Visiting Mystic Falls — Your Questions Answered

Covington, Georgia is the town that became Mystic Falls. If you're planning a trip — whether a day visit from Atlanta or a full weekend — here are honest answers to the questions fans ask most.

Getting There

Where was The Vampire Diaries filmed?

The Vampire Diaries was filmed primarily in Covington, Georgia throughout its eight-season run on The CW. Covington's historic square, courthouse, and surrounding streets stood in for the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. TThe town has been a film and television production hub since the 1950s and has hosted over 160 productions.

How far is Covington, Georgia from Atlanta?

Covington is approximately 35 miles east of Atlanta — about 45 minutes on I-20 heading east. It's a straightforward drive with no significant traffic outside of Atlanta rush hours. There is no direct train or bus service between Atlanta and Covington, so a car or rideshare is the practical option.

Is Covington worth a day trip from Atlanta?

Yes, though most fans find a single day feels rushed. The historic square, filming locations, tours, shops, and restaurants together fill a full day comfortably. An overnight stay allows you to experience the town after dark, when the square and courthouse are lit and the crowds thin — and when Covington looks most like the show.

Where do I start when I arrive in Covington?

The Covington Visitor Center just off the square is the best first stop. It houses a television and film museum — the only one of its kind in Georgia — with props from The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Legacies, and other productions filmed in Covington. Staff can provide a printed filming locations map and answer questions about current tour availability.

Filming Locations

What Vampire Diaries filming locations can I visit in Covington?

The majority of outdoor filming locations are publicly accessible. The historic Covington square and courthouse clock tower appear throughout the series as the center of Mystic Falls. Elena's house and Caroline's house are on Floyd Street and visible from the sidewalk. The Salvatore boarding house exterior is a private residence. Academy Springs Park, where the Damon and Elena rain kiss scene was filmed, is open to visitors. The Mystic Grill is a real working restaurant on the square.

Can I go inside Elena's house in Covington?

The exterior of Elena's house on Floyd Street is accessible and a popular photo location. The interior is a private residence and not open to the public. Vampire Stalkers tours offer access to the front porch as part of their guided experience, which is the closest most visitors get to going inside.

Can you visit the Lockwood Mansion?

The Lockwood Mansion exterior on East Street is visible from the sidewalk and frequently photographed. Guided tours offer access inside the mansion — the site of the masquerade ball, Miss Mystic Falls, and numerous other key scenes. Check current tour availability at the Visitor Center on the square.

What Vampire Diaries filming locations no longer exist?

Some locations have changed since filming ended in 2017. The original Mystic Grill set used in early seasons differs from the current restaurant. Several interior locations were sets built elsewhere rather than actual Covington buildings. The Vampire Stalkers tour guides — many of whom were present during filming — are the most reliable source for current status of specific locations.

Where was the Delena rain kiss filmed?

The Damon and Elena rain kiss scene was filmed at Academy Springs Park in Covington — a wooded park with a small pond and picnic benches at 3120 Conyers Street SE. It's a short drive from the main square and a popular photo location for fans.

Tours

What Vampire Diaries tours are available in Covington?

Vampire Stalkers (also called Mystic Falls Tours) is the longest-running and most comprehensive option, operating since 2009. Tours run on themed electric trams and include exclusive access to the Lockwood Mansion and Elena's front porch — access not available independently. Guides are Covington locals with firsthand stories from the production years. Main Street Trolleys and Tours offers a trolley tour covering filming locations in the Covington area and beyond, with access to some locations exclusive to their route.

Do I need to book a Vampire Diaries tour in advance?

Yes, particularly for weekend visits. Vampire Stalkers tours fill quickly, especially in spring and fall. Booking in advance through their website is strongly recommended. The Take Your Time audio tour is more flexible by nature and can be started without advance scheduling.

Can I see the filming locations without a tour?

