Every ‘Gilmore Girls’ fan has, at least once, wondered where the colourful town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, is and if it’s a real place.
There are a plethora of television shows available to stream on platforms like Netflix and Hulu today, each better than the other. Most times, these shows feature convoluted storylines, fast-paced action sequences, and rarely have the comforting, feel-good nature of ‘Gilmore Girls’.
Highlights —
- Where was ‘Gilmore Girls’ filmed?
- This is the town that Stars Hollow was inspired from
- Can you visit Stars Hollow?
‘Gilmore Girls’ gives a nostalgic feel with its eccentric characters and warm hues, a stunning portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship, and, of course, the charming town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut.
It’s the town where nothing bad can ever happen, neighbours are closely-knit, and there’s a never-ending stream of coffee and books.
It’s all very dreamy and makes the viewer want to move to a small town like it. While you may believe that Stars Hollow is showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino’s figment of imagination, there’s actually a real town that inspired it. Keep reading to discover more about the town Lorelai and Rory love so dearly!
Where was ‘Gilmore Girls’ filmed?
‘Gilmore Girls’ is set in a small town in Connecticut, but the show was filmed in the state of California. While Stars Hollow may seem charming enough for one to believe that it’s a work of fantasy, they were inspired by real-life places.
The pilot episode was filmed in Unionville, Ontario, but production later moved to the Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California. Locations for Lorelai’s home, the Independence Inn, Luke’s Diner, and other Stars Hollow locations that the Gilmore girls are seen at, were all filmed at the studio! Chilton, Rory’s school, had its exterior shots filmed at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, California.
If you’ve wondered why you never got to see Lorelai’s backyard, it’s because Sookie and Jackson live there! Lorelai and Sookie’s homes are actually attached to each other, and that’s something you can only witness at the studio. The Gazebo, where many magical moments take place, also holds a special spot at the studios. The fully-functioning small town that viewers saw throughout the years also sees visitors each year, who flock to Stars Hollow, Connecticut, but in the heart of California.
This is the town that Stars Hollow was inspired from
Showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino was inspired by a number of small towns and hamlets in Washington when she created Stars Hollow. When her pitch for ‘Gilmore Girls’ was accepted, she took vacations to towns like Washington, Hartford, New Milford, and Kent. Her experiences in each of them inspired the elements of Stars Hollow.
These towns may not have as many diners as Stars Hollow does, but they’re just as charming! Amy and her husband Daniel Palladino (who served as producer on the show) stayed at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington. The Inn was the inspiration behind The Independence Inn, where Lorelai, Sookie, and Michel worked as well as The Dragonfly Inn, which Lorelai and Sookie would later buy together.
Washington’s Marty’s Cafe was re-imaged as Luke’s Diner, and the town’s food market and bookstore inspired Doose’s Market and Stars Hollow Books. New Milford’s gazebo is said to have inspired the Stars Hollow gazebo, a location that holds several memorable moments. These towns are said to have town-meetings as well, just like viewers saw in the show!
Can you visit Stars Hollow?
Viewers and fans of the show can make an unforgettable trip to the studios in Burbank, California, where the show was filmed. The studio built Stars Hollow and included every location from the show, so fans can stroll around the town and feel like they’ve been transported to the real one!
The Gilmore Girls Fan Fest, which has been taking place since 2016, is another great way to connect with the show. The festival sees fans travel to small towns in Connecticut that Amy Sherman-Palladino once travelled to. The show’s cast members, including Sean Gunn (Kirk), was one of the actors and crew members to fly in for the fan fest.
The festival will not take place this year due to the pandemic, but there’s a virtual event that fans can attend! The Gilmore Girls Fan Fest will be an in-person event in 2021, and the location has already been revealed – it’s the town of Kent!
