town center and an experience I hope to make it back for.

It was interesting to see the construction and read all the well wishes and fan signatures that were left on the board. Some had traveled all the way from Canada to visit the town of Mystic Falls!

Dr. Gilbert’s office.

Featured as the Lockwood Manor in flash back episodes, this beautiful property is The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast . You may recognize it from more than just The Vampire Diaries. This B&B has been featured in numerous movies, including a Tyler Perry film. If you are staying in town then I would recommend checking out this place.

Home sweet home of Sheriff Forbes and Caroline.

Elena may have blown up the home of her and Jeremy but I assure you, it is still standing and available for photo opps.  Many memories were shared of this home. From Elena journaling in her room to Damon kissing her on the porch.

Do you recognize the home of Bonnie Bennett’s gram? It was featured a lot in the early seasons and again recently.

This beautiful property is the Worthington Manor, known as the Lockwood Mansion. The Vampire Diaries viewers have watched many scenes featuring this gorgeous home and breathtaking landscape.

The property is gated and you are only granted access to the backyard on approved tours. More details below.

Look at this front door! I’m envious. It is stunning. We truly enjoyed walking around this estate. We even got to go inside a couple of rooms that were filled with Vampire Diaries memorabilia. The only approved tours to go beyond the front gate are booked through Vampire Stalkers – Mystic Falls Tours . We booked our tour of Mystic Falls through them and had a great time.

Although you can walk around the town of Mystic Falls in Covington, Georgia following along with your free map, I felt the experience of the guided tour was worth the cost. The tour guides have been cast as extras in the television series so they had personal stories to share. It was a pleasure to chat with other fans of the shows and visit with all the women. Plus, spending time at the Worthington Manor was an extra bonus. The entire town was filled with friendly people welcoming tourists and fans of the show. They were willing to answer any questions.

While in Covington, Georgia the tour guides told us about the location to see filming of The Originals in a town fifteen minutes away in Conyers. We saw a little alley that was decorated and setup to resemble New Orleans. Even the signs stated such. It was pretty neat to see how the film crew recreate a town within another city.

If you enjoy seeing what goes into filming a movie or television show, want to see if you can catch some live action filming or even be cast as an extra, I recommend you check out the site On Location Vacations . This site is good for multiple states, not just Georgia.

About Dwan Perrin

Dwan Perrin { Life.Family.Joy } is a Dallas/Fort Worth area mom of 5. As an avid traveler she loves to always be on the go. From weekend road-trips to international travels, seeing the whole world is on her Life List . She loves to share snapshots of life on Instagram . You can connect with Dwan on Twitter @DwanPerrin .

Reader Interactions

March 11, 2017 at 6:01 am

I’m so sad,8 years of awesomeness in mystic falls,Damon and Stefan in the center of it all,becoming tv’s favorite vampires ..im so ready to binge all the seasons lol blows a kiss to Mystic Falls

March 11, 2017 at 4:52 pm

Wow, I’d love to live here. What a cute town.

March 12, 2017 at 11:33 am

No matter how many times I see an episode it’s never boring,it never gets old,this was an awesome series.

March 13, 2017 at 1:35 pm

I’m still in shock that we’ve reached the end of the coolest show on television!! I’ll so miss the drama and action of it all.

March 15, 2017 at 11:45 pm

I would so love to tour those houses! I love the show and am so bummed to say goodbye to it.

March 16, 2017 at 1:15 pm

This would make an awesome trip to see all of the familiar places from the show!

March 21, 2017 at 1:07 am

That’s so exciting! I love visiting cities of film locations too – it feels extra special!

March 21, 2017 at 9:04 pm

No matter how many times I hear it,I can’t believe that this epic tale is over

March 22, 2017 at 4:17 pm

Thanks for the article, this is pretty close to me and I never knew about it.

March 22, 2017 at 10:07 pm

I want to visit there! Looks so nice!

April 5, 2017 at 9:28 pm

Loved reading about this, makes me want to plan a visit.

April 15, 2017 at 10:20 pm

We lived in Virginia for over 12 years and I can’t believe we never visited Mystic Falls!! I love exploring unique places to visit and know my daughter would have loved seeing this place with her obsession with the Vampire Diaries books.

May 15, 2017 at 2:23 pm

Looks like a classy place.

May 28, 2017 at 6:35 pm

It looks like a truly beautiful place.

