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The Real Mystic Falls: 10 Iconic Vampire Diaries Filming Locations You Can Visit Today

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For fans of The Vampire Diaries, the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, is more than just a setting; it's a character in itself, steeped in supernatural history and small-town charm. If you’ve ever wondered how to step into the world of Elena, Damon, and Stefan, the good news is that the heart of Mystic Falls is a very real, very accessible place. As of December 21, 2025, the primary filming location has transformed into one of Georgia’s most popular TV tourism destinations, welcoming "Vampire Stalkers" from around the globe.

While the show’s mythology places the town in the Commonwealth of Virginia, almost the entire eight-season run of The Vampire Diaries was filmed in and around a single, picturesque city in Georgia. This in-depth guide reveals the exact, real-life locations of the Salvatore Boarding House, the Gilbert family home, and the famous Mystic Grill, providing the ultimate blueprint for your own supernatural road trip.

The True Identity of Mystic Falls: Covington, Georgia

The vast majority of the exterior and many interior shots for The Vampire Diaries were captured in the charming city of Covington, Georgia. Located approximately 35 miles east of Atlanta, Covington has earned the nickname "Hollywood of the South" due to its extensive use in film and television production, including the show's spin-offs, The Originals and Legacies.

The pilot episode was the only exception, with initial scenes shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, before production permanently relocated to Georgia to take advantage of the region's architecture and generous film tax incentives.

Covington’s historic downtown square acts as the central hub of the fictional town, featuring the iconic clock tower and, most importantly, the Mystic Grill. Fans visiting today will find the town has fully embraced its vampire legacy, making it easy to spot and enjoy the key landmarks.

Key Filming Locations and Addresses You Can Visit

Unlike many productions that rely on studio sets, The Vampire Diaries utilized numerous real, privately owned homes and public buildings, giving the show its authentic, lived-in aesthetic. Here are the most famous spots:

  • The Mystic Grill (The Real Mystic Grill): Located right on the Covington Town Square, the Mystic Grill is a fully operational restaurant and a must-visit for any fan. The building’s exterior was used for all eight seasons, and the interior was recreated on a soundstage, though the real-life restaurant is decorated to look exactly like the TV set. It serves classic American diner food and is a central meeting spot for Mystic Falls Tours.
  • Elena Gilbert's House: This iconic white-and-blue Victorian home, where the show’s main protagonist lived with her brother Jeremy and Aunt Jenna, is a private residence. Fans can view the exterior from the street, but must respect the owners' privacy.
    • Address: 2104 Floyd Street NE, Covington, GA.
  • Caroline Forbes' House: Just down the street from Elena's house, the Forbes residence is also a private home.
    • Address: 2118 Floyd St, NE, Covington, GA.
  • Mystic Falls Town Square: The heart of all town events—from the Miss Mystic Falls Pageant to the Founder's Day Carnival—is the Covington Town Square. The Newton County Courthouse and the clock tower are unmistakable landmarks from the series.
  • Mystic Falls High School: The exterior shots of the Timberwolves' home turf were filmed outside the former Monroe Area High School in a neighboring town.
    • Location: Monroe, Georgia (Walton County).

The Tragic Fate of the Salvatore Boarding House

The Salvatore Boarding House, the central mansion where Damon and Stefan Salvatore lived and plotted for centuries, has one of the most interesting and bittersweet real-life stories for fans. The exterior used for the first season was a magnificent, historic estate, but it is no longer standing today.

Glenridge Hall: A Lost Landmark

The original, stunning exterior of the Salvatore Boarding House was Glenridge Hall, a 14,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion located in Sandy Springs, an affluent suburb north of Atlanta, Georgia.

Despite its historical significance and iconic status in television history, the property was sold to a developer and tragically demolished in 2015. This means that fans visiting Georgia today can no longer see the original house where Damon Salvatore first made his dramatic entrance.

Following the demolition, the production team had to find an alternative. They began using a combination of other local mansions for exterior shots and relied heavily on soundstage sets for all interior scenes, which allowed for the elaborate effects and complex staging required for the show's later seasons. The interiors of the Salvatore Boarding House—including Damon's bedroom and the famous basement—were always elaborate sets built in a studio in the Atlanta area.

The Legacy and Spin-Offs: The Extended TVD Universe

The success of The Vampire Diaries spawned two spin-off series, The Originals and Legacies, both of which continued the tradition of filming in Georgia, solidifying the state's status as the true home of the TVD universe. This continued use of the same locations provides a massive boost to Covington's topical authority as a filming hub.

From Mystic Falls to New Orleans and Back

While The Originals was set in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, the show was primarily filmed in Covington and Conyers, Georgia, with the production team using creative set dressing and location scouting to mimic the architecture of New Orleans.

Legacies, which brought the story back to the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted, also used many of the original locations and soundstages, ensuring a seamless visual transition for the extended storyline. The building used for the Salvatore School in Legacies is a different, still-standing mansion, often utilized for tours and fan events.

Plan Your Mystic Falls Tour

For the dedicated fan, the best way to experience the real Mystic Falls is by booking an official tour. "Mystic Falls Tours" offers guided excursions that take you to all the major exterior locations, including the Gilbert house, the Forbes house, the town square, and more. These tours often feature behind-the-scenes stories from guides who worked on the show, providing a truly immersive experience that goes beyond simply driving past the locations.

The ease of travel between the main locations in Covington and the proximity to Atlanta make it a perfect weekend getaway for any enthusiast of the show, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters—from the human Elena Gilbert to the powerful Salvatore brothers.

Relevant Entities and Topical Authority

The enduring popularity and filming legacy of The Vampire Diaries is tied to its core cast, creators, and the real-world locations that brought the supernatural drama to life. The show's success has made Covington, GA, an essential entity in the TV landscape.

  • The Creators: Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson.
  • Main Cast: Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert, Katherine Pierce), Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore), Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore), Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett), Candice King (Caroline Forbes), Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan), Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood), Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson).
  • Key Locations & Concepts: Covington, Georgia, Mystic Falls, Salvatore Boarding House, Elena Gilbert's House, Mystic Grill, Mystic Falls High School, Glenridge Hall, Sandy Springs, Monroe, Vancouver, British Columbia, Town Square, Clock Tower, Mystic Falls Tours, Hollywood of the South, Walton County, *The Originals*, *Legacies*, Atlanta, The Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted.

Visiting these preserved locations and knowing the history—especially the fate of Glenridge Hall—offers a deeper connection to the series, ensuring that the magic of Mystic Falls continues to live on in Covington, Georgia.

The Real Mystic Falls: 10 Iconic Vampire Diaries Filming Locations You Can Visit Today
where was the vampire diaries filmed
where was the vampire diaries filmed

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