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10 vampire diaries filming locations you can actually visit.

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• 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.

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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.

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43 Vampire Diaries Locations to See in The Real Mystic Falls

If you’ve followed me for some time, you already know I’m a die-hard fan of The Vampire Diaries franchise—a popular vampire TV series filmed in Covington, GA, commonly known as The Real Mystic Falls .

This picturesque small town in Georgia is home to some of the show’s most epic filming locations .

Writing about this makes me relive the excitement from my first visit to Mystic Falls in 2020, and when I also visited filming locations from The Originals —the popular spin-off series from The Vampire Diaries .

If you’re wondering if Mystic Falls is in Virginia or Georgia , let’s just say that in our hearts, it could be both! ( wink, wink ).

But in reality, Mystic Falls is located in Covington, Georgia and it’s the most epic place to be if you’re a fan of TVDU (The Vampire Diaries Universe) .

From Elena Gilbert’s house with the iconic porch to the Lockwood Mansion , Caroline’s house , the iconic Clock Tower and the Mystic Grill ; it’s all here!

Additionally, you can also see where the decade dances were filmed, where the Delena kiss scene took place and even the Frat Murder House and Wickery Bridge .

Nonetheless, I want you to know that even if you’re not a fan of this popular vampire series, Covington, Georgia has many promising experiences and many things to do that make it a bucket-list destination for everyone.

Can You Find Things to Do in 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. You’ll be able to get the full “ Hollywood of the South ” experience with a self-guided tour, at your own pace.

There are many great shops around Covington Square where you can shop for TVD merch and fun things like blood bags , vervain vials and all the epic jewelry like Elena’s daylight ring and vervain locket necklace.

For places to eat in The Real Mystic Falls, definitely try the coffee at Bread & Butter and the Fried Green Tomatoes at the Mystic Grill .

There are also many incredible TVD-inspired places to stay in Mystic Falls like Caroline’s House, the Carriage House at the Lockwood Mansion and Elena and Damon’s Little Pine Cottage .

🩸 What is TVD? It refers to the series The Vampire Diaries that originally aired on the CW Network from 2009 to 2017. The show concluded with 8 seasons and two spin-off shows— The Originals and Legacies , forming The Vampire Diaries Universe which is still followed by millions of fans worldwide.

Don’t Miss These Locations When You Visit Mystic Falls

If you’re ready to start planning a trip to Mystic Falls , you’ve come to the right place!

As an avid fan of The Vampire Diaries, I’m also a frequent visitor to Covington, GA.

Throughout the years I’ve had the opportunity to visit many exciting Vampire Diaries filming locations in Covington, Georgia.

Now, I’m here to share with you the locations and best things to do in Mystic Falls for the most unforgettable experience.

But First… Stop by the Covington Welcome Center

This should be your first stop and it’s also one of the things that you don’t want to miss, especially if you want a picture with the Mystic Falls Welcome Sign .

You will find the original wooden sign inside the Welcome Center, another placed on the exterior of the building and a painted mural Mystic Falls Welcome Sign at The Alley in Mystic Grill.

The Covington Welcome Center has the biggest collection of items and props used during the filming of all of the TVDU series.

Some of the iconic things to see are Damon’s car , Alaric’s Vampire Hunting Kit , Elena Gilbert’s Coffin and the Salvatore Mansion Cellar Door .

You’ll also be able to see exhibitions from other popular films and shows that have been filmed in Covington, Georgia.

Adjacent to the Welcome Center is The Film Garden —an art project that highlights the film history of this beautiful Georgia town and it’s definitely a must-see!

📍 Covington Welcome Center : 1143 Oak St SE, Covington, GA

1. The Iconic Clock Tower

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

An iconic location for fans of The Vampire Diaries but 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 because you just can’t enough of its beauty!

📍 Covington Clock Tower (Newton County Courthouse) : 1124 Clark St SW, Covington, GA

2. The Lockwood Mansion

If you’re interested in going to the Lockwood Mansion, you should know that booking a tour with Vampire Stalkers (Mystic Falls Tours) is the only way to get inside the property grounds, past the gate.

However, photos outside the gate of The Lockwood Mansion (Worthington Manor) are allowed.

📍 Lockwood Mansion : 2129 East St, Covington, GA

3. The Town Square

The town square, wooden benches and all, is largely seen throughout some of the most popular scenes of both The Vampire Diaries and Legacies .

Covington, Georgia is a very charming town with a lot of filming history and every inch of the square makes for great photo ops and fun self-guided walking tours.

It’s also referred to as the Hollywood of the South and it even has its very own Walk of Stars to prove it!

