Where Was “Stranger Things” Filmed? All About the Locations Behind the Sci-Fi Thriller (Including a Lithuanian Prison with a Scary Past!)
- - Where Was “Stranger Things” Filmed? All About the Locations Behind the Sci-Fi Thriller (Including a Lithuanian Prison with a Scary Past!)
Keith Langston, Rebecca AizinJanuary 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM
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Netflix
Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, and Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things: Season 5.
Since its premiere in 2016, Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon. The series reinvigorated interest in Dungeons & Dragons, skyrocketed Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” to No. 1 on the Billboard charts 37 years after its initial release and spawned everything from a spinoff novel series to a board game, apparel, toys and more.
It’s safe to say the show has a devoted fanbase that’s always looking to dive deeper into the franchise — and visit the places where the shows filmed, many of which are open and available to the public.
A vast majority of the series is filmed in and around Atlanta, utilizing its small suburban towns to double as Hawkins, Ind. The fourth season ventured further, spanning the globe and taking the gang to California (which was actually filmed in New Mexico) and Russia (which was actually filmed in Lithuania).
Now, the fifth season sees the gang back in Hawkins, revisiting some of the show's most iconic spots.
So where was Stranger Things shot? Here's everything to know about the Stranger Things filming locations.
Downtown Hawkins
Netflix
Downtown Hawkins in 'Stranger Things'.
Location: Jackson, Ga.
The initial setting for Stranger Things was the small town of Hawkins, Ind. That’s where Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) escapes from a mysterious lab and initially meets her friends and police chief, Jim Hopper (David Harbour).
The quaint small town of Hawkins is actually the quaint small town of Jackson, Ga. Located about 50 miles away from Atlanta, where many other scenes in Hawkins were shot, the community has fully embraced its fame and offers Stranger Things tours.
The small downtown area has been used prominently throughout the series, so fans should take a stroll down 2nd Street, 3rd Street and Mulberry Street to see sights including the Hawkins library, Melvald's General Store and the Hawk theater.
The Byers House
Netflix
The Byers House in 'Stranger Things'.
Location: Fayetteville, Ga.
Especially prominent in the show’s first season, the Byers house is where Joyce (Winona Ryder) lived with her two sons. After Will (Noah Schnapp) gets trapped in the Upside Down, Joyce writes letters on the living room wall and hangs up Christmas lights to communicate with him between dimensions.
Located in the town of Fayetteville just south of Atlanta, fans are able to visit the house, which has been set up to look identical to the show complete with Christmas lights, by renting it as an Airbnb.
The Wheeler House
Netflix
The Wheeler's house in 'Stranger Things'.
Location: East Point, Ga.
Like the Byers' house, the Wheelers' house (especially the basement) holds some of the show's fondest memories: it's where Mike (Finn Wolfhard) hides Eleven in season 1, where the gang meets frequently for D&D and where their best monster-busting brainstorming takes place.
The exterior shots of the house were shot in East Point, Ga. — just down the street from where Lucas' (Caleb McLaughlin) house is.
Hawkins National Laboratory
Netflix
Hawkins National Laboratory in 'Stranger Things'.
Location: Emory University Briarcliff Campus, Atlanta, Ga.
The Hawkins National Labratory has been at the root of practically all the issues throughout all five seasons of Stranger Things. From being the place where Eleven first opened a gate into the Upside Down to being overrun by Soviet spies trying to undo all of her hard work closing said gate, the lab has been nothing but trouble.
The real-life lab was shot on part of Emory University's 42-acre Briarcliff property, specifically at the former Georgia Mental Health Institute, which operated until Emory's purchase of the property in 1998. Now, the five-story building is set to be demolished and converted into a senior living center, per CBS News.
Henry Creel's Mansion
Courtesy of Netflix
Jamie Campbell Bower as Henry Creel and Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things: Season 5.
Location: Rome, Ga.
Viewers were introduced to Henry Creel (a.k.a Vecna) and his creepy home in season 4. While Vecna spends most of his time in it in the Upside Down, in season 5 he lures Holly into the home under the pretense of being her friend, Mr. Whatsit.
The 140-year-old mansion is located in Rome, Ga., and was listed for sale in November 2022 for a whopping $1.5 million, per CNN. The seven-bedroom home was constructed in 1882 by a colonel and boasts many of its original details including handcrafted bookshelves, an antique wall safe and even a cast-iron urinal.
Bradley’s Big Buy Supermarket
Netflix
Bradley's Big Buy Supermarket in 'Stranger Things'.
Location: Palmetto, Ga.
Bradley’s Big Buy was featured in season 1 and season 3, but is most iconic for being where Eleven steals the Eggo waffles at the start of the series. As the store manager chases after her, she uses her powers to close the sliding doors on him. The scene became one of the most memorable moments of the first season.
The real Bradley’s was indeed a Bradley's Big Buy located in the town of Palmetto, about 25 miles southwest of Atlanta, before it became a Piggly Wiggly, per Fox News. The store now sees visitors coming to get their own box of Eggo waffles, dressed as characters from the show.
Roane Hill Cemetery
Netflix
Sadie Sink as Max at the Roane Hill Cemetery in 'Stranger Things'.
Location: Stone Mountain Cemetery, Stone Mountain, Ga.
In season 4, Max (Sadie Sink) visits Roane Hill Cemetery to sit by her stepbrother’s grave. While there, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) brings her into an alternate world and Max fears she’ll die. But her friends save her with a little help from Bush and “Running Up That Hill.” The scene became an instant classic and Bush’s song found a new era of fame.
In real life, filming took place at Stone Mountain Cemetery just east of Atlanta. The cemetery was founded in 1850 and contains numerous graves from the Civil War. It gets its name because it sits just down the road from Stone Mountain, a popular recreation spot for locals with great skyline views.
Kamchatka Prison
Netflix
Kamchatka Prison in 'Stranger Things'.
Location: Lukiskes Prison, Vilnius, Lithuania
In season 4, Hopper gets sent to a prison in the Soviet Union because they think he’s an American spy with information about the Upside Down. While there, Hopper discovers that it’s not just a prison, but an entire research facility — where the Soviets have a live Demogorgon held captive.
The actual filming location is a real former prison that functioned for over 100 years, but it’s actually in Lithuania, not Russia. The Lukiskes Prison has a notorious past and held numerous political prisoners in cold, rancid conditions.
During World War II, Lukiskes was also used to imprison Jewish people during the Holocaust. Nowadays, the prison has been turned into a museum and visitors can take tours and learn about its dark past.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
