Here's How to Plan the Ultimate Gilmore Girls Road Trip
Gilmore Girls fall is in full swing. In case you didn't know, there's more to autumn than pumpkin spice lattes. It's also the season when many fans give the comforting TV show an annual rewatch. Whether you're participating for the first time or you've lost count of your yearly viewings, you likely admire the quaint town of Stars Hollow where the show is set. While Stars Hollow is a fictional place, the charming town was inspired by a real one. Below, you'll find all of the filming location details—including how you can (sort of!) visit Stars Hollow. Plus, take a look at some of the real-life locations featured in the series.
Is Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls a Real Place?
We hate to kill your dreams, but, no. A backlot called "Midwest Street" in Warner Bros. Studios—which is located in Burbank, California—was transformed into Stars Hollow, Connecticut, for Gilmore Girls. Many of the show's iconic spots, from Luke's Diner to the Dragonfly Inn, existed on this backlot during the series production. While they're no longer there today, the one remaining feature is the Stars Hollow gazebo, which becomes the site of many a photo op, when fans visit it during a studio tour.
Midwest Street is the largest backlot set at Warner Bros. Thanks to its small-town square, gazebo, courthouse, steepled church, and street-level facades with usable interiors, the studio touts it as "Anytown, USA." The backlot certainly lives up to that title. It's been featured in nearly 400 movies and shows since it was built in the 1930s, according to Warner Bros. Apart from Gilmore Girls, the lot starred as Rosewood, Pennsylvania, in Pretty Little Liars. It's also featured in classic films including Bonnie and Clyde, The Music Man, and Rebel Without a Cause. Not only is the backlot used for productions, but it's also available to book for special events. Large charity fundraisers, Hollywood weddings, and big corporate events have all been held there.
What Town Inspired Stars Hollow?
Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator of Gilmore Girls, based Stars Hollow on the rural town of Washington, Connecticut, after vacationing at the five-star Mayflower Grace inn (also known as the Mayflower Inn and Spa) there in 1999, according to The New York Times. Every fall, fans flock to the town—many during The Firelight Event hosted by The Fan Fest Society. During the annual weekend happening, members of the cast and crew join fans partake in various gatherings including panels, meet and greets, DIYs, trivia, and contests.
Are there Any Real-Life Locations in Gilmore Girls?
Occasionally, Gilmore Girls made use of real-life filming locations. In fact, the pilot episode was shot in Unionville, Toronto. In the show's intro, the overhead footage of Stars Hollow is actually Royalton, Vermont, according to Collider. Another location, tagged on IMDb, is the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, which portrays the exterior of Rory’s prep school. Pomona College in Claremont, California, was also tapped to depict Yale University. So if you do want to pack in as much "Star's Hollow" as you can, you'll have to traverse both the East and West Coasts. Or just settle into your couch and pull out the remote.
You love filming locations. So do we. Let’s obsess over them together.
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