Stranger Things Filming Locations in Georgia: Complete 2025 Guide to Visiting Hawkins

When the Duffer Brothers chose Jackson, Georgia as the backdrop for the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, they transformed a sleepy Southern town into a global pop culture destination. Since Stranger Things premiered in 2016, Jackson has welcomed thousands of fans eager to walk the same streets as Eleven, Mike, and the gang.

The economic impact has been profound: Jackson sees an average of 50-60 Stranger Things tourists per day during summer months, with visitors coming from across the United States, Canada, Denmark, Poland, and Germany. The Butts County Chamber of Commerce distributed over 3,000 maps to fans in just two months during summer 2022.

For Georgia overall, Stranger Things Season 4 alone generated more than $190 million in direct spending, with production taking place in over 40 locations across 19 cities around the state. Downtown Jackson has experienced a cultural revival with new businesses including Hawkins Headquarters gift shop, Jackson Escape Games, and four Stranger Things murals adorning the streets.

Jackson, Georgia (population ~5,000) is a small town in Butts County, located 45 minutes south of Atlanta via I-75. When the Duffer Brothers were scouting locations for Stranger Things in 2015, they were looking for an authentic 1980s small-town America feel - and Jackson's downtown square delivered perfectly.

The town square contains seven filming locations within walking distance, including the iconic Melvald's General Store (Joyce Byers' workplace), the Hawkins Public Library, the Hawk Theater, and the Radio Shack (now Hawkins Headquarters). The production team repainted storefronts and stocked shops with vintage 1980s merchandise to create the authentic Hawkins aesthetic.

Location: 25 Third Street Suite 1, Jackson, GA 30233 (next to Hawkins Headquarters)

Price: $30-40 per person

Experience: Immersive Stranger Things-themed escape room where you solve puzzles related to the show while racing against the clock. Perfect for groups of 4-8 fans.

If you prefer exploring on your own, Jackson's downtown is compact and walkable. The Butts County Chamber of Commerce offers free maps showing all seven filming locations. You can view exteriors of Melvald's, the library, Hawk Theater, and the town square at your own pace.

Important: Most locations are active businesses or private property. Be respectful, don't block doorways or disrupt operations, and always ask permission before entering private property.

One of the most visually striking locations from Season 4 is the Creel House - the creepy Victorian mansion that serves as Vecna's lair and the site of the Creel family murders in the 1950s.

The mansion is a real 1882 Second Empire-style Victorian estate located at 906 E 2nd Ave SW in Rome, Georgia, about 1 hour north of Atlanta. The home was formerly known as the Claremont House and operated as a bed and breakfast until it permanently closed in March 2019. It was purchased as a private residence for $350,000 in July 2019, just before filming began.

The house features a signature mansard roof and elaborate Victorian architectural details that made it perfect for the show's flashback scenes showing the pristine 1950s home mixed with the decayed, Vecna-infested version in the 1980s timeline.

• Address: 906 E 2nd Ave SW, Rome, GA 30165
• Distance from Atlanta: 1 hour (65 miles) north via I-75 and US-411
• Viewing: Park on the street and view from the sidewalk/street only
• Best Time: Daytime for best photos; avoid evenings when residents are home
• Combine With: Rome has a charming downtown with restaurants and shops - make a day trip of it

The three main character houses - the Wheeler home (Mike's basement headquarters!), the Sinclair house, and the Henderson house - are all located on the same street in East Point, Georgia, about 20 minutes southwest of downtown Atlanta.

• Wheeler House: 2530 Piney Wood Lane, East Point, GA - Mike and Nancy's home with the iconic basement where the kids planned their adventures
• Sinclair House: 2550 Piney Wood Lane, East Point, GA - Lucas and Erica Sinclair's residence
• Henderson House: 2886 Piney Wood Drive, East Point, GA - Dustin's home with the basement radio tower

These are private residences occupied by real families. You can view them from the street and take photos, but do not knock on doors, walk on the property, block driveways, or disturb the residents. Be quick and respectful - these homeowners deal with fans daily.

