Stranger Things may be set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, but the real filming locations are spread across different places in the United States. From spooky labs to quiet small towns, every location helps create the show’s nostalgic 80s vibe. Here’s a full, easy-to-understand guide to where each season was actually filmed.
1. Most of Stranger Things Was Filmed in Georgia
Even though the story takes place in Indiana, Georgia is the main filming hub. The production used several cities, including:
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Atlanta
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Jackson
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Stockbridge
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Douglasville
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Fayetteville
Georgia was chosen because it looks like small-town America and offers great filming support.
2. Hawkins National Laboratory — Atlanta, Georgia
The creepy lab where Eleven grew up is filmed at the Georgia Mental Health Institute, an old research centre on Emory University’s campus.
Its empty hallways and cold rooms made the perfect setting for the show’s mysterious experiments.
3. Hawkins Middle & High School — Stockbridge, Georgia
Both schools were filmed at Patrick Henry High School, an abandoned building in Stockbridge.
The classrooms, hallways, and gym seen in the series were all created here.
4. The Byers’ House — Fayetteville, Georgia
Joyce, Will, and Jonathan’s original home in Seasons 1 and 2 was filmed in Fayetteville.
The house is now a fan attraction, with many visitors taking pictures outside.
5. Hopper’s Cabin — Sleepy Hollow Farm, Powder Springs
One of the most iconic spots—Hopper’s hidden cabin in the woods—was built at Sleepy Hollow Farm.
Fans can even visit the area and take a tour.
6. Starcourt Mall — Duluth, Georgia
The famous Starcourt Mall from Season 3 was shot inside the Gwinnett Place Mall.
The production redesigned an entire wing to make the colourful 80s-style shopping center.
7. Lenora Hills (California scenes) — New Mexico
Season 4 added a new location: Lenora Hills, California, where Eleven moves with the Byers.
These scenes were actually filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, because the bright sun and desert-style neighborhoods matched the California vibe.
8. Russian Prison — Lithuania
The snowy Russian prison where Hopper is trapped in Season 4 was filmed at:
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Lukiškės Prison, Vilnius, Lithuania
This real prison was used because of its cold, gritty look.
9. Creel House — Rome, Georgia
The spooky Creel House from Season 4 is a real old mansion in Rome, Georgia.
The inside and outside were used for filming, and fans love visiting it for photos.
10. Season 5 Filming — Georgia + New Mexico
For the final season, production returned to:
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Atlanta, Georgia (main sets and Hawkins scenes)
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New Mexico (Lenora Hills)
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Some studio sets for Upside Down and supernatural scenes
Season 5 uses larger sets and more visual effects since the Upside Down storyline becomes bigger.
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