Where is Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls? The truth behind the charming town
In the Gilmore Girls universe, Stars Hollow is about 22.8 miles from Yale and is inspired by Washington Depot, Connecticut. This fictional town from Gilmore Girls blends real New England charm with TV magic, inspired by creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's visit to the area.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- What is Stars Hollow?
- Where is Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls?
- Where was Gilmore Girls filmed?
- Where is the Gilmore Girls town?
- What town is Stars Hollow based on?
- Where is the Stars Hollow set in real life?
- Can you visit the Stars Hollow set?
- Are there any real towns like Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls?
- How close is Stars Hollow to Yale in the show's setting?
Key takeaways
- Stars Hollow is a fictional Connecticut town created for Gilmore Girls, known for its quaint charm and close-knit community feel.
- Filming for most of the show took place on the Warner Bros. Studio backlot in Burbank, California, not in Connecticut.
- Filmmakers shot the pilot episode in Unionville, Ontario.
What is Stars Hollow?
Stars Hollow is the charming, fictional town at the heart of Gilmore Girls. American television writer Amy Sherman-Palladino created Stars Hollow as a cosy, small-town backdrop for the fast-talking, coffee-loving duo Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.
Filmmakers portray it as a charming, close-knit community with just under 10,000 residents, where everyone seems to know everyone else's business.
Where is Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls?
The fictional town of Stars Hollow, from Gilmore Girls, is located in Connecticut. Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino based the town's charm on the real-life Washington Depot, Connecticut. Though fictional, Stars Hollow reflects authentic New England small-town life.
Source: UGC
Stars Hollow is not a real place; it's a fictional creation for Gilmore Girls. Show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino drew inspiration from her stay in Washington Depot, Connecticut.
Where was Gilmore Girls filmed?
Gilmore Girls was primarily filmed at the Warner Bros. Studio backlot in Burbank, California, not in Connecticut, where the fictional town of Stars Hollow exists. Here is a detailed breakdown of the key filming locations:
Burbank, California, USA (main set)
Source: Getty Images
Filmmakers shot most of Gilmore Girls on the Warner Bros. Studio backlot in Burbank, California. They used a section called Midwest Street, which served as the core set for Stars Hollow. This area included key locations like Luke's Diner, Doose's Market, Stars Hollow High School, and the town gazebo.
The Gilmore Girls set allowed year-round filming, with controlled lighting and seasonal adjustments. Crews modified tree foliage to reflect summer or winter scenes, maintaining continuity across episodes.
Lorelai's and Sookie's homes were built on soundstages nearby, with shared backyards repurposed for different scenes.
Markham, Unionville, Ontario, Canada (pilot episode)
Source: Getty Images
Filmmakers shot the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls in Unionville, Ontario, a picturesque village that served as the original stand-in for Stars Hollow. Producers chose Unionville for its quaint charm and cosy streetscape, which perfectly matched the show's vision of a small-town Connecticut setting.
You can see the iconic Main Street prominently in the opening scenes, including the red brick church at 150 Main Street.
Other key locations from the pilot in Unionville include the exterior of Luke's Diner, a storefront later used as a beauty salon. The Unionville Train Station doubled as Miss Patty's School of Dance, adding to the authenticity of the town's transformation into Stars Hollow.
Lorelai's walk across the street in the pilot episode features real buildings still standing today. Filmmakers placed the "Welcome to Stars Hollow" sign near the old Unionville Mill and disguised it with foliage to match the town's fictional aesthetic.
Where is the Gilmore Girls town?
In the drama TV series Gilmore Girls, the fictional town of Stars Hollow is in Connecticut, about 30 miles from Hartford.
What town is Stars Hollow based on?
Filmmakers based Stars Hollow on Washington Depot, Connecticut, a small village in western Connecticut. The town inspired Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino during a stay at the Mayflower Inn & Spa. She described the town's charm, walkability, and sense of community as magical, which helped shape the Stars Hollow, Connecticut theme.
Where is the Stars Hollow set in real life?
The Stars Hollow set from Gilmore Girls is on the Warner Bros. Studio backlot in Burbank, California. The filmmakers used a section called Midwest Street to recreate the fictional Connecticut town, complete with Luke's Diner, the town gazebo, and Doose's Market.
Can you visit the Stars Hollow set?
You can visit the Stars Hollow set at Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank, California. The backlot features Luke's Diner, Lorelai's house, and the iconic town gazebo.
While it's not a complete town, the preserved set offers a close-up look at the filming set of Gilmore Girls. Tickets are available year-round, with special themed events during the holidays.
Are there any real towns like Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls?
Real towns that resemble Star Hollow include Washington Depot, Connecticut, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and Camden, Maine. Unionville, Ontario, shot for the pilot, showcases its gazebo and vintage storefronts that closely mirror Stars Hollow's aesthetic.
How close is Stars Hollow to Yale in the show's setting?
In Gilmore Girls, the writers place Stars Hollow about 22.8 miles (36.7 kilometres) from Yale University, a detail Jess confirms when he looks up the distance. This proximity allows Rory to commute easily between home and campus, reinforcing her frequent visits throughout the series.
Fans on the r/GilmoreGirls subreddit discussed and confirmed this detail, analysing the show's implied locations and travel times.
Stars Hollow is a fictional Connecticut town from Gilmore Girls, filmed mainly on a California studio backlot. Washington Depot, a real New England town, inspired the design of Stars Hollow, with the pilot episode featuring real locations in Unionville, Ontario. Stars Hollow, though imaginary, captures the essence of authentic small-town life.
Yen.com.gh published another article about Bad Sisters and the stunning Irish locations that brought the show to life. From the rugged coastline of Howth to the iconic Forty Foot in Sandycove, each setting adds visual depth to the Garvey sisters' gripping story.
Apple TV's Bad Sisters is more than a gripping dark comedy; it is a visual love letter to Ireland's breathtaking coastline and charming towns. Discover the complete list of the TV show's filming spots in the full article.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
