ThoughStranger Thingsis primarily set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the Netflix series is not filmed in Indiana.Stranger Thingsfollows a group of teenage friends and their allies as they learn there is another world,the Upside Down, that exists alongside the one where they reside. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), a child who has been experimented on and has several psychokinetic abilities, is the entry point to the Upside Down, and the person who kicks off many of the events of the show.
Most ofStranger Thingsis filmed in Georgia. Georgia has been home to many television series over the years, likeThe Vampire Diaries,The Walking Dead, and nearly all of the Disney+ Marvel shows (Agatha All Along,WandaVision,Echo,Hawkeye, etc.). Georgia has long been a place where studios like to film because it is not as expensive as California, there are just as many historic sites as modern cities, and there is a set of studio sound stages available for use.With many buildings providing the same architecture of the 1980s (or older), several towns and Georgia landmarks make for greatStranger Thingsfilming locations.
1Emory University’s Briarcliff Campus
Hawkins National Laboratory
Hawkins National Laboratory is the location that kicks off many of the big events inStranger Things. It’s the location where “Papa” experiments on a group of children with telekinetic abilities, including Eleven.
The real-life filming location used for most of the Hawkins National Laboratory scenes in the show is part of the Briarcliff property that Emory University acquired in 1998. Specifically, the Netflix show usesBriarcliff Building A, which used to be a mental health facility in the early 1990sbefore it was acquired for the campus. It’s currently empty, which is why Emory leases it out for filming.
Emory did announce plans to eventually use the property as part of a development for a senior citizens center in 2022, but that has not happened just yet, so ifStranger Thingsfans want to visit, the location might not be the same for much longer.
10 Harsh Realities Of Watching Stranger Things Season 1 Today
It’s nice to return to where it all began in Stranger Things, but there are a few realizations that change some perceptions about the first season.
2Tiffany’s Kitchen In Lithia Springs, Georgia
Benny’s Burgers
Though the location is only used briefly, it certainly makes an impression on viewers…
One location that only briefly appears in the series is Benny’s Burgers. It’s one of the first places Eleven visits when she escapes Hawkins National Laboratory. She sneaks into the restaurant, snags some food, and is then given a burger from Benny, the owner and cook at the roadside diner. Unfortunately, when agents come for Eleven, things do not end well for Benny.
Though the location is only used briefly, it certainly makes an impression on viewers, since Benny is the first person to show Eleven kindness and one of the first people to pay for that attempt at kindness with his life.Benny’s Burgers is not a real restaurant, but a real restaurant was transformed in order to film there.Tiffany’s Kitchenis at 7413 Lee Road in Lithia Springs, Georgia.
The restaurant serves Southern-style food all day long. If fans want to stop by, grab a bite to eat, and get a few photos, the only day the restaurant is closed is Mondays.
32530 Piney Wood Lane In East Point, Georgia
4The Wheeler House
The Wheeler household provides a central location for much of the series as Mike Wheeler and his friends use the basement as their home base of sorts.While many of the interior shots at the house were filmed on sound stages throughout the run of the show, exterior shots of the house have been filmed at this very real home in East Point, Georgia.It is, however, someone’s real house, soStranger Thingsfans should be respectful of residents if they want to get a glimpse of it.
Likewise, in keeping with the show,the house that provides exterior shots for the Sinclair family (that is Lucas and Erica’s family) is just down the street at 2550 Piney Wood Lane.
The Byers House
If fans want to see both the Wheeler and Byers households, they would have to visit two different towns.The exteriors of the Byers house were shot at a home in Fayetteville instead of East Point.While thingslike Castle Byersand interior shots were done on a set, outside the house was a location shoot.
Like the Wheeler house, the Byers house is someone’s real home, and fans of the show need to remember to be respectful of the residents.
68584 Courthouse Square W In Douglasville, Georgia
Hawkins Police Station
Stranger Thingsfans wanting to see where Hopper did most of his work, or more accurately, most of his donut eating, in the first season, will want to see this Douglasville landmark.
The same building that acts as the Hawkins Police Station used to be the Town Hall in Douglasville, Georgia.The town provided a few more filming locations for the show as well.
7Formerly Bradley’s Big Buy In Palmetto, Georgia
Bradley’s Big Buy
When Eleven first stole frozen waffles, it was at Bradley’s Big Buy in Hawkins, Indiana. The grocery store pops up at least once a season in the show, whether it physically appears or is mentioned. When originally filming there, the store had the same name in real-life as it does in the show.
Located at 504 Center Street in Palmetto, Georgia, the grocery store is no longer a Bradley’s Big Buy. It’s now part of the Piggly Wiggly chain of stores.
8Bellwood Quarry In Atlanta, Georgia
Sattler Quarry
The quarry is a location that mainly appears in season 1 ofStranger Things. In addition to the friends walking near the quarry, it’s also the location where the supposed body of Will Byers is found before Joyce gets people to believe that the body is not her son’s.
Bellwood Quarry in Atlanta acts as Sattler Quarry, and many of the filming locations in the Atlanta area are not actually that far from this location.
Stone Mountain Park In Stone Mountain, Georgia
In both seasons 1 and 2, the old railroad tracks that appear to run through the woods are used when Mike and his friends try to help Eleven and when Dustin searches for his missing “dog,” which is actuallya young demogorgon.
The railroad tracks run through Stone Mountain Park. There are over 3,000 acres of parkland, which makes for some gorgeous scenery, but it has a very loaded history for residents of the area.It was originally opened as a monument to the Confederacy and officially named operational on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.
15 Best ’80s Movie References In Stranger Things
Stranger Things’ 1980s pop culture references are part of the show’s DNA, and many of those have to do with movies released during that time.
10Church Street Buildings In Douglasville, Georgia
The Palace Arcade And Family Video
Season 2 sees Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will hanging out at a local arcade. That’s where they first learn that “Madmax” is a new teenager in town. Season 2 also introduces Robin as she works at the local video rental store with Steve. Both of these locations firmly date the show as an ‘80s-set series.
Though these two Hawkins locations are not shown to be right next door to one another in the show, they are right next door to one another in real life.Neither property is currently an arcade or retail establishment as there are multiple empty storefronts for sale.
