Where does The Vampire Diaries take place? Details explored

The Vampire Diaries sets all its drama in Mystic Falls, Virginia, a town that only exists in the TV universe. But if you want to wander those moody streets, all that supernatural chaos was actually filmed in Covington, Georgia.

When the show first hit screens in 2009, it turned Mystic Falls into a character of its own. The town is practically a member of the cast, full of old-school secrets and feuds. Every corner is dripping with atmosphere, from the iconic Mystic Grill to Wickery Bridge and that classic town square where everything seems to go down.

Now, because the crew filmed on location in Covington, that little Georgia town turned into a mecca for fans. Fans make pilgrimages just to see Elena Gilbert’s house in real life or to stand on the steps of the Lockwood Mansion. And then there is South View Cemetery, dubbed Mystic Falls Cemetery in the show, where fans have been known to get a little too excited snapping pics among the tombstones.

These locations are known to oozes that eerie, supernatural energy, even without a Salvatore brother in sight.

Where does The Vampire Diaries take place?

If you are even remotely obsessed with The Vampire Diaries, you know Mystic Falls isn’t just some nondescript TV town. It has lush, old-school Southern streets, mossy oaks, and homes. The place exudes charm and trouble. Now, about those iconic landmarks. First up, we have Elena Gilbert’s house. This is like the emotional headquarters of the show. People are always storming in and out, having big, dramatic moments on that porch. The real place is in Covington, Georgia.

Next, the Mystic Grill. If Mystic Falls is the core of the show, the Grill is the artery; each of them crosses it at one time or another. It is the type of joint one can go to and grab a burger, strategize a supernatural takedown, or even simply overhear the latest gossip in town. And the best thing is that it is right in Covington, and you can eat there.

And here we have the clock tower. It is the official drama magnet of the town. Whenever the camera shifts upwards to it, you can be sure there is something crazy about to happen. In the real-life version, it is a legitimate slice of small-town Americana, though to the fans it is a shrine to turmoil and cliff-hangers.

The next one is the South View Cemetery. Mystic Falls isn’t only a cemetery of the dead. It is in them that the characters mope, bond, spill secrets, and even come back to life. Wickery Bridge is where Elena’s parents died, which sets the whole show in motion. If Mystic Falls had a list of do not visit after dark unless you want your life to implode spots, this bridge would be top of the list. The real one is near Lithonia, Georgia.

Covington wasn’t picked by accident. It fits the bill for Mystic Falls so perfectly, it is almost suspicious. The town has perfectly southern, slightly creepy vibes: big porches, historic buildings, and streets that look like they have been waiting for a vampire to stroll by. And now the whole place is a shrine to the show. There are tours, themed nights, and a steady stream of fans who refuse to let Mystic Falls fade into TV history.

What is The Vampire Diaries about?

The Vampire Diaries is essentially a supernatural rollercoaster. We meet Elena Gilbert, an average girl who never seems to get a break: Her parents die, she gets mixed up with centuries-old vampires, and her romantic life is like a supernatural minefield. In come the Salvatore brothers, Stefan, the archetypal brooding heartthrob, and Damon, the ethically dubious bad boy who steals scenes.

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It is not merely a love triangle, though. The procession of witches, werewolves, ancient curses, immortal villains, and magic objects is paraded. All characters carry secrets, all families have skeletons, and betrayal is leaking out of nearly everybody. The founding families of the town are entangled in old feuds and magic calamities, and you can never tell whether you are dealing with friends or enemies.

Eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries deal with heartbreak, resurrection, and plot twists in which the writers rip the good vs. evil. The point is that everybody does horrible things in the name of good things, or vice versa. And then, when you think you have Mystic Falls all figured out, spin-offs like The Originals and Legacies open it up more to drag you into the supernatural.

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