12 Fictional Towns We Wish We Could Live In—From Stars Hollow to Silver Falls
Which TV town would you live in?
Have you ever watched a TV series with a small town so cute that you wish you could go through the screen and live there? Well, we have, especially when we look around us and don’t see things like The Festival of Living Art from Gilmore Girls or a pair of attractive vampire brothers like in The Vampire Diaries. But while these fictional towns were created with the plot of a series in mind, some of these series were filmed in real-life locations.
Whether you want to visit the sets where these shows took place or the real locations that inspired them, check out this list of the best fictional towns we really wish were real and how you can actually visit them.
1. Stars Hollow, Connecticut
TV Show: Gilmore Girls
About the town: Stars Hollow is the epitome of iconic fictional towns, especially with all the adorable small-town activities that go on here. The previously mentioned Festival of Living Art, the Snowman Building Contest, the chaotic Bracebridge Dinner and of course, Taylor’s Town Meetings are just a few of the town’s best events.
Visiting the town: While Stars Hollow is technically a fictional town, there are a few ways you can see it. The series was filmed on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California, which you can visit to see some of the town’s most iconic sets.
You can also visit the town that inspired Stars Hollow, which is Washington, Connecticut. The show’s creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, was inspired by Washington’s small-town charm and beauty and so Stars Hollow was born.
2. Storybrooke, Maine
TV Show: Once Upon a Time
About the town: Initially known as the “Land Without Magic,” Storybrooke ended up transforming back into a magical place. The town was created after the Evil Queen (Lana Parilla) cast a spell to drag the residents of the Enchanted Forest into a land without magic, where they would be separated from loved ones.
Visiting the town: A town full of magic, fairytale endings and Captain Hook is certainly a place anybody would want to visit. Luckily, you can technically visit. The Storybrooke scenes were filmed in Steveston, Richmond, British Columbia, a town you can visit. While it may not exactly be set up like the series, you can stop in at the location for Granny’s Diner and a few other places.
3. Mystic Falls, Virginia
TV Show: The Vampire Diaries
About the town: Mystic Falls, founded by the original families of the Salvatores, the Gilberts, the Lockwoods, the Forbes and the Fells. The historical town is the perfect small town, aside from the deadly vampires, witches and other supernatural creatures.
Visiting the town: Good news — you can visit Mystic Falls. Well, you can visit where the show was filmed in Covington, Georgia, and see the town’s hot spots. There are guided tours offered where you can see the specific filming locations and get TVD-related goodies.
4. Serenity, South Carolina
TV Show: Sweet Magnolias
About the town: This idyllic small town in South Carolina is the picture-perfect home for the Sweet Magnolias. With Sullivan’s restaurant and The Corner Spa, you would love to take a walk through Serenity.
Visiting the town: Interestingly enough, the town of Serenity was filmed in the same place as Mystic Falls. If you’re looking to explore Covington, Georgia, you can see the locations of both TV shows.
5. Cousins Beach, Massachusetts
TV Show: The Summer I Turned Pretty
About the town: Everything is better in Cousins and that includes the beautiful views, the scenic drives for the good muffins and getting to have major life moments on a practically private beach. The town, located on the shores of Massachusetts, is the perfect place to visit if you love a small summer town.
Visiting the town: Although Cousins Beach was the creation of the story’s mastermind, Jenny Han, it was inspired by real places! The show was filmed mainly in Wilmington, North Carolina, so if you want to visit those locations, head there. If you’re looking for a town similar to Cousins, you can explore places like Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, the Hamptons or even Cape May, New Jersey.
6. Capeside, Massachusetts
TV Show: Dawson’s Creek
About the town: Living on the coast of Massachusetts seems like a dream, kind of how the Dawson’s Creek teens grew up. They have The Icehouse, Joey’s paint wall (which was adorably purchased by Pacey) and Dawson’s Pier — all places Dawson’s Creek fans dreamed of visiting.
Visiting the town: While Capeside, Massachusetts, is not technically a real town, it was filmed in a real town. You can visit Wilmington, North Carolina, to see the Dawson’s Creek hotspots in real life.
7. Tree Hill, North Carolina
TV Show: One Tree Hill
About the town: “There is only One Tree Hill,” and it’s a special little town. The town, which is home to the Scott Brothers, also features Karen’s Café/Clothes Over Bros, TRIC and the iconic bridge.
Visiting the town: The town of Tree Hill was filmed in the same town as Dawson’s Creek in Wilmington, North Carolina. You might even be able to catch the cast if it’s during one of their conventions.
8. Rosewood, Pennsylvania
TV Show: Pretty Little Liars
About the town: Rosewood is where everything is just a bit spooky, especially with “A” always lurking. But during the day, Rosewood is a picture-perfect town with The Apple Rose Grille, The Lost Woods Resort and even sometimes a creepy Church.
Visiting the town: Although the towns are complete opposites, Rosewood was filmed in the same lot as Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls. If you pay attention, you might notice similar sets between the shows, like The Apple Rose Grille is in the same location as Luke’s Diner, just a bit darker. Visit Warner Bros. lot for a guided tour!
9. Silver Falls, Colorado
TV Show: My Life with the Walter Boys
About the town: The scenic beauty of the fictional Silver Falls, Colorado, is the main reason we’d want to actually visit the town (definitely not to run into one of the Walter boys). After seeing the stunning waterfalls that Cole and Jackie visit, as well as the stunning hiking trails, Silver Falls is officially on our bucket list.
Visiting the town: Unfortunately, Silver Falls is not technically a real place in Colorado, but those amazing views you’ve seen on the show are real. My Life with the Walter Boys was mostly filmed in Alberta, Canada, in towns like Calgary and Cochrane. Make sure to book your trip if you want to live like Jackie.
10. Bluebell, Alabama
TV Show: Hart of Dixie
About the town: Bluebell, Alabama, is the perfect southern town. Bluebell has a charming bakery called The Butter Stick, along with the famous Town Square, all spots we would love to see!
Visiting the town: Yet another idyllic town was filmed on the Warner Bros. lot, which makes sense because each town set there is picturesque.
11. Outer Banks, North Carolina
TV Show: Outer Banks
About the town: The laid-back town, perfect for relaxing, is exactly what you don’t see on Outer Banks. The Pogues are always running around looking for treasure or out driving their boat on the creek, but we still want to live like the Pogues.
Visiting the town: Although Outer Banks is a real town, the series isn’t filmed there. Most of the series was filmed in Charleston, South Carolina, which is also a very big tourist area.
12. Dillon, Texas
TV Show: Friday Night Lights
About the town: Dillon, Texas, is just like a small Texan town. With locations like Alamo Freeze, Ray’s Bar-B-Q and the high school stadium, Dillon is just the town we’d want to go to for a good football game and some BBQ.
Visiting the town: Unfortunately, Dillon, Texas, is not a real town. The show was filmed primarily in Austin, as well as Pflugerville. Surprisingly, there was a real Dillon, Texas, settled around 1900, butit didn’t last long and is now a ghost town.
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