Eight seasons. One town square. Covington, Georgia served as the real Mystic Falls for over a decade of television — and every location is still here. Walk the square, eat at the actual Mystic Grill, and see the homes where it all happened.
8
Seasons filmed in Covington
171
Episodes as Mystic Falls
3 mi
CVC airport to town square
3
Shows in the TVD universe
When The Vampire Diaries premiered in 2009, the production team chose Covington, Georgia for a reason most small towns cannot replicate: a town square so perfectly preserved that it needed almost no set dressing to become the fictional Mystic Falls, Virginia.
The 1824 courthouse, gas-lamp streetlights, antebellum homes, and tree-lined residential streets gave the show its visual identity for eight seasons and 171 episodes. The production filmed here continuously from 2009 to 2017, making Covington one of the longest-running television production locations in the Southeast.
The legacy extends beyond the original series. The Originals (2013–2018) used Covington locations during its early seasons, and Legacies (2018–2022) returned extensively to film at the Salvatore School and surrounding areas. Between the three series, Covington hosted over a decade of continuous production in this fictional universe.
The Mystic Grill (real restaurant)
1116 Clark Street, Covington
The town hangout where Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline spent countless scenes. The restaurant operates today under the same name, serving Southern fare and craft cocktails. The interior has been preserved to match the show’s aesthetic. Open for lunch and dinner.
Private residence (exterior only)
2104 Floyd Street, Covington
Elena and Jeremy Gilbert’s family home. The white Victorian house with its wraparound porch is one of the most photographed locations in Covington. It remains a private residence — photographs from the sidewalk only.
Covington Town Square
Town Square, Covington
The heart of Mystic Falls. The square appeared in nearly every episode, serving as the backdrop for festivals, town events, and pivotal scenes. The 1824 courthouse, antebellum storefronts, and central green are exactly as they appear on screen.
Covington Courthouse Clock Tower
Town Square, Covington
The clock tower featured prominently throughout the series. It sits atop the historic Newton County Courthouse, which has served as the town’s center since 1884. The courthouse and its grounds are open to the public.
Private property
Near Covington (exterior approach shots)
The long, tree-lined driveway used for approach shots of the Salvatore mansion. While the actual interior was a studio set, the exterior approach road is in the Covington area. The exact location is on private property.
Private property (exterior only)
Covington area
The Lockwood family estate, used for numerous party scenes and town council meetings. The grand antebellum-style property is privately owned. Like the Gilbert House, it can be appreciated from the public road.
Most of the key Vampire Diaries filming locations in Covington are within walking distance of the town square. The route below covers the essential stops in a logical order, with time estimates that include browsing, photographs, and a meal at the Mystic Grill.
For locations beyond walking distance — the Gilbert House, Lockwood Mansion, and approach roads used for the Salvatore Boarding House — your LuxShuttle chauffeur handles the driving. Walk the square at your own pace, then step back into the Sprinter for the residential stops.
20–30 minutes
Start at the central green. The square, shops, and courthouse are all walkable.
45–60 minutes
Lunch or coffee at the actual Mystic Grill on Clark Street. The atmosphere alone is worth the stop.
10–15 minutes
Walk or drive to Floyd Street. Exterior viewing from the sidewalk.
20–30 minutes
Many of the shops around the square appeared as Mystic Falls businesses. Browse and photograph.
15–20 minutes
Maps, local recommendations, and Vampire Diaries fan merchandise. Located on the square.
Covington Municipal Airport (CVC) sits approximately three miles from the town square — a five- to eight-minute ground transfer. It is the closest possible arrival point for guests visiting Mystic Falls filming locations.
The alternative is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, roughly 35 miles west. In normal traffic, that drive takes 40 to 50 minutes. On weekends and during peak hours, it can exceed an hour. By flying into CVC, you eliminate the Atlanta commute entirely and begin your tour within minutes of landing.
CVC offers a 6,000-foot runway (extended in 2019), full-service Titan FBO, and no TSA screening. Your chauffeur is waiting at the FBO when you deplane, and you are on the Covington town square before a guest arriving at ATL has even cleared baggage claim.
5–8 minutes
3 miles — no highway, no Atlanta traffic
40–60+ minutes
35 miles via I-20 — peak hours add 15–30 minutes
Runway: 6,000 x 100 ft
FBO: Titan Full-Service
TSA: None (general aviation)
Identifier: CVC (KCVC), formerly 9A1
The custom Mercedes-Benz Sprinter becomes your private base for the day. Your chauffeur transfers you from CVC to the town square, then handles the driving between residential filming locations that are beyond walking distance — the Gilbert House on Floyd Street, the Lockwood Mansion, and the tree-lined approaches used for the Salvatore estate.
Between stops, the cabin serves as a private lounge. Climate-controlled, equipped with Wi-Fi and chilled refreshments, it provides a place to regroup without searching for parking or sitting in a crowded cafe. The 32-inch 4K Smart TV can stream episodes for reference while you visit the locations where they were filmed.
The service accommodates up to eight guests. For fan groups, families, or content creators documenting the tour, the Sprinter provides space, comfort, and a chauffeur who knows the area — so you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics.
From $175
One-way CVC to Covington town square or return. Includes chauffeur, FBO coordination, and all amenities.
From $175/hr
Your Sprinter and chauffeur for the full Covington tour. Airport transfer, filming locations, Mystic Grill, and return.
From $175 per hour · Up to eight guests · Every filming location
Yes. Covington served as the primary filming location for all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017). The town’s square, courthouse, residential streets, and surrounding area were used as the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. Many of the locations are preserved and publicly accessible.
Yes. The Mystic Grill operates as a real restaurant at 1116 Clark Street in Covington. It serves Southern cuisine and craft cocktails. The interior retains the atmosphere from the show. It is open for lunch and dinner and is one of the most popular stops for fans visiting Covington.
Covington offers both guided and self-guided walking tours of Vampire Diaries filming locations. The Covington Welcome Center on the town square provides maps and information. Most of the key locations — the town square, Mystic Grill, Gilbert House exterior, and clock tower — are within walking distance of each other. For a private experience, LuxShuttle provides an hourly charter around Covington and the surrounding filming sites.
Covington Municipal Airport (CVC, formerly 9A1) is approximately three miles from the town square — a five- to eight-minute ground transfer. It is the closest airport to Covington by a significant margin. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) is roughly 35 miles west, typically 40–50 minutes in normal traffic. Flying into CVC eliminates the drive from Atlanta entirely.
Yes. LuxShuttle provides an hourly charter in the custom Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for groups visiting Covington’s filming locations. Your chauffeur drives you between sites that are beyond walking distance — the Gilbert House, Lockwood Mansion, and other residential locations — while you explore the town square on foot. The cabin seats eight in cream leather captain’s chairs with Wi-Fi and chilled refreshments. From $175 per hour.
The Originals (2013–2018), the first spin-off, was primarily filmed in and around Covington for its early seasons before shifting production to focus on New Orleans settings. Legacies (2018–2022), set at the Salvatore School, returned extensively to Covington and the surrounding area. Between the three series, Covington hosted over a decade of continuous production in this universe.
A thorough self-guided walking tour of the town square filming locations takes approximately two to three hours, including a stop at the Mystic Grill for a meal. If you add the residential locations (Gilbert House, Lockwood Mansion) that require driving, plan for three to four hours total. Your LuxShuttle chauffeur can handle the driving portions while you walk the square at your own pace.