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Mystic Falls: Vampire Diaries Self-Guided Tour
Hey guys, so I got the chance of visiting the beautiful Mystic Falls, Virginia, which we hear about all the time in Vampire Diaries, however, guess what??.. it isn’t really located in Virginia it is in Covington, Georgia. Now you can do the Vampire Stalkers Tour which I believe is for the hardcore fans or you can save your $55 and just do your own self-guided tour. Although the tour does have a few exclusive perks to it.
We had gone with the intention of doing the tour but then it was a Sunday and they were closed so we took on the adventure ourselves, and might I add it was a lot better that way. It gives you the chance to laugh, walk around and just enjoy that time with your friends or loved ones.
So I did put together some of the places you can visit and still have the adventure on your own through picturesque streets, historical landmarks, and even hidden gems. So, grab a copy of the map, which you can find by the Visitors Center, lace up your walking shoes, and get ready to explore the mysteries of Mystic Falls at your own pace with the vampire diaries self-guided tour and welcome to a world where legends come to life and adventure awaits around every corner.
They are in no particular order I will put places and addresses to help you find them. Please note the houses are PRIVATE PROPERTY so respect the privacy of the homeowners and DO NOT TRESPASS.
A Brief Overview of The Vampire Diaries
If you are a fan of Vampire Diaries then you already know this short bit of information, Vampire Diaries is a supernatural teen drama television series that premiered on The CW back in 2009, it ran for 8 seasons and ended in 2016. It is based on a popular book which has the same name written by L.J Smith. The series of course to this day is still quite popular as it was definitely a fan favorite and still is today all because of the fabulous blend of romance, drama and the supernatural. Comment and let me know if you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries.
The Premise of the Show
The Vampire Diaries is set in a fictional town called Mystic Falls, Virginia….turns out Mystic Falls is in Covington, Georgia. The show follows the life of a young girl named Elena Gilbert, who of course falls in love with a vampire named Stefan Salvatore. With Stefans brother Damon, the three of them go on a journey of twists and turns, love and loss, vampires, witches, werewolves, family and so much more with the hopes of navigating through all of this. So the Vampire Diaries tour is well worth it.
OLD TOWN SQUARE
Old Town Square is a charming location in the heart of Mystic Falls. The square is where many of the town’s events and festivals take place in the show. Visitors can take a stroll through the square and admire the beautiful architecture or grab a bench and sit and reminisce. Overall, Mystic Falls, Virginia may be a fictional town, but its charm and beauty are very real. Fans of “The Vampire Diaries” can immerse themselves in the show’s world by visiting these iconic filming locations.
THE CLOCK TOWER
Located at 1124 Clark Street Southwest Covington, Georgia. The Clocktower is actually a part of the Historic Newton County Courthouse, this clock is seen quite a number of time in The Vampire Diaries series both upfront and also in the background.
ELENA’S HOUSE (THE GILBERT HOUSE)
Located at 2104 Floyd Street Northeast, Covington, Georgia 30014.
Ok, so I know that we have seen so many scenes in the past with the Gilbert House when watching Vampire Diaries. On the Vampire Diaries self-guided tour you can go and visit the property. Do note though that it is still standing and is Private Property, so yes, people do live there, just regular people going about their daily lives so of course respect any boundaries that are set.
CAROLINE’S HOUSE
Located at 2118 Floyd Stree Northeast, Covington, Georgia, 30014
It’s so funny that in the show it seems like Elena and Caroline lived far from each other while in reality the houses are next to each other. Like literally right across the road.
THE MYSTIC GRILL
Located at 1116 Clark Street Covington, Georgia 30014 They are usually open Monday – Thursday from 11am – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am – 10:00pm and on Sunday 11am – 9pm.
Mystic Grill came up quite often as you watched The Vampire Diaries Series many meet-ups took place, they would sit there and eat and talk. This is even where Elena met Isobel. Mystic Grill is actually a southern restaurant and next to it you can find ‘THE ALLEY” which is literally a small alley next to the grill where you can buy souvenirs etc. When I say southern I mean things on the menu such as Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Dill Pickles, and even Fried Chicken and Mac and Cheese.
SCOOPS
Scoops is a colorful ice cream parlor that is a must-see on your tour of Mystic Falls. What most people may not know though is that Scoops doesn’t just sell ice cream but also has what I would say a large variety of candies some were familiar but others were it’s unique so that variety definitely made it interesting. I did hear that the ice cream was good though, but I am not really an ice cream person so I went with lots of candy to take back to my daughter. It’s a great place to cool off on a hot day.
