Georgia has quietly become the Hollywood of the South, with productions bringing in over $4 billion annually to the state’s economy. From zombie apocalypses to vampire romance, from superhero showdowns to nostalgic sci-fi adventures, the Peach State’s diverse landscapes and historic architecture have provided backdrops for some of television and cinema’s biggest hits. Here’s a list of 16 iconic Georgia filming locations where you can walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters and relive those unforgettable scenes that made you gasp, cry, or hide behind the couch.
Senoia
The small town of Senoia serves as the fictional Woodbury in AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” transforming this quiet Georgia community into ground zero for zombie fans worldwide. Visitors can explore the town square, train tracks, and bridge featured throughout the series, while The Woodbury Shoppe displays actual props, including Daryl’s motorcycle and a replica of Michonne’s katana sword.
A true paradise for zombie fans. The town has embraced its undead fame with guided tours that reveal behind-the-scenes secrets, and beyond zombies, Senoia also appeared in “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “The Fighting Temptations.” The Georgia Tour Co. offers comprehensive tours that blend the town’s film history with its charming Southern hospitality.
Covington
Known to fans as Mystic Falls, Virginia, Covington became the supernatural heart of “The Vampire Diaries” for eight seasons, with the show’s entire production moving here after filming the pilot in Vancouver. The Mystic Grill, originally created as a set, opened as an operational restaurant in 2014 and now serves burgers and fried chicken surrounded by series memorabilia—though thankfully, no blood on the menu.
The town square remains perfect for vampire selfies. Lockwood Mansion, site of the iconic Masquerade Ball, can be visited at two locations: Worthington Manor (a private residence offering tours) and the exterior shots at 2129 East Street. Netflix’s “Sweet Magnolias” also calls Covington home.
Jackson
This small Georgia town doubled as Hawkins, Indiana, for Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” with Jackson’s town square containing the vandalized theater, Joyce’s store, and back-alley showdown locations all within walking distance.
The downtown area feels frozen in time, making it perfect for the show’s 1980s setting. Stranger Tours offers 1.5-hour guided walks with exclusive access to filming locations, trivia games, and even Surfer Boy Pizza served from the actual van. The smell of cheese and nostalgia fills the air during these popular fan experiences.
Swan House at Atlanta History Center
Built in 1928 by architect Philip Trammell Shutze, this former Inman family residence served as President Snow’s mansion in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay: Part 1.” The elegant architecture and manicured gardens provided the perfect sinister backdrop for the Capitol’s tyrannical leader.
The History Center offers themed tours that let visitors explore both the mansion’s real history and its cinematic legacy. The surrounding museum complex features extensive exhibits on Atlanta’s past, historic gardens, and a working farm where peacocks occasionally wander the grounds like they own the place.
Georgia State Capitol
In season 9 of “The Walking Dead,” this iconic building transformed into the Smithsonian, where Rick and his crew retrieved farming equipment while CGI added the Washington Monument to Atlanta’s skyline. The neoclassical architecture made the switch seamless for viewers.
Visitors can tour the real Capitol building and learn about Georgia’s political history while standing where fictional characters once battled for survival. Free tours are available most weekdays. Just don’t expect any walker encounters.
Jackson Street Bridge
This bridge over Freedom Parkway provided one of “The Walking Dead’s” most iconic images: Rick Grimes riding into abandoned Atlanta on horseback, a scene immortalized on posters and merchandise worldwide.
Visit at sunset for the best photo opportunities. You’ll likely encounter other fans recreating this memorable moment from the show’s pilot episode, and the view showcases downtown Atlanta’s skyline in all its post-apocalyptic glory.
Bellwood Quarry
Now part of Atlanta’s Westside Park, this quarry served multiple productions: the meeting place for Rick’s group in “The Walking Dead,” the location where Will Byers’ fake body was discovered in “Stranger Things,” and scenes from “The Vampire Diaries” and “Mockingjay Part 1.”
The massive green space project opened to the public in 2021, transforming an industrial site into Atlanta’s largest park. Walking trails now wind through areas where cameras once rolled, though visitors report the Upside Down remains thankfully inaccessible.
Agnes Scott College
This women’s liberal arts college in Decatur has played numerous roles across film and television. Including the main location for Wes Craven’s “Scream 2” and Tyler Perry’s “Single Moms Club.” The picturesque campus architecture makes it a versatile filming location that works across genres and decades.
