If you are searching for Stranger Things places to visit in Atlanta, there is an important detail to know first: Hawkins, Indiana, is fictional. Much of the series was filmed in Georgia, with Atlanta serving as a major production base and nearby communities such as Jackson, Douglasville, Stockbridge, East Point, Stone Mountain, Powder Springs, Palmetto, and Rome providing locations for the fictional world of Hawkins.
Best Stranger Things Places to Visit in Atlanta and Nearby
1. Hawkins National Laboratory — Emory at Briarcliff
One of the most recognizable Stranger Things filming locations in Atlanta is the former Georgia Mental Health Institute at Emory University’s Briarcliff campus. The exterior was used as Hawkins National Laboratory, the mysterious facility connected to Eleven, Dr. Brenner, and some of the show’s most important storylines.
The building has a striking institutional appearance that helped production designers create the unsettling atmosphere of Hawkins Lab. Netflix has also confirmed that the former psychiatric hospital in Atlanta was used for Hawkins Lab scenes.
Important: This is not a normal tourist attraction. Do not trespass or attempt to enter restricted property. Fans should treat it as a drive-by or exterior-location stop where legally accessible.
2. Bellwood Quarry — Sattler Quarry
Bellwood Quarry in Atlanta was used as Sattler Quarry in Stranger Things. Quarry landscapes helped the production create the rugged outdoor environments associated with Hawkins.
The location is especially interesting for fans who want to see how Atlanta’s industrial and natural landscapes were transformed into part of the show’s fictional Indiana setting.
Because access to quarry areas can change and some portions may be restricted, check current public-access rules before planning a visit.
3. Downtown Jackson — The Real Hawkins
Although Jackson is not technically inside Atlanta, it is one of the most important stops on any Atlanta-area Stranger Things filming locations road trip. Downtown Jackson was used extensively as downtown Hawkins.
The town’s historic square contains several buildings that fans will recognize from the series. Netflix has highlighted Jackson’s role in the production, and the town has become one of Georgia’s best-known destinations for fans of the show.
Walking around downtown Jackson allows visitors to experience the real streets that stood in for Hawkins. It is also one of the easiest places to appreciate how the production used existing architecture instead of building an entirely fictional town from scratch.
4. Melvald’s General Store — Jackson
The building at 4 Second Street in Jackson served as Melvald’s General Store, where Joyce Byers worked in the series.
For fans, this is one of the most recognizable downtown Hawkins locations because the storefront became closely associated with Joyce and the Byers family during the earlier seasons.
When visiting, remember that these are real businesses and community spaces. Take photographs from public areas and respect local residents and business owners.
5. Hawkins Library — Butts County Probate Court
Another Jackson location became the exterior of Hawkins Library. The Butts County Probate Court building on 3rd Street was used for library scenes.
This is a good stop to combine with downtown Jackson because several Stranger Things locations are within walking distance of one another.
6. Hawkins Police Station — Douglasville
The Hawkins Police Department was filmed in Douglasville, Georgia, rather than Atlanta itself. The building was used as the exterior of the police station associated with Sheriff Jim Hopper.
Douglasville is roughly a separate stop from Jackson, so fans planning a filming-location road trip should group their locations geographically rather than trying to walk between every site.
Georgia’s Camera Ready directory also identifies Douglasville as a community associated with Stranger Things filming.
7. Palace Arcade — Douglasville
The Palace Arcade from Season 2 was filmed in Douglasville. The arcade became an important location after Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and the others encounter the mysterious new player known as Mad Max.
The location has changed over time, so visitors should not expect the exact on-screen appearance to remain unchanged. This is a good example of why a filming-location trip should be about seeing the real place rather than expecting a permanent television set.
8. Patrick Henry High School — Stockbridge
Stockbridge’s Patrick Henry High School was used as Hawkins Middle School and Hawkins High School. The school appears in several important storylines involving the young characters.
Because it is a real educational facility, fans should view the exterior only where legally permitted and avoid disrupting students, teachers, or school operations.
9. Stone Mountain Park — Hawkins Woods
Stone Mountain Park is another major Georgia location associated with the series. Various wooded areas and outdoor scenes helped represent Hawkins’ surrounding forests.