June 15, 2017 at 12:33 pm

I would love to visit the town. I loved the show & was sad to see it end.

March 24, 2021 at 5:35 pm

I know me too

July 24, 2017 at 11:17 am

Not going to lie – I was a total fan of TVD years ago. I haven’t had the chance to catch up with the most recent seasons, but I’m sure I will be total fan again once I do. I would love to go and visit Covington! It was pretty cool to learn that they opened the Mystic Grill to public.

June 12, 2020 at 12:02 pm

Me, my daughter, my friend and her daughters have traveled to the famous Mystic Falls twice from Texas in 2015 and 2016! It’s as beautiful in person as it is on television and made me almost pick up and move there! The town square is beautiful and the atmosphere feels like family. With the live music from atop the Mystic Grill, we sat in the town square enjoying the sights and sounds. The tours were great! We went with the expectation that we ‘might’ run into some celebrity, but sadly, both times we did not. I would definitely love to go back, especially since they are using Covington for Legacies and for the new Netflix show, Sweet Magnolias!

January 28, 2021 at 7:08 pm

I absolutely love the Vampire Diaries, The Originals and Legacies! My husband and I are planning a trip to Covington at the end of Feb! I can’t wait to c everything! I’m sad I can’t book a tour they are booked solid Feb and March!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WE ARE Vam pire Stalkers

We got our nickname 'Vampire Stalkers' by spending all our free time hanging out on the set of the Vampire Diaries when the show first started. Our close friends and family decided the best way to explain what we were doing was to start telling everyone we were out 'Vampire Stalking' and the name stuck.

Now we are Vampire Stalkers Mystic Falls Tours and have made a successful business doing tours for The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Legacies around town. We also run Hollywood of the South and do tours for other productions around Covington, GA.

Jessica Lowery

Founder | owner | tour guide.

Jessica is a highly respected regular in the Vampire Diaries fandom and has even had many of the actors of TVD encourage fans to take the Mystic Falls tour with her.

Angie Knight Moss

Tour guide | store & museum manager.

Angie has been best friends with Jessica since High School where they witnessed their first run in with filming with 'Heat of the Night'.

Jennie Durocher

Graphic designer | web designer.

Jennie is a Professional Graphic & Web Designer from Jacksonville, FL who works with Jessica helping Mystic Falls. She has a degree in Illustration and has 10+ years advertising experience

Jessica Founder | Owner | Tour Guide

Angie tour guide | store & museum manager, jennie graphic designer | web designer.

Amber Tour Guide

Amber Chandler is a die-hard Vampire Diaries universe fan, whose been Team Stefan since day one! She's a tour guide for Mystic Falls Tours and also assists Jessica and Angie in daily business tasks and social media.

Kelley Hancock Store Manager

Kelley and Jess are cousins. Grew up together and one of the first people to stalk a Vampire Diaries set with "Damon" back in the day with Jess. If your stopping in the store or calling us then your probably talking to Kelley!

Brannan Store clerk

Brannan is one of the  masterminds behind becoming Vampire Stalkers with her mom Jessica so long ago. Brannan is working at the store now and can tell you tons of stalking stories. Brannan has also worked for Ian Somerhalder Foundation in the past and supports all things fuzzy. Brannan is mommy to several dogs and one cat.

Jesse Store/Customer Service

Jesse is Jessica's son and has been around from the beginning even if he wasn't really part of Vampire Stalkers back then he loves his job now. Jesse answers a lot of your phone calls and questions are answered by him. Jesse is a Klaus fan, who can blame him?

Presslee Store and Stock

Presslee is newly engaged and going to school all while spending her free time with us. Don't worry we told her she was a Vampire Stalkers for life now. 

Sam Store and Stock

Sam works at our store On Location Gifts. Always there to help with a smile. 

Tori works in the store. Tori is also a mommy to her son Braylon.

Ashlynn  

Ashlynn works in the store and keeps everything organized. Don't tell anyone but if you like the mystery bags most of the time she makes them!

Tour Guides

Provide a general description of the items below and introduce the services you offer. Click on the text box to edit the content.

Larry Tram driver and Guide

Larry is a senior tram driver and guide here at Mystic falls tours.His job is about the safety of our guests while getting them to the locations. Larry is also Team Vicki for Vampire Diaries. Larry is married to one of our other guides Amber.