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

4. The Mystic Grill in the Iconic “ Mystic Falls Georgia “

For TVD fans the Mystic Grill needs no introduction. But for the sake of others visiting Covington, this is one of the best places to eat in the town square and the food is delicious!

Keep in mind that with this being a very popular filming location, long wait times can be expected, especially if you visit in the high season.

Mystic Grill also offers souvenir glasses with the most famous quote: “ It’s okay to love them both…I did ” and occasionally serves Damon’s Prison World Pancakes .

Be sure to get them when you dine in and visit The Alley Shop downstairs for the greatest Vampire Diaries merch, a small museum with set props and clothing items worn by the cast.

In my opinion, it’s the best Vampire Diaries-related gift shop around town!

📍 Mystic Grill : 1116 Clark St, SW, Covington, GA

5. Flashback Lockwood Mansion

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 when you’re in Covington, Georgia.

📍 1864 Lockwood Mansion : 2176 Monticello St, SW, Covington, GA

6. Grayson Gilbert’s Office Sign

This sign is located in the town square right across Scoops and right next to it is the sign for Elena Salvatore, M.D.

📍 Grayson Gilbert, M.D. sign (Wildart LLC) : 1105 Washington St SW, Covington, GA

🍨 Don’t forget to grab Ian Somerhalder’s favorite at Scoops —the Banana Pudding Milkshake.

7. Whitmore Frat House Party (the Murder House)

The Frat House Party event takes place in the fourth episode of Season 4 or as many may recall it…when Elena and Damon get ‘ high on blood ‘!

📍 Frat Murder House : 1008 N Emory Street, Oxford, GA

8. 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 the sense of magically stepping foot in 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.

📍 Olde Town Conyers : 901 Railroad St, Conyers, GA

9. 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? 🙋🏻‍♀️

Go For a Drive to Visit These Iconic Filming Locations

The following filming locations require driving time, with the closest one being 15 minutes from the town square.

10. Salvatore Boarding School 

This gorgeous mansion was seen in The Vampire Diaries but was mainly featured throughout Legacies as the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted and is very much worth the visit!

📍 Boarding School : 5520 Kent Rock Rd, Loganville, GA

11. Bell’s Grocery Store from the Prison World

In 1994 Prison World , Bell’s was the iconic grocery store we all remember, primarily because this is when Kai’s character was introduced for the very first time.

📍 Bell’s Grocery Store : 11377 Brown Ridge Rd, Covington, GA

12. 1864 Salvatore Mansion

This one surely needs no introduction, but I’ll do it anyway!

Built in 1890, this stunning mansion is just as perfect in person as it is in the show.

The Salvatore Mansion is home to the 1864 flashback scenes of Katherine, Stefan and Damon .

Being here brought back nostalgia and memories of the time when we all fell in love with the Salvatore Brothers .

📍 Salvatore Mansion : 617 Dixie Ave, Madison, GA

More Filming Locations of The Vampire Diaries

Wondering where the rest of The Vampire Diaries filming locations are? I have you covered in the list included in this last section!

Some of the most asked questions from my readers are “ Where is the gym in Covington? ” referring to where the 20s dance of The Vampire Diaries took place, and “ Where did the Delena rain kiss take place ? “.

Well, the gym is conveniently located at the heart of the town and it can be found on the main route leading towards Academy Springs Park , which is where the Delena kiss took place.

Here are more Vampire Diaries filming locations to see in Mystic Falls:

13. elena gilbert’s house: 2104 floyd street ne, covington, ga, 14. isobel’s house: 2146 conyers st, se, covington, ga, 15. caroline forbes’ house: 2118 floyd st, ne, covington, ga, 16. rebecca’s house: 3115 pennington st, covington, ga, 17. dead witches mansion: 3188 conyers st, se, covington, ga, 18. grams and bonnie’s house: 2136 conyers st se, covington, ga.

19. Damon and Elena kiss in the rain location: 3120 Conyers St SE, Covington, GA

20. stephan’s garage job: 4162 washington st, covington, ga, 21. whitmore college: 801 emory st, oxford ga, 22. gillespie’s pub (celtic tavern): 918 commercial st ne, conyers, ga (s4 ep 8: “ we’ll always have bourbon street”, 23. the armory: 1680 westview dr, atlanta, ga, 24. wickery bridge: 5098 klondike rd, lithonia, ga.

