Hawkins may be fictional, but the places are very real. Stranger Things turned quiet streets, schools, and small towns into pop-culture landmarks. What looks like another world on screen is often just around the corner in the Midwest or the Deep South.
Georgia became the beating heart of the show. Old courthouses, sleepy neighborhoods, abandoned labs, and downtown squares doubled as Hawkins again and again. Walk these streets and you’ll recognize walls, sidewalks, and storefronts where monsters lurked and bikes sped past.
This guide explores Stranger Things filming locations in Georgia and Indiana worth seeing. Perfect for road trips, fan pilgrimages, or curious travelers, these spots let you step into the Upside Down without special effects—just real places, real memories, and a little TV magic.
Hawkins National Laboratory – Georgia Mental Health Institute, Atlanta, Georgia
Driving up to the Georgia Mental Health Institute, you will recognize the ominous silhouette that became Hawkins National Laboratory. Its stark lines and dense surrounding trees do half the storytelling before you even take a photo. The exterior sells that government secret energy, complete with angles that make every snapshot feel like a classified file.
Access is limited, so expect perimeter viewing and respect all posted rules. Park legally and keep to public sidewalks for your shots. A cloudy day adds instant atmosphere, but a late afternoon sun can rim the building with a haunting halo.
Bring a longer lens to compress the façade and nail those show-like compositions. Reference scenes with security gates and loading bays for framing ideas. You will capture the cold, clinical vibe that kickstarted the Upside Down’s mystery without crossing any lines.
After the visit, detour to nearby Emory’s trails for a calmer reset. It balances the tension and gives you time to compare stills on your phone. This stop feels essential if you want a real sense of how production design turned ordinary concrete into supernatural legend.
Starcourt Mall – Gwinnett Place Mall, Duluth, Georgia
Step inside Gwinnett Place Mall and you are walking the bones of Starcourt, the neon soaked backdrop of season three. Although much of the set dressing is gone, the geometry of corridors and skylights still matches those mall chase memories. You will find corners that echo Scoops Ahoy even if signage is different.
Public access changes, so check current policies before going. If interiors are restricted, scout exterior entrances and skylight lines for composition. Weekday mornings usually offer the quiet you need for clean shots without crowds.
To channel that 80s feel, frame wide with symmetrical lines and let your camera ride low for epic floors. Bring a small light for subtle fill if it is dim. You will feel the thrill of those final-act showdowns just standing under the atrium.
Round out the stop with a retro snack at a nearby diner to keep the theme going. Share side-by-side photos with screencaps for instant recognition. This location turns a simple mall walk into a nostalgia bomb that will light up your feed.
The Wheeler House – East Point, Georgia
The Wheeler family home looks like any calm suburban house, which is exactly why it hits your memory the minute you turn onto the street. The façade, roofline, and driveway angles match those scenes where teenage drama and covert missions collide. You will spot the porch vantage used for neighborhood conversations and secret arrivals.
This is a private residence, so keep your visit brief and respectful. Stay on the public street, do not block driveways, and avoid loud chatter. A quick photo from the sidewalk captures everything you need.
Arrive near dusk for that warm window glow that reads as family life in full swing. A parked bike in your composition adds instant Hawkins energy. You will get the vibe without intruding on anyone’s evening.
Pair this stop with other East Point locations to maximize time. Bring printed screencaps so you can line up frames quickly. You will leave feeling like you dropped in on a familiar family without overstaying your welcome.
The Byers House – Fayetteville, Georgia
Pulling up to the Byers home feels like stepping into a memory lit by Christmas lights and hope. The low roofline and yard create that intimate scale where major emotional beats unfolded. You will instantly picture Joyce on the porch, defending her son with stubborn love and jittery resolve.
This is private property, so observe from the road and keep the visit short. Never trespass or disturb the neighborhood. Snap a few respectful photos, then hop back in the car and keep the journey rolling.
Blue hour works best here, when the house silhouette softens and the surrounding trees go ink black. If you bring a small battery string light for foreground bokeh, you will echo that iconic look without touching the property. You will feel the show’s heart right from the curb.
Consider visiting after stops with bigger crowds to catch a quieter moment. Comparing angles with screencaps helps you nail the siding and porch lines. This house reminds you Stranger Things was always about family first, monsters second.
Downtown Hawkins – Jackson, Georgia town square
Jackson’s town square wears the Hawkins badge proudly, from brick storefronts to classic lampposts. Stroll the sidewalks and the show’s bike chases and window peeks play back shot for shot. You will find café fronts and angled corners that match the establishing shots used throughout early seasons.
Start at the courthouse and work clockwise for a simple loop. Mornings provide soft light and fewer cars, which helps clean up your frames. Grab a pastry between stops to keep the day fun and easy.
For photos, frame storefront symmetry and layer foreground benches or planters. You will get that earnest small town mood the show nails so well. Listen for church bells or distant traffic to complete the ambience.
Locals are used to fans, but be courteous and support businesses when you can. A coffee or lunch keeps energy up and builds goodwill. You will leave with a camera roll that feels like the title sequence never ended.
The Hawkins General Store – Bradley’s Big Buy, Palmetto, Georgia
Bradley’s Big Buy in Palmetto plays the Hawkins General Store, where everyday errands turned into plot twists. The façade, sign placement, and parking lot lines still align with scenes you will remember. You will hear the echo of automatic doors and the rustle of paper bags just standing there.
It is a working store, so be a considerate customer first. Grab a snack or drink before taking a couple of quick photos outside. Avoid blocking entrances and keep your gear minimal to stay respectful.
Late afternoon offers golden light that flatters the brick and signage. Frame wide to include the lot and a cart corral for authenticity. You will come away with photos that scream Hawkins supply run without any heavy staging.
Pair this stop with nearby suburban homes to round out a half day loop. Bring a tote in case you end up impulse shopping retro snacks. You will leave with nostalgia and a little sugar rush to fuel the next location.
Hawkins Police Department – Douglasville, Georgia City Hall Annex
The City Hall Annex in Douglasville stands in for the Hawkins Police Department, a cornerstone of the show’s mystery machine. The brick frontage, flag, and modest steps set the tone for Hopper’s weary swagger. You will recognize the parking spots and entry angle from countless tense arrivals.
It is an active municipal site, so move politely and keep to public areas. Short, efficient photo stops work best here. Early weekend mornings can be calm, but always respect any security guidelines.
Compose tight frames to avoid modern signage creeping into the shot. A neutral color profile and a slight vignette sell the era. You will feel like you are about to file a report about flickering lights and missing compasses.
Grab lunch nearby and scroll your photos to confirm you nailed the doorway. Then point the car toward the next landmark while that synth score loops in your head. You will leave with images that carry Hopper’s gruff heart and the town’s quiet grit.
Railroad Bridge and Tracks – Stone Mountain area, Georgia
Those bike escape sequences owe their magic to Georgia’s network of rail corridors, and this bridge near Stone Mountain delivers the feeling perfectly. The trusswork, creek below, and tree canopy frame a classic Stand By Me energy. You will hear phantom pedals and friendly dares in the rusted bolts.
Rails and bridges can be dangerous and often restricted, so prioritize safety and legality. Only shoot from public vantage points and never step on active tracks. A long lens helps you compress distance safely.
Late afternoon creates shafts of light that slice through the trees. Frame low with leaves in the foreground to add depth and nostalgia. You will end up with everything but the actual kids on bikes, which is exactly the goal.
Pack bug spray and water, because Georgia woods do not play around. Then reward yourself with a soda at a nearby gas station like a true 80s hero. You will leave with cinematic stills and a healthy respect for train schedules.