Georgia is widely recognized as the film capital of the South. There are countless television shows and award-winning movies that have been filmed here but one of my all-time favorite shows, The Vampire Diaries, has taken the fan experience to the next level. My girlfriends and I took a fall day trip to check out the charming city of Covington, Georgia, where you can immerse yourself in the fictional world of Mystic Falls for the ultimate Vampire Diaries experience.
The first step to curating the perfect Vampire Diaries trip is dressing the part! My girlfriends and I went with the classic Elena Gilbert fit with jeans, Converse and a ribbed-knit Henley shirt. Once we had our “gloomy graveyard girl” outfits secured, we hit the road to our first stop in Covington – the Mystic Grill. The Mystic Grill is one of the most iconic spots from the show, which is an actual restaurant overlooking the historic downtown area! They don’t accept reservations, so I recommend arriving early before they open to secure your spot in line. Their menu features classic Southern-style favorites along with some unique plates like Damon’s Pancakes. I opted for the Mystic Grill Cheese featuring blackberry jam, jalapeño, smoked bacon and Havarti cheese served on toasted sourdough. They also have a great selection of specialty cocktails, including a Damon Banana Pudding shot that comes in a souvenir shot glass and “blood bags” filled with red wine. Once you’ve finished your meal, take some time exploring the restaurant to see their collection of cast-signed memorabilia that’s hung along the staircase and the chairs dedicated to Stefan Salvator and Alaric Saltzman at the bar area.
After lunch, head over to The Alley Shop to check out their selection of incredible merchandise, souvenirs and show memorabilia! This shop has it all, from replica jewelry, custom t-shirts, candles and so much more. The real gem of this shop is its museum, tucked away in the back, which houses the largest collection of cast-worn outfits from the show! There are other shops along the square that you can stop into for unique experiences, like the Mystic Mercantile, which has an interactive Salvator Living Room set with furniture from the show. As you make your way through downtown, you’ll notice the Walk of Stars, which highlights stars from the show and makes for a fun photo op! At this point, a caffeine stop is in order, so we decided to walk over to Lily & Sparrow to give their seasonal pumpkin spice latte a try. This community market and coffee shop has a really cute vibe inside, along with delicious espresso-based drinks, teas and cider.
The final part of your Vampire Diaries experience is to drive over to the Covington Visitor’s Center. Outside of the center is the “Welcome to Mystic Falls, Virginia” sign that offers a fun photo opportunity. After a few glamour shots, head inside to grab a self-guided tour brochure and map, which shows the locations of must-see spots like the Gilbert House, the Lockwood Mansion, the Salvatore Mansion and Caroline’s house. It’s best to hop into your car to visit these locations or if you really want to get the full experience, there are multiple guided golf cart tour companies in the area. We opted to drive ourselves around and take our time exploring while listening to the show soundtrack. The Visitors Center also features a museum with props from the show that you won’t want to miss!
Overall, Covington is the perfect haven for Vampire Diaries fans who want to really immerse themselves in the supernatural world of Mystic Falls. From grabbing lunch at the Mystic Grill to exploring the local shops and landmarks, there are plenty of ways to curate the perfect day trip with your fellow vampire-obsessed friends.
