The stars of Stranger Things recently sat down to answer the internet’s most burning questions about the hit Netflix series. During the segment, the cast confirmed a long-standing piece of trivia for dedicated fans: the show is primarily filmed in and around Atlanta, Georgia.
Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Natalia Dyer, and Charlie Heaton participated in the question-and-answer session. When asked where the show was filmed, the group immediately responded, “Atlanta, Georgia.” Charlie Heaton added that the production also filmed sequences in Albuquerque, providing a more complete picture of the show’s production footprint.
The Show’s Extensive Atlanta Backlot
While Hawkins, Indiana, is a fictional town, its real-world locations are scattered throughout the state of Georgia. The production has utilized the area’s diverse architecture and landscapes to create the show’s iconic 1980s setting.
“Atlanta, Georgia,” the cast replied in unison when asked about filming locations. Heaton added that they also filmed some parts in Albuquerque.
Many of the show’s most recognizable public buildings are found in the metro Atlanta area. Hawkins National Laboratory is the former Georgia Mental Health Institute at Emory University’s Briarcliff Campus. The exterior for both Hawkins Middle School and Hawkins High School was the former Patrick Henry High School in Stockbridge. The Hawkins Police Station is a small building in downtown Douglasville.
The familiar Starcourt Mall from Season 3 was portrayed by the now-closed Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. The Palace Arcade and Family Video store were both filmed at the same location on Church Street in Douglasville.
A Tour of Iconic Hawkins Residences
The neighborhoods of Hawkins are primarily situated in a single East Point community, making it a popular spot for fans to visit. The homes of the main characters are all located on the same few streets.
The Wheeler family home, where Mike and Nancy live, is on Piney Wood Lane. Just down the street are the Sinclair house, home to Lucas and Erica, and the Henderson house, where Dustin lives. The Byers family’s famous home, which featured prominently in the first three seasons, was located in Stockbridge. Steve Harrington’s spacious Harrington House is situated on Carlton Road in Riverdale.
Natural Landscapes and the Upside Down
The show’s eerie atmosphere is often created using real Georgian landscapes. Sattler Quarry, where Will’s “body” was found, is actually Bellwood Quarry in Atlanta. The woods and train tracks where the kids first discover Eleven were filmed at Stone Mountain Park. Other natural settings, like the Lover’s Lake from the latest seasons, is Wynns Pond in Peachtree City.
Downtown Hawkins and Local Businesses
The heart of the town, downtown Hawkins, is filmed in the historic square of Jackson, Georgia. Key locations in this area include the storefront for Melvald’s General Store, where Joyce Byers worked, and the Hawk Theater. The interior for the Hawkins Public Library was filmed at the old East Point Library.
Local businesses like Benny’s Burgers, which introduced viewers to Eleven, is a diner called Tiffany’s Kitchen in Lithia Springs. The bar where Hopper had a fateful conversation in Season 1, The Hideaway, is Smokin’ Cues in Stockbridge.
A Glimpse into the Final Season
As the cast answered questions, the context of the show’s final season loomed large. Stranger Things Season 5 is being released in three volumes, with the first four episodes now streaming on Netflix. The season brings the story full circle, with Vecna now targeting younger children, echoing his original kidnapping of Will Byers in the first season.
Noah Schnapp, who plays Will, discussed his character’s enhanced role, noting the satisfaction of tying the story back to the beginning. Millie Bobby Brown spoke about Eleven’s evolution into a more confident character, a gradual process that began in earlier seasons.
The final episodes of the series will release in two more parts, with Volume 2 arriving on Christmas Day and the series finale dropping on New Year’s Eve.
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