Where Is “Stranger Things” Filmed?

“Stranger Things” is the beloved Nextflix series that takes place in a fictional town called Hawkins, Indiana, during the early 1980s. If you’re interested in the question, where is “Stranger Things” filmed (aren’t we all?!) please read on. Hawkins, Indiana is the kind of small-town where everyone knows the people who work at the post office and the grocery store and kids can safely ride their bikes around town until they are called home for dinner in the evening. Small town life in the ‘80s moved at a slower pace since this was the time before cell phones and the internet. Which may be why this show charms so many! Ahead, we’ll discuss the show and answer the question where is “Stranger Things” filmed?

What makes “Stranger Things” so compelling?

The main characters in this story are a group of bicycle-riding boys named Will, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas. When Will disappears, his friends search for him along with Joyce, his frantic mother (Winona Ryder), and Jim Hopper, the local police chief (David Harbour). A strange young girl named Eleven shows up and joins the boys in searching for their friend. When Will is found, it is discovered that he had been abducted by a supernatural creature from a different dimension called the Upside Down.

But there is something still very wrong with Will and his friends are aware of it. When Soviet scientists open a laboratory under the local mall in an attempt to unleash creatures from the Upside Down, it falls to the five young friends to save the world from destruction. But can they do it?

This may look like Indiana, but it’s different

Indiana gets really cold and snowy in the winter, so it turns out that there is a practical answer to our question where is “Stranger Things” filmed. Since Indiana isn’t very convenient for a winter filming schedule, the wise producers chose the state of Georgia to stand in for Indiana in the series.

In Georgia, the weather is much more forgiving so the shooting schedule can last longer into the winter and there’s rarely ever snow. The state of Georgia also provides tax breaks to film and video productions, making it significantly less expensive to film in Georgia as compared to Indiana or many other US states.

Can we visit “Hawkins, Indiana”?

If you are willing to make a trip to Atlanta, Georgia and its surroundings, you can visit some of Stranger Things’ exterior sites. In fact, it might be fun to visit all the film sites. Here are just a few.

You may recall that the Hawkins National Laboratory sits outside the town and is the site of strange scientific experiments involving Eleven and other human test subjects. The real building that stood in for the Laboratory is the appropriately creepy Georgia Mental Health Institute on the campus of Atlanta’s Emory University.

Do you recall the scene when Eleven first appears in her hospital gown and the police chief takes her for a burger at Benny’s Burger’s? You can actually visit the diner where that scene takes place — Tiffany’s Kitchen in Lithia Springs, GA –where you can order your own burger and recreate that scene for yourself. Patrick Henry High School in Stockbridge GA serves as the site of the Hawkins middle school and high school. Both the interior and exterior are in the series.

The fictional Statler Quarry is actually the famous Bellwood Quarry outside Atlanta. Some dramatic scenes take place here. Another fun location is Melvald’s General Store, where Joyce Byers works. The store is supposedly located in downtown Hawkins, next to the RadioShack. In reality, it is located on the downtown strip in Jackson, GA. The Stone Mountain Cemetery was briefly featured during Barb’s funeral in season two.

In fact, there are many more locations featured in Stranger Things, but this is a good selection to answer your question where is “Stranger Things” filmed.

How can I recreate that 1980s vibe in 2020s Atlanta?

Now to the question of scheduling your own “Stranger Things”-themed film or video shoot in Atlanta. If you’re still trying to figure out where is “Stranger Things” filmed, Peerspace can help! They have access to hundreds of locations in Atlanta, Georgia that could stand-in for the Hawkins, Indiana of the 1980s. And if you’re simply looking for a location that is reminiscent of the 1980s vibe, Peerspace can do that too. Here are a few suggestions. 

A flex space in Gwinnett Village

This Creative Mix-Use Space for Events and Gatherings in the Gwinnett Village neighborhood of Atlanta has a 1980s aura to it with the neon lights and the intricate floor tiles.

A Peerspace booker was really happy with his rental experience, writing “This was my favorite space yet. Michael C. is the real deal. The hospitality he showed me and my team is unheard of. I will definitely be back. I hope to be there every other month. With his light set up, sound system, rehearsal spaces, spacious dance floor, clean bathrooms. Etc. etc. It’s hard to find a venue like this.” 

Retro vibe loft in ATL

Another possibility that is reminiscent of “Stranger Things” 1980s vibe might be this Modern Retro ‘70s Loft in Atlanta. It seems like a place that Joyce Byers and Police Chief Jim Hopper might visit on a date if he ever gets up the nerve to ask her out.

The owners describe it as “a groovy, modern retro atmosphere perfect for any style of gathering! Our open loft space includes a spacious lobby, dance floor with a disco ball, and best of all…our speakeasy-style loft, Elton’s, with a city view! A sweet, whimsical space by day, and a righteous, moody & dim-lit space by sundown. Enjoy true, authentic 70s decor while sipping on a Brandy Alexander. Cheers!” 

A charming home downtown Atlanta

Finally, if you’re looking for a private home for a film or photoshoot with a 1980s vibe, consider this 4 Bedroom/2 bathroom House with tons of character and charm. It has that mid-century feel that would be perfectly acceptable in 1980s Hawkins, Indiana. It is a downtown Atlanta retro gem with lots of ‘80s decor and details.

Where is Stranger Things filmed? Conclusion

You may think that the aura of the 1980s can’t be found anymore, but Peerspace can still find it and whatever else you’re looking for among hundreds of venues in Atlanta, Georgia alone. And with Peerspace’s access to thousands of cities and towns across the US and beyond, there is a perfect location for your “Stranger Things” 1980s film shoot, party, or event all available to book by the hour

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