Where Was “Gilmore Girls” Filmed?

If you are a fan of “Gilmore Girls,” then you’ve no doubt asked, where was “Gilmore Girls” filmed, anyways? Is Stars Hollow a real small town you can visit?

Don’t worry, Peerspace is here to clear things up for you! As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, Peerspace has thousands of incredible production spaces in cities across North America and beyond that you can rent for productions, parties, meetings, and more.

Plus, when you rent a Peerspace venue, you can also rely on your venue’s local host. They are dedicated to ensuring your event or production goes smoothly and can help with logistics if needed. Simply reach out to them leading up to or during your booking and they’ll be happy to lend a hand.

So if you’re on the lookout for filming locations with a dreamy small-town feel, Peerspace can help you capture some fantastic Gilmore-inspired settings without breaking the bank. Now, here are a ton of cool facts about the “Gilmore Girls” film sets!

Where was “Gilmore Girls” filmed? Is Stars Hollow a real town?

Centered around witty thirty-something Lorelai Gilmore and her teenage daughter, Rory, “Gilmore Girls” follows this mother-daughter duo as they navigate the ups and downs of life. Lorelai and Rory’s hometown of Stars Hollow might be one of the most adorable fictional towns ever on TV. It’s right up there with Mayberry in terms of charm factor and coziness. 

With the perfect balance of comedy, drama, and romance, this CW series will have you laughing out loud one second and reaching for tissues the next. It’s the TV equivalent of eating ice cream straight out of the carton.

One of the most significant elements behind the show’s success is the dreamy small town of Stars Hollow. And you’re definitely not alone if you’ve ever wanted to pack up your bags and head there yourself.

Ready for a massive bummer? The Town of Stars Hollow doesn’t exist in the real world. The crew didn’t film the show in a real small town — or even on the east coast. Instead, “Gilmore Girls” relied solely on Hollywood magic.

While the theme song features an overview shot of South Royalton, Vermont, filming never occurred there. In fact, they shot the series almost entirely on the Warner Bros studio backlot. 

Check out: “I Care A Lot” filming location: where’s the house?

Inside the “Gilmore Girls” set

Yes, Stars Hollow’s Main street was a set on the Warner Bros studio backlot. Dozens of studio extras created the illusion of a bustling small town, and stagehands frequently scattered autumn leaves or fake snow to simulate the changing seasons.

According to Warner Brother’s tour guide Amanda Yslas, When Lorelai said, “I smell snow,” actress Lauren Graham was actually smelling mashed potato flakes. 

Ever wondered why you never saw the back of Lorelai’s house? That’s because it’s the front of Sookie’s house. The exterior facades for Lorelai and Sookie’s houses are interconnected. “When you come through [Sookie’s] foyer, all of the sudden which makes no sense, you’re in the middle of Lorelai’s foyer,” actress Melissa McCarthy explains while giving a tour of the set.  

The interiors for both Lorelai and Sookie’s houses were located separately from the exterior facades. They filmed interior scenes on sound stages across the studio lot, along with the rest of the indoor “Gilmore Girls” sets like Luke’s Diner, Richard and Emily’s home, and Lorelai’s Inn. 

On the rare occasion when filming took place on location, it was still on the west coast. Remember the episode where Lorelai and Rory visit Harvard on a spontaneous road trip? The crew actually filmed these scenes on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles!

We answer the question “what’s like Airbnb for filming locations?” right here!

Stars Hollow later became Rosewood, PA

Ever wondered what happened to the Stars Hollow set after the show wrapped? Don’t worry; it still lives on in other Warner Brothers productions. When filming on “Gilmore Girls” wrapped in 2007, they didn’t tear down the Stars Hollow set. Instead, the set became part of the scenery in another CW drama — “Pretty Little Liars.”

If you’ve ever thought the gazebo in the background of PLL looked familiar, you’d be right. It’s the same one from Stars Hollow’s town square.

