Atlanta, Georgia, and the surrounding area is known as a hotspot of filming locations for TV shows and movies. The filming of the first season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” began in November 2015 and was extensively shot in Atlanta, Georgia. The subsequent seasons of “Stranger Things” have also filmed in the same areas.
“Stranger Things” Filming Locations in Atlanta
While there are numerous companies that will take you on a tour to film locations, many of the locations are accessible on your own. While I was in Atlanta for a recent event, my nerdy car crew girls and I explored some film sites from Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
If you haven’t watched “Stranger Things” yet and plan to, please note this post contains spoilers from Seasons 1-3.
Thanks to Acura for loaning us their new MDX to check out filming sites around Atlanta. As always, all opinions are our own.
First stop, Target. While Target certainly isn’t a “Stranger Things” filming location, it’s a basic stop we all have to make—especially when you want to grab some “Stranger Things” merchandise to really boost your touristy filming location visit game.
Car Crew at Hawkins Memorial Hospital
The Acura MDX was the perfect vehicle for our mini road trip. Ample space for 4 plus gear, we filled up at Target with water, snacks, and all of the merch and items we needed for the day and set out for a drive. Comfy seats that adjust to your every need and plenty of charger ports for everyone.
As an audiophile, I’m always on the hunt for great sound, and the MDX’s system is one not to miss. Grammy award-winning recording engineer and producer Elliot Scheiner helped design this critically acclaimed ELS Studio Premium Audio System to reproduce music as it’s heard in the recording studio. You won’t be disappointed with its 10 speakers—1 per door, 2 tweeters, 1 center mid-range, 2 rear-seat surround, and 1 powered 8-inch subwoofer.
Car Crew at Hawkins Memorial Hospital
Visiting Stranger Things Filming Locations in Atlanta
Hawkins Memorial Hospital
In “Stranger Things” S3, Eleven encounters the Mind Flayer at the Hawkins Memorial Hospital. In real life, the Hawkins Memorial Hospital is Emory Adventist Hospital in Smyrna, GA, just down the road from where our event was being held.
Stranger Things: Hawkins Memorial Hospital. Photo credit: Netflix.
Hawkins Memorial Hospital
Emory Adventist Hospital
3949 S Cobb Drive, Smyrna, 30080
Sattler Quarry
In S1 of “Stranger Things,” the fake body of Will (planted to deter the investigation) was found in Sattler Quarry. When we arrived at the Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry, the quarry (private property) was closed due to construction at the site. The nice guard let us stop and take photos at the gate, though.
Stranger Things. Photo credit: Netflix.
The sad face you make when the quarry is closed and you can’t get a real photo.
Sattler Quarry
Bellwood Quarry, Atlanta, 30318
The Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry, in addition to being a “Stranger Things” filming location, was also used as a location for the filming of the AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” It was also used as a filming location in S4 E14 of “The Vampire Diaries,” a scene in Mockingjay Part 1, as well as the final scene of The Fundamentals of Caring. The quarry is currently a major green space project; during the construction of the reservoir and the park, the area is closed to the public and trespassers will be arrested.
Due to time constraints, we only visited two Stranger Things filming locations. There are quite a few other shooting locations you can visit.
Out and About in Hawkins
Benny’s Burgers
Tiffany’s Kitchen
7413 Lee Road, Lithia Springs, 30122
Benny’s Burgers is the diner Eleven runs to after she initially escapes Hawkins National Laboratory, kicking off the entire series.
Bradley’s Big Buy
Piggly Wiggly
506 Center Street, Palmetto, 30268
In S1, Eleven steals Eggos from Bradley’s Big Buy. The kids return in S3 to break into Bradley’s Big Buy and prepare to fight the Mind Flayer.
Cemetery
Bethany Cemetery, Fayetteville, 30214
This is the cemetery where Will’s funeral was held in S1.
Cemetery
Stone Mountain Cemetery
1025 Silver Hill Road, Stone Mountain, 30087
This cemetery was the one featured briefly during Barb’s funeral in S2.
