If you’ve ever watched Stranger Things and thought Hawkins, Indiana, looked like a real, perfect small American town… You were right!
Keep reading for your guide to the Stranger Things filming locations you can actually visit, starting with Jackson, Georgia, about 50 miles south of Atlanta, which has fully embraced its fame as the real Hawkins.
I first visited back in 2020 when the show dropped its first season, and got to see Hawkins Middle School and the town square before the hype really took off. Coming back now, I’ve realized how much everything has changed (in a good way, of course).
What I love about Jackson is that it’s not just a filming location you drive past and check off a list. The town has leaned into it.
There’s a Hawkins Headquarters shop, Stranger Things-themed murals, and you can even book a Stranger Things tour.
There are even plaques around the town square showing each building’s Stranger Things name, plus QR codes you can scan to learn about the real history behind them.
It’s become a full destination!
And Jackson isn’t alone. Georgia has quietly become the filming capital of the South, with small towns transformed into iconic settings for TV and movies.
Some of the other notable ones are Senoia, which doubles as Alexandria and Woodbury from The Walking Dead, and Covington, which is the iconic town transformed into Mystic Falls from The Vampire Diaries universe.
Additionally, Savannah’s Historic District even serves as a popular destination for lovers of films like Forrest Gump and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. And of course, the metro-Atlanta area is constantly busy as a major filming hub, which has been featured in motion picture films like Marvel and Hunger Games.
So if you’re a Stranger Things fan, or just someone who loves a good Georgia road trip, then Jackson and the surrounding Atlanta-area locations are worth the drive.
📌 Things to Know Before You Go
• Jackson, Georgia is a small town about 50 miles south of Atlanta with several filming locations within the community.
• Hawkins Headquarters is your home base in the town square for merch and booking the Stranger Things tour.
• Most Stranger Things filming locations are scattered around metro-Atlanta, making this the perfect Georgia road trip.
Welcome to Hawkins (aka Jackson, Georgia)
Jackson is the heart of Stranger Things filming. This small town doubled as Hawkins, Indiana, for most of the series, and walking through the town square genuinely feels like stepping into the show.
First thing you’ll want to do is stop at Hawkins Headquarters on the town square – the actual filming location for the Pawn Shop on the show.
This is your go-to spot for all things Stranger Things. You’ll find merch, decor, and really cool things you can purchase.
There’s also a seating area where you can just hang out and have a nice talk with other fans just like you. This shop is also where you get the tickets for the Stranger Things tour if you want a guided experience.
You’ll recognize so many scenes from the show just by walking around the town square. The Hawkins Library – known as the Butts County Courthouse and currently the Welcome Center, the storefronts, and the alleyways.
They’ve added more murals, and you might even catch the Hawkins Police Department van parked around town.
Outside the Hawkins locations based in the Jackson town square, you’ll find most of the rest of the Stranger Things filming locations around the metro-Atlanta area, with some even a bit further out, like Rome, GA.
The Creel House, a Real Historic House in Rome, GA
I’ll be adding the list below, but I wanted to talk about one of the most iconic locations from Season 4, the Creel House, which is the Claremont House in Rome.
Built in 1882, this Gothic Revival-style 6-bedroom, 7-bathroom house with beautiful 14-foot ceilings, 8 fireplaces, and stunning chestnut and walnut parquet flooring.
It had been a Bed & Breakfast for over 16 years until sold in 2019. Till this day, the Claremont house is known as one of the most prominent historic homes in Rome.
Its haunting beauty became the center of Vecna’s storyline and is one of the most photographed Stranger Things locations. And for lovers of historic houses like myself, this is one you don’t want to miss!
Note: This is a private residence, so please be respectful and view from the street.
Planning Your Visit + Complete Location List
- Creel House (Claremont House) – 906 E 2nd Ave, Rome, GA
- Hawkins Hospital – 1077 S Main St, Madison, GA
- Hawkins Library – 98 Rd St, Jackson, GA
- Byers Home Exterior (Airbnb) – 149 Coastline Dr, Fayetteville, GA
- Bradley’s Big Buy (Piggly Wiggly) – 504 Center St, Palmetto, GA
- WSQK Radio Station Location – 8105 Phillips Rd, Palmetto, GA
- Benny’s Burgers (Tiffany’s Kitchen) – 7413 Lee Rd, Lithia Springs, GA
- Palace Arcade & Family Video – 6501 Church St, Douglasville, GA
- Hopper’s Cabin (Sleepy Hollow Farm) – 628 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Powder Springs, GA
- Skull Rock (Boat Rock Preserve) – 1238 Boat Rock Rd SW, Atlanta, GA
- Brimborn Steel Works – 2903 RN Martin St, East Point, GA
- Hawkins Town Hall (Former City Hall) – 2777 East Point St, East Point, GA
- Hawkins Community Pool – 2000 Lakewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA
- Hawkins Lab – 1256 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA
- Hawk Theater (Tara Theatre) – 2345 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA
- Enzo’s Restaurant (Dominick’s Italian) – 95 S Peachtree St, Norcross, GA
- Hawkins Elementary (Tucker Rec Center) – 4898 Lavista Rd, Tucker, GA
- Starcourt Mall (Gwinnett Place Mall) – 2100 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth, GA
- Hawkins Middle & High School – 109 S Lee St, Stockbridge, GA
- Roane Hill Cemetery – 1025 Silver Hill Rd, Stone Mountain, GA
- Melvald’s General Store (Joyce’s workplace) – 42nd Street, Jackson, GA
- Radio Shack (Bob’s workplace) – 2nd Street, Jackson, GA
- Hawk Theater (Bradley’s Olde Tavern) – 2 Oak Street, Jackson, GA
- Palace Arcade – 6501 Church Street, Douglasville, GA
- Pennhurst Mental Hospital (Berry College) – 2277 Martha Berry Hwy, Mt Berry, GA
- The Wheeler Family Home – 2530 Piney Wood Lane, East Point, GA
- Hawkins Memorial Hospital (Emory Adventist Hospital) – 3949 S Cobb Drive, Smyrna, GA
Getting to Jackson:
- About 50 miles south of Atlanta (approximately 50 minutes)
- Easy day trip from anywhere in metro-Atlanta
Hawkins Headquarters:
- Located on the Jackson town square
- Book tours here
- Grab your merch and candy
Tips:
- Some locations are private property; please respect boundaries and photograph from the street
- Combine with other Georgia filming locations for an epic road trip
CONCLUSION
Jackson has fully embraced its role as Hawkins, and it’s one of those rare places where the fandom and the town have come together to create something genuinely fun to visit.
So if you’re ready for a Georgia road trip, get packing and start exploring these locations. The Upside Down is waiting.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve been to the real Hawkins, Indiana!
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Hey, I’m Yanitza 👋 Adventure Travel & U.S. Destination Specialist, travel writer, and hidden-gem hunter with over 8 years of experience helping travelers explore deeper and travel slower. I specialize in crafting authentic, stress-free adventures from small towns to scenic hikes and scuba dives. I’m a firm believer that the best stories happen when you venture beyond tourist hotspots. When I’m not planning getaways or writing travel guides, I’ll probably be home rewatching The Vampire Diaries like it’s my job and daydreaming about future adventures in Spain.