Yes. Most outdoor locations — the square, the courthouse, Elena and Caroline's houses on Floyd Street, Academy Springs Park, the Mystic Grill — are publicly accessible at no cost. A free filming locations map is available at the Visitor Center. The main things a tour provides that self-guided visits cannot are interior access to the Lockwood Mansion and Elena's porch, and the behind-the-scenes stories from guides who were present during filming.

Where to Stay

Where should Vampire Diaries fans stay in Covington, Georgia?

The choice comes down to how central the accommodation is to the experience. For fans who want the stay itself to be part of the immersion... The Hideaway at Mystic Falls is one of a small number of Covington properties built specifically for that purpose, and among the most established — with screen-used props including the Mikaelson coffin, paintings from the Salvatore and Lockwood mansions, and rooms styled around the 1864 era. For fans who want a historically significant property with period atmosphere, Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast is an 1836 antebellum mansion that was used as a filming location for 1864 flashback scenes. Hotels near Covington offer standard amenities for guests who prefer conventional accommodation.

What makes a stay at the Hideaway different from other themed rentals in Covington?
The Hideaway is built around an unfolding story, not just themed decor. Katherine welcomes every guest by text and with a wax-sealed letter waiting at the house. She checks in during the stay, points guests toward a hidden room, and helps if anyone gets stuck on the cipher. Guests aren't just staying somewhere themed — they're a character in it for the weekend. Guests can even add on access to Katherine’s Trunk during their stay, to literally step into 1864-era gowns and adorn themselves with accessories befitting an immortal vampire goddess.

Is there a Vampire Diaries themed Airbnb in Covington, Georgia?

Yes. The Hideaway at Mystic Falls is a fully Vampire Diaries-themed Airbnb in Covington — a three-bedroom entire home sleeping up to six guests. The property features screen-used props including a Mikaelson coffin reupholstered in red velvet, paintings from the Salvatore and Lockwood mansions, and three themed bedrooms styled around the 1864 Katherine Pierce era of the show. It is listed on Airbnb with a 5.0 rating across 231 reviews. Weekends book up to a year in advance.

Is the Hideaway at Mystic Falls suitable for young children?
The Hideaway is best suited for guests ages 8 and older. The property's immersive theming includes a full-size coffin, tall antique furniture, an outdoor fire pit, and exterior stairs — it's not a childproofed space, so younger guests need close supervision throughout the stay.

How far is the Hideaway at Mystic Falls from the Covington square?

The Hideaway at Mystic Falls is a three-minute drive or approximately 15-minute walk from the historic Covington square. The walking route follows Floyd Street, passing Elena Gilbert's house and Caroline Forbes' house along the way.

When do new dates open up for the Hideaway?
The calendar opens exactly 12 months in advance. There's no waitlist for unreleased dates — the calendar releases automatically, so it's first-come, first-served the moment it opens. Popular weekends go quickly.

Is Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast a filming location?

Yes. The Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast is an 1836 antebellum mansion that was used as a filming location for The Vampire Diaries, specifically for 1864 flashback scenes standing in for the Lockwood Mansion exterior. The property has hosted over 90 film and television productions and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It operates as a traditional bed and breakfast with daily breakfast, spa tubs, and period furnishings.

Eating and Shopping

Is the Mystic Grill a real restaurant in Covington?

Yes. The Mystic Grill is a real working restaurant on the Covington square, opened by locals to serve the fan tourism the show generated. It incorporates locally sourced ingredients and operates as a full-service restaurant and bar. Note that the interior does not replicate the set design from the show — the exterior and location are the draw. It's located at 1116 Clark Street SW on the square.