The Hawkins Community Pool - where Billy Hargrove worked as a lifeguard in Season 3 and where the Mind Flayer took control of him - was filmed at South Bend Pool at 2000 Lakewood Avenue SE in Atlanta.

This is a public pool that operates seasonally (typically May-September). During summer, you can swim in the same pool where the Season 3 scenes were filmed. Admission is typically free to $5.

Hours: Check Atlanta Parks & Recreation website for current seasonal hours and opening dates.

The exterior of Hawkins Lab - where Eleven was held captive and experimented on by Dr. Brenner - is located at 1256 Briarcliff Road NE in Atlanta.

This is an exterior location only (interior scenes were filmed at EUE Screen Gems Studios on soundstages). You can view and photograph the building from the street. It's an active facility, so do not attempt to enter the property.

The iconic Starcourt Mall from Season 3 - home to Scoops Ahoy, the food court, and the Russian base underneath - was filmed at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth, Georgia.

Unfortunately, Gwinnett Place Mall has since been demolished and is no longer accessible to visitors. The mall had been in decline for years and was permanently closed before being torn down. This location exists only in Stranger Things history now.

Hawkins High School and Hawkins Middle School were both filmed at the same location: Patrick Henry High School at 109 South Lee Street in Stockbridge, Georgia.

Patrick Henry High School closed in 2015 when the board of education relocated to McDonough and renamed the school Excel Academy. Shortly after, the Stranger Things production team rented the vacant building to use as Hawkins High for Seasons 1-4.

Current Status: The building began demolition in September 2024 to make way for a $73 million STEM high school opening in 2027. The city of Stockbridge is seeking to preserve some architectural elements and memorabilia from the building. If you want to see Hawkins High, visit soon - it may not be standing much longer.

If you're short on time or don't want to rent a car, Stranger Tours offers a 6-hour bus tour from Atlanta that includes transportation and visits to multiple filming locations around the metro area.

This is ideal for cruise passengers with a port day in Atlanta, business travelers with a free day, or anyone who wants a comprehensive tour without the logistics of driving. Contact Stranger Tours (strangertours.com) for pricing and availability.

By Air: Fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the world's busiest airports with connections from everywhere. The airport is 30-45 minutes from most filming locations.

Rental Car: Highly recommended. Most locations are spread across the Atlanta metro area and are not accessible by public transit. Expect to pay $40-70/day for a rental car. Jackson has limited Uber/Lyft availability.

Driving Times from Atlanta:

• Jackson (Downtown Hawkins): 45 minutes south via I-75
• East Point (Character homes): 20 minutes southwest
• Fayetteville (Byers House): 30 minutes south
• Rome (Creel House): 1 hour north via I-75 and US-411
• Stockbridge (Hawkins High): 30 minutes southeast

Weather: Georgia has hot, humid summers (June-August, 85-95°F) and mild winters (December-February, 45-60°F). Best weather is March-May (spring, 65-80°F) and September-November (fall, 65-80°F).

Tourism: Summer (June-August) is peak season with 50-60 daily visitors to Jackson. Book tours and Byers Airbnb 1-2 weeks ahead. Expect crowds at popular photo spots.

Special Events:

• Stranger Things Day (November 6): Annual celebration in Jackson with events, specials at local businesses, increased tourism. Book everything in advance.
• Season 5 Premiere (November 26, 2025): Expect MASSIVE tourism spike before and after the final season premiere. Book 1-2 months ahead for November 2025.

Jackson: Limited accommodation options. Closest hotels are in McDonough (15 min) or Forsyth (20 min). Consider staying in Atlanta and day-tripping to Jackson.

Fayetteville - Byers House Airbnb: $150-250/night. The ultimate Stranger Things experience! Book 1-2 months ahead, especially for weekends and November events.

Atlanta: Hundreds of options from budget hostels ($30-50/night) to luxury hotels ($200-400/night). Stay in Midtown or Downtown for easy access to I-75 and filming locations. Recommended areas: Midtown, Virginia-Highland, East Atlanta Village.

When the Duffer Brothers chose Jackson as the backdrop for Hawkins in 2015, the town was struggling economically like many small Southern towns. Empty storefronts lined the square, and foot traffic was minimal.

