Where Was Stranger Things Filmed? (All Seasons Included)

All those who have met me know how much I love Stranger Things. I must admit I was late to the party, meaning I had just started watching it in 2023. As a Winona Ryder fan, I did not need much convincing. In less than two weeks, I watched all seasons and was entirely captivated by the upside-down world and performance of the cast.

So, naturally, I rewatched the series and then once more. As a result, I felt pretty confident in answering the burning question: Where Was Stranger Things Filmed?

So, let’s take a ride through all the film sets! As always, you can find the map of all Stranger Things filming locations at the end of this article. 

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Stranger Things Filming Locations in Season 1

In 2016, we met a fearless group who, I am sure, have made us reminiscent of our childhood. No matter which generation you are, riding bikes around your block and discovering hidden places in your neighborhood is something we all share. However, for me, the exploring did not stop at that age but continued to this day. 

So, I had to hop on my computer and find where Hawkins was. Little did I know that Hawkins was actually in Georgia. The state’s low filming taxes have made it a popular location for many shows and films, including The Hunger Games. Now, without further ado, let’s explore the Stranger Things filming locations in season 1.

Bellwood Quarry, Atlanta, Georgia

We all remember the gut-wrenching scene in the third episode, where we thought we saw Will’s dead body in the Sattler Quarry. Luckily, it was never Will, but a stuffed hyperrealistic “doll” made by Hawkins Laboratory. It was also never Sattler Quarry in Hawkins but rather Bellwood Quarry in Atlanta. 

Interestingly, this is not the first time we see this landmark on the screens. Moreover, it has become a popular filming location, making appearances in “Walking Dead” and “The Hunger Games”. With its deep blue waters and dramatic granite surroundings, no wonder it is a favorable shooting spot. 

Bethany Cemetery, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Bethany Cemetery in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is known for its historical significance as the final resting place of numerous Civil War soldiers. The cemetery was established in 1852, and it features graves of soldiers from both the Confederate and Union armies. 

In the TV show, we can see Bethany Cemetery in the background during the scene of Will’s funeral (episode 5). 

Bradley’s Big Buy Grocery Store, Palmetto, Georgia

Who would have thought that a small town southwest of Atlanta with around 5,000 residents would become such a popular place? In 2016, when the show first premiered, the cashiers at Bradley’s Big Buy grocery store welcomed dozens of fans excited to locate the spot where Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) stole some Eggos. 

This filming location was featured again in the second season when Eleven was bitten by the Mind Flayer’s proxy. If you wish to find the store now, look it up under the name Piggly Wiggly, as it changed its name in 2019. 

Bradley’s Olde Tavern, Jackson, Georgia

Next on my list of Stranger Things filming locations in season 1 is a charming retro-looking Hawk cinema from episode 6. In this scene, we see Steve removing harmful graffiti where his friends wrote a quote about Nancy. I was a bit disappointed when I discovered the cinema was not real. The building featured in the show is Bradley Olde Tavern in Jackson, Georgia. 

My disappointment was soon gone when I saw the interior of the tavern. With its beautiful wooden cassette ceiling and wooden vintage chairs, the cozines are off the charts. Imagine strolling the city and deciding on a morning coffee here. 

Butts County Probate Court, Jackson, Georgia

One of the more interesting buildings in the show has to be the Hawkins Public Library. The library is set in the center of the town square and boasts a recognizable clock tower. It was first seen in the show when police Chief Jim Hopper and Officer Powell tried to research Hawkins National Laboratory.

If you have wondered whether the building exists in real life, don’t worry, I have good news. The Hawkins Public Library is actually Butts County Probate Court located in Jackson, Georgia. 

Courthouse Square West, Douglasville, Georgia

Another significant building we see constantly throughout the show is the Jim Hopper workplace- the Hawkins Police Department. The building is not as extravagant, but it is one of the most shown in the series. The police station scenes were filmed at 48 Pray Street in Douglasville, Georgia, serving as both the exterior and interior locations. 

