Stranger Things Filming Location Tours In Atlanta

The Short Answer

Stranger Things filmed its fictional Hawkins mostly in Jackson, Georgia, about an hour's drive from Atlanta, plus locations across the city itself. Fans can take a guided walking tour from Hawkins Headquarters in Jackson, join a bus tour from Atlanta, or book a private guided drive covering homes, the pool and lab exterior.

Downtown Hawkins is real. The town of Jackson, Georgia, roughly an hour south of Atlanta, stood in for the show's fictional setting across Seasons 1 through 5, and its square, storefronts and civic buildings appear on screen constantly. Melvald's General Store, the Hawkins Public Library, the Hawk Theater and City Hall are all within a few blocks of one another.

Beyond Jackson, the production scattered sites across the Atlanta area. South Bend Pool became the Hawkins Community Pool in Season 3, a former psychiatric hospital on Briarcliff Road served as the Hawkins Lab exterior, and neighborhoods in East Point and Stockbridge supplied character homes and the high school. Guided tours tie these far-flung spots together, and some include glimpses of EUE Screen Gems Studios where interiors were shot.

Compare The Tours

The options below differ mainly in format and starting point. The listing here is a private tour based in Atlanta, which pairs a personal guide with door-to-door transport across multiple filming sites, ideal for fans who want depth and flexibility rather than a fixed group schedule.

Private Upside Down Drive

Private Stranger Things "The Upside Down" Film Locations Tour in Atlanta

Private guided drive from Atlanta covering Upside Down filming sites, rated 5 stars from 388 reviews.

5.0 out of 5 · 388 reviewsAtlanta

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

What You Will See

Melvald's General Store

The storefront where Joyce Byers worked in Season 1 sits on Jackson's town square. Walking tours stop here, and fans can browse the Hawkins Headquarters gift shop and arcade nearby.

Hawkins Public Library

A recurring location in the series, the library appears on the guided walking route through downtown Jackson alongside the theater and other square-front businesses.

Downtown Square

Jackson's historic square doubles as the heart of Hawkins. Multiple storefronts, including a Radio Shack facade, appear throughout the show's five seasons.

Hawk Theater

The movie theater featured in the series is one of the recognizable stops on the guided walking tour that departs from Hawkins Headquarters.

Hawkins Pool

South Bend Pool in Atlanta filmed the Season 3 lifeguard and pool party scenes, including Billy's flayed sequences. It is a seasonal public pool with free exterior viewing.

Byers' House

The isolated Byers family home is one of the additional locations covered by bus tours operating from Atlanta, along with character homes and school sites.

Hawkins Lab Exterior

A former psychiatric hospital building on Briarcliff Road in Atlanta provided the imposing Hawkins National Laboratory exterior for Seasons 1 through 4. View from the street.

Planning Your Visit

Getting There

Jackson sits roughly an hour's drive from Atlanta, and most visitors arrive by car. Hawkins Headquarters, the tour departure point at 101 E 2nd St, is walkable from parking around the town square. Travelers without a car can join a bus tour departing from Atlanta, which also reaches sites in East Point, Stockbridge and elsewhere that would otherwise require significant driving. Visitors checking out lab and pool locations independently should verify current street access before going.

Tickets, Hours And Timing

Official walking tours run from Hawkins Headquarters, with tickets starting at $35 per person as of 2026, and the headquarters itself is open daily, including holidays, from 10 AM to 6 PM. A walking tour typically lasts about 1.5 hours, while bus tours from Atlanta that add homes, the pool, steelworks and school sites run around 6 hours. Private guided tours offer a more flexible alternative for travelers who want a dedicated vehicle and itinerary.

Booking Tips

Reserve walking or bus tours 1 to 2 weeks ahead, and allow extra lead time in summer.
Dates around November 6, the show's unofficial fan holiday, sell out much earlier.
Book 1 to 2 months ahead for major events like the Season 5 premiere period.
Private tours suit groups who want a set itinerary without strangers.

On The Map

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Hawkins In Real Life?

The fictional town of Hawkins is primarily Jackson, Georgia, about an hour south of Atlanta. Its downtown square, library, theater and stores appear throughout Seasons 1 to 5. Additional Hawkins locations were filmed across metro Atlanta, including East Point, Stockbridge and the Briarcliff Road area.

Can You Visit The Stranger Things Locations Without A Tour?

Yes. Jackson's square is public and viewable on foot, and sites like South Bend Pool and the lab exterior can be seen from the street. However, character homes are in residential neighborhoods where drive-by viewing only is appropriate, and a tour adds context plus access to harder-to-find spots.

How Long Does A Tour Take?

The guided walking tour in Jackson lasts about 1.5 hours and covers the downtown square locations. Bus tours from Atlanta, which add homes, the pool, the steelworks and the high school, run approximately 6 hours including travel time.

When Should You Book?

Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead for standard dates, earlier in summer or around November 6, when fan interest spikes. For high-demand moments like the Season 5 premiere period, reserve 1 to 2 months in advance to secure a spot.

What Is There Besides The Tour In Jackson?

Hawkins Headquarters, at 101 E 2nd St, houses a gift shop and arcade and is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, including holidays. Visitors can linger on the square, photograph storefronts like Melvald's, and explore the small town at their own pace.

Are The Private Tours Worth It?

Private tours cost more than group options but offer a dedicated guide and vehicle, flexible pacing, and hotel-style pickup around Atlanta. The listed private option holds a 5 star rating across 388 reviews, suggesting strong satisfaction among fans who took it.

For most fans, the choice comes down to time and transport. A walking tour from Hawkins Headquarters delivers the classic downtown Hawkins experience in under two hours, while bus and private tours from Atlanta reach the homes, pool, lab and school exteriors that define the show's wider geography. Either way, booking ahead matters, especially around fan-favorite dates in November and the Season 5 release window.

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