Downtown Hawkins
2nd Street, Jackson, 30233 (at the square)
You can see several buildings (including Melvald’s General Store, where Joyce works, and the Radio Shack, where Bob worked) on 2nd Street in Jackson.
Enzo’s
Dominick’s Italian of Historic Norcross
95 S Peachtree Street, Norcross, 30071
Enzo’s is the Italian restaurant where Hopper is stood up by Joyce. Stop in and enjoy a glass of wine.
Family Video
6503 Church Street, Douglasville, 30134
Conveniently located next to the Palace Arcade, this is where Steve and Robin find new jobs toward the end of S3.
Stranger Things: Hawkins Community Pool. Photo credit: Netflix.
Hawkins Community Pool
South Bend Pool
2000 Lakewood Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, 30315
Hawkins Community Pool is the pool in S3 where Billy works as a lifeguard.
Hawkins General Hospital
First Baptist Church of East Point
2813 East Point Street, East Point, 30344
First Baptist Church of East Point’s exterior is used for the hospital’s exteriors at the end of S1, when Hopper reluctantly enters the Hawkins National Laboratory car. To see the angle from the series, go down Thompson Avenue until you reach the split in the building.
Hawkins Library
Butts County Probate Court
25 3rd Street, Jackson, 30233
Butts County Probate Court serves as the exterior shots for the library.
Hawkins Middle School and Hawkins High School
Patrick Henry Adult Education
109 South Lee Street, Stockbridge, 30281
This is the middle school the boys (and eventually Max) attend for the S1 and S2 and where the climax of S1 occurs. Hawkins High is where Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, and Billy go to school.
Hawkins National Laboratory
Georgia Mental Health Institute at Emory’s University
1256 Briarcliff Road Northeast, Atlanta, 30306
The shuttered Georgia Mental Health Institute at Emory University’s campus stands as the external location for the secretive lab.
Hawkins Police Station
Douglasville Courthouse Square Office Building
8485 Courthouse Square West, Douglasville, 30134
This small building in Douglasville was used for exterior building shots of the Hawkins Police Station.
Hawk Theater
Bradley’s Olde Tavern
2 Oak Street, Jackson, 30233
The Hawk Theater movie theater is the one that was defaced to insult Nancy in S1.
Hawkins Town Hall
The former East Point City Hall building
2777 East Point Street, East Point, 30344
The seat of government in Hawkins, where Hopper and Mayor Kline have been known to butt heads.
Hideaway
Smokin’ Cues
112 North Berry Street, Stockbridge, 30281
The Hideaway is the bar Hopper visits to speak with Indiana State Police trooper David O’Bannon about finding Will’s “body” in the quarry.
Jackson Drug
Melvald’s General Store
4 2nd Street, Jackson, 30233
Where Joyce works in downtown Hawkins, owned by Donald Melvald.
Converted Laundromat
Palace Arcade
6501 Church Street, Douglasville, 30134
This converted laundromat is the home of the video arcade from S2 where the boys first learn of “Mad Max.”
Stranger Things: Starcourt Mall. Photo credit: Netflix.
Starcourt Mall
Gwinnett Place Mall
2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 30096
The home of Scoops Ahoy, the ice cream shop in “Stranger Things,” a good portion of S3 revolves around this mall.
The Hawkins Post
Lithonia Farmers Market
6980 Main Street, Lithonia, 30058
The Hawkins Post is the newspaper where Jonathan and Nancy work in S3.
Stranger Things: Starcourt Mall. Photo credit: Netflix.
Local Hawkins Residences
The Wheeler Family Home
2530 Piney Wood Lane, East Point, 30344
The home of Mike and Nancy Wheeler
The Byers Family Home
Fayetteville, 30214 (The Stranger Things Wiki notes that the owners prefer not have their address posted publicly.)
The home of Joyce, Jonathan, and Will Byers (and Bob).
