For fans captivated by the supernatural drama and small-town charm of The Vampire Diaries, the fictional town of Mystic Falls feels incredibly real. While Mystic Falls itself exists only in the realm of television, the good news for devotees of the show is that its real-world counterpart is not only tangible but also visitable. The quaint town of Covington, Georgia, served as the primary filming location for much of The Vampire Diaries, bringing the eerie and enchanting Mystic Falls to life. From the iconic clock tower that overlooks the town square to the Mystic Grill, a central hub for many of the show’s characters, Covington is brimming with recognizable spots for any TVD enthusiast.
Many of the most memorable The Vampire Diaries filming locations are conveniently clustered around Covington Square, making it easy for fans to embark on their own Mystic Falls pilgrimage. Within a short stroll, you can find Damon Salvatore’s preferred ice cream parlor, the Mystic Grill, and the historic clock tower – the very spot where Vicki Donovan’s chaotic attempt to unleash hell unfolded. While residences like the Lockwood Mansion, Elena Gilbert’s house, and Grams’ residence may require a bit more exploration, local guided tours are readily available to navigate you through these slightly more secluded treasures. And for the ultimate fan experience, a brief 20-minute drive from the heart of Covington will lead you to the poignant Wickery Bridge, the site where the saga of The Vampire Diaries first began.
Scoops: Damon’s Beloved Ice Cream Indulgence
The Vampire Diaries cast enjoying ice cream at Scoops in Covington, Georgia.
Scoops, located at 1131 Church St., Covington, Georgia, isn’t just any ice cream shop; it’s practically a cast member in The Vampire Diaries. This charming spot has graced the screen in numerous episodes, becoming a familiar and beloved location for fans. Though perhaps not the scene of dramatic supernatural events, Scoops holds a special place as a quintessential Mystic Falls locale.
For those looking to immerse themselves fully in the TVD experience, indulging in Damon Salvatore’s favorite treat, a banana pudding milkshake, at Scoops is a must. The shop boasts a tempting array of sweet delights, including candies, ice creams, milkshakes, and chocolates. With 32 handcrafted, locally sourced ice cream flavors and 10 types of cones, Scoops emphasizes all-natural ingredients and premium flavorings. Positioned in the vibrant Covington Square, Scoops welcomes visitors from Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 1 PM, inviting them to savor a taste of Mystic Falls.
Mystic Grill: From Fiction to Fan-Favorite Restaurant
The Mystic Grill, a central gathering point in The Vampire Diaries where Matt Donovan once navigated the busboy life, is indeed a real establishment. You can find it nestled in Covington Square at 116 Clark Street, Covington, Georgia. Second only to the Salvatore Boarding House in iconic status among TVD filming locations, the Mystic Grill has even served drinks to some of the most powerful vampires in the series. While exterior shots in the show utilized the Covington Mill, a historic grist mill, the real-life Mystic Grill owners drew direct inspiration from the fictional eatery when designing their restaurant. Interior scenes within the Mystic Grill, however, were filmed on a dedicated soundstage set.
The building that houses the real Mystic Grill dates back to 1906, originally constructed as a bank by C.S. Thompson. Over the years, it has hosted various businesses before transforming into the restaurant it is today. The Mystic Grill prides itself on sourcing ingredients from local farmers and presents a menu of Southern cuisine with a creative flair, offering fans a taste of Mystic Falls both on screen and in reality.
Lockwood Mansion: Two Locations, Double the Iconicity
The Lockwood Mansion stands as one of the most recognizable structures in The Vampire Diaries, appearing across all seasons and hosting pivotal events like the Masquerade Ball. Intriguingly, the show employed two distinct locations to portray both the earlier and later iterations of the Lockwood estate. After Tyler Lockwood’s departure from Mystic Falls, the mansion became Matt Donovan’s property, even making a cameo in Legacies as a site for student visits.
The primary Lockwood Mansion location is Worthington Manor, an opulent residence situated in Covington’s historic downtown area at 2129 East Street, SE. While this is a private, gated property, its fame extends beyond TVD, having also featured prominently in Sweet Home Alabama and Jungle Cruise. For fans desiring a peek inside, Vampire Stalkers’ Mystic Falls Tours offer exclusive access. Additionally, the owners list the manor on Airbnb, although stays require a minimum two-night booking and a budget of around a thousand dollars to experience its lavishness.
Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast: The Flashback Lockwood Mansion
For flashback scenes depicting the Lockwood Mansion in its earlier days, The Vampire Diaries turned to Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast. Fans might recognize it from the poignant scene where Stefan and Katherine waltz together during a Miss Mystic Falls pageant in a bygone era. This location can be found at 2176 Monticello St, SW Covington, Georgia.
Constructed in 1836, this elegant mansion also carries the historical weight of being known as the Wilkes family’s plantation home from Gone with the Wind. Today, Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast is a fully operational tourist destination, inviting fans to spend the night. Interestingly, cast members of The Vampire Diaries themselves lodged here during filming. Compared to Worthington Manor, Twelve Oaks generally offers more affordable rates. For those not seeking overnight accommodation, daytime tours are also available, providing a glimpse into this historically rich and TV-famous location.
The Gilbert House: A Private Piece of Mystic Falls History
Elena Gilbert holding a bottle in the kitchen of the Gilbert house in The Vampire Diaries.
A scene from The Originals, a spin-off from The Vampire Diaries, highlighting the extended TVD universe.
Despite Elena Gilbert’s dramatic burning of her house in The Vampire Diaries, the historical Gilbert residence still stands at its original address: 2104 Floyd Street, NE Covington Georgia. While only the exterior of the house was used for filming, with interior scenes shot on soundstages, the facade remains instantly recognizable to fans. This is the house with the iconic front porch where Elena shared significant kisses with both Stefan and Damon.