Vigilant fans of both shows will spot many similarities between Rosewood, PA, and Stars Hollow, CT. The facade for Lorelai’s house became Spencer’s house, Kim’s Antiques became Emily’s House, Luke’s Diner became the Applerose Grill, and Stars Hollow High became Rosewood Town Hall. 

For the 2016 “Gilmore Girls Year in the Life” revival, the set was transformed back into Stars Hollow for one last hurrah, although you can still see traces of PLL in the background. Try rewatching both shows at the same time and seeing how many overlapping spots you can pick out! 

If you’re wondering “where is ‘The Circle’ filmed?” we sort out all the details here!

The inspiration behind Stars Hollow

While Stars Hollow itself might not be real, the town was inspired by the city of Washington, Connecticut. Show creator Amy Sherman Paladino visited the town while driving to New York with her husband. Their stay at the Mayflower Inn & Spa proved to be instrumental in the show’s creation. 

“At the time I was there, it was beautiful, it was magical, and it was a feeling of warmth and small-town camaraderie,” said Sherman-Paladino. “There was a longing for that in my own life, and I thought — that’s something that I would really love to put out there.”

Nestled on 58 acres of gorgeous land, the Mayflower Inn served as inspiration for Lorelai’s inn. Just like on the show, you stay there for a weekend getaway, dine on delicious food, or even book it for a wedding.

While you’re there, you can also explore Washington, CT, and take in all the small-town charm. It’s the next best thing to the actual Stars Hollow!

Need more nostalgia? Then also check out where was “ET” filmed?

Use Peerspace to capture Stars Hollow vibes

You don’t have to be in Washington, Connecticut if you’re wondering “where was ‘Gilmore Girls’ filmed?” and want a similar feel in your next production.

In fact, no matter where you’re located, you can find a stunning Peerspace venue to replicate the vibe of this quintessential comfort show! Whether you’re hosting a “Gilmore Girls–themed party, a tribute production, or have any other project type in mind, we can help.

Need a few ideas to help you get started? Then check out these “Gilmore Girls”-like Peerspace venues:

• This charming home with playful elements and great natural light in Phoenix, AZ for photoshoots, productions, meetings, workshops, and bridal/baby showers
• This cute family home in London, UK for productions with neutral decor and a large backyard
• This open-design family home in Brooklyn, NYC with bedrooms, living areas, and a newly remodeled kitchen spread across three floors
• This light and airy creative bar and event space in London, UK with high ceilings, charming decor, and 1,800 square feet of space
• This Victorian Inn in Tannersville, NY with an event room, a bar, a library, and a wrap-around porch, ideal for social gatherings and business meetings
• This sunny garden oasis with a gazebo in Brooklyn, NYC that’s ideal for small gatherings, classes, and small productions
• This industrial room cocktail bar in Kincardine, ON, part of the oldest standing wooden hotel in the area with a vintage kitchen, bar, and dining area
• This hilltop facility overlooking a small town in Nashville, MI with 6,000 square feet of space that includes a ballroom, a commercial kitchen, and outdoor space

This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to “Gilmore Girls”-worthy Peerspace venues that you can rent by the hour! In fact, as you can see from the list above, these spaces are ideal for productions, parties, and more. Check them out and contact the host if you’re curious whether the space is ideal for your needs.

Love single-mom TV shows? Then you may also want to know where was “Maid” filmed!

Where was “Gilmore Girls” filmed: conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this behind-the-scenes glance at where “Gilmore Girls” was filmed!

Even though Stars Hollow might not be a real place, you don’t need to build a custom set to capture the magic of Gilmore Girls in your next film project. You can find tons of beautiful filming venues on Peerspace. Charming and scenic venues abound in just about every corner of the country and beyond.

Simply click the link above, enter your location or destination, and check out all the incredible spaces that pop up. Each space has its own listing that includes high-res photos, a detailed description, upfront pricing, and reviews from past renters.

Just pick out the perfect space, and rent it for an hour or for several. Before you know it, you’ll be spending time in a clean, cozy, and charming setting that makes you think of your favorite dramedy!

Find charming and unique filming locations on Peerspace