Where you obsessed with Vampire Diaries? Do you ever dream of having a drink at Mystic Grill, or visiting Elena’s house, or even have a walk on the Mystic Falls plaza and hear that Clock Tower ring?
What if I tell you that you can do all that and more. The fictional town of Mystic Falls is actually located in the wonderful city of Covington, Georgia. Just 45 minutes or less from Atlanta.
Recently I had the time to escape reality with my friends and visit this Vampire Hometown of one of my favorite series of all time.
You can always have the option of booking a Tour, The Vampire Stalkers run the Mystic Falls Tour, with exclusive access to the Lockwood Mansion. It was completely booked during my visit but if you know the show it should be easy to tour mystic falls by yourself.
If a made it to Mystic Falls so can you, here’s a guide of places you need to go when planning a visit to Covington.
1 Stop – Mystic Falls Sign
Located on Covington’s Welcome Center, a great way to start exploring mystics falls, besides taking a pic with the sign you have a bunch of information about the city and places to explore.
Address: 2001 Clark St. S.W. Covington, GA
2 Stop – Elena Gilbert’s House
Address: 2104 Floyd St. N.E. Covington GA
A three-minute drive from the Welcome Center you’ll find Elena’s House. It’s private property so you can’t sit on the iconic bench used in so many scenes during the show but a picture in front of the house will work just fine.
Tip: Right beside Elena’s House you’ll find Caroline Forbes house #2118.
3 Stop – Drive By The Lockwood Mansion
Address: 211 Anderson Ave. Covington GA
Like I mentioned before the access to the Lockwood Mansion it’s exclusive to The Mystic Falls Tour, but that doesn’t mean you can drive by and take a pic outside of the gate. If you follow this guide is right on the way to the next stop.
4 Stop – The Square Plaza
Address: 2001 Washington St. S.W. Covington GA
This will be the final stop driving, once you get to the plaza everything is within walking distance. So many scenes were filmed here and although you are not going to find Sheriff Forbes bench, you’ll see a bunch of the real benches used throughout the series.
5 Stop – Lunch or Dinner at Mystic Grill
Address: 1116 Clark St SW, Covington, GA 30014
By this time you should be hungry and what better way to eat that at the one and only Mystic Grill. Don’t expect the restaurant inside to look like the show since the actual interior was a set built on a soundstage but the food it’s really good so that’s a plus.
I would have loved a more Vampire Diaries theme menu, or maybe drink menu (Believe it or not they don’t have a bourbon-based cocktail), on the bright side the burgers were really good and if it’s not too cold the rooftop has a really nice view of the clock tower.
Tip: Make sure to go to the restaurant as soon as you arrive at the plaza, they usually have a waiting list (ours was 1 hour) add your name to the waiting list and start exploring Mystic Falls while you wait.
6 Stop – Clock Tower
Address: 2101 Washington St. S.W. Covington, GA
What better way to finish your tour with a picture of the Clock Tower. This place is magical and if you are lucky enough you’ll hear the bell ring and survived the visit.
More Places To Stop if you have time
THE DEPOT BAR
Address: 4122 Emory St NW, Covington, GA 30014
This was the set for Elena’s first solo trip with Damon on Season 1, Episode 11 Bloodlines. This is also the set from the Alley where Elena convince Lexie’s boyfriend not to kill Damon.
OXFORD COLLEGE OF EMORY UNIVERSITY AKA “WHITMORE COLLEGE”
Address: 801 Emory St, Oxford, GA 30054
This is not actually in Covington but it was on our way there. I didn’t actually stop, but if you have time you can tour the university with was the setting for most of Season 5.
SCOOPS
Address: 1131 Church St, Covington, GA 30014
This Wasn’t actually a set of the Vampire Diaries, but it was the cast favorite Ice Cream place, Ian Somerhalder’s favorite flavor was Banana Pudding. If you want to channel your inner Damon Salvatore this is the place to go.
Hopefully, this guide will help with your self guided tour to Mystic Falls. If you want to see more about our trip visit below to visit my friend Rosa’s youtube vlog and see for yourself what a wonderful place Mystic Falls is.