The park is also a worthwhile destination independently of Stranger Things, making it particularly useful for travelers who want to combine filming locations with conventional Atlanta-area sightseeing.
If you enjoy combining television-related travel with outdoor destinations, our guide to the best places to visit in Atlanta with kids can help you build a broader itinerary.
10. Georgia International Horse Park — Conyers
The Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers was used for wooded and outdoor scenes in the series. Some early-season forest sequences were filmed in this broader Georgia area.
It is another reminder that a Stranger Things Atlanta tour is really a metro-Atlanta and Georgia road trip. Several filming locations are outside the city center.
11. Sleepy Hollow Farm — Hopper’s Cabin Area
Sleepy Hollow Farm in Powder Springs was used for locations connected with Hopper’s cabin and the pumpkin fields in the series.
Because this is associated with private property, fans should not enter the property or approach the house. Respecting property boundaries is especially important when visiting television filming locations.
12. Bradley’s Olde Tavern — Hawkins Theater
Bradley’s Olde Tavern in Jackson was transformed into the Hawk Theater in the series. The location became recognizable to fans because of the theater’s connection to early Hawkins storylines.
The building is part of Jackson’s larger collection of recognizable filming locations, which makes downtown Jackson one of the most efficient places to visit if you want to see multiple Stranger Things locations in one stop.
13. East Point Neighborhood Locations
East Point, southwest of central Atlanta, supplied several residential and community locations for the series. Houses associated with the Wheeler, Sinclair, and other families were filmed in the area.
Many residential filming locations are private homes. They should be treated as neighborhoods rather than tourist attractions. Visitors can appreciate the streets from public areas but should never trespass, photograph residents without permission, or interfere with homeowners.
14. Fairlie-Poplar and Downtown Atlanta
Parts of downtown Atlanta were also used to represent locations outside Hawkins. The Fairlie-Poplar district appeared as downtown Chicago during Season 2.
This is particularly interesting for fans who want to see how the production used Atlanta’s existing streets to represent completely different places. Discover Atlanta also identifies downtown streets and the Gulch area among locations used for Stranger Things.
After exploring the filming locations, you can continue your Atlanta trip with our guide to top places to visit in Atlanta, Georgia.
15. Creel House — Rome, Georgia
For fans interested in later seasons, the Creel House is one of the most significant filming locations beyond Atlanta. The real house is in Rome, Georgia, and was used for the Creel family’s home in Season 4.
Netflix has confirmed the connection between the real Georgia property and the fictional Creel House. Because the property is privately owned, it should be viewed from permitted public areas rather than treated as an attraction open for interior tours.
Is Hawkins, Indiana a Real Place?
No. Hawkins is a fictional town created for Stranger Things. The production used multiple Georgia communities to construct the appearance of Hawkins.
Jackson is particularly important because its downtown streets served as Hawkins’ central business district. Other parts of the fictional town were created using locations in Stockbridge, Douglasville, East Point, Atlanta, Conyers, Powder Springs, and other Georgia communities.
This approach is one of the reasons a Stranger Things filming locations Atlanta itinerary can be so interesting: you are not visiting one theme park or studio backlot. You are tracing pieces of a fictional town across real Georgia communities.
Can You Visit Stranger Things Filming Locations?
Yes, but access depends on the location.
Some filming sites are public parks, downtown streets, or exterior locations that can be viewed from public areas. Others are active schools, private residences, university property, businesses, or restricted sites.
A good rule is simple: seeing a location does not mean entering it. Always respect posted restrictions and private-property boundaries.
Best Way to Plan a Stranger Things Atlanta Road Trip
- Start in Atlanta: Visit Atlanta-area locations such as Hawkins Lab and Bellwood Quarry where public access permits.
- Continue toward East Point: See residential and community locations from public roads where appropriate.
- Visit Stockbridge: Include the exterior area associated with Hawkins High and Hawkins Middle School.
- Drive toward Douglasville: Combine the Hawkins Police Station and Palace Arcade locations.
- Finish in Jackson: Spend time around downtown Hawkins, including the buildings used for Melvald’s and other recognizable locations.