Hailey Tour Guide 

Hailey will be your guide most tours. She is an avid TVD Universe fan and knows all the things. She moved to Georgia just because she was a fan of the show and it filmed here. That's dedication folks! Hailey is married with one son. 

Stephen is newest to our staff here but doing such a great job already. Stephen drives the tram and he is a guide for the tours. Look out Out TVD and Originals fans he loves talking about the show with you.

1143 Oak St. SE, Covington, GA 30014

• Bed & Breakfast
• Local Attractions
• Historic Sites
• Outdoor Recreation
• Arts & Culture
• Legion Field
• Parks & Trails
• Travel Resources
• Filmed Here
• Self-Guided TV/Movie Tour
• Walk of Stars
• E-newsletters

The Hollywood of the South awaits you!®

Experience the lights, camera, and action found in Covington, The Hollywood of the South®, where you'll walk through your own cinematic path of discovery. From its historic sites to beautiful parks and trails, and from its active arts and culture scene to great shopping, Covington makes every visitor feel like a star.

Come to see where The Vampire Diaries, In the Heat of the Night , and other shows call home. Covington is the real Mystic Falls, the real Sparta. While here, enjoy outdoor venues for recreation and relaxation. The annual Covington Police Department Fuzz Run has been named the best race in Georgia and attracts people from near and far for a fun day and to support the Police Who Care Fund.

Located in Metropolitan Atlanta, Covington is uniquely positioned to offer both a small town feel and access to everything urban life affords. Among the best things to do in Atlanta is touring Covington. With an array of fascinating shops, delicious dining, inviting hotels, and attractions that just don't stop, visitors will be tempted to stay for days to enjoy the entire Covington Experience.

Covington Events

Encore Spring Concert with Oxford Singers

April 18 @ 7:00 pm EDT

Dueling Pianos In Covington

April 21 @ 8:00 pm EDT

Covington Cheerios Challenfe 5K/10K/1M

April 22 @ 8:00 am EDT

Nathan Morgan

April 28 @ 6:00 pm EDT

The variety of eateries in Covington makes it one of the best places to visit in Georgia. Casual, hometown, and upscale dining means there is a taste and place for everyone. Many visitors return to Covington just for the food. It’s that good.

Walk among the stars, tour the historic homes, and be entertained by year-round concerts. Come for a day or stay for a lifetime. There is so much to discover. Read our blogs and e-newsletters to prime for trip planning. Covington is ready for you. So, get set to Discover Covington.

See what visitors to Covington are up to...

2024 Discover Covington GA, 1143 Oak St. SE Covington, GA 30014 770-385-2077

Lifestyle: Fun, Food, Travel, Remote Work and Parenting

Best Vampire Diaries – Self-Guided Tour of Mystic Falls (9 MUST-SEE Locations)

Disclaimer: This post may have affiliate links, if you click on these links and make a purchase I may get a small commission, which is of course at no additional cost to you.

Table of Contents

Mystic falls: vampire diaries self-guided tour.

Hey guys, so I got the chance of visiting the beautiful Mystic Falls, Virginia, which we hear about all the time in Vampire Diaries, however, guess what??.. it isn’t really located in Virginia it is in Covington, Georgia. Now you can do the Vampire Stalkers Tour which I believe is for the hardcore fans or you can save your $55 and just do your own self-guided tour. Although the tour does have a few exclusive perks to it.

We had gone with the intention of doing the tour but then it was a Sunday and they were closed so we took on the adventure ourselves, and might I add it was a lot better that way. It gives you the chance to laugh, walk around and just enjoy that time with your friends or loved ones.

So I did put together some of the places you can visit and still have the adventure on your own through picturesque streets, historical landmarks, and even hidden gems. So, grab a copy of the map , which you can find by the Visitors Center, lace up your walking shoes, and get ready to explore the mysteries of Mystic Falls at your own pace with the vampire diaries self-guided tour and welcome to a world where legends come to life and adventure awaits around every corner.

They are in no particular order I will put places and addresses to help you find them. Please note the houses are PRIVATE PROPERTY so respect the privacy of the homeowners and DO NOT TRESPASS.

A Brief Overview of The Vampire Diarie s

If you are a fan of Vampire Diaries then you already know this short bit of information, Vampire Diaries is a supernatural teen drama television series that premiered on The CW back in 2009, it ran for 8 seasons and ended in 2016. It is based on a popular book which has the same name written by L.J Smith. The series of course to this day is still quite popular as it was definitely a fan favorite and still is today all because of the fabulous blend of romance, drama and the supernatural. Comment and let me know if you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries.

