Vampire Diaries Official Poster

“Dear Diary, today will be different. It has to be.” The iconic opening line from Elena Gilbert brings back memories of watching “The Vampire Diaries” (TVD), living on the edge of your seat and rooting for your favorite characters. Covington, Georgia makes the nostalgia of the show a reality. Covington has quickly become a very recognizable town.

Shockingly enough, TVD actually didn’t start filming in Georgia. The first episode was filmed in Vancouver on a soundstage with lots of extra effects, such as the crow and lots of smoke. However, once the crew realized how expensive that was, they relocated to Covington. Georgia has lower taxes and makes it easier for crews to get all their papers approved to start filming right away. Ever since then, Covington has become a hub for everything “Vampire Diaries” related. Nearly every tourist visiting is a fan, and nearly every shop is vampire related.

The second you step into Covington, it is easy to see multiple iconic locations. The clock tower prominent in nearly every shot of TVD is front and center in Covington Square. A few steps over is the famous Mystic Grill. The Mystic Grill is often the go-to gathering place for humans and supernatural creatures alike. Many significant conversations have unfolded there – whether it is a quick chat between friends, shaky alliances forming, or tension quietly building beneath the surface.

The inside is nearly identical to the show with chairs dedicated to Matt Davis (Alaric Saltzman) and Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) in the bar. As you wait for your food, you are able to walk along a staircase with menus pinned up on the walls signed by several TVD actors.

A short drive will reveal other prominent locations such as the Lockwood Mansion, the Gilbert house, and the Forbes house. Funnily enough, while the show never indicates this, the Gilbert house and Forbes house are just a few steps apart in real life. Driving a little further, you are able to see Grams’ house and Isabel’s house.

Fans can immerse themselves in the TVD world through themed shops and exhibits. Multiple stores sell “blood bags” filled with juice, allowing visitors to step into the show’s lore and feel the authenticity of “Vampire Diaries.” Several places sell merchandise such as replicas of Stefan’s football jersey, daylight rings, and everything Prison World related – an alternate dimension featured in later seasons. The visitors center includes real costumes and props from the set with sections dedicated to each character and iconic items from every season.

Best of all, Damon Salvatore’s car is on full display. For extra information, an organization offers tours around Covington. Tour guides offer general information as well as behind the scenes stories. You also get insider access to go beyond the gates and walk around the grounds of the Lockwood Mansion, making it feel as if you are a character in the show yourself.

Covington has grown beyond “Vampire Diaries” as well. The spinoff of TVD, “The Legacies,”, was also filmed there. A few other prominent movies and TV shows include “Remember the Titans,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Sweet Magnolias,” and “The Dukes of Hazzard.”

Even years after the “Vampire Diaries” has ended, its legacy continues to live on. It is more than just a filming location- it’s where the world of TVD lives on. Covington, Georgia allows every fan to experience the magic of The Vampire Diaries.