What State Is Stranger Things Filmed In

I remember the first time I binge-watched Stranger Things. It was a rainy Saturday, I had a bowl of popcorn that kept burning my mouth, and somewhere around episode three, I was completely hooked. I asked myself something ridiculously simple: where is this actually filmed?

Like, I know they say it's set in Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. But actually grabbing a flight to Indiana and hunting for the Byers' house? Not so easy. It turns out the answer is way more interesting than you'd expect.

The State Is Not Indiana, Sorry

Here's the plot twist: Stranger Things was not filmed in Indiana at all. The creators, the Duffer Brothers, decided to shoot most of the original season in North Carolina. Yes, Hawkins lives only on paper and on our screens.

The brothers chose North Carolina for some very practical reasons. The state offered tax incentives that made filming a lot cheaper, which, let's be honest, is always a nice bonus when you're a show with an ambitious budget. Plus, North Carolina is just plain beautiful.

Season One: The Golden Era in North Carolina

The entire first season was shot around areas like Atlanta, North Carolina and several small towns near Charlotte. Places like Harrisburg and Catawba County played a huge role in creating that eerie, small-town 1980s vibe. If you've ever imagined walking down a dimly lit street there, you're not alone.

The iconic Byers' house was a real location tucked in North Carolina. Meanwhile, the creepy lab scenes were filmed externally at the old HBMS building near Carteret Street. Funny how a regular building can look so terrifying when Eleven is staring at you through a crack, right?

Was Stranger Things Filmed In Senoia Ga at Lisa Black blog

And the radio station? That was a driving force behind the show's atmosphere. It reminded everyone of small-town America, even if the audience had absolutely no clue where it really was. Good job, production team.

Season Two Picked Up a New State

When Season Two rolled in, the Duffer Brothers expanded the geography a little. Some scenes were still shot in Georgia, which had also become a film hub thanks to its growing production scene. It was kind of like they were chasing the light — or the tax breaks.

Yes, some of Season Two was filmed around Atlanta, Georgia. The famous Starcourt Mall location? That was built practically from scratch in the Saint Claire Mall in Hazleton, Georgia. It's wild what they did to make it feel like July 4th, 1985.

Later Seasons Kept Things Interesting

By the time the show hit its later seasons, filming locations kept shifting. Several scenes were shot across Georgia, occasionally hopping back to North Carolina when needed. It's like the show couldn't decide where to call home — a little like Eleven finding her way.

Where was Stranger Things filmed?

The Creel House in Season Four had fans Googling furiously. They wanted to know if they could visit it, and honestly, who wouldn't? But spoiler alert — it was more set design genius than a real haunted historical house.

Wait, I should double-check you're still with me here. This is getting interesting, right? Feels like we're the whole podcast crew nodding along.

What About Hawkins' Lab and the Upside Down?

The lab scenes were a mix of built sets and real exterior shots. The heavy black gates you remember? Those were made partly from real buildings and partly from pure imagination. Television magic at its finest.

We made a map so you can take a road trip of ‘Stranger Things’ filming

The Upside Down obviously doesn't exist in any state, unless someone in California has gas leaks we're not talking about. It was created through a combination of sets, digital effects, and an insane amount of creative energy. Bonus points if your jaw dropped.

So, Which State Do You Need to Visit?

If you're a superfan and want to see the real locations, start by heading to North Carolina or Georgia. That's where the magic happened behind the camera, not in Indiana at all — despite what every sign painted says. The production teams did an incredible job blending both states into one seamless world.

Honestly, it makes the show even more impressive. Imagine stitching together two different states' charm and making it feel like one small, rainy town in the Midwest. Dare I say, Stranger Things pulled off the ultimate disguise — and did it with a lot of heart, some neon glow, and a whole lot of mystery.

Now go grab your flashlight, because it's time to go underground. You know where to look. Somewhere between North Carolina and Georgia, Hawkins never really existed. But the feeling it left? That's real.