The Netflix series Stranger Things became a quick hit for its cast of young stars alongside well-known actors like David Harbor and Winona Rider as well as the 1980s references.
A mysterious young woman shows up in town and meets a group of friends who soon protect her. But the “bad men” chasing her are just the start of their troubles.
Fans of the show can visit the locations in Georgia, but there’s more than that! There are tours, events, and even accommodations geared towards fans all around the state of Georgia. This post contains locations from all seasons, including season four, so it’s not spoiler free!
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Stranger Things Filming Locations
The hit show has filmed throughout the state of Georgia, but the majority of the locations are found in Atlanta, Jackson, and Douglasville. We haven’t included every single one, just the most popular.
Some are open to visitors while others are closed. But the places mentioned here can be seen by the exterior. Just remember: no trespassing.
Atlanta
The Quarry
The former Bellwood Quarry opened in 2021 as the Westside Reservoir Park, encompassing over 300 acres of trails, a playground, and an overlook. This quarry was where Eleven shows off her powers against the bullies and where Will’s fake body was found. It was also used in The Walking Dead and is free to visit.
1660 Johnson Road, Atlanta
Hawkins National Laboratory
Visit the place where “Papa” ran experiments on Eleven and other children and where Bob met his fate. Both the interior and exterior were used in the first few seasons of Stranger Things.
The modern-looking building was originally the Georgia Mental Health Institute that operated from 1965 to 1997. It’s on the grounds of the Briarcliff Estate where Asa Candler Jr. lived.
These days, it’s a part of the Emory University Briarcliff campus in Atlanta and was purchased in 2000. There are plans to renovate the buildings and some have been demolished.
There’s a gate into the parking lot where you can see the outside, but don’t try to go into the building. It has posted no trespassing signs.
1256 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta
Downtown Chicago
In season 2, Eleven and her fellow “gifted” friends go on the run stealing from stores. Instead of filming in real-life Chicago, Atlanta’s Fairlie Poplar neighborhood was used. The alley near their hideout was next to the Norfolk Southern Building.
She also walked through a homeless encampment in the Gulch. And the nearby Pittsburgh neighborhood filled in for the “real” Pittsburgh when one of the gifted kids collapses a bridge on the chasing police.
125 Ted Turner Drive Southwest, Atlanta
Hawkins Community Pool
The community pool features heavily in season 3 as it’s where Billy works as a lifeguard, where Mrs. Byers and her friends stare at him, and where we first see Heather.
The real-life location is South Bend Pool, a community pool and dog park open from the end of May to the beginning of July. They used the real lifeguard stands and chairs in the show. Admission is $5 per person but there are also free swim days.
2000 Lakewood Avenue Southeast, Atlanta
EUE/Screen Gems
This studio is where many of the interior shots are filmed, including all of the houses. It’s not open to the public, but the below video gives you an inside look into the Stranger Things sets. The studio is also where Black Panther, Divergent, and The Hunger Games were filmed.
175 Lakewood Way Southwest, Atlanta
East Point
Hawkins Hospital
The bridge between buildings stands in for the ambulance bay at the Hawkins Hospital where Will is a patient. In real life, it’s one of the buildings at East Point First Baptist Church.
The Hawkins Library interiors were filmed at the nearby Old East Point Library at 2777 McGee Way, but it’s generally reserved for filming projects. The exteriors of this building were filmed in Jackson.
2813 East Point Street, East Point
Town Hall
In season 3, protestors set up at Hawkins Town Hall against the mayor, famously played by Cary Elwes. Hopper later delivers a beating to get the information he needs while Joyce stands by.
Both exteriors and interiors were used at this building, which is East Point’s old town hall. A new one is now used next door.
2757 East Point Street, East Point
The Source
In season 3, Billy crashes his car and is overtaken by the Mind Flayer at a spooky-looking warehouse. Later, the town’s rats flock there and are “flayed” to fuel the creature as well as Heather’s abduction. The real building is the Old Atlanta Utility Works. It’s fenced but you can snap a photo from across the street.
2903 RN Martin Street, East Point
Editor’s Note: We’ve left out the houses used in the show because these are private residences and there have been instances of trespassing. All interiors were filmed at EUE Screen Gems so it’s just another midcentury neighborhood.
Marietta
War Zone
In season 4, the gang goes to War Zone, a gun and ammo store, to pick up essentials for their fight against Vecna, running into Jason and his teammates, who are still hunting Eddie. It was filmed at the former location of Hodge Army Navy, which was demolished after filming. The new location is nearby and sells the type of clothing the kids wear in the Upside Down.
1477 Roswell Road, Suite 300, Marietta
Powder Springs
Hopper’s Cabin
Hopper and Eleven live in his remote cabin after she is rescued from the Hawkins Lab team. They continue to live here until the Mind Flayer destroyed it in season three.