However, it’s worth noting that the address changed to 8485 Courthouse Square West in 2016. When I tried to look it up on Google Street View, I saw that the exterior looked different. After some research, I found that the building had undergone some alterations in 2019. 

Emory University’s Briarcliff Campus, Atlanta, Georgia

The one building (and the main antagonist, if a building could ever be one) that has stirred the most feathers is the Hawkins National Laboratory. With its imposing brutalist facade and Greek cross floor plan, the lab definitely stands out.

I was thrilled to find out the building existed and that producers did not rely on CGI. Like many other Hawkins facilities, this one is also located in Atlanta, specifically at Emory University’s Briarcliff Campus.

East Point, Georgia

East Point is a charming city located southwest of Atlanta with a rich history. Its historic downtown area features locally-owned establishments and brick-paved streets. The town also gained popularity as three of its houses were featured in a TV show, representing the residences of Henderson, Sinclair, and Wheeler.

Furthermore, the city is best known for its diverse community and proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Exploring East Point offers a variety of charming stores and eateries in its historic downtown. From boutique shops to cozy cafes, there is something for everyone. 

Fayetteville, Georgia

Apart from filming Will Byers’s funeral in Fayetteville, the Duffer Brothers also decided to film the Byers family house in this town. To be respectful to the private owners of the house, I will not write the address here. However, its facade is distinctive enough to recognize if you find yourself strolling through the town.

Aside from taking a tour of Stranger Things filming locations, I recommend visiting the Star’s Mill Park and the town’s amphitheater. 

Tiffany’s Kitchen, Lithia Springs, Georgia

Eggos are not the only food Eleven stole. Actually, the first food she steals after escaping the Hawkins Lab is the fries in Benny’s Burgers. If you are disappointed such a place does not exist, fear not, as you can still have a meal in the actual location- Tiffany’s Kitchen. The diner is adorned by wall pictures of icons Audrey Hepburn and Marylin Monroe.

As for the food, you can expect all the good stuff, starting with toast, eggs, bacon, and pancakes for breakfast. The diner also serves grits, hash browns, and other delicious cooked meals. 

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Stranger Things Filming Locations in Season 2

Moving on to the Stranger Things season 2 filming locations, the cast got the newest member, the zoomer, Max (Sadie Sink). Without a doubt, the group dynamic changed, and so did the scenery. The filming began in November 2016, following the story of the main antagonist, the Mind Flayer. Although some film sets from season 2 appear in season 1, a few new locations stand out. So, are you ready? 

Stone Mountain Park, Georgia

A lot of the Stranger Things filming locations in season 1 appear in season 2, too. The beautiful Stone Mountain Park in Georgia is one of them. In the first season, we see the kids walking on the tracks with Eleven dressed in Nancy’s clothes. Moreover, in season 2, the park can be seen in the background in various scenes. 

The park boasts a colossal granite monolith called Stone Mountain, rising about 825 feet above the ground level. During evenings, there is a laser light show with vibrant lights and music, often with fireworks. Those who love festivals like I do have many options to choose from throughout the year. 

Sleepy Hollow Farm, Powder, Georgia

Have you ever experienced Halloween without pumpkins? Sadly, for the citizens of Hawkins, this happened as the pumpkin farms started mysteriously rotting. Thanks to our MVP, Jim Hopper, the source of the problem was soon found. 

Hopper visited Eugene’s farm and found that the pumpkins suffered from the rot from the Hawkins National Laboratory. He later convinced Dr. Sam Owens to send a team of scientists to test the affected pumpkin patches for any leaks from the lab. Fortunately, the real farm is in perfect condition!

Laundromat on 6500 Church Street, Douglasville, Georgia

Can you imagine a laundromat becoming the 80s arcade palace? Well, this is exactly what happened to an ordinary laundromat in Douglasville. Both interior and exterior of the building were transformed into the Palace Arcade. The coolest scene must be where Dustin and Luke spy on Max, playing the game and setting the new record, thus earning her nickname Mad Max. It was later present in many different scenes, but most of them are with Max. 

