As the final season of Netflix’s smash-hit series Stranger Things wrapped up its epic run, fans across the metro area and beyond are still buzzing about the show that turned ordinary Georgia towns into the eerie, 1980s-inspired world of Hawkins, Indiana.
While the fictional town sits in the Midwest, nearly all exterior filming — from quiet suburban streets to creepy forests and grand mansions — took place right here in the Peach State, thanks to Georgia’s thriving film industry and tax incentives that have made it a go-to hub for Hollywood productions.
Stranger Things Filming Locations in Georgia
The bulk of the series was shot in and around Atlanta, with many interior sets constructed at EUE Screen Gems Studios in Atlanta. But it’s the on-location spots that give fans that thrilling “I know this place!” feeling.
Here’s a rundown of some of the most iconic Stranger Things filming locations scattered across Georgia that you can still visit (respectfully, of course — many are private properties or businesses).
1. Downtown Hawkins – Jackson, Georgia
The heart of Hawkins — including the town square, Joyce Byers’ store (originally a hardware shop), the vandalized movie theater, the public library, and various back-alley scenes — was filmed in downtown Jackson, a charming small town about 45 minutes south of Atlanta.
Jackson has fully embraced its fame: Visitors can stop by Hawkins Headquarters, a fan shop offering merch and guided walking tours of the square.
Plaques mark key spots, and there’s even a Stranger Things-themed escape room. It’s the most fan-friendly spot in the state for a self-guided or organized tour.
2. The Creel House – Rome, Georgia
The creepy Victorian mansion central to Seasons 4 and 5, home to the chilling backstory of Vecna/Henry Creel, is the real-life Claremont House (also known as the Creel House) in Rome, about an hour northwest of Atlanta.
This 1882 historic home was used for both exterior and some interior shots. While it’s privately owned, fans often drive by for photos from the street.
3. Hawkins National Laboratory – Atlanta (Briarcliff Campus)
The infamous government lab where Eleven’s powers were tested and the gate to the Upside Down first opened is the former Georgia Mental Health Institute on Emory University’s Briarcliff property at 1256 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta.
The abandoned building’s exteriors, lobbies, and tunnels stood in for the secretive facility across multiple seasons. Note: Access is limited, and the site may be undergoing changes, so view from public areas only.
4. The Wheeler House and Nearby Homes – East Point, Georgia
The Wheeler family home, where Mike, Nancy, and the gang often gathered for D&D sessions and walkie-talkie schemes, is on Piney Wood Lane in East Point, just south of Atlanta.
Nearby spots include Lucas’ house and other suburban exteriors. These are private residences, so fans should admire from the street without disturbing residents.
The house was recently purchased by some fans of the show.
5. The Byers House – Stockbridge/Fayetteville Area
Joyce, Jonathan, and Will’s modest home (with its famous Christmas lights) was filmed in suburban areas south of Atlanta, including spots in Stockbridge and Fayetteville.
The exterior shots captured that classic small-town feel, and one version has even been available as a themed Airbnb rental for superfans.
6. Palace Arcade – Douglasville, Georgia
The retro arcade where the kids played games in Season 3 (and Dustin obsessed over the high scores) was an old laundromat-turned-set at 8415 Campbellton Street in Douglasville.
The building is mostly abandoned now, but the colorful paint job and checkered floors remain visible from outside — a perfect photo op.
7. Starcourt Mall – Duluth, Georgia
The massive mall that doubled as a secret Russian base in Season 3 was the now-closed Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. Exteriors and some public areas were used, though the interior sets were built on soundstages.
The mall’s exterior still stands as a nostalgic reminder.
8. Other Notable Spots
- Stone Mountain Park and Cemetery (Stone Mountain): Used for wooded scenes, the “Running Up That Hill” sequence in Season 4, and Billy’s grave.
- South Bend Pool (Atlanta): The community pool where Billy worked as a lifeguard in Season 3.
- Various Woods and Rural Areas: Locations like Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers and farms in Brooks stood in for forests and fields.
- Additional Season 5 Highlights: Custom sets like the radio station “The Squawk” near the Chattahoochee River, and mansions such as Turnbow Mansion in Stone Mountain.
Georgia’s role in Stranger Things helped cement the state’s status as a filmmaking powerhouse, and these locations continue to draw visitors years after production wrapped.
Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting old favorites or a newcomer catching up on the series, a road trip around metro Atlanta and nearby towns offers a fun way to step into the Upside Down — without actually getting stuck there.
Stay tuned to local news for any new pop-up events or tours inspired by the show. Until then, keep your walkie-talkies charged and your Eggo waffles ready. Friends don’t lie… and neither do these Georgia spots!
Final Word
Over the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.
There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.
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