Currently a private home, the Gilbert house is best viewed respectfully from the street. For a closer look and more insights, Mystic Falls Tours, offered by Vampire Stalkers and promoted by exploregeorgia.org, often include this location. These tours, known for their connections with the TVD cast and crew, provide an immersive experience into the world of The Vampire Diaries, granting access to several historical homes featured in the show. With the Legacies universe still active, lucky visitors might even catch glimpses of behind-the-scenes filming activities.
Grams’ House: A Residence Requiring Respectful Admiration
Similar to Elena’s house, Grams’ house at 2136 Conyers Street, SE Covington, Georgia, is a private residence. Fans wishing to see this iconic location are kindly asked to respect the owners’ privacy and avoid disturbing them in any way. The house is often a stop on guided Mystic Falls tours, allowing for viewing from a respectful distance.
Sheila “Grams” Bennett, Bonnie’s wise grandmother, was a recurring presence throughout The Vampire Diaries, often providing guidance and warnings about witchcraft. Bonnie, despite being one of the most powerful witches in the series, frequently sought Grams’ counsel and visited her home for support. Grams’ house was featured most prominently in Season 1, with a return appearance in Season 8. While the fate of the house after Sheila’s passing remains unaddressed in the show, fans can still appreciate this historic mansion from afar, remembering its significance in Bonnie’s journey.
The Clock Tower: A Downtown Covington Landmark
Promotional image featuring Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Joseph Morgan and Persia White, and Danielle Campbell and Colin Woodell, actors from The Vampire Diaries universe.
For fans seeking the iconic clock tower, its address is 1124 Clark Street, SW Covington, Georgia. This is the tower where Stefan dramatically saved Katherine from a suicide attempt and where Damon and Elena later shared a poignant moment before jumping off together. The clock tower is an integral part of the Historic Newton County Courthouse, adjacent to Covington’s town center. Considered perhaps Georgia’s most famous clock, its construction began in 1865, concurrent with the courthouse. The tower comprises four levels, housing the original clock mechanism above three stories and the bell, forged in New York in the same year, at the top.
Across from the courthouse, “On Location Gifts” offers a variety of The Vampire Diaries merchandise. In the town square, “Vampire Stalkers” provides guided TVD tours, sometimes even joined by cast members, enhancing the fan experience.
Salvatore Boarding House: Locations Past and Present
The Salvatore Boarding House, a central location in The Vampire Diaries, was actually portrayed by two different filming sites. The primary location, used for the majority of interior shots, was Glenridge Hall in Sandy Springs, located at 598 Abernathy Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia. This estate, built in 1929 by Thomas K. Glenn on a vast farmland north of Atlanta, included various outbuildings and worker housing. Glenridge Hall and its grounds were used extensively for The Vampire Diaries, with the production team even recreating interior sections for soundstage filming. The property, once listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a filming location for numerous productions including Driving Miss Daisy, was unfortunately demolished in recent years.
For the pilot episode’s portrayal of the Salvatore Boarding House, Foxglove Farm, situated at 6471 224 Street, Langley, British Columbia, was utilized. Like Glenridge Hall, Foxglove Farm is a popular filming location with a rich agricultural history. The barn on the property, dating back 130 years, was renovated to include a lower level now used for events like catering, meetings, and weddings.
Mystic Falls Cemetery: Southview Cemetery in Reality
The somber and frequently visited Mystic Falls Cemetery is actually South View Cemetery in Covington, located on Southview Drive in the town’s old downtown area. The cemetery features notable historical markers, including those from the Daughters of the American Revolution and a memorial to Confederate soldiers.
In the early seasons of The Vampire Diaries, Elena often confided in her diary amidst the gravestones of Mystic Falls Cemetery. Later, the cemetery became more associated with the Salvatore family, housing the Salvatore Mausoleum, described in the show as the burial place of Stefan and Damon’s father. This mausoleum is indeed located in the oldest section of South View Cemetery. After Damon’s supposed death (and eventual return), Elena revisited the cemetery. It is symbolically the final resting place for many characters in the series, including Elena’s deceased loved ones and friends. The cemetery also served as the dramatic backdrop for Klaus’s murder of his mother, Esther.
Wickery Bridge: The Site of Beginnings and Near Endings
Wickery Bridge, a pivotal location in The Vampire Diaries lore, is situated at 5090 Klondike Rd, Lithonia, GA, approximately 15–20 minutes from downtown Covington. Within the show, this bridge is infamous as the site of the car accident that claimed the lives of Elena Gilbert’s parents, leaving Elena as the sole survivor, a tragedy that sets the stage for much of her early storyline.
Despite being a relatively minor location in terms of screen time, Wickery Bridge holds significant narrative weight. It’s the bridge where Damon, in a moment of lost humanity, nearly drove Elena to her death, mirroring the accident that orphaned her. It’s also where vampire Elena contemplated ending her existence by removing her daylight ring. While visiting Wickery Bridge may be tempting for fans seeking photo opportunities, it’s crucial to exercise caution as reports indicate traffic hazards. Visitors should be extremely careful when near the bridge.
For The Vampire Diaries fans planning a visit to Mystic Falls, Covington, Georgia offers an immersive experience, bringing the beloved series to life through its remarkably preserved filming locations. From grabbing a bite at the Mystic Grill to walking through Covington Square, the heart of Mystic Falls, fans can step directly into the world of TVD. Remember to check local tour options like Vampire Stalkers for guided experiences and respect the privacy of residential locations. Plan your journey to Covington and experience the real-world magic behind The Vampire Diaries.