25. The Falls (Amicalola Falls): 418 Amicalola Falls Rd, Dawsonville, GA

26. bree’s bar: 4122 emory st, covington, ga, 27. damon & elena’s future home: 11 dartmouth ave, avondale estates, ga, 28. matt’s house: 1133 conyers st, covington, ga, 29. tj’s garage: 1186 clark st, covington, ga (where stefan stopped with katherine), 30. caroline and alaric’s house: 1134 reynolds st se, covington, ga, 31. damon and elena hotel scene: 4300 snapfinger woods dr, decatur ga, 32. the falls, amicalola falls state park: 418 amicalola falls state park rd, dawsonville, ga ( great place for hiking in georgia ), 33. the depot (where damon took elena when he kidnapped her): 4122 emory st nw, covington, ga, 34. 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., 35. alaric’s dallas house: 1134 reynolds st se, covington, ga, 36. liz forbes’ funeral: 1113 conyers st se, covington, ga, 37. prison world hospital: 4159 mill street ne, covington, ga, 38. historical society beautification day picnic and swimming hole, costley mill park, 2455 costley mill rd ne, conyers, ga, 39. abby bennett’s house: 6990 s goddard rd, lithonia, ga, 40. delena human house: 11 dartmouth ave, avondale estates, ga, 41. elijah and katherine gazebo scene: 938 main st, stone mountain, ga, 42. house where bonnie stops matt’s heart: 4145 dorchester dr. se, covington, ga 30014, 43. the ‘salvatore house’.

For those 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 listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was sold and demolished in 2015.

However, you can get the next best thing right in the town square!

With its grand opening in June 2024, Mystic Mercantile offers the most unique experience in Mystic Falls—the iconic Salvatore House living room .

Most of the items that take part in bringing this space to life are actual props used in the filming of The Vampire Diaries.

From the entrance brick and lamps to the picture frames and living room couch to the bourbon glasses and decanters, and even some of the books!

If you plan to be in Covington for a few days, definitely check out Mystic Mercantile!

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

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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 6 Things to Do on Your Romantic Getaway in North Georgia
• Yanitza Ninett https://nextstopadventures.com/writer/nextstop What is Travel Insurance and Why is it Important?
• 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

70 thoughts on “43 Vampire Diaries Locations to See in The Real Mystic Falls”

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 🙂

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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?

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

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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

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THE TWELVE OAKS BED AND BREAKFAST

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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. […]

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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.

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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

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

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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!

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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) ”

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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.

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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 🙂

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Mystic Falls - Tour the real town behind the Vampire Diaries - Diextr

The real Mystic Falls, Virginia is located in Georgia, Covington! But, what is Mystic Falls anyway? Well, if you're a fan of Vampire Diaries and other similar fiction, you would know about it. For those of you who don't know, Mystic Falls is the town where the series The Vampire Diaries takes place.

This is located 35-miles east of Atlanta, in the beautiful town of Covington, Georgia.

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

What is there to see in this town?

Visitor Center

When we arrived in Covington we first stopped at the visitor center and picked up free maps. 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.

First Stop- The Clock Tower

When you arrive in Covington, you really can't miss the famous clock tower where so many scenes from The Vampire Diaries were filmed. And right across the street is the Mystic Falls Town Square aka Covington Square.

The town square and clock tower have been home to several other TV filming sets. Of course, Legacies, the latest show in the Vampire Diaries series, is currently filmed here.

Mystic Grill

Just beside the clock tower, one can spot Mystic Grill. The great thing about the this place is that you can actually eat here like the TVD star cast did many times and look out at Covington Square.

Like most of the other locations, the inside of the Mystic Grill is not exactly as you see it on the show. This is because the inside scenes of the locations were filmed at their soundstage.

The Gilbert House

It was exciting to see the Elena Gilbert's house in person. 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!

Please note that these are private residences. So, be respectful of their privacy.

Just beside the Elena's house, there is a Caroline house.

Lockwood Manor

The Lockwood Mansion was the site of Caroline and Stefan's wedding, as well as many, many other scenes over the years of filming. If not on tour, you can only see the place from outside the gates.

On the official Vampire Diaries tour, you will be 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.

Vampire Tour

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

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

It is advisable to book the tour well in advance. Nowadays due to pandemic situation, they are running just 2 tours in a month and hence, it is really hard to get a booking.

Gift and souvenir

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.

Among the items for sale are "fangtastic" t-shirts, life-sized cardboard cutouts of your favorite characters, and even autographed merchandise that benefits the Ian Somerhalder Foundation.

Final Thoughts

There really are a lot of things to do in Covington GA, and I'm hoping to attend the tour next time and see where some of my favorite scenes were filmed!

Don't forgot to spot the names of your favourite characters while you walk in the town

You may also like to read: athirapally falls , Thottikallu falls

Let us know how do you like this post. Are you a fan of "The Vampire Diaries"? What are some of your favorite things to do in Covington GA? #MysticFalls #VampireDiaries #ElenaGilbert #Caroline #MysticGrill #ClockTower #Scoops #LockwoodManor #Giftsand Souvenir #VampireStalkersTour #Convington

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Further Reads

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.

