The Vampire Diaries was a very popular TV series with teenagers. It spanned eight seasons and took place in the fictional Mystic Falls, Virginia. The series began in 2009 and finished in 2017. But where was The Vampire Diaries filmed? Because of its supernatural plot, you might think it would take place somewhere in New England. Maybe Massachusetts since it’s where the Salem witch trials were held. In this case, we are going a little further south.
Where Was The Vampire Diaries Filmed?
The Vampire Diaries film location was primarily in Covington, Georgia. Other locations used for filming included historic downtown Covington and the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia. Additionally, some scenes were also shot at the Mystic Falls set located at the Warner Bros. studios in California.
While most of The Vampire Diaries was filmed in Covington, Georgia, there are some scenes that were filmed in California. Other locations used for exterior shots included a variety of small towns around the Atlanta area including Monroe and Madison. Some interior sets were also built at Raleigh/Durham Studios in North Carolina.
The Story Behind The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is based on a series of books written by L.J Smith that were published between 1991 and 1992. The story is set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. The town in the story has a lot of supernatural history.
The series is about a teenage girl, Elena Gilbert, who loses both her parents in a car accident. She falls in love with Stefan Salvatore, a 162-year-old vampire. Eventually a love triangle starts between Stefan and his brother, Damon, who returns to Mystic Falls. Both brothers fall in love with Elena and want to protect her from the evils in the town.
Damon has never recovered from the fact that his brother, Stefan, turned him into a vampire. It is for this reason that he goes after Elena.
The Cast
The Vampire Diaries cast includes Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Candice King, Kat Graham, Zach Roerig, Michael Trevino, and Matthew Davis to name just a few.
The Director
The Vampire Diaries was directed by Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson. Plec helmed the pilot episode of the series as well as multiple other episodes throughout its 8-season run. Williamson also wrote and executive produced the series alongside Plec, who serves as showrunner for the entire duration of The Vampire Diaries.
Fun Facts About The Vampire Diaries
- The show’s production budget averaged around $2 million per episode.
- It was originally planned to only have six seasons, but due to its immense success, it was eventually renewed for an eighth.
- It was the highest rated series on The CW during its run.
- The show’s theme song, “My Eyes” by Cary Brothers, was also featured in the movie (500) Days of Summer.
- Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, who play Damon and Stefan Salvatore on the show, are actually good friends in real life. They even share a production company!
- The show has a strong international following, particularly in the UK.
Awards
The Vampire Diaries has won a plethora of awards during its eight-year run. It was nominated for over 70 times throughout the course of its 8 seasons, and it won 13 awards in total.
In 2009, The Vampire Diaries took home 3 People’s Choice Awards for Favorite TV Drama, Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show, and Favorite TV Obsession. The series also won a Teen Choice Award in 2011 for Choice TV Show: Fantasy/Sci-Fi.
Other awards include Saturn Awards, IGN People’s Choice Awards, and Teen Choice Awards.
Other TV Shows and Their Film Locations
What is Georgia Famous For?
Georgia is a state in the southeastern United States that’s well-known for its diverse landscape, vibrant culture, and historic landmarks. It’s home to some of the most stunning coastlines and seaside towns in the country. Georgia is also known for its friendly people and delicious cuisine.
From southern classics like fried chicken and peach cobbler to global dishes, Georgia has something for everyone. Georgia is also famous for its many tourist attractions.
Unique Places in Georgia
After you spend some time at some of the Vampire Diaries filming locations, check out a few unique places to visit:
- Sleepy Hollow, Blairsville, GA
- Beach Paradise, Jonesboro, GA
- Abandoned Castle, Menlo, GA
- Crypt of Civilization, Oglethorpe University, Georgia
- Ghost Town beneath Lake Thurmond
These are just a few of the many places you can visit. For more information, visit the Georgia Tourist Board website.
Can You Visit The Set of The Vampire Diaries?
There’s no official Vampire Diaries set tour but you can visit many of the places that were in the series.
For instance, the Mystic Grill is a real eatery located in Covington, Georgia, but the interior isn’t the same as the series. Only the exterior was used. The interior shots were filmed on a set. The Mystic Grill is located at 116 Clark Street, Covington, Georgia.
While you’re hanging out in that area, you may as well check out Scoops which is in the heart of Covington Square. It’s located at 1131 Church Street.
Other Vampire Diaries excursions you can take include Lockwood Mansion, 12 Oaks Bed & Breakfast, the Gilbert House, and Gram’s House.
Things to Do in Georgia
Stone Mountain Park is the number one attraction in Georgia. Other places of interest include:
- The Georgia Aquarium
- The Olde Pink House
- Truist Park
- Panther Creek Falls
- Chattahoochee National Forest
- Cumberland Island
- Rock City
These are just some of the cool things you can do in Georgia.
FAQs About The Vampire Diaries TV Series
Where is the Salvatore mansion located?
Glenridge Hall in Sandy Springs was the location for the original “Salvatore Boarding House.” The interior was eventually recreated on a soundstage.
How old is Elena in Season 1?
The character, Elena, was 17 years old in Season 1. The actress, Nina Dobrev, was 20 years old when she was cast for the part.
Additional Film Location Resources
If you are looking for more film locations similar to Vampire Diaries, insider information and behind the scenes footage of your favorite movies – here are some additional posts for you to check out:
Final Thoughts
Georgia has a lot to offer if you enjoy hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities. The weather is great most of the time. In fact, because it’s nice and warm, you can plan to pack light! I should note that it has been known to get snow in the winter.
It’s also very inexpensive to visit Georgia. You can get by on $30-35 a day depending on your activities. The best time to visit Georgia is May, June, or September. These months are not as warm as the summer months.
Have you ever been to Georgia? Would you go to visit the Vampire Diaries locations? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
