Ever wondered where your favorite Gilmore Girls scenes were filmed? I’ve tracked down every major ‘Gilmore Girls’ filming location so you don’t have to search endlessly.
This guide covers the Warner Bros. backlot where Stars Hollow came to life, the Canadian towns used in the pilot, and the real New England spots that inspired the show’s cozy charm.
You’ll learn exactly where to find Luke’s Diner, the Gilmore mansion, and even Chilton Academy. I’ve been a fan since the show first aired, and visiting these spots felt like stepping into Lorelai and Rory’s world.
Here’s everything you need to plan your own Stars Hollow adventure.
Why Gilmore Girls Filming Locations Matter
Stars Hollow became as important as any character on the show. The town square, Luke’s Diner, and Lorelai’s house created a world fans wanted to live in.
The sets weren’t just background scenery.
They made viewers feel welcome and warm. Every detail mattered, from the gazebo to Doose’s Market shelves. Fans still search for these places years after the show ended.
They want to walk the same streets and sit where their favorite characters sat.
Many people plan entire trips around visiting these filming spots. The locations connect fans to the show in a real, tangible way.
Warner Bros. Studios Backlot, Burbank, California
This backlot is where Stars Hollow truly existed. Most of what you saw on screen was built here on a famous movie lot.
Midwest Street: The Heart of Stars Hollow
Midwest Street became Stars Hollow’s main square on this working Hollywood backlot. Luke’s Diner sits right on this street. The exterior looks just like it did on TV, though interiors were filmed on a soundstage.
Doose’s Market, Stars Hollow Books, and the Dragonfly Inn all shared this block. The gazebo stood in the town square center.
The crew adjusted the set for different seasons with fake leaves or snow. Fans who tour the lot can take photos by Luke’s window or the gazebo.
Other Productions on Midwest Street
This street has appeared in countless shows and films. Pretty Little Liars used the same buildings for Rosewood. Lorelai’s house became Spencer’s house in that show.
Luke’s Diner changed into the Apple Rose Grille.
Classic films like Rebel Without a Cause and Bonnie and Clyde also shot scenes here. The Dukes of Hazzard used this backlot too. The street changes appearance often.
What looks like Stars Hollow one month might be a different town the next.
Ontario, Canada: Pilot Episode Locations
The very first episode was filmed in Canada, not California. The show moved to Burbank after the pilot, but these Ontario spots remain special to fans.
Unionville
This small Ontario town played Stars Hollow in the pilot. The charming main street had exactly the right small-town feel. The Stars Hollow town sign appeared here. That famous welcome sign that appears throughout the series started in Unionville.
Luke’s Diner exterior was a real building on Main Street. Today it’s a beauty salon, but fans still recognize the spot immediately. The red brick church appears in several pilot scenes. Houses visible behind Lorelai’s scenes were also real Unionville homes.
Walking through Unionville today feels like visiting an alternate version of Stars Hollow. The town kept its quaint character.
Emily and Richard Gilmore Mansion, Toronto
The grandparents’ mansion is a real Toronto house. Those Friday night dinners happened here, at least from the outside. The exterior shots show a large, impressive home that fits Emily and Richard perfectly.
The building still stands and fans can view it from the street. Interior scenes were likely filmed on Warner Bros. soundstages. But seeing the actual house helps you imagine those tense family dinners.
Beverly Hills & Los Angeles Filming Locations
Several key locations came from real Los Angeles area sites. These places added authenticity to important scenes.
Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills
Chilton Academy’s exterior is actually this historic mansion. The graduation scenes and various school shots used this location.
The mansion sits in Beverly Hills and is open for public visits. Its grand architecture made it perfect for Rory’s prep school.
College Scenes
UCLA stood in for Harvard when Lorelai and Rory visited during the college search. The campus tour scenes were shot there.
Yale scenes used multiple California colleges. Pomona College and USC both provided backdrops for New Haven locations.
These West Coast schools had the right academic look. Most viewers never noticed they weren’t actually in Connecticut or Massachusetts.
Real-World Inspirations for Stars Hollow
Stars Hollow wasn’t based on one specific town. Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino drew inspiration from several New England locations.
Mayflower Inn & Spa, Washington, Connecticut
This Connecticut inn captures the exact vibe of Stars Hollow. Sherman-Palladino visited the area and fell in love with small-town New England charm. The cozy atmosphere, local eateries, and friendly community reminded her of what she wanted to create.
Nearby food markets and bookstores match what you’d find in Stars Hollow. Visiting this area gives you the authentic Stars Hollow feeling.
The rolling hills and historic buildings feel familiar to any Gilmore Girls fan.
South Royalton, Vermont
Those opening credit shots came from here. The panoramic town views that started each episode were filmed in this Vermont town. South Royalton has classic New England architecture.
White church steeples and tree-lined streets appear in the show’s introduction. The town represents the idealized small-town America that Stars Hollow embodies. It’s worth a visit if you’re exploring New England.
Visiting Tips for Gilmore Girls Fans
Planning a trip to these locations takes some preparation. Here’s what you need to know:
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank offers backlot access. You can walk through Midwest Street and see where Stars Hollow lived. Tours book up fast, so reserve ahead.
- The tour guides know Gilmore Girls history. They’ll point out specific spots and share behind-the-scenes stories.
- Unionville and Toronto spots are easy to find on your own. Main Street in Unionville is walkable and welcomes visitors. The Gilmore mansion in Toronto can be viewed from the street.
- Be respectful when visiting. These are real neighborhoods where people live and work.
- Connecticut’s Mayflower Inn area makes a great weekend trip. You can seek Washington and nearby towns that inspired the show. Combine it with fall foliage viewing for the full New England experience.
- Bring your camera but be considerate. Don’t block sidewalks or disturb businesses and residents.
- South Royalton is small. A quick drive-through lets you see the opening credit views without disrupting the community.
Conclusion
Walking through these “Gilmore Girls” filming locations feels like coming home. I’ve visited the Warner Bros. backlot twice, and each time I get emotional standing by Luke’s Diner.
Whether you seek Burbank’s Midwest Street, drive through Unionville, or sip coffee at a Connecticut inn, you’ll feel Stars Hollow’s magic. These places prove the show’s world was real in so many ways.
Stream ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘A Year in the Life’ on Netflix to relive the memories, then start planning your own trip to Stars Hollow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you actually visit Stars Hollow?
Stars Hollow isn’t real, but you can tour the Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank where it was filmed. The studio tour includes Midwest Street, which was the town square.
Where was the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls filmed?
The pilot was shot in Unionville, Ontario, Canada. After that, production moved to California. You can still visit Unionville’s Main Street today.
Is Luke’s Diner a real place you can visit?
The diner exterior is a backlot set at Warner Bros. Studios. The interior was always a soundstage. Some pop-up diners have opened temporarily for promotional events.
What real town inspired Stars Hollow?
Washington, Connecticut, near the Mayflower Inn, inspired creator Amy Sherman-Palladino. She loved the small-town New England charm and community feel.
Can you visit the Gilmore mansion in real life?
Yes, the exterior is a real Toronto house viewable from the street. It’s a private residence though. Interior scenes were filmed on Warner Bros. soundstages.