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Covington, Georgia : Vampire Diaries Town of Mystic Falls

The town's real name is Covington, but it's been renamed Mystic Falls on the TV show "Vampire Diaries." Many recognizable spots around town, including the Mystic Grill.

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Visitor Tips and News About Vampire Diaries Town of Mystic Falls

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Nice quiet town. They were setting up to film in the square when we stopped. We went into the Visitor's Center and a nice young lady gave us a map of filming locations for Vampire Diaries (and other movies). Fun photo ops for fans of the show!

I was there on a Sunday. Nothing was open. Nice, quite town. I could not locate the tour online. Plan on few minutes if everything is closed. 2 hour free parking.

The show Vampire Diaries is filmed in Covington [Renamed "Mystic Falls" for the series]. The house addresses where they film are listed on the internet and they have a sign up in the center of town for the "Mystic Grill." They have a tour that you can take also at www.mysticfallstours.com.

Joining a small fraternity of TV show tourist towns, which includes Mayberry and Twin Peaks .

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Plan a Vampire Diaries’ day trip to Covington, GA

The CW’s Vampire Diaries filmed on location in Covington, GA nestled just outside of Atlanta and makes for a wonderful day trip or overnight visit.

While most people have probably had their fill of vampires and teenagers with the Twilight saga, my wife has recently discovered the CW’s Vampire Diaries television show. Naturally, I have begun watching alongside her with some interest as Kevin Williamson is the main producer for the show. For those not familiar with Williamson, he was the producer for Dawson’s Creek which captured the teen angst and spirit better than any show that has come before it or after it. I enjoyed Dawson’s Creek and after watching several episodes of Vampire Diaries, it is apparent that Williamson still understands the teen dynamic.

The show itself is supposed to be set in fictional Mystic Falls, VA but actually is filmed in Covington, GA which is known as “Hollywood of the South” by many in the television and film industry. I recently surprised my wife by planning an overnight weekend trip to Covington to do some sightseeing of some of the show’s locales. We booked a room at the only bed and breakfast in Covington called 2119 The Inn. It was our first bed and breakfast experience which can be a bit awkward for those used to hotels. We unpacked the few items we had and walked to the downtown square area.

Covington’s Downtown Square

The Square in Downtown Covington has a tremendous amount of television history attached to it and those who visit the area will swear they’ve been there before. While the area has certainly changed a great deal since then, my memory of the General Lee driving around in circles around the park immediately came back to me when I saw the area. There are local shops surrounding the perimeter of the park with some offices interspersed. The biggest draw for fans of Vampire Diaries is of course the Mystic Grill sign which is featured prominently in many episodes. Unfortunately, there is no real restaurant located beneath the sign but if you need your taxes done, the accountant’s office located there may be of some assistance.

Fans may also note one of the rooftops along the square is where Damon and Stefan had their rooftop scuffle with Vicky stuck in the middle. The park’s statue was used in the Founder’s Day episode which featured a parade through the square as well. We arrived a little late in the afternoon so we didn’t get to go in all of the shops but there are several antique stores, a “hardware” store that has nearly everything in it, an art gallery and an ice cream parlor which became one of the best parts of the trip for us. Scoops is said to be one of the favorite spots for the stars of the show to go and grab a treat before and after filming. We didn’t spot any of the gang but did enjoy their smoothies.

Covington’s historic Houses tour

After finishing up with downtown, we walked a bit down Floyd St. right off of the square. I had already mapped out several of the houses used in the filming of the Vampire Diaries prior to the visit and Elena Gilbert’s house was the first stop at 2104 Floyd St. The house sits right on the corner and was actually for sale when we were down there. The interior shots for most locations are actually done in a studio in Atlanta and not actually at the house.

At 2129 East St. SE, Tyler Chatwood’s estate can be seen although not up close as it is gated and not open to the public as far as I can tell. Gram’s house is at 2136 Conyers St. SE and features the Covington Cemetary right behind it. All of these are well within walking distance of the square and feature many other historical homes along the walk.

Beyond the Covington Square

For those looking for more Vampire Diary locations, hop in the car and head over to Sandy Springs, GA but you might need to call ahead to make sure you’re able to see the Salvatore Boarding House at 688 Abernathy Rd. NE. The boarding house is actually Glenridge Hall , a private residence located in the suburbs.

As far as specific filming locations, that is all we were able to find although we did get to see some of the extras for Footloose 2 getting set to film near the courthouse in downtown Covington. I didn’t recognize and of the people but they were all dressed as if they were going to a prom. My wife has already decided that we are going to be extras in The Vampire Diaries at some point so we are planning another trip to Covington for that reason alone. Hope this guide helps you out on your next trip to Covington, GA.

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