Where Was Gilmore Girls Filmed? Where Is Stars Hollow?

If you're a Gilmore Girls fan, you might have ever wondered where is Stars Hollow? Is Stars Hollow a real place? Where was Gilmore Girls filmed? Where does it take place? When was Gilmore Girls made? Can you visit the set or go on a Stars Hollow tour? I answer all of these questions & more. Scroll down to find your question & the answer to it!

Lorelai and Rory Gilmore are a mother-daughter duo who lives in the small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut.

Lorelai runs Stars Hollow's Independence Inn and they go to Luke's diner whenever possible. Although it still looks so real when they walk around, it's actually a fictional Gilmore Girls town. Lauren Graham plays Lorelai. Alexis Bledel plays Rory. Scott Patterson plays Luke. Kelly Bishop is Emily and Edward Herrmann plays Richard. Melissa McCarthy is Sookie, Keiko Agena is Lane, and Yanic Truesdale is Michel.

"Oy with the poodles already!" - Lorelai Gilmore

Gilmore Girls In Omnia Paratus Carry All Pouch / Travel & Pencil Pouch by Tbdprints - Set of 3. Click here to shop.

I ate lunch & explored the Gilmore Girls filming location in Burbank, CA.

Interested to learn more about the show's world? Read Lauren Graham's book Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between). 

About Carmen

I've been watching the Gilmore Girls series, written & created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, for over half of my life at this point. I remember being a tween pipsqueak when it first came out & I aged with Rory. In fact, I was partly inspired to study journalism because of Rory's career choice. The beloved show ended in 2007, just as I finished up sending my college applications. I remember siding with Rory & my mom always sided with Emily, thinking Lorelai was too rash. As I age, I realize they all have their flaws, just like every human being on earth. Learn more about me here. You can also follow me on Instagram.

Men's Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow Logo Tee, Size: Large, Med Grey. Click here to shop! Great for fans!

Related reading: Gilmore Girls Binge Watching Essentials

"In omnia paratus!"

The Stars Hollow sign.

Where does Gilmore Girls take place? Gilmore Girls Town - Where Is Real Stars Hollow?

Is it Stars Hallow or Stars Hollow? From this sign, it shows that it is spelled with an "o" Stars Hollow. Star Hollow's top attractions include, Luke's Diner, the Gazebo, Doose's Market, Independence Inn, town hall, and more. Fans might be wondering...Where is the real Stars Hollow?! Want some New England charm? Is Stars Hollow a real place that you can visit? Stars Hollow is a fictional town; it's supposed to be located in the state of Connecticut in the United States. Unfortunately, there is not a real-life small town Stars Hollow in Connecticut that you can visit. Although you can't walk around the town square to watch the ballet dancers practicing at Miss Pattie's & you certainly can't stop by for coffee at Luke's diner, you can see where the magic happened by exploring the Gilmore Girls filming location. It feels like real small town charm. There's a lot of small town camaraderie in the show, from supporting the local diner to Miss Patty's to Lorelai's historic inn. 

If your first question is where does Gilmore Girls take place or where is Stars Hollow? followed by where is Gilmore Girls filmed??, then the answer is: On a backlot in Burbank, California! Book your tickets for the Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour. Do you have a favorite season?

"People are particularly stupid today. I can't talk to any more of them." - Michel

Lorelai Gilmore's Jeep & mailbox in Stars Hollow.

Where Was Gilmore Girls Filmed?

The Gilmore Girls series filming location is based in Burbank, California at the Warner Brothers Studios, not in the small fictional Connecticut town of Stars Hollow. Many popular films & beloved TV shows and characters are shot here including Friends, Pretty Little Liars, Blade Runner,  & even the famous kiss between Spider-Man & Mary Jane. Yup, it was all shot at the WB Studios in Burbank, California. 

Since it is a fictional town, there is no Stars Hollow, Connecticut! It was shot on a studio lot. That means Rory (Alexis Bledel) & Lorelai (Lauren Graham) all our favorite Gilmore Girls characters walked around the set too. Buy a ticket for the Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, Gilmore Girls stars Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann, Melissa McCarthy, Keiko Agena, Yanic Truesdale, and more.

Some scenes, especially ones about Chilton Academy were shot in Beverly Hills at Greystone Park and Mansion. Rory's visit to check out Harvard with Lorelei was actually shot at UCLA and some Yale scenes were filmed at Pomona College.

The pilot was filmed in Unionville, which is a Toronto suburb. Other scenes were filmed at South Royalton, Vermont. It's said that the town of New Milford, CT and the Mayflower Inn in Washington, Connecticut inspired Stars Hollow so you might want to explore there if you're curious!