HBO’s “Confirmation” used the campus to represent the University of Oklahoma, while “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius” and Alan Alda’s “The Four Seasons” were also filmed here. The Gothic Revival buildings provide an academic atmosphere that translates perfectly to the screen.
Porsche Experience Center
— Photo by mikeledray
Located in Hapeville, this state-of-the-art facility served as a filming location for “Captain America: Civil War,” where the Avengers faced off against each other in an epic superhero showdown. The modern architecture and test track provided the perfect backdrop for high-tech action sequences that left audiences breathless.
Visitors can tour the facility, experience the test track, and dine at the on-site restaurant. The driver’s experience center offers behind-the-wheel adventures that rival any movie stunt. No superpowers required.
Stone Mountain Park
The railroad tracks running through this park doubled as the forest railway in “Stranger Things,” where Mike and friends helped Eleven and Dustin searched for his missing “pet” demogorgon. The park’s natural beauty extends far beyond its filming credentials, offering hiking trails, a scenic railroad, and the famous laser show projected onto the mountain’s carved face.
The park’s cemetery also appeared in the Netflix series. Besides movie magic, Stone Mountain provides year-round outdoor adventures for families seeking their own stranger things to explore.
Fairlie-Poplar Historic District
This downtown Atlanta neighborhood’s diverse late 19th and early 20th-century architecture made it a chameleon for filmmakers—it became San Francisco for “Ant-Man” and New York City for “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” showcasing Atlanta’s architectural versatility in ways that fooled millions of moviegoers.
The area also hosted a massive walker battle in “The Walking Dead,” transforming peaceful streets into zombie chaos. Walking tours reveal how camera angles and CGI magic transform familiar locations into entirely different cities.
Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast
This 1836 Antebellum mansion has appeared in over 90 television shows and movies, including “Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Life of the Party,” and “Bessie.” The historic home served as flashback locations in “The Vampire Diaries” and has hosted cast and crew accommodations for numerous productions.
Now operating as a bed and breakfast, visitors can stay where the stars once slept while enjoying hearty Southern meals, spa tubs, and fine Turkish linens. The mansion’s authentic period architecture makes it a filmmaker’s dream location that spans multiple centuries of storytelling.
Georgia Aquarium
— Photo by f11photo
The world’s largest aquarium by water volume provided an aquatic backdrop for “The Last Song,” starring Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. Home to beluga whales, whale sharks, manta rays, penguins, and sea otters, the facility offers both natural wonder and cinematic history.
Beyond its filming credentials, the aquarium remains a premier Atlanta attraction where massive tanks and diverse marine life create an otherworldly experience that rivals any movie set. Even so, the whale sharks steal every scene.
Tybee Island Pier
This coastal Georgia landmark appeared in the background during carnival and volleyball tournament scenes in “The Last Song,” showcasing the area’s natural beach beauty. The pier serves as both a fishing spot for locals and a scenic overlook for visitors seeking that perfect coastal photo.
The current Tybrisa pavilion, rebuilt in 1996 for the Olympics after the original was destroyed by fire in 1967, features a snack bar and excellent people-watching opportunities. The surrounding beach offers classic Southern coastal charm.
Oxford College
Founded in 1836, this Emory University campus doubled as Whitmore College in “The Vampire Diaries” season 5, where Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline attended classes between supernatural crises.
The Gothic architecture mirrors the show’s dark romantic atmosphere perfectly. The college also appeared in the first episode of “The Dukes of Hazzard,” plus “In the Heat of the Night” and “Vacation.” Its historic buildings provide a timeless academic setting that works across different eras and genres.
Wild Adventures Theme Park
Located in Valdosta, this 170-acre theme park, water park, and animal park served as the zombie-infested final battleground in “Zombieland,” where our heroes faced their undead nemesis among the rides and attractions.
The family-friendly park offers thrills without the apocalyptic danger. Roller coasters and water slides provide real-world excitement that doesn’t require outrunning the walking dead, and the park’s diverse attractions make it a perfect family destination that’s blissfully zombie-free.
On location magic
Georgia’s combination of skilled crews, diverse locations, world-class production facilities, stable tax incentives, and temperate climate keeps productions returning year after year. From small towns to major cities, historic mansions to modern facilities, the state offers everything filmmakers need. Whether you’re a casual fan or dedicated location hunter, these sites prove that some of the most memorable screen moments happened right here in Georgia.
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