Oh hello there, nice to meet you. I’m Sophie & this is David. We are Mystic Falls newest vampires 😉 JK! With 2020 being such an unprecedented year, I wish we were all slightly immortal/ part vampire so we can stay healthy and safe… Okay, but for real, does this look familiar to you? That’s right, it’s MYSTIC FALLS from CW’s hit show The Vampire Diaries. If you’re a fan or into vampire fiction, then you’ll 100% love need to make a trip out here and follow this guide! Seeing one of your favorite shows come to life is SO surreal- I was flipping out in the car when we turned the corner into this town!
For our cross country road trip, we toured the real town behind the vampire diaries, aka Covington, Georgia. It’s a small town located 35 miles east of Atlanta (about 40 minutes away) and is often referred to as “The Hollywood of the South!” Downtown Covington has remained a gorgeous backdrop for over 100 films/ television shows and I can totally see why!
You’ll feel right at home in this iconic town square the moment you drive in. You can pretty much visit almost every TVD filming location on your own OR you can pay ($60 each) to join an official tour with a guide. Due to Covid-19 & trying to keep our trip budget friendly, I decided to do the research ahead of time and see it all on our own and it worked out super easily!
Let me take you along our visit and give you the grand tour of the highlights worth seeing!
P.S. Team Damon all the way! Aside from the Salvatore Brothers, I’d choose Alaric- loyal, intellectual, mature, family oriented…
Don’t forget to check out my IG for more daily content inspo! Xo, Soph
MYSTIC FALLS WELCOME SIGN
1143 Oak St SE, Covington, GA 30014
Start here! This is where you can find the Mystic Falls, Virginia sign from The Vampire Diaries. It’s a bit underrated, but I mean you might as well take a pic with the welcome sign! Only takes a second to hop out for it!
THE CLOCK TOWER
1132 Usher St NW, Covington, GA 30014
Ahh! Built in 1884, it is known as the Historic Newton County Courthouse in Covington and is the ultimate TVD backdrop. You see the clock tower in so many TVD scenes and the church bell inside is part of an important storyline in Season 8! There are so many angles to shoot from since its located right in the center of town square. P.S who remembers that iconic scene when Katherine jumped off the clock tower??
MYSTIC GRILL
1116 Clark St. Covington, GA 30014
Yes.. this place is REAL. You can really dine inside here! Mystic Grill serves traditional Southern food with a twist! The outside scenes were filmed right here on location and was a common spot for the cast to dine at. Although the interior isn’t the same (it was filmed on a soundstage), it’s worth a visit. The rooftop overlooks the whole historic downtown square and there’s a hallway filled with signed autographs from the cast. They serve locally sourced ingredients from local vendors- we ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes (pimento cheese & tomato jam), Sweet Tea Fried Chicken (andouille sausage, red eye gravy, green beans, Yukon Gold Mash), & Shrimp & Grits (bacon, cilantro, lime). The ONLY complaint I have was that Matt wasn’t our waiter.
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm Friday – Saturday:11:00 am – 10:00 pm Sunday:11:00 am – 9:00 pm
THE GILBERT HOUSE
2104 Floyd St NE, Covington, GA
Don’t worry everyone, the house is still standing ( remember Season 4 Elena… humanity turned off.. cover story.. fire….) Look, to most people, this is just a random house. But for those that are TVD lovers, you’d know there have been so many important scenes that have taken place on the porch and inside this very house! Discretion: This is a private property with REAL people that live inside… Respect their space and just stand on the sidewalk rather than walk all the way up to the front porch.
THE LOCKWOOD MANSION
2111 Anderson Ave., Covington, GA
Known as the Worthington Manor in real life, this is a gated mansion and to grant access to it you’d have to join the official TVD tour that you can sign up at the gift shop in town center! We didn’t feel the need to physically go inside the mansion and you can still see it very clearly from the gates! P.S keep in mind, if you decide to join the exclusive tour, you only get access to the front and backyard…
TWELVE OAKS INN
Address is 2176 Monticello St, SW, Covington, GA
Remember those old flashbacks scenes where you’d see the Salvatore brothers & Katherine frolicking around the front yard? And the 1864 flashback of the old lockwood mansion? Well that’s this house! It’s ALSO the plantation home that inspired the one featured in Gone with the Wind. I really wanted to stay here, but it was all booked up so make sure to book this as early as possible.
The Vampire Diaries Gift Shops
There are 2 gift shops you can stop by to buy alllllll things TVD- The Alley and Vampire Stalkers Gift Shop. From blankets, pillow cases, to shot glasses, vervain & even your very own blood bag! Both gift shops have original props from set so it’s like a mini museum!
More TVD Locations
Isobel’s House 2146 Conyers St, SE, Covington, GA
Caroline Forbes’ House 2118 Floyd St, NE, Covington, GA
Grayson Gilbert, M.D. Sign 1105 Washington St, SW, Covington, GA
Witch Burial Ground from Vampire Diaries 3190 Conyers St, SE, Covington, GA
Damon and Elena Rain Kiss The Academy Springs Park 3120 Conyers St SE, Covington, GA
Sophie Lai 