Fans of the Vampire Diaries franchise (a dark young adult series centered on two immortal vampire brothers who compete for the attentions of a small-town girl with abandonment issues) will recognize the significance of Covington, Georgia.
It served as the mythical Mystic Falls, Virginia, the picturesque Southern town in which the blood-sucking fantasy series took place over 8 seasons.
Just a short drive from Atlanta, Covington boasts an iconic town square complete with historical buildings, a central park surrounded by appealing stores and restaurants, and an Empire-style county courthouse complete with striking clock tower.
Hollywood of the South
There are many reasons why production companies choose Georgia as their home base for filming – our mild climate, the varied aesthetics of our towns, cities, mountains and beaches (all within a short drive of each other), and the ability of our regions to mimic just about any landscape have all contributed to the Peach State fast becoming the preferred area for shooting.
Covington, in particular, has served as the backdrop for several popular movies and television shows over the years, including In The Heat of the Night, The Walking Dead, Footloose, The Dukes of Hazzard, Sweet Home Alabama, The Hunger Games, Remember The Titans, and a bunch more.
Most recently, Covington became the home of Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias series. Fans of the iconic Gone With the Wind will recognize The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast as the fabled home of Ashley Wilkes.
Surviving Sherman
Founded in 1822, Covington was constructed an agricultural shipping point in the center of Newton county on the main rail line. Two cotton mills brought prosperity to the town and it soon became known as the cotten market for the local farmers.
The town survived Sherman’s invasion in 1864 with only some private property and a hospital being burned by the Union army.
The beautiful Antebellum homes and landmarks surrounding the square and its adjoining streets have been kept in pristine condition and are worth driving past just to admire the architecture.
A visit to Covington should start at the town square, the heartbeat of most small towns. Here are a few of our favorite spots in Covington:
EAT + DRINK COVINGTON
- The most recognizable eatery on the square would be the Mystic Grill, the local diner that featured prominently in the Vampire Diaries. Come for the food even if you are unimpressed with supernatural teen drama – the fried chicken brined with sweet tea and cilantro lime shrimp & grits are highly recommended. There are several different spaces in which to dine, including the main floor, bar, upstairs, and rooftop patio that overlooks the town square. There is often a wait, so get your name on the seating list early.
- For dessert, head over to Scoops and treat yourself to their ice cream. The colorful shop is crammed with candy and treats, and is worthy of a visit just for the Instagram pics. It is said Scoops was a favorite haunt of The Vampire Diaries cast while they filmed here, and fans of Ian Somerhalder (the elder vampire brother) often ask for the Banana Pudding milkshake, rumored to be his particular favorite. The shop also sells delicious house-made baked goods, candied apples and hand-crafted chocolates.
- With it’s unassuming name and simple decor, the City Pharmacy is an unexpectedly trendy eatery in a beautifully restored storefront from the 1920s. It features chef-created Southern dishes with a modern take on fresh eating. Sample my personal favorite comfort food – the mac & cheese – and enjoy crafted cocktails at the bar.
- You simply cannot visit the Peach State and not have some good Southern barbecue. So stop by Bradley’s for some of the best around. Located just off of Covington’s square, fresh meat is hickory smoked until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender. You can select from a menu of salads, burgers and barbecue-topped potatoes, but a pulled-pork sandwich with a side of Brunswick stew is all you need for a satisfying meal.
- Follow the tantalizing smell of fresh-baked goodies to the Bread and Butter Bakery, and relax in the spacious lounge area while enjoying the house-made soup and sandwiches. A modern coffee bar provides a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, and the large counter display tempts visitors with an impressive variety of cakes, cookies, mini pies, pecan bars, and more.
EXPLORE COVINGTON
- A must-do for any Vampire Diaries fan is a behind-the-scenes vampire-themed guided tour with Vampire Stalkers. The three-hour tour visits iconic locations from the show, including several local homes of main characters, as well as giving members exclusive access to Worthington Manor, the private residence that served as the Lockwood Mansion in the show.
- Explore your creativity at WildArt, an interactive art studio located on the square. Create your own masterpiece during a painting party or studio session. You can also browse through the pieces for sale by local artists.
- Take a spooky stroll around the town’s otherworldly past with Covington Ghost Tours to explore haunted locations with their expert guides. Many of the sites have been investigated by paranormal experts from T.A.P.S. (The Atlantic Paranormal Society).
- Need a place to stay? It doesn’t get any more Southern than Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast, which was pictured in flashback scenes in “The Vampire Diaries.” Built in 1836, the house pre-dates the city of Atlanta and is a prime example of antebellum architecture. It is also considered one of the largest, at 12,000 square feet. To stay in a vampire frame of mind, be sure to book the Salvatore Brothers Study and borrow DVDs from the estate’s free library for in-room viewing.
SHOP COVINGTON
- A visit to The Alley below the Mystic Grill is a must for any Vampire Diaries fan. The combination gift shop/museum offers a glimpse into the filming of the show with several costumes and accessories worn by the cast on display. You can purchase replicas of jewelry seen on the show and Mystic Grill staff tees as well as a variety of other memorabilia.
- The square offers something for everyone, with everything from clothing and apparel, to jewelry, antiques and home decor boutiques to browse. Shop a variety of scented bath and body products at The Soap Box. Home decor and design services are available at Revolution Casual Living, as well as candles, pillows and more. Free samples of flavor essentials can be found at Town Square Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegars, and music lovers will want to stop into McKibbens Music for instruments and accessories, as well as music lessons.
- Shop at On Location Gifts, which is located on a prominent corner of the square, for a wide variety of show-branded apparel, coffee mugs, gifts, and other vampire-themed merchandise, including my personal favorite – fake bags of blood to drink that claim to give you energy. The shop also sells merchandise for other shows and movies filmed in the area including The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, The Dukes of Hazzard, and more.
It’s no surprise that Covington was named one of the prettiest small towns in Georgia by Southern Living Magazine. With it’s historical architecture and modern movie magic, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to make plans to visit!
Have you been to Covington, Georgia aka Mystic Falls? What do you love about it? Drop your comment below!
*This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am deeply grateful) at no cost to you.
Shop my travel favorites here!