- Add optional locations: If you have more time, consider Stone Mountain, Conyers, Powder Springs, Palmetto, or Rome.
How Many Stranger Things Locations Are Near Atlanta?
There is no single fixed number because filming took place across many Georgia communities and individual scenes used different properties. Georgia’s official tourism organization reported that Season 4 alone used more than 40 locations across 19 cities.
That makes it more useful to think of the Atlanta area as the center of a wider filming-location network rather than a city containing every Stranger Things location.
Are Stranger Things Locations Free to Visit?
Many exterior locations can be viewed without buying a Stranger Things admission ticket. Downtown streets, public roads, and some parks may be accessible without a special filming-location fee.
However, transportation, parking, park admission, tours, food, and other activities can add to the cost of your trip. Private properties and restricted buildings should never be entered simply because they appeared on television.
Best Time to Visit Stranger Things Locations in Atlanta
Spring and fall are generally comfortable seasons for exploring Atlanta and the surrounding Georgia communities. These seasons are particularly convenient if your itinerary includes walking through downtown Jackson, visiting parks, or spending several hours on a filming-location road trip.
Summer can be hot and humid, while winter is generally cooler. Regardless of season, check opening hours, weather conditions, and access restrictions for individual locations before leaving.
Tips for Stranger Things Fans
- Do not trespass on private property.
- Do not disturb residents at filming-location homes.
- Check current access rules before visiting schools and university properties.
- Use public parking and legal roadside viewing areas.
- Expect some locations to look different from the show.
- Remember that production sets, storefronts, and businesses can change after filming.
- Plan geographically because the locations are spread across Georgia.
- Consider a professional film-location tour if you want historical context and transportation between multiple sites.
Other Atlanta Attractions to Add to Your Trip
You do not have to spend your entire Atlanta trip following the Upside Down. Atlanta has a wide range of attractions, neighborhoods, parks, museums, restaurants, and cultural experiences.
If you are traveling with children, our guide to places to visit in Atlanta with kids is a useful companion to this filming-location itinerary.
For a broader list of Atlanta sightseeing ideas, see our Atlanta travel guide.
Final Thoughts
The best Stranger Things places to visit in Atlanta are not limited to Atlanta city limits. The show’s Georgia filming footprint stretches across a collection of real communities, with Jackson, Atlanta, Douglasville, Stockbridge, East Point, Stone Mountain, Powder Springs, Conyers, and Rome all contributing to the fictional world of Hawkins.
For the most authentic experience, focus on the locations that can be legally and respectfully viewed from public areas. Downtown Jackson is particularly rewarding because several recognizable Hawkins locations are concentrated there, while Atlanta and the surrounding communities offer a much wider look at how Georgia became one of the show’s defining production landscapes.
Whether you are a longtime fan or simply interested in movie and television tourism, a Stranger Things road trip around Atlanta offers a unique way to explore Georgia while seeing the real-world places behind one of the most recognizable television worlds of the modern era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Stranger Things filmed in Atlanta?
Stranger Things was filmed across Atlanta and numerous surrounding Georgia communities. Notable locations include Emory’s Briarcliff campus, Bellwood Quarry, East Point, Stone Mountain, Stockbridge, Douglasville, Jackson, and other areas.
Can I visit the Stranger Things houses in Atlanta?
Some houses used in the series are private residences. You may be able to see certain properties from public roads, but you should not enter private property or disturb residents.
Where is the real Hawkins, Indiana?
Hawkins, Indiana, is fictional. The town seen in the series was created using filming locations throughout Georgia, with downtown Jackson serving as one of the most important representations of Hawkins.
Is Hawkins Lab in Atlanta?
Yes. The exterior associated with Hawkins National Laboratory was filmed at the former Georgia Mental Health Institute on Emory University’s Briarcliff campus in Atlanta. The property is not a conventional public tourist attraction.
Where was Starcourt Mall filmed?
Starcourt Mall was filmed at the former Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth, Georgia. The property and its access conditions have changed since production, so visitors should verify current access before planning a stop.
Is a Stranger Things tour available in Atlanta?
Atlanta has film-location tour options that include Stranger Things-related locations. A guided tour can be useful because the filming sites are spread across several communities rather than concentrated in one neighborhood.