Fast forward to 2025: Jackson is experiencing a remarkable revival driven entirely by Stranger Things tourism. During summer months, the Butts County Chamber of Commerce reports an average of 50-60 Stranger Things tourists per day, with visitors coming from across the United States and internationally from Canada, Denmark, Poland, and Germany. In just two months (June-July 2022), the Chamber distributed over 3,000 maps to fans exploring the town.

Local business owners report dramatic increases: one shop owner estimated seeing "more like 60 [fans] a day" during peak season. Tourism jobs have flourished - tour guides, escape room managers, shopkeepers, and staff at local restaurants, cafes, and boutiques are all thriving thanks to the show.

The cultural revival is visible everywhere: Jackson's streets are now adorned with four stunning murals paying tribute to the series, and dedicated businesses like Hawkins Headquarters (gift shop) and Jackson Escape Games (Stranger Things escape room) have opened specifically to serve fans. What once seemed like a fading town has become a beacon of creativity, nostalgia, and community pride.

For Georgia as a whole, the economic impact of Stranger Things has been enormous. Season 4 alone resulted in over $190 million in direct spending, with production taking place in more than 40 locations across 19 cities around the state. The Georgia film industry has become a $4+ billion annual economic driver, and Stranger Things is one of its crown jewels.

Stranger Things Season 5 - the final season - will premiere on November 26, 2025. The Duffer Brothers have confirmed this will be the last season, bringing the story of Hawkins and the Upside Down to its conclusion.

Filming for Season 5 took place in Georgia throughout 2024, with production wrapping in late 2024. While specific plot details are being kept secret, fans can expect epic battles, emotional goodbyes, and answers to long-standing mysteries.

What this means for tourism: Expect a MASSIVE spike in visitors to Georgia filming locations before and after the Season 5 premiere in November 2025. Jackson will likely see record crowds during Stranger Things Day (November 6, 2025) and throughout November-December 2025. The Byers House Airbnb will be booked solid for months. Plan ahead and book everything 1-2 months in advance if you want to visit during this time.

Important note: Patrick Henry High School (Hawkins High) began demolition in September 2024 and will likely be completely gone by the Season 5 premiere. If you want photos with Hawkins High, visit Georgia NOW before it's too late. The Creel House, Jackson downtown, and character homes should remain accessible for years to come.

Georgia has become known as the "Hollywood of the South" with a booming film industry that generates over $4 billion annually for the state economy. In addition to Stranger Things, Georgia has been the filming location for hundreds of major productions.

While you're in Atlanta, you can also visit filming locations from:

• The Walking Dead - filmed extensively in Atlanta and Senoia, GA (45 min south)
• Marvel Cinematic Universe films - Avengers, Black Panther, Spider-Man, and more filmed at Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood Atlanta)
• Ozark - Lake Lanier and Atlanta locations
• Cobra Kai - various Atlanta metro locations

The Atlanta Movie Tours company offers comprehensive tours of filming locations across the city if you want to see where your favorite shows and films were made beyond Stranger Things.

• Book ahead: Reserve Stranger Tours and Byers Airbnb 1-2 weeks in advance during summer, 1-2 months ahead for November 2025 (Season 5 premiere)
• Rent a car: Public transit doesn't reach most locations. You'll need a vehicle to visit Jackson, East Point, Rome, etc.
• Respect private property: Character homes and Creel House are private residences. View from street only, never trespass
• Visit Hawkins High NOW: Patrick Henry High School is being demolished in 2024. See it ASAP or it will be gone
• Download offline maps: Cell service can be spotty in rural areas around Jackson and Rome
• Bring cash: Some small Jackson businesses may not accept cards
• Plan for weather: Georgia summers are HOT and humid. Bring sunscreen, water, and dress in breathable clothing
• Watch the show: Re-watch key episodes before your trip to maximize nostalgia and photo opportunities
• Join the community: Follow @stranger.tours on Instagram and Jackson, GA tourism pages for updates and tips
• Season 5 timing: If you want to avoid crowds, visit before November 2025. If you want the full fan experience, visit during Stranger Things Day (Nov 6) or around the Season 5 premiere (Nov 26)