The Premise of the Show

The Vampire Diaries is set in a fictional town called Mystic Falls, Virginia….turns out Mystic Falls is in Covington, Georgia. The show follows the life of a young girl named Elena Gilbert, who of course falls in love with a vampire named Stefan Salvatore. With Stefans brother Damon, the three of them go on a journey of twists and turns, love and loss, vampires, witches, werewolves, family and so much more with the hopes of navigating through all of this. So the Vampire Diaries tour is well worth it.

OLD TOWN SQUARE

Old Town Square is a charming location in the heart of Mystic Falls. The square is where many of the town’s events and festivals take place in the show. Visitors can take a stroll through the square and admire the beautiful architecture or grab a bench and sit and reminisce. Overall, Mystic Falls, Virginia may be a fictional town, but its charm and beauty are very real. Fans of “The Vampire Diaries” can immerse themselves in the show’s world by visiting these iconic filming locations.

THE CLOCK TOWER

Located at 1124 Clark Street Southwest Covington, Georgia . The Clocktower is actually a part of the Historic Newton County Courthouse, this clock is seen quite a number of time in The Vampire Diaries series both upfront and also in the background.

ELENA’S HOUSE (THE GILBERT HOUSE)

Located at 2104 Floyd Street Northeast, Covington, Georgia 30014 .

Ok, so I know that we have seen so many scenes in the past with the Gilbert House when watching Vampire Diaries. On the Vampire Diaries self-guided tour you can go and visit the property. Do note though that it is still standing and is Private Property, so yes, people do live there, just regular people going about their daily lives so of course respect any boundaries that are set.

CAROLINE’S HOUSE

Located at 2118 Floyd Stree Northeast, Covington, Georgia, 30014

It’s so funny that in the show it seems like Elena and Caroline lived far from each other while in reality the houses are next to each other. Like literally right across the road.

THE MYSTIC GRILL

Located at 1116 Clark Street  Covington, Georgia 30014 They are usually open Monday – Thursday from 11am – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am – 10:00pm and on Sunday 11am – 9pm.

Mystic Grill came up quite often as you watched The Vampire Diaries Series many meet-ups took place, they would sit there and eat and talk. This is even where Elena met Isobel. Mystic Grill is actually a southern restaurant and next to it you can find ‘THE ALLEY” which is literally a small alley next to the grill where you can buy souvenirs etc. When I say southern I mean things on the menu such as Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Dill Pickles, and even Fried Chicken and Mac and Cheese.

Scoops is a colorful ice cream parlor that is a must-see on your tour of Mystic Falls. What most people may not know though is that Scoops doesn’t just sell ice cream but also has what I would say a large variety of candies some were familiar but others were it’s unique so that variety definitely made it interesting. I did hear that the ice cream was good though, but I am not really an ice cream person so I went with lots of candy to take back to my daughter. It’s a great place to cool off on a hot day.

Scoops is usually open from Monday – Thursday from 11am – 9pm. Friday and Saturday 11am – 10pm and on Sunday at 12pm-9pm , it is located at 1131 Church Street, Covington, Georgia

Stay up to date!

Signup for news and special offers and more travel and remote work information!

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Opt in to receive news and updates.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

THE TWELVE OAKS BED AND BREAKFAST

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Twelve Oaks (@thetwelveoaks)

Twelve Oaks is a beautiful mansion that was used as the filming location for the Salvatore Boarding House on The Vampire Diaries. The mansion is however now used as a Bed and Breakfast and offers a luxurious stay in a historic setting. Even if you’re not staying at Twelve Oaks, you can still take a tour of the property and admire its stunning architecture.

THE LOCKWOOD MANSION

The imposing Lockwood Mansion, home to the werewolf Tyler Lockwood and his family, is another must-see location on your tour. While you can’t go inside the mansion itself, you can walk around the grounds and admire the impressive facade. Fun Fact to Note: The mansion itself was built a long time ago and is actually a registered historic landmark.

GRAMS HOUSE

Located at 2136 Conyers Street, Southeast, Covington, Georgia. Grams House is another area you can check out when in Covington. You will remember Grams as Bonnie’s grandmother from the series.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Mystic Falls, Virginia depends on what you would want your experience to look like, I went during winter, so it was a bit cold to walk around but thankfully it wasn’t one of those freezing cold days. I was told that If you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries then you should visit around Fall, that way you can see all the leave changing and all of that excitement, but if you want to take advantage of outdoor activities and more of the historical background of the town then summer is the ideal time when it is nice and warm.