The exterior of the cabin was filmed at Sleepy Hollow Farm, a functional farm that has a corn maze, Christmas trees, and pumpkin patch.
It’s also where the diseased pumpkins were found in season 1 and where Hopper digs a hole into the “Upside Down.” Across from the cabin is a shed where Joyce gets the bolt cutters in season 3 and later where Nancy gets the shotgun.
628 Sleepy Hollow Road, Powder Springs
Douglas County
Benny’s Burgers
In the first scene of the show, we see Eleven on the run from the “Bad Men” at Hawkins Labs. She steals someone’s leftover burger before the owner takes pity on her and makes her a meal.
He tries to get information from her but the goons soon arrive to take her away. She barely escapes, leaving Benny behind. The location returns for season four when Lucas and his basketball team friends hang out at the since abandoned restaurant.
In real life, the restaurant is Tiffany’s Kitchen, a country cooking restaurant. Production painted and put in curtains so that they could use the interior and exterior. They serve breakfast and meat and three Southern food like fried green tomatoes.
They’ve had people come in and ask to take pictures in the kitchen, so use common sense. This is a functioning restaurant.
7413 Lee Road, Lithia Springs
Hawkins Police Station
“Mornings are for coffee and contemplation” at the Hawkins Police Station where Hopper works. The building formerly called 45 Pray Street has been used for a number of filming projects including Stan Against Evil.
It’s currently under construction so we’re not sure what’s going to happen to it so see it while you can. A week after this photo was taken, the exterior was completely stripped off.
8485 Courthouse Square West, Douglasville
Palace Arcade
In season 2, the gang plays rounds of Dragon’s Lair at the arcade but their high scores are erased by someone called “Mad Max.” They soon find out that it’s the new girl in school that they all become infatuated with. Dustin and Lucas later spy on her from across the street.
It’s also where Will has a vision of the Mind Flayer in the Upside Down. The real-life building isn’t a real arcade but features a colorful paint job. Both the Family Video and Arcade exteriors were used in season four.
6501 Church Street, Douglasville
Jackson
Downtown Hawkins
In downtown Hawkins, we saw where Joyce works and gets the Christmas lights, where Nancy is called a name on the theater marquee, and an alley where Steve and Jonathan get into a fight.
Melvald’s General Store is filmed at Jackson Drug but the store closed in 2017 after 55 years in business. Across the street is the majestic Butts County Probate Court serves as the exterior for the Hawkins Library.
4 2nd Street, Jackson
Stockbridge
Hawkins Middle School
The gang spends much of the early seasons at Hawkins Middle School where they dress as the Ghostbusters and follow “Mad Max.”
The real-life Patrick Henry High School was used for both exterior and interior scenes. It was an alternative high school in the Henry County Schools system and was previously Stockbridge High School.
It closed in 2015 because of mold before being used on the show. No access is allowed inside the building, but you can see where it’s been painted with “Hawkins Middle School.” The side of the building was used as the high school.
109 South Lee Street, Stockbridge
Nearby Smokin’ Cues restaurant was used as the Hideaway Bar where Hopper plays pool.
Palmetto
Bradley’s Big Buy
Hawkins’ favorite grocery store is where Eleven gets her iconic Eggos fix and later where the crew comes to her aid when the Mind Flayer infects her leg. Bradley’s Big Buy is a real grocery store south of Atlanta run by Piggly Wiggly, not far from Senoia and Serenbe.
506 Center Street, Palmetto
Gwinnett County
Starcourt Mall
In the third season, the Starcourt Mall serves as an important location as it’s where Steve and Robin work at Scoops Ahoy and where the Russians develop a secret tunnel underneath.
The showdown with the Mind Flayer ruins the atrium, but in real-life Gwinnett Place Mall is still standing. The nearly abandoned mall was transformed for the show, adding in 80s shops and logos like Waldenbooks and Gadzooks.
It was originally built in 1984 but fell on hard times when many retail stores went online. This story on Curbed shows what the interior looks like now. Some stores are still open but there are large sections that aren’t.
2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth
Enzo’s Restaurant
Hopper is stood up by Joyce for a night out at Enzo’s, a local Italian restaurant. As he realizes she isn’t coming, he downs his bottle of Chianti, spilling it on his new shirt. Dominick’s in Norcross was used as Enzo’s in episode two where you can actually dine out.
95 South Peachtree Street, Norcross
Rome
Berry College
The stunning campus of Berry College in Northwest Georgia was used as the Pennhurst Mental Hospital, where Robin and Nancy go to visit Victor Creel. The stone Ford buildings were where the patients gathered on the lawn. The college has also been used for movies like Remember the Titans and Sweet Home Alabama. Campus tours are available daily.
