Where Is “Riverdale” Filmed?

Riverdale is a classic, whether you’ve read the original Archie Comics or not. This fun show is filled with twists, turns, and great mysteries! But where is “Riverdale” filmed? If you’re thinking Hollywood … think further north — all the way to Canada! Vancouver to be exact! But one quick caveat before we start discussing all the places “Riverdale is filmed in Vancouver:

While most of the Riverdale series was filmed in and around Vancouver, there is one crucial piece of the series that’s located nowhere near the rest of the filming locations. The intro’s first shot, the bird’s eye view of Riverdale — is actually in Harbor Springs, Michigan!

Now on with the show! Here are some fun spots you can explore where “Riverdale” is shot in Vancouver:

Take a pic at Pop’s Chocklit Shop

Pop’s Chocklit Shop is indeed a real diner — it just has a different name! The diner is actually called Rocko’s Family Diner and if you are in Mission, British Columbia, you can stop by for a burger and shake! While the underground bar La Bonne Nuit isn’t housed underneath the diner in real life, this is still a fun spot to visit for any “Riverdale” fan.

In an article by Canadian Affair the owner of Rocko’s, Debbi Schiller, said “Riverdale” fans love stopping by to “immerse themselves in the real-life Pop’s and recreate their own Riverdale pics. The most popular booths from the iconic scenes and the outside group shot are the most popular.”

Head back to school!

The “Riverdale” school scenes aren’t just shot in one school. These scenes come from several chools in the Vancouver area! The exterior shots of Riverdale High School are actually Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver. Turns out this is a pretty popular spot for films to shoot school scenes. According to MovieMaps.org, The X-File, Pretty Little Liars, X-Men, and other popular movies all contained shots here!

For the interior and corridor shots, the production crew used Burnaby Mountain Secondary School. And as for the gymnasium where the Vixens train? That’s John Oliver Secondary School!

And remember the performances at Riverdale like Josie and the Pussycats and Carrie: The Musical? Those were all filmed at the auditorium at Point Grey Secondary School!

Host a pool party, “Riverdale” style

Remember the Riverdale Labor Day pool party in season three? Well, you can rent out the venue where they filmed it! The interior of the house and the pool itself are scenes shot at the Minnekhada Lodge in Coquitlam. You can rent out the lodge for $143 an hour for up to 50 people, according to the Metro Vancouver website.

Looking for something a bit more affordable to host your Riverdale themed pool party? Peerspace has plenty of venues around the U.S. and Canada that might be a better fit for your budget — and just as gorgeous! On Peerspace, pool venues cost on average between $75-$200 an hour. Just go to the Peerspace outdoor event spaces page and type in your location. Then, on the filters menu, scroll down until you find “pool.” From there you can check out what each venue has to offer!

Become part of the community at the real Riverdale Town Hall

The shots of Riverdale Town Hall in the “Riverdale” series are actually the bustling Fort Langley Community Hall in Langley, British Columbia! A visit to this spot is a must if you are in the area on the weekend because, as the community hall’s website says, “it is a rare occasion to pass by the hall on a weekend, and see it unoccupied.” The community hall hosts the Cranberry Festival every year— which we think would be a perfect time to visit. The festival is usually in October with annual attendance of about 35,00 people!

A quick stop at The Whyte Wyrm

Another must-visit spot for “Riverdale” fans while in Langley is the Whyte Wyrm — or as it has been known IRL, Gabby’s Country Cabaret. Unfortunately, Gabby’s closed in 2020 but you can still snap a pic outside! Hopefully, this property is brought back to life sometime soon — maybe even with a new name, say “The Whyte Wyrm”?

Take a dip In The Sweetwater River

One of the most picturesque spots in the “Riverdale” series is Sweetwater River, where Archie, Betty, and Jughead spent many a summer! But where is this beautiful spot in “Riverdale” filmed? Alouette Lake in Golden Ears Provincial Park! According to the British Columbia Parks website you can enjoy many of the same activities the “Riverdale” cast did here and more! They say the lake is a perfect spot to enjoy the day swimming, windsurfing, waterskiing, canoeing, boating, and fishing. 

Discover the area’s history at The Riverdale Bus Station

The Riverdale bus station in the series actually isn’t a bus station at all. It’s a museum (and former train station)! The Port Moody Station Museum is a great place to stop in for Riverdale fans and history buffs alike.

The station was built in 1908 and you can still visit the original building today. According to the Port Moody Museum website, the museum also features a 1921 railcar, a World War 1 outdoor trench display, a meditation garden and a CP railway garden.

Season 4: The Motel

And lastly, the motel from season four! IRL this hotel, known as the Pink Palace, is no longer a functioning hotel but you can use it for film shoots. It’s just north of the U.S. border and includes access to over 150 hotel rooms for filmmakers — with no other guests on-site! It also includes 420 parking stalls, a pool, hot tub, restaurant, bar, and more. With so much room, it’s surprising they didn’t just shoot all the indoor Riverdale scenes in here!

Where is Riverdale filmed: conclusion

Looking for other fun spaces to hang out or host a “Riverdale” themed party in Vancouver or beyond? Check out all the fun and beautiful venues Peerspace has to offer! From luxurious photo and video shoot spaces to fun and adventurous event spaces — Peerspace has a little bit of something for everyone! Check out what we have available near you and book your favorite event space or production venue in mere minutes.

Find production spaces available by the hour on Peerspace