THINGS TO DO ON YOUR MYSTIC FALLS TOUR

• DO THE VAMPIRE DIARIES SELF-GUIDED TOUR AT YOUR OWN PACE

There is nothing better than just going at your own pace and fully taking everything in as you would like, to spend the time you want to at the different locations figuring out photo poses lol and you don’t have to worry about keeping up with a tour group. Plus, you can make any stops along the way that catches your eye.

• CAPTURE MOMENTS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Don’t forget to bring your camera, phone or whatever other photographic device, as there will be lots of opportunities for you to take beautiful photos and videos of Mystic Falls, Virginia, (Covington)!

• DRESS COMFORTABLY

Of course, this too depends on when you visit but you definitely want to dress appropriately and comfortably for the weather and for the experience. You could drive around but honestly, again it’s more fun walking and trying to find the places with your friends. Just wear comfortable shoes and ensure that you are dressed for the season.

• MAKE YOUR OWN SCHEDULE

Hello, this is your experience after all, so why not make some stops in your tour for the full experience, so browse the stores, have dinner at Mystic Grill, and get dessert at Scoops, get the full-on experience.

• GRAB A SOUVENIR AND GET SOME BLOOD UMM I MEAN …(FRUIT PUNCH)

There are many gift stores and souvenir shops in the area, grab yourself and some friends some souvenirs.

FAN THEORIES

As any true fan knows, with any popular TV show comes fan theories. And The Vampire Diaries is no exception. From theories about who will end up with who, to theories about hidden plot twists, the world of Vampire Diaries fans is full of speculation.

One of the most popular fan theories is the idea that Mystic Falls is actually a supernatural hotspot, with more than just vampires lurking in the shadows. Some fans believe that the town is home to werewolves, witches, and even ghosts.

While this theory has never been confirmed, it’s fun to imagine what other supernatural creatures could be hiding in Mystic Falls.

In the realm of supernatural television dramas, “The Vampire Diaries” stands out as an iconic show that has captured the hearts of millions of viewers. The picturesque town of Mystic Falls, portrayed by the real-life city of Covington, Georgia, is not only a backdrop for the series but also a must-visit destination for die-hard fans.

Delight in the delectable dishes at Mystic Grill, situated in a historical bank building, and enjoy the rooftop view of the charming Covington Square. For dessert, satisfy your sweet tooth at Scoops Ice Cream, where you can indulge in unique flavors inspired by the show.

As the sun sets on your visit to this enchanting town, you will leave with a newfound appreciation for the captivating world of Mystic Falls and the unforgettable journey of Elena, Stefan, and Damon.

Let me know if you think The Vampire Diaries Self-Guided Tour would be worth it for you. You should also take a full Mystic Falls Tour.

Now if you want to find a way to explore more places then check out this post on Cheap Digital Nomad Visa with Little to No Salary Requirement.

[…] The town square was transformed into Mystic Falls’ center, while the famous Lockwood Mansion was actually located in Covington. Fans of the show can visit these locations and take pictures of the iconic landmarks. I created a full self-guided tour around Mystic Falls. […]

Comments are closed.

My aim is for adventurers like myself to be more aware of activities that are there to do also while being able to work remotely.

You may also like

Manchester: alligator pond river/searive, port royal jamaica: great fort charles tour ’23, trelawny jamaica: 18 exciting things to do (2023).

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

Saskia's Travel Blog

Visit Vampire Diaries Locations in Covington (Georgia)

Since 2013, I feel in love with Vampire Diaries. It was one of my first real tv shows. In the past they didn’t had so much tv shows like nowadays, things have change. In a good way. At the moment, I’m alone in my travel month but I want to see as many things as I can. So, I stayed in Atlanta which was the largest city near the film locations. Unfortunately, there isn’t a connection train or bus between Atlanta and Covington. I took a Lyft (look it up what is cheaper for you. Uber or Lyft) and arrive early, so it’s cheaper. I think, I paid 27 dollar on the way to it and on the way back (late afternoon) I paid 37 dollars. It’s not that easy to take pictures by themself, especially when it rains. It looked weird but my tripod was my best friend there. Let’s look at them!

