Where Was The Walking Dead Filmed?

The Short Answer

The Walking Dead was filmed primarily in and around Senoia and Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Most interiors and major sets, including the prison and Alexandria, were built at Raleigh Studios Atlanta in Senoia. Exteriors used real Georgia places such as downtown Senoia for Woodbury and Alexandria, plus Atlanta sites like the Jackson Street Bridge and Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Few television series are as tightly bound to one place as The Walking Dead. Although the story wanders across a fictional post-apocalyptic America, the production stayed close to home, shooting from 2010 to 2022 almost entirely in Georgia.

That means fans can walk the same streets as the survivors. Some locations are public and free to explore, others are private homes or studio backlots, and a handful are best reached through guided tours. Here is where the series was made and how to see it.

Every Location At A Glance

Location	Where	What was filmed	Access
Downtown Senoia	Senoia	Woodbury town scenes (season 3); parts of Alexandria safe zone	Free to see
Raleigh Studios Atlanta	Senoia	Prison set, Alexandria interiors/exteriors, many other backlot communities (seasons 2-11)	Private property
Rick's House	Atlanta	Rick Grimes' home exterior (season 1, episode 1)	Outside only
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre	Atlanta	CDC headquarters exterior (season 1)	Outside only
Jackson Street Bridge / Freedom Parkway	Atlanta	Rick entering Atlanta on horseback (season 1)	Free to see
Bellwood Quarry	Atlanta	Atlanta survivor camp/quarry scenes (season 1)	Free to see
Esco Feed Mill / Haralson Tours	Haralson	Multiple scenes including Merle's death and other gritty exteriors	Ticketed
Tybee Island (Oceanside)	Tybee Island	Oceanside community beach and training scenes	Free to see

Filming Locations Map

8 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Location By Location

Downtown Senoia played Woodbury in season 3 and later stood in for parts of Alexandria, making it one of the most recognizable stretches of street in the entire series. The historic main street remains open to the public, with active shops and restaurants, and fans commonly explore it on self-guided walks or organized tours. It is the easiest way to stand inside the show without any special access.

This 120 to 140 acre studio backlot in Senoia hosted most of the series after season 1, with purpose-built sets for the prison, Alexandria, and other communities across seasons 2 through 11. The studio is private and not open to the general public, though occasional special events have been noted in the past. Fans generally view the perimeter from Senoia or opt for a licensed private backlot tour.

The exterior of Rick Grimes' home from season 1, episode 1 is a real private residence at 817 Cherokee Ave SE in Atlanta's Grant Park neighborhood. It can be viewed from the street only. This is someone's actual house, so visitors should not trespass, knock, or linger on the property. A quick photo from the sidewalk is the respectful limit.

The imposing CDC headquarters seen at the end of season 1 is, in reality, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. Only the exterior appeared in the show, with interiors shot at other Atlanta venues. The building remains an active performing arts venue, and its distinctive glass facade is visible from the street and surrounding parking areas at any time.

The Jackson Street Bridge over Freedom Parkway is where Rick rides into abandoned Atlanta on horseback in season 1, one of the series' defining images. The bridge is public and has become a popular photo spot, offering a sweeping view of the downtown skyline. Visitors should use caution with traffic, as it remains an active road rather than a pedestrian plaza.

Bellwood Quarry appeared in season 1 as the Atlanta survivor camp and quarry scenes. Today it is part of Westside Reservoir Park and fully open to the public, with hiking trails and elevated views over the dramatic rock walls and water. It is one of the few filming sites that has become a legitimate recreational destination in its own right.

The old feed mill property in the small town of Haralson hosted multiple gritty exteriors, including Merle's death. The land is private, and access is ticketed through guided Walking Dead tours run on the property itself. Because capacity is limited and the site is otherwise closed, booking in advance is essential for anyone hoping to stand on this particular piece of the show.

Tybee Island near Savannah served as the Oceanside community, appearing in beach scenes and training sequences in later seasons. The beach is public and accessible year-round, and it doubles as a conventional seaside tourist destination with the usual attractions. Fans can combine a normal beach trip with spotting the shoreline familiar from the show, no tour required.

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Georgia and neighboring states, referencing fictional places such as King County, so the setting and the shooting locations largely overlap. In practice, the series was filmed almost entirely in real Georgia locations and at Raleigh Studios Atlanta in Senoia, meaning fans can visit the actual landscapes seen on screen rather than stand-ins pretending to be elsewhere.

The Studio Side

Raleigh Studios Atlanta, formerly Riverwood Studios, sits in Senoia and spans a 120 to 140 acre backlot. Most of the series after season 1 was shot here, including purpose-built sets for the prison, Alexandria interiors and exteriors, and many other communities across seasons 2 to 11. The studio is not open to the public, though some guided tours include access to private backlot areas. The Kingdom, notably, was filmed elsewhere, at the former Fort McPherson military base, now Tyler Perry Studios, in Atlanta.