2277 Martha Berry Hwy NW, Mount Berry, GA 30149
The Claremont House
One of the most important locations in season four is the Claremont House, a circa 1882 Victorian home that previously operated as a bed and breakfast but has since closed and been listed for sale. It serves as the home of Victor Creel and where his family is killed. The house is a ten-minute drive away from Berry and while not open to the public, you can see the exterior from the street.
906 Eeast 2nd Avenue, Rome, GA 30161
For more filming locations from the show, visit the Stranger Things Fandom Wiki.
Tours
Editor’s Note: Sadly, Atlanta Movie Tours has decided to close for business. They will be missed.
Atlanta Movie Tours has the “Upside Down Tour” of Stranger Things locations over the course of three hours. It includes many of the locations highlighted in this post, complete with clips from the show and influences from pop culture. Read our review of the tour here.
Stranger Things Events and Experiences
While the real junkyard used in season one of the show isn’t open to the public, Old Car City in Northwest Georgia is a fun alternative. Want to go in a sensory deprivation tank like Eleven? Flo2S in Atlanta has multiple options.
Sleepy Hollow Farm also has its Escape Woods experience that features Hopper’s Cabin. The adventure is appropriate for those aged 10 and older. While the Palace Arcade isn’t a real thing, you can enjoy vintage arcade games at Joystick, a bar in Atlanta.
Shop for 80s attire like Max and El at The Clothing Warehouse. The fair scenes in Season 3 were filmed at the Georgia Renaissance Festival’s parking lot in Fairburn but you can experience the fair yourself at the Georgia State Fair, held every fall in Hampton.
While the real roller rink used for filming in season four is in New Mexico, Atlanta is home to Cascade Family Skating, a famous roller rink used for the filming of movies like ATL and the series Cobra Kai. Visit the skate park like Max at Historic Fourth Ward Park.
Douglas County has been featured prominently on the show so you can see locations from other television and movie projects at the Douglas County Museum of History and Art. The Douglas County Film Trail has additional locations to visit.
Stranger Things also has a fan convention called Stranger Con, which is held in Atlanta every December. It features the stars of the show for meet and greets and panels along with cosplay contests, trivia, and vendors.
The Stranger Things Experience comes to the city’s Pullman Yards, a filming location and event space, with admission to the Hawkins Lab immersive experience and the free-roam Mix-Tape medley of locations.
Where to Eat
Looking for something to eat while you’re touring the locations from the show? There’s a delicious meal not far away. If you want to dine at one of the locations from the show, enjoy Tiffany’s Kitchen in Lithia Springs and Dominick’s in Norcross.
Apart from these two, there are places close to various locations. In Atlanta, DBA Barbecue is a few blocks away from the Emory Briarcliff campus. There may be no Surfer Dude Pizza, but you can visit the original home of Mellow Mushroom Pizza in Atlanta.
In the downtown Fairlie-Poplar district, enjoy cuisines from around the world at places like Dua Vietnamese and Naan Stop. East Point has some great local restaurants like Oz Pizza, Kupcakerie, and Thumbs Up Diner.
Downtown Douglasville has great restaurants like the Cajun-inspired Gumbeaux’s and Irish Bred Pub & Restaurant. In nearby Lithia Springs, Beaver Creek Biscuit Company and Barbecue is open for breakfast and lunch.
Duluth is a part of the city’s Korean neighborhood with incredible restaurants. The Stone Grill and Honey Pig are two of the best for Korean barbecue.
In Rome, Harvest Moon Cafe and Swift and Finch are favorites for sandwiches and pastries. Doug’s Deli also makes Stranger Things themed cookies.
Where to Stay
Fans of the show can stay at Stone Mountain Park, which was used for its woods in the first season. Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort is the best place to stay onsite.
In Atlanta, stay in the show’s version of Chicago. The American Hotel and The Candler Hotel (review here) are two historic properties in the Fairlie Poplar district.
In East Point, visitors can stay at Hotel Indigo College Park or Kimpton Overland Hotel, both of which are close to filming locations and the airport.
Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglasville has yurts and campsites and was also used in countless films. For a traditional hotel, choose the Hampton Inn Douglasville. And in Gwinnett, we love the Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta.
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Rome is more than your average hotel. Located downtown, this building used to be an 1890s warehouse and still has the original floors and brick walls.
Use our link to get a discount on your first Airbnb stay.
Must-Have Stranger Things Gear
Looking for some fan-inspired gear before your trip? There are some great places to pick up the essentials whether you’re in Georgia or online shopping.
Hot Topic has plenty of t-shirts and merchandise, available online and in stores. Box Lunch and Etsy also have plenty to choose from. Passive Juice Motel is another.
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