• Mystic Falls Sign

2101 Clark St . Covington, GA 30014

My first spot was the Mystic Falls sign because it located at the visitors center. You can go in and ask for a Vampire Diaries map with all locations around Covington. Don’t forget to check out some of the cast clothes. Later you will see more of it! If you’re a big fan you can book a tour with Vampire Diaries Stalkers . With them you will get insider information and a closer look at the locations. They also have a “The Original” and “Legacies” tour.

2. Clock Tower

1134 Clark Street Southwest, Covington, GA 30014

Hands up, who knows this place? This the main square of the show! There is the town clock, the mystic grill and the town square all together. Now, I really want to start all over again with Vampire Diaries only to say that I was there, haha. On the left is a shop that calls “Vampire Stalker”. It’s full of fan articles and also some cast outfits.

3. Mystic Grill

116 Clark St SW, Covington, GA 30014

That’s the best spot to show the world, you visit the vampire diaries location and as a real fan, I ate in the mystic grill. It doesn’t look like in the episodes but it’s still nice. The front picture of the post were also taken at the mystic grill. I just went up the stairs and went out of the door that led to the terrace. You will get a great view on the city and of course of the town clock. When you walk out of the restaurant, check out the stairs next to it. It’s also a well known film location and again you will find a fan shop with cast clothes there.

4. Elenas House

2104 Floyd Street Northeast, Covington, GA 30014

Still standing! That’s Elena Gilbert house! She wasn’t home obviously. Joking aside, please don’t go on their property. People just like you and me live there and you see at the sidewalk you will get a great picture just like me :)!

5. Carolines House

2118 Floyd St NE, Covington, GA 30014

Surprisingly, Caroline lived next to Elena. Well, just in the real world they would be neighbors. In the show they don’t live so close together. But good for me because I saw two things in one spot without walking in the rain, yeah!

6. Lockwood Mansion

2129 East Street, Covington, GA 30014

Unfortunately, I couldn’t got a closer look to the mansion of the Lockwood because a big gate blocked the way. But, I still took a photo in front of it.

7. Flashback Mansion

2176 Monticello St SW, Covington; GA 30014

My last stop was the flashback mansion. In real life the building calls “Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast” and you can spend a night in it! How cool is that?! It’s supposed to be hunted. Well, I really like the mansion. They have a big garden and the house looks really great. 😀

That was all the places I visited there. Certainly, there are more things to see and to do. They also filmed the original and legacies in other cites close to Covington but I didn’t have time to check them out and I’m pretty satisfied with my trip!

7 thoughts on “ Visit Vampire Diaries Locations in Covington (Georgia) ”

Pingback: My 2020 review (Travel, back in Germany…) – Saskia's Travel Blog

Wow ! Really great post. Only read it quickly so that I can go over again later ! This is really helpful for me. Many many thanks for sharing such a wonderful information.

Like Liked by 1 person

Thank you!, Carol! And you’re welcome 🙂

What a cool post! Fun ideas for places to visit on the road.

Thank you! 🙂

I grew up in Georgia and I had no idea the Vampire Diaries were filmed so near to me. Really cool – thank you for writing this post!

You’re welcome! Maybe you will find the time to visit the location 🙂

Leave a comment Cancel reply

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

RoadsideAmerica.com Your Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions

Attraction:

Covington, Georgia : Mystic Falls Tours

A guided tour to the sets and locations used in The Vampire Diaries, offered by guides who know the cast.

Results 1 to 2 of 2...

Visitor Tips and News About Mystic Falls Tours

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters . Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip .

If you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries this tour is pretty cool. Even if you're not a fan (I have never watched it), after this tour, you might want to watch it -- I think I'll be checking it out. The guides were very knowledgeable, with a lot of backstage stories.

Want to visit the sets used on The Vampire Diaries ? Want to have exclusive access to places like the Lockwood Mansion? Mystic Falls Tours offers a guided tour to the sets with lots of insider information -- because they actually know the cast of The Vampire Diaries!

Nearby Offbeat Places

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road .