The Harrington Family Home
8253 Carlton Road, Riverdale, 30296
Home of Steve Harrington and the location where Barb entered the Upside Down
The Sinclair Family Home
2550 Piney Wood Lane, East Point, 30344
The home of Lucas and Erica Sinclair
The Henderson Family Home
2886 Piney Wood Drive, East Point, 30344
Dustin Henderson’s home and ground zero for demo-dogs
The Holland Family Home
2980 Piney Wood Drive, East Point, 30344
Barb Holland’s family home
The Hargrove/Mayfield Family Home
5280 Moore Street, Stone Mountain, 30083
The home of “Mad” Max Mayfield and her (actually) mad brother Billy Hargrove
Hopper’s Trailer
2300 Daniel Rd SW, Atlanta, 30331
Seen only in S1, this is the home of Chief Jim Hopper. This location is nestled deep within private property.
Locations Outside Hawkins
7-Eleven
V Go
1355 Milstead Avenue, Conyers, 30012
The V Go is home of Slurpees, carjackings, and Alexi’s first taste of the American dream.
Abandoned Mill
2903 RN Martin Street, East Point, 30344
This abandoned mill is used as the Mind Flayer’s lair.
Alley near Chicago Hideout
Old Norfolk Southern Building
125 Ted Turner Drive Southwest, Atlanta, 30303
This is the alley Eleven passes through just before she arrives at the hideout of the other gifted individuals.
Cabin in the Woods
Escape Woods at The Sleepy Hollow Farms
628 Sleepy Hollow Road, Powder Springs, GA
This is the cabin in the woods where El stays. You can do an escape room at the property. The interior shots were done on a sound stage. This cabin was used for exterior shots only.
Chicago Hideout
315 McDonough Boulevard Southeast, Atlanta, 30315
This is the hideout where Eleven hones her powers with Eight.
Downtown Chicago
Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta, 30303
Several streets in this area of Atlanta were used to create downtown Chicago for both the opening of S2 and when Eleven first gets to the city.
Hawkins Woods
Stone Mountain Park and Georgia International Horse Park
Various locations in these two areas were used to film wooded scenes throughout both S1 and S2.
Ives Family Home
422 Lees Lake Road, Fayetteville, 30214
Home of Terry and Becky Ives (Eleven’s aunt and mother).
Lonnie Byer’s House
930 Garibaldi Street Southwest, Atlanta, 30310
Jonathan goes looking for Will at their father’s house in S1.
Stranger Things: Oscar’s Gas N’ Go. Photo credit: Netflix.
Oscar’s Gas N’ Go
Ravi’s Food Mart
7705 Covington Highway, Lithonia, 30058
The gas station Eleven, Eight, and the others rob in S2.
Pumpkin Farm
Sleepy Hollow Farm
628 Sleepy Hollow Road, Powder Springs, 30127
In S2, Hopper investigates the rotting pumpkins at this farm before entering the Upside Down.
Other “Stranger Things” Filming Locations and Events
Van Flip
3782 Sarah’s Lane, Tucker, 30084
The iconic scene from late in S1 where Eleven flips a Hawkins Power and Light van with her powers.
Stranger Things: Railroad Tracks. Photo credit: Netflix.
Railroad Tracks
Stone Mountain Park
Cherokee Trail, Stone Mountain (33.808399, -84.139244)
The boys are seen walking along these tracks with Eleven early in S1. Dustin and Steve also walk along these tracks in S2.
Phone Booth
33°27’17.2″N 84°33’29.0″W
Hopper uses a phone booth in the middle of nowhere to call the police on his way to the Ives’ home. The booth was built for the shoot and does not exist in real life.
Trick-or-Treating House
2545 Piney Wood Lane, East Point, 30344
While Trick-or-Treating, Max jumps out and scares the boys near this house.
The Fair
Georgia Renaissance Festival Grounds
6905 Virlyn B Smith Road, Fairburn, 30213
Where we see the death of our new friend Alexi in S3.
The rest of our day
We also stopped at Taco Mac for lunch. A chain in the Atlanta area, it’s a restaurant I’d never been to. I’d go back for sure. Great food at a reasonable price.
Do you have any locations to add? Have you been to any of these?
Here’s my Stranger Things Filming Locations Road Trip Playlist from Spotify
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