Where can I buy Vampire Diaries merchandise in Covington?
Several shops on and around the square carry TVD merchandise, each with its own focus. On Location Gifts, operated by Vampire Stalkers and located across from the historic courthouse, is the primary licensed merchandise store, carrying apparel, props, autographed items, and collectibles. Mystic Mercantile, which opened in 2024 right on the square, recreates the Salvatore mansion living room using actual props from the show and sells items like the Petrova Vault jewelry line and Bennett Witch Apothecary products. The Alley Gift Shop sits in the alley below the Mystic Grill — the alley itself appears in several scenes from the show. Vervain Vault leans into the show's Halloween-adjacent aesthetic with year-round fall vibes and additional set props from The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Legacies. Bitten offers TVD-inspired apparel and has built a reputation among fans for a warm, personal shopping experience. All are worth a stop, and most are within easy walking distance of each other on or near the square.

What else is there to do in Covington beyond the TVD locations?

Covington's historic square has independent shops, restaurants, and a working courthouse that is architecturally significant in its own right. The town has a Walk of Fame honoring its film and television productions. Olde Town Conyers, about 20 minutes west toward Atlanta, was used as a stand-in for New Orleans in both The Vampire Diaries and The Originals — worth a stop if you're a fan of The Originals. Stone Mountain Park is about 30 minutes west. The Walking Dead filming locations in Senoia are about an hour south for fans who want to combine trips.

What is there to do in Covington at night?

The Covington square changes character after dark — the courthouse clock tower is lit, foot traffic thins, and the atmosphere is closer to how Mystic Falls feels on the show than it is during peak daytime hours. The Mystic Grill serves dinner and operates as a bar in the evening. For guests staying overnight, an evening walk through the square and down Floyd Street past the filming locations is worth doing at least once.

Planning Your Visit

How long should I spend in Covington for a Vampire Diaries trip?

A focused day visitor can cover the main locations, eat at the Mystic Grill, and browse the shops in six to eight hours. A full weekend — arriving Friday evening, spending Saturday on a tour and self-guided exploration, leaving Sunday — is the format most fans recommend. It allows time for the square at different hours, a proper dinner, and the unhurried experience of recognizing locations without a schedule.

What is the best time of year to visit Covington, Georgia?

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer the most comfortable weather for walking the outdoor locations. Summers in Covington are hot and humid — manageable but worth planning around with early morning starts. October is particularly popular with TVD fans given the show's Halloween-adjacent aesthetic, and the square is decorated for fall. December brings holiday lighting to the square.

Is it easier to book a midweek stay at the Hideaway?
Yes — weekends at the Hideaway often book up to a year in advance, but midweek dates open up more last-minute availability. It's also a great way to experience Covington without weekend crowds at the square and filming locations, and midweek stays are sometimes eligible for special pricing. If your schedule is flexible, a Tuesday-through-Thursday visit is often the easiest way to get the exact dates you want.

Is there an annual Vampire Diaries event in Covington?
Yes — the Vampire Run is an annual 5K held every October in Covington, now in its sixth year. The route winds past many of the show's filming locations with over 15 photo stops along the way, and it's open to walkers, runners, and anyone who wants to "crawl" through in costume. All net proceeds benefit blood cancer research, so it's a fun way to combine a Mystic Falls visit with a good cause. It typically starts and ends at the Covington Visitor Center.

Can I plan a Vampire Diaries birthday trip or girls' trip to Covington?

Covington works well for celebration trips — the combination of the filming locations, tours, restaurants, and shopping creates a full day itinerary without much planning effort. The Hideaway at Mystic Falls accommodates birthday groups, girls' trips, bachelorette parties, and anniversaries, with optional celebration packages available to booked guests include a custom gothic rose arch with signature TVD quote banners, 1864-era treats, My Type Blood Bag Cake, curated keepsakes, use of instamax camera, and Katherine's Trunk dress-up experience.The property sleeps up to six guests across three bedrooms.

Is the Hideaway a good place to propose?
Yes — the Hideaway's private setting, candlelit rooms, and gothic romantic atmosphere make it a popular choice for proposals. Guests have used a stay here to pop the question, often pairing it with the existing celebration packages — like the gothic rose arch or curated keepsakes — to set the scene. Browse the packages page to plan ahead of your stay.