80’s kids on bikes was our daily life back then. What’s so familiar and iconic about the series is that it unwraps all of that bike-riding, adventure-making, role-playing childhood. The intensity of detail that went into recreating this for the series is what we as creative nerds love and appreciate most about Stranger Things. For our fall time birthday adventure, my twin sister and I designed the ultimate Stranger Things theme party — a big white van to tour us around Atlanta to visit set locations used in filming Stranger Things. My sister and her husband were lucky enough to have been ST3 background extras (да! Russian scientists!), so we got the inside-out Upside-Down on so many fun details. Most of these locations (at time of this blog publishing) are open to the public. I’ve included addresses so you can visit and explore at your own risk.
Complaints, call Murray Bauman 618-625-8313. (Actually do give him a call, it’s hilarious.)
HOPPER’S CABIN
On Halloween 2021 we visited Jim Hopper’s cabin in the woods. The cabin is actually a quick jaunt down a gravel path at a working Christmas tree farm and pumpkin patch (the same pumpkin patch seen in Season 2). You can find the farm and enjoy lots of family friendly activity at Sleepy Hollow Farm (628 Sleepy Hollow Road in Powder Springs, GA). Stranger Things production actually built the cabin on site for filming. Since filming wrapped and COVID happened, the farm has transformed the actual set into an escape room, how perfect is that! It was a really fantastic experience. Highly recommend! Escape room solutions not disclosed here.
In October 2019, we planned our big party van tour of filming locations in Atlanta area. We also have to highlight cosplay here, because that’s important.
Melissa made all these costumes for her family… good to go for Halloween too!
Griswold Family this is Scoops Troop, do you copy?
Dustin and Dustin’s stunt double. (There was only one costume, it’s photo magic.) 
Theming out this party van.
Alexei! With her “vintage” 7-11 cup! 
Will the artist. 
WELCOME TO HAWKINS, INDIANA!
Town Square near Mulberry Street, 2nd Street and Oak Street in Jackson, GA where you can find store front exteriors used for Melvald’s, Radio Shack, Hawk Theater and the library (below). Also make sure you hit Lucy Liu’s Café where you can find Stranger themed coffee and confections. Just don’t park in the Sheriff’s spot.
Lucy Lu’s Coffee Cafe right at town square in Jackson, GA has a sweet menu of themed drinks and sweets. A MUST-STOP if you love themes and coffee. 
HAWKINS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS – STOCKBRIDGE, GA
109 South Lee Street in Stockbridge