The laundromat is still on the same street and in function, but the Arcade Palace logo has been removed. However, the paint job on the exterior and interior is the same. 

Stockbridge Elementary and High school, Georgia

“Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!” Do you remember the scene in episode 2 when the boys dressed up as the Ghostbusters for Halloween and met at school? Only to find out they were the only ones in their costumes. Although the school appears in the first season, the second one features more scenes in class, gym, and hallways. Especially when the group frantically tries to find Dart.

There are rumors that Stockbridge Elementary and High School, also known as Hawkins Public School in the show, may be demolished. Many fans who have visited the site have reported it abandoned and empty.

Screen Gems Studios, Atlanta, Georgia

We have already walked by all the family houses, but now is the time to literally walk through them. As you have probably guessed already, the interior shots of most interiors were filmed in a studio (as often happens with TV shows). 

The studio where they filmed the interior of Byers’s and Wheeler’s house is the Screen Gem Studios in Atlanta. A true gem indeed. The studios were established in 1948, and up until now, have provided film studios and infrastructure for many television and feature film clients.

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Stranger Things Filming Locations in Season 3

And we are moving on to my personal favorite season of all (although the fourth season is in a close second place). Filming for Stranger Things Season 3 started in April 2018, and the season aired on Netflix on July 4, 2019. Like the previous season, the main plot centers around the Mind Flayer. However, this time, Eleven destroys him. The filming location of season 3 was in Georgia, just like in the first two seasons.

Downtown Jackson, Georgia

The closest place to Hawkins has to be Jackson, Georgia. Especially downtown. Most of the city background scenes were filmed here, including Joyce’s workplace and Radio Shack. The town’s courthouse also became Hawkins Public Library as you already read previously. Some parts of the town were even altered to look as they would in the 80s. 

If you wish to go back to the 80s, there are many cool places to visit in the city. My personal favorites are the No Stress Thrift Store and an awesome record store Third Eye Curiosities. 

Gwinnett Place Mall, Duluth, Georgia

The one scene I enjoyed watching the most was when Eleven finally got to experience teenage life when she went with Max to shop for clothes. This was a pivotal moment since she, after all this time, had the opportunity to find herself. And why not start at the Star Court mall with the most awesome colorful jumpsuit?

If you too want to recreate this scene with your best friend, luckily, you can as the mall exists. Well almost. It is Gwinnett Place in Duluth. In the third season, the mall becomes one of the most important settings, as everything happens here. Eleven bonds with Max, Max dumps Lucas, Steve starts working, we meet Robin, and most importantly, the Russians devise a new plot. 

South Bend Pool, Atlanta, Georgia

Another new attraction in Hawkins, apart from the Star Court Mall, was the Hawkins Community Pool. I won’t dive into whether it was an attraction because of Billy working there or because it was unfathomably hot that summer. But I must admit, I was still interested in where the filming took place and whether they built on the set or shot on location.

The producers decided to shoot the scenes of the city pool at South Bend Pool in Atlanta, Georgia. Moreover, the pool is about half a mile from Screen Gems Studios, where they shot most interior scenes.

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Stranger Things Filming Locations in Season 4

After almost three years of waiting, all fans were eager to see the party again. And luckily, the season did not disappoint. From the new antagonist Vecna to the iconic one-liners by Erica Sinclair and a hit song by Kate Bush, the season left all wanting more. Also, we cannot forget Will’s legendary hair. Ans his feelings towards Mike. 

As you have probably noticed thus far, most of the film sets are in seasons 1 and 4. Moreover, these two seasons offer the most diverse Stranger Things filming locations. However, the fourth season introduced us to the film set outside the USA for the first time! But I won’t spoil the fun just yet. 

Aliberto’s Mexican Food, Los Lunas, New Mexico

Remember Argyle? Honestly, who could forget him? Some fans remember him as the Surfer Boy Pizza delivery guy and some as Jonathan’s best friend. But none can argue that he carried the season on his back. Without his van and driving skills, we probably would have never seen Eleven.

But let’s get back to the Surfer Boy Pizza establishment. Little do people know, this diner is actually Aliberto’s Mexican Food in Los Lunas, New Mexico. In 1979, Roberto started working at a Mexican restaurant. Seven years later, he opened his own business. Today, Roberto has over 10 restaurants, one of which was in Stranger Things season 4. 

Boat Rock Bouldering Area, Atlanta, Georgia

Boat Rock Bouldering Area is a popular spot for rock climbers in Atlanta, Georgia. The area is home to a variety of boulders, ranging from easy to difficult. Moreover, it is open year-round, but the best time to climb is in the fall or spring when the weather is mild. On the weekends, Boat Rock can get crowded, so it is best to go during the week if you can. 

In the show, Boat Rock is portrayed as a Skull Rock in Hawkins. This is a popular spot among teens, especially Steve Harrington. But the moment when we could really explore the area was in the scene with Eddie Munson. He used this area as his hideout place. 

Eldorado High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico

In season 4, the narrative moves from Hawkins to California, where the Byers family moved with Eleven. Therefore, the young trio, Eleven, Will, and Jonathan, enroll in Lenora Hills High School. This, of course, comes with many challenges for Eleven, as she has never attended a public school before.

If you wondered where they filmed the shots of the school, don’t worry, I got you! The exterior shots of Lenora High were filmed at El Dorado High School at 11300 Montgomery Boulevard NE, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Snow Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Snow Park is a community center at 9501 Indian School Road NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It offers a variety of programs and services for youth and adults. This includes after-school homework help, computer access, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor activities, and field trips. 

The center has a large outdoor basketball court, a covered patio pavilion, and an arts and crafts room. The scenes of Max remembering her time skating in California were taken here. 

Kyviškės Airport, Kyviškės, Lithuania

The fourth season introduced the newest character, Yuri Ismaylov (Nikola Đuričko). Yuri Ismaylov owned and ran an establishment named Yuri’s Fish n’ Fly in Nome, Alaska, offering plane rides over the Arctic. However, there was a suspicion that the business was just a front for Ismaylov’s actual source of income – smuggling American goods into the Soviet Union.

I hoped the location was filmed somewhere in Alaska, but that was not the case. All of the scenes regarding Yuri and the Russian prison were filmed in Lithuania. Fish n’ Fly, specifically, was filmed in Kyviškės Airport, Kyviškės, Lithuania.

Lukiškės Prison, Vilnius, Lithuania

Lukiškės Prison is a historic prison from the 19th century located in Vilnius, Lithuania. It has a rich history dating back to the Russian Empire era. Ironically, it plays a Russian prison in Kamchatka where Jim is one of its prisoners in the show. 

The prison complex is known for its distinctive architectural style of red-brick walls and a central tower. The design is typical of many prisons built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lukiškės was officially closed in 2019, and its closure was part of a broader initiative to reform the Lithuanian penal system. 

Mary Hall, Mt Berry, Georgia

In Season 4 of Stranger Things, Vecna, the main antagonist, takes center stage with a deep dive into his dark past. The narrative leads us to Pennhurst Mental Hospital, a chilling setting that serves as a flashback to Vecna’s troubled childhood. 

The show’s producers opted for Mary Hall in Mt Berry, Georgia, to film the hospital’s exterior. Mary Hall, completed in 1931, is the final installment of the Ford Buildings, showcasing remarkable architecture with a history as a women’s dormitory for up to 300 residents. 

St. Nicholas Church, Semeliškės, Lithuania

Yuri was the character we loved to hate and hated loving. His treacherous nature for sure made a lot of fans dislike him. But his humor was off the charts. So was his iconic warehouse. Yuri Ismaylov repurposed an abandoned church in Kyrzran, Kamchatka, as a warehouse for smuggling goods from the United States by 1986. 

But as I previously mentioned, none of the Russian locations are in Russia, but rather in Lithuania. So, the abandoned Kyrzranian church is Nicholas Church in Semeliškės, Lithuania. 

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Map of Stranger Things Filming Locations