Scoops is usually open from Monday – Thursday from 11am – 9pm. Friday and Saturday 11am – 10pm and on Sunday at 12pm-9pm, it is located at 1131 Church Street, Covington, Georgia
THE TWELVE OAKS BED AND BREAKFAST
Twelve Oaks is a beautiful mansion that was used as the filming location for the Salvatore Boarding House on The Vampire Diaries. The mansion is however now used as a Bed and Breakfast and offers a luxurious stay in a historic setting. Even if you’re not staying at Twelve Oaks, you can still take a tour of the property and admire its stunning architecture.
THE LOCKWOOD MANSION
The imposing Lockwood Mansion, home to the werewolf Tyler Lockwood and his family, is another must-see location on your tour. While you can’t go inside the mansion itself, you can walk around the grounds and admire the impressive facade. Fun Fact to Note: The mansion itself was built a long time ago and is actually a registered historic landmark.
GRAMS HOUSE
Located at 2136 Conyers Street, Southeast, Covington, Georgia. Grams House is another area you can check out when in Covington. You will remember Grams as Bonnie’s grandmother from the series.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Mystic Falls, Virginia depends on what you would want your experience to look like, I went during winter, so it was a bit cold to walk around but thankfully it wasn’t one of those freezing cold days. I was told that If you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries then you should visit around Fall, that way you can see all the leave changing and all of that excitement, but if you want to take advantage of outdoor activities and more of the historical background of the town then summer is the ideal time when it is nice and warm.
THINGS TO DO ON YOUR MYSTIC FALLS TOUR
- DO THE VAMPIRE DIARIES SELF-GUIDED TOUR AT YOUR OWN PACE
There is nothing better than just going at your own pace and fully taking everything in as you would like, to spend the time you want to at the different locations figuring out photo poses lol and you don’t have to worry about keeping up with a tour group. Plus, you can make any stops along the way that catches your eye.
- CAPTURE MOMENTS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
Don’t forget to bring your camera, phone or whatever other photographic device, as there will be lots of opportunities for you to take beautiful photos and videos of Mystic Falls, Virginia, (Covington)!
- DRESS COMFORTABLY
Of course, this too depends on when you visit but you definitely want to dress appropriately and comfortably for the weather and for the experience. You could drive around but honestly, again it’s more fun walking and trying to find the places with your friends. Just wear comfortable shoes and ensure that you are dressed for the season.
- MAKE YOUR OWN SCHEDULE
Hello, this is your experience after all, so why not make some stops in your tour for the full experience, so browse the stores, have dinner at Mystic Grill, and get dessert at Scoops, get the full-on experience.
- GRAB A SOUVENIR AND GET SOME BLOOD UMM I MEAN …(FRUIT PUNCH)
There are many gift stores and souvenir shops in the area, grab yourself and some friends some souvenirs.
FAN THEORIES
As any true fan knows, with any popular TV show comes fan theories. And The Vampire Diaries is no exception. From theories about who will end up with who, to theories about hidden plot twists, the world of Vampire Diaries fans is full of speculation.
One of the most popular fan theories is the idea that Mystic Falls is actually a supernatural hotspot, with more than just vampires lurking in the shadows. Some fans believe that the town is home to werewolves, witches, and even ghosts.
While this theory has never been confirmed, it’s fun to imagine what other supernatural creatures could be hiding in Mystic Falls.
In the realm of supernatural television dramas, “The Vampire Diaries” stands out as an iconic show that has captured the hearts of millions of viewers. The picturesque town of Mystic Falls, portrayed by the real-life city of Covington, Georgia, is not only a backdrop for the series but also a must-visit destination for die-hard fans.
Delight in the delectable dishes at Mystic Grill, situated in a historical bank building, and enjoy the rooftop view of the charming Covington Square. For dessert, satisfy your sweet tooth at Scoops Ice Cream, where you can indulge in unique flavors inspired by the show.
As the sun sets on your visit to this enchanting town, you will leave with a newfound appreciation for the captivating world of Mystic Falls and the unforgettable journey of Elena, Stefan, and Damon.
Let me know if you think The Vampire Diaries Self-Guided Tour would be worth it for you. You should also take a full Mystic Falls Tour.
Now if you want to find a way to explore more places then check out this post on Cheap Digital Nomad Visa with Little to No Salary Requirement.
[…] The town square was transformed into Mystic Falls’ center, while the famous Lockwood Mansion was actually located in Covington. Fans of the show can visit these locations and take pictures of the iconic landmarks. I created a full self-guided tour around Mystic Falls. […]