For fans captivated by the charm of Stars Hollow and the witty banter of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, the question “Where Was Gilmore Girls Filmed?” often arises. While the series evolved and much of Stars Hollow was meticulously crafted on studio lots, the magic began in a real town. If you’re yearning to step into the world of Gilmore Girls, you might be surprised to learn that the pilot episode, the very foundation of this beloved show, was filmed not in Connecticut, but in Ontario, Canada. Let’s embark on a journey to uncover the real-life locations that brought Stars Hollow to life in its early days, and the studio backlots that sustained its charm for seven seasons and beyond.
Unionville, Ontario: Stepping into Stars Hollow for the Pilot
Before the familiar sets of Warner Bros. Studios became synonymous with Stars Hollow, the quaint town of Unionville, Ontario, Canada, served as the original backdrop for the Gilmore Girls pilot. Just a short drive from Toronto, Unionville offered the quintessential small-town New England aesthetic that creators were seeking. Walking through Unionville today, fans can still recognize key spots that transported them to Stars Hollow in that very first episode.
The Iconic Stars Hollow Town Sign
One of the first and most recognizable sights in any visit to Stars Hollow (or Unionville) is the “Welcome to Stars Hollow” town sign. In reality, this sign was cleverly placed over an existing billboard for the Unionville Mill. If you look closely, even in the show, you can glimpse the words “Planing Mill” beneath the foliage added for the Stars Hollow effect. Standing near this spot, with Main Street stretching out behind it and the gazebo just a stone’s throw away, provides a tangible connection to the show’s beginnings.
Welcome to Stars Hollow Sign in Unionville, Ontario, pilot filming location for Gilmore Girls.
Strolling Down Stars Hollow Main Street
Unionville’s Main Street is instantly recognizable to any Gilmore Girls enthusiast, especially from the opening shots of the pilot episode. The distinctive red brick church stands as a prominent landmark, along with the vintage streetlights lining the street. While the left side of the street has seen changes over time, the right side, particularly the two houses visible behind Lorelai as she crosses the street in the pilot, remain remarkably unchanged. These preserved facades offer a perfect photo opportunity and a genuine sense of déjà vu for fans retracing Lorelai’s steps.
Main Street in Unionville, Ontario, recognizable as Stars Hollow in the Gilmore Girls pilot episode, featuring the red brick church.
Unionville Main Street with vintage streetlights, a key filming location for Stars Hollow in the Gilmore Girls pilot.
Luke’s Diner Exterior: A Familiar Facade
No visit to Stars Hollow would be complete without a stop at Luke’s Diner, Lorelai’s go-to coffee spot and the heart of town gossip. In Unionville, the exterior of Luke’s Diner is still easily identifiable. The building’s facade, with its centrally located door, distinctive stained-glass upper windows, and large front windows, has remained consistent. Even the electric pole positioned directly in front serves as a quirky confirmation that you’ve found the right place. While the interior was a set creation, and the real-life location currently houses a beauty salon offering facial treatments instead of coffee, the exterior view is a must-see for any dedicated fan.
Exterior of Luke's Diner in Unionville, Ontario, a key filming location for Gilmore Girls pilot, now a beauty salon.
Luke's Diner facade in Unionville, featuring stained glass windows, a recognizable filming location from Gilmore Girls pilot.
Imagining Luke’s Diner Interior
Stepping inside what was used as the exterior for Luke’s Diner in Unionville requires a bit of imagination. The interior scenes of Luke’s Diner were always filmed on a studio set. The Unionville location has never been a restaurant; it has seen various incarnations, including a dress shop, a photography studio, and most recently, a beauty salon. Despite the changes in its purpose, the original facade and bay windows endure, allowing fans to still connect with the spirit of Luke’s beloved diner and envision Lorelai and Rory bantering over coffee inside.
Former interior space of Luke's Diner exterior location in Unionville, requiring imagination to picture the Gilmore Girls set.
Toronto, Ontario: The Grandeur of the Gilmore Mansion
Another significant filming location from the Gilmore Girls pilot, also situated in Ontario, is the imposing mansion that served as the exterior for Emily and Richard Gilmore’s stately home. Located in a prestigious, affluent neighborhood of Toronto, this grand residence is perhaps one of the most recognizable locations from the pilot. Standing before it evokes the formality and elegance associated with the Gilmore grandparents and their iconic Friday night dinners. While it remains unconfirmed if the interior scenes were filmed within this same mansion, its exterior is undeniably the image that comes to mind when picturing the Gilmore residence.
Emily and Richard Gilmore's mansion exterior in Toronto, a prominent filming location from the Gilmore Girls pilot.
Grand mansion in Toronto used as Emily and Richard Gilmore's house exterior in the Gilmore Girls pilot filming.
Warner Bros. Studios: The Long-Term Home of Stars Hollow
While the pilot episode established the initial visual identity of Stars Hollow in Ontario, the majority of Gilmore Girls, from episode two onwards, was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles. Specifically, Stages 12, 14, and 18 became the soundstage homes for the interior sets, while the exterior town of Stars Hollow was meticulously constructed on the studio’s Midwest Street backlot.
Midwest Street, a versatile backlot, has also served as the backdrop for numerous other productions, including Pretty Little Liars and Hart of Dixie. For Gilmore Girls, it was transformed into the permanent Stars Hollow, allowing for the expansion of the town and the creation of beloved locations like the town square, gazebo, and Stars Hollow High School. This studio-created Stars Hollow became the definitive visual representation of the town for most of the series’ run.
Bonus: South Royalton, Vermont – The Opening Credits Inspiration
Interestingly, the idyllic town featured in the Gilmore Girls opening credits is not in Connecticut, nor Ontario, but rather South Royalton, Vermont. This charming village, particularly picturesque in the fall, with its quintessential New England church and central square (complete with a gazebo!), provided the perfect visual essence of Stars Hollow for the show’s introduction. While not a filming location for the main series, South Royalton embodies the aesthetic spirit of Stars Hollow that the show aimed to capture.
South Royalton, Vermont, the inspiration for Stars Hollow's look in the Gilmore Girls opening credits.
Church and town square in South Royalton, Vermont, visually similar to Stars Hollow and featured in Gilmore Girls opening credits.
In conclusion, the answer to “where was Gilmore Girls filmed?” is multifaceted. The pilot episode initially captured the charm of Unionville and the grandeur of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. Subsequently, Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles became the long-term home for Stars Hollow, utilizing soundstages and the Midwest Street backlot. And for a touch of quintessential New England atmosphere, the opening credits drew inspiration from South Royalton, Vermont. For Gilmore Girls fans, exploring these diverse locations offers a deeper connection to the show and the enchanting world of Stars Hollow.