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ... Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Georgia Latest Tips and Stories

• Carter, Kaepernick, Puddles Pity Party Mural , Atlanta, Georgia
• Little Martha , Macon, Georgia
• Crashed Cropduster, Cleanest Outhouse , Forsyth, Georgia
• Women of the South: a Mom-ument , Macon, Georgia
• 3 Legge - Outsider Art Store , Dillard, Georgia

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Museum of Colorado Prisons , Canon City, Colorado (Jun 3-9, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

• Pose With Wax Colonel Sanders , Louisville, Kentucky
• Feature: Museum of Colorado Prisons , Canon City, Colorado
• Tombstone of Elsie the Cow , Plainsboro, New Jersey
• Owl Cafe , Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Big Apple Tower , Edgerton, Wisconsin

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights

• Atlanta Attractions
• Columbus Attractions
• Savannah Attractions

Miscellaneous

• Submit a Tip
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Trip Planning Caution : RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead!

Credits, Media/Business Inquiries © Copyright 1996-2024 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors.

Take Your Time Tours

Vampire diaries tours.

Vampire Diaries

WELCOME TO THE HEART OF MYSTIC FALLS!

Vampire diaries walking tour  24 hr access.

Ready to stroll into the heart of Mystic Falls? Take Your Time walking tours is the ideal companion for this adventure. As you continue to explore out of the square, you will encounter nostalgic locations such the Gilbert house and the Lockwood Mansion. We think you might be surprised at all the fun things you learn along the way and we hope you enjoy the journey.

Ready to stroll along the historic sidewalks, into the heart of Mystic Falls?

Take Your Time walking tours is the ideal companion for this adventure. As you continue to explore out of the square, you will encounter nostalgic locations such the Gilbert house and the Lockwood Mansion.

Vampire Diaries Ext. Walking Tour  24 HR Access

Ready to explore the Heart of Mystic Falls, and More? Explore our beautiful town square, wonder down into "Stab Alley" and also take pics in front of our iconic Clocktower. Whether you are riding or walking this tour, you will share in many of the same experiences as your favorite stars. As you continue to explore outside of the square, you will encounter nostalgic locations such the Gilbert house, Past and present day Lockwood Mansion and the iconic Delena Rain kiss. We think you might be surprised at all the fun things you learn along the way and we hope you enjoy the journey.

Ready to explore the Heart of Mystic Falls, and More?

Explore our beautiful town square, wonder down into "Stab Alley" and also take pics in front of our iconic Clocktower. Whether you are riding or walking this tour, you will share in many of the same experiences as your favorite stars. As you continue to explore outside of the square, you will encounter nostalgic locations such the Gilbert house, Past and present day Lockwood Mansion and the iconic Delena Rain kiss. We think you might be surprised at all the fun things you learn along the way and we hope you enjoy the journey.

Vampire Diaries Golf Cart Tour  24 HR Access

Explore Mystic Falls in style. Book with mysticcarts.com for 20% off.  Book golf cart rentals at mysticcarts.com We do not provide golf carts as part of the tour. Explore our beautiful town square, wonder down into "Stab Alley" and also take pics in front of our iconic Clocktower. Whether you are riding or walking this tour, you will share in many of the same experiences as your favorite stars. As you continue to explore outside of the square, you will encounter nostalgic locations such the Gilbert house, Past and present day Lockwood Mansion and the iconic Delena Rain kiss. We think you might be surprised at all the fun things you learn along the way and we hope you enjoy the journey.

Vampire Diaries WEST Driving Tour  24 HR Access

Explore Mystic Falls WEST This tour is suitable for driving. We do not provide transportation. As you cross Wickery Bridge, to the heart of Mystic Falls, this adventure takes you to some fun locations. You may even step back into 1994 along the way. As you make your way thru the different towns, you may even see Damon off to war or stop and say hi to Bonnie's Mom. So many opportunities for photo ops. We think you will enjoy taking a trip down memory lane. We hope you enjoy the surprises along the way.

Ready to see the sights and explore Mystic Falls West?

As you cross Wickery Bridge, to the heart of Mystic Falls, this adventure takes you to some fun locations. You may even step back into 1994 along the way. As you make your way thru the different towns, you may even see Damon off to war or stop and say hi to Bonnie's Mom. So many opportunities for photo ops. We think you will enjoy taking a trip down memory lane. We hope you enjoy the surprises along the way.

Vampire Diaries EAST Driving Tour  24 HR Access

Explore Mystic Falls EAST This tour is suitable for driving. We do not provide transportation. Welcome to Mystic Falls! As you take a scenic drive through the back roads of Mystic Falls, you will flashback to 1864. You might even throw a ball or two on the field where Damon and Stefan played. Enjoy a campus before entering back into the heart of it all. Enjoy the fun facts and recreate scenes as you go along. We hope you enjoy the adventure and even be surprised along the way.