"What she tackles, she conquers." - Richard Gilmore

“I'm sorry if you thought we had some kind of deep Thelma and Louise thing going here, but we didn't.” - Paris Geller

Gilmore Girls location: The iconic gazebo in Stars Hollow.

When was Gilmore Girls filmed?

When was Gilmore Girls made? The original Gilmore Girls ran from 2000 to 2007. Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino is the writer as well as the creator of the show. Where was Gilmore Girls filmed? The pilot episode of Gilmore Girls series was filmed in Unionville, Ontario. Everything else besides the pilot was filmed at the Warner Brothers Studios, including Gilmore Gils: A Year in the Life. Stars Hollow is supposed to be located in the state of Connecticut.

"The person I most wanted to be was her." - Rory Gilmore

I smell snow sign at Lorelai Gilmore's house.

This is where all the local Stars Hollow, Connecticut shops are. Just about everything is shot here, from the Dragonfly Inn to Lorelai & Rory Gilmore's cozy home to the house of Sookie St. James and Jackson Belleville and everything in between. Even Luke's diner! Now when you visit the Warner Bros Studio Your everything is reused, so you might have seen Luke's diner in a different movie or show. They completely alter the set each time with paint, props, & other cool tricks of the trade. It's magical. It was so fun to explore the Gilmore Girls series filming location! Click here learn more about the Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour.

"I don't like Mondays, but unfortunately they come around eventually." - Lorelai Gilmore

Gilmore Girls Christmas: Holiday Lunch at Lorelai's

I visited during the Gilmore Girls Christmas & winter festivities. In 2018/2019, the event was called "Lunch at Lorelai's." In 2019/2020, they called it "Holiday Lunch at Lorelai's." They had a whole set up at Lorelai's house where you could enjoy your meal outside. There wasn't a Luke's diner, but I did nosh on a veggie burger while sitting outside of Lorelai Gilmore's house. They also sold Poptarts & coffee. They had Gilmore Girls merchandise which I was very excited to look at but was disappointed that most items were gone & there was hardly anything in my size. Lots of smalls though! Almost feels like you're a Stars Hollow local yourself.

"Buttfaced miscreant." - Rory Gilmore

Exploring the Stars Hollow set at Warner Bros Hollywood Tour.

I ate lunch in the small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. I stepped inside the iconic Gilmore Girls gazebo in the town square. So many good moments happen in the charming town square as they walk around. I saw Lorelai's beige Jeep & saw Rory's college admissions letters in the Gilmore mailbox. I took a photo in front of the Stars Hollow sign. It's a magical experience I won't forget.

This particular Gilmore Girls Christmas moment isn't always available; it's a seasonal offering & I just had to buy a ticket when I heard about the Lunch at Lorelai's house festivities. If you love Gilmore Girls, then you have to experience this at least once. Now if only you could stroll through Chilton school. It's worth the money to have the memories, to have the photos, & to see some behind-the-scenes of a television series that I spent so much time watching over the years. Book your tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour & make sure to tell your guide you're Gilmore Girls series fans! Take photos or take your family and enjoy yourself. 

"I am not your mother or your hugger. If you need some love, get a hooker. If you're having a bad day, find a ledge or a way to deal. My door is not open to you ever." - Paris Geller

Stars Hollow was all about community and the relationship of each person in the town. Each character plays an important role, giving their unique spin and funny quotes.  

While there isn't a specific Stars Hollow tour, you can always tell your guide that you're a Gilmore Girls fan & they will tailor the tour toward what people like. Everyone said a couple of their favorite movies and shows and they make sure to tell you factoids related to them! They'll share filming behind-the-scenes, show you Gilmore Girls filming locations, maybe tell you something about the cast of Gilmore Girls. If you're a Friends fan, you can also visit Central Perk! If you're lucky, you might be able to see the gazebo. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is perfect for many movie & TV fans. 

Lorelai Gilmore and Rory's house in Stars Hollow, Connecticut.

More Information on Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Warner Brothers Studio Tours are offered in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin. ASL interpreted tours also available upon advance request. Click here to buy a ticket for Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood Tour. They tell you a bit about the Gilmore Girls cast. There were even acceptance letters from Yale & Harvard in the mail box. At the end you can shop at the gift shop. 

If you want to delve deeper into the Gilmore Girls world, read Lauren Graham's book Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between). There are many merch options for fans.

Where was Gilmore Girls filmed? In Burbank, California at Warner Bros. Studios.

Comment your favorite Gilmore Girls quote. I'd love to hear it! Have you visited the Warner Bros. studio? What are your favorite episodes? Did this answer your question about where was Gilmore Girls filmed? Are you a Gilmore Girls fan too? Which is your favorite season?

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