Tours That Visit These Locations

Several bookable tours cover these locations, ranging from a short walking tour of Senoia to full-day private excursions linking Atlanta and Senoia. Options differ in length, transport, and group size, so the right pick depends on how deep the fandom runs and how much of Georgia there is time to see.

Small-Group Backlot Walk

Walking Dead Walking Tour on Private Filming Backlot

Walk an actual private filming backlot tied to the series, a rare chance since Raleigh Studios itself stays closed, from $50 per person with a 4.7 rating across 280 reviews.

4.7 out of 5 · 280 reviewsAtlanta

From$50Check availability

Private Senoia Locations Tour

The Walking Dead: Private Film Locations Tour of Senoia

A private tour dedicated to Senoia's filming locations at $175, rated 4.7 across 80 reviews, ideal for those staying south of Atlanta.

4.7 out of 5 · 80 reviewsAtlanta

From$175Check availability

Full-Day Private VIP, 7 Hours

7-Hr The Walking Dead Private VIP Tour in Atlanta and Senoia with Transportation

The most complete option: roughly seven hours covering both Atlanta and Senoia with transportation included, rated 4.8 from 65 reviews.

4.8 out of 5 · 65 reviewsAtlanta

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Private Atlanta Locations Tour

The Walking Dead in the City: Private Atlanta Film Location Tour

A private Atlanta tour focused on city sites such as the Jackson Street Bridge view, priced at $175 and rated 4.9 from 54 reviews.

4.9 out of 5 · 54 reviewsAtlanta

From$175Check availability

Atlanta Private Film Locations Tour

Atlanta: 'The Walking Dead' Film Locations Private Tour

A private Atlanta film locations tour rated 4.9 from 40 reviews, pairing well with a separate Senoia visit.

4.9 out of 5 · 40 reviewsAtlanta

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Guided Walk, 2 Hours

Senoia The Walking Dead Film locations 2 hours Walking Tour

A two-hour walking tour of Senoia's famous main street, the cheapest way in at $39, holding a perfect 5 rating from 33 reviews.

5.0 out of 5 · 33 reviewsAtlanta

From$39Check availability

Atlanta VIP Private Tour

Atlanta: 'The Walking Dead' VIP Private Tour

A premium VIP private tour of Atlanta at $350, rated 4.9 from 9 reviews, suited to dedicated fans wanting an unhurried, tailored day.

4.9 out of 5 · 9 reviewsAtlanta

From$350Check availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was The Walking Dead mainly filmed?

In and around Senoia and Atlanta, Georgia. Most interiors and major sets were built at Raleigh Studios Atlanta in Senoia, while exteriors used real locations across the state, including downtown Senoia, the Jackson Street Bridge, Bellwood Quarry, and Tybee Island.

Can you visit the Walking Dead sets?

Partly. Raleigh Studios Atlanta is private and closed to the public, but downtown Senoia, Bellwood Quarry, the Jackson Street Bridge, and Tybee Island are all accessible. A few bookable tours include access to private filming property, such as the backlot walking tour and the Haralson feed mill tours.

Is Alexandria a real place you can visit?

Parts of it are. Downtown Senoia's real neighborhood was used for Alexandria exteriors, alongside sets built at Raleigh Studios. The studio portion is off limits, but the Senoia streets are public and easy to walk.

Where is Rick's house from season 1?

It is a real private home at 817 Cherokee Ave SE in Atlanta's Grant Park neighborhood. Only the exterior was filmed, and it can be viewed from the street. It is an active residence, so visitors should not trespass.

What was the CDC building in real life?

The CDC exterior was the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. Interior scenes were shot at other Atlanta venues. The centre remains an active venue and its exterior is visible from the street.

Do you need a car to see the filming locations?

For Senoia and Atlanta's spread-out sites, yes, unless you book a tour with transportation. The full-day private VIP tour covers both Atlanta and Senoia with transport included. Downtown Senoia itself is compact and walkable on a two-hour walking tour.

Georgia made The Walking Dead as much as any actor did, and unusually for a major series, most of its world survives intact and visitable. A day split between Atlanta's season 1 landmarks and the streets of Senoia covers the highlights, while backlot and private property tours reward completionists. Pick the format that fits, and the sets stop being television and become a map.

The Short Answer

Every Location At A Glance

Filming Locations Map

Location By Location

Downtown Senoia

Raleigh Studios Atlanta

Rick's House

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Jackson Street Bridge / Freedom Parkway

Bellwood Quarry

Esco Feed Mill / Haralson Tours

Tybee Island (Oceanside)