Ready to see the sights and explore Mystic Falls East?

Welcome to Mystic Falls! As you take a scenic drive through the back roads of Mystic Falls, you will flashback to 1864. You might even throw a ball or two on the field where Damon and Stefan played. Enjoy a campus before entering back into the heart of it all. Enjoy the fun facts and recreate scenes as you go along. We hope you enjoy the adventure and even be surprised along the way.

Vampire Diaries W+E DrivingTour  24 HR Access

Ready for the ultimate Vampire Diaries road trip? This tour is suitable for driving. We do not provide transportation. Explore Mystic Falls West and East, welcome to Mystic Falls! As you take a scenic drive through the back roads of Mystic Falls, you will flashback to 1864. You might even throw a ball or two on the field where Damon and Stefan played. Enjoy a campus before entering back into the heart of it all. Enjoy the fun facts and recreate scenes as you go along. We hope you enjoy the adventure and even be surprised along the way. as you cross Wickery Bridge, to the heart of Mystic Falls, this adventure takes you to some fun locations. You may even step back into 1994 along the way. As you make your way thru the different towns, you may even see Damon off to war or stop and say hi to Bonnie's Mom. So many opportunities for photo ops. We think you will enjoy taking a trip down memory lane. We hope you enjoy the surprises along the way. Don't forget to bring some snacks.

Ready for the ultimate Vampire Diaries road trip?

Explore Mystic Falls West & East, welcome to Mystic Falls! As you take a scenic drive through the back roads of Mystic Falls, you will flashback to 1864. You might even throw a ball or two on the field where Damon and Stefan played. Enjoy a campus before entering back into the heart of it all. Enjoy the fun facts and recreate scenes as you go along. We hope you enjoy the adventure and even be surprised along the way. as you cross Wickery Bridge, to the heart of Mystic Falls, this adventure takes you to some fun locations. You may even step back into 1994 along the way. As you make your way thru the different towns, you may even see Damon off to war or stop and say hi to Bonnie's Mom. So many opportunities for photo ops. We think you will enjoy taking a trip down memory lane. We hope you enjoy the surprises along the way. Don't forget to bring some snacks.

Vampire Diaries Walking Tour  48 HR Access

Take Your Time walking tours is the ideal companion for this adventure. As you continue to explore out of the square, you will encounter nostalgic locations such the Gilbert house and the Lockwood Mansion. We think you might be surprised at all the fun things you learn along the way and we hope you enjoy the journey.

Vampire Diaries Ext. Walking Tour  48 HR Access

Vampire diaries golf cart tour  48 hr access, vampire diaries west driving tour  48 hr access, vampire diaries east driving tour  48 hr access, vampire diaries w+e driving tour 48 hr access, ultimate walking tour  [bundle] 48 hr access.

Vampire Diaries Ext. Walking Tour + Movie Tour + Ghost Tour Get your walking shoes ready and explore Covington up close and personal. Discover Mystic Falls and visit Bonnie's mom. Stop and see if Michael Meyers is around. Ask Sabastian about his crush and see if he answers. This is the ultimate audio tour for you and your group to explore all the iconic locations.

2119 Emory st NW Covington GA 30014

[email protected]

Main Street Trolleys and Tours

"Your next experience is a ride away."

The Vampire Diaries Tours

Main street trolleys offers many tours, but only 2 that covers the vampire dairies series filming locations. they are the covington movie tour , and the epic tour . this page is to help you understand the difference in both tours., please note each tour shows different filming locations and do not overlap., the covington movie tour  , along with other filming locations you will also go to:.

• Matt & Vickie’s house
• MG’s house
• Rebekahs house
• Grams house
• Isobels house
• Elenas house
• Carolines house
• The Delena rain kiss scene
• The 1864 Lockwood mansion
• The new Lockwood mansion
• Doppelgänger dream house
• & many other locations      

The Epic Tour

This tour visits locations of the tvd series you can’t see on any tour in covington like:.

• Dean’s Garage
• Jo and Alaric’s wedding venue
• Enzo’s death
• Tomb Vampire House
• The Murder House
• Aurora’s house
• Maxwell’s garage
• Hallow house
• Keelan & Freya’s wedding venue
• Bells Grocery
• Filming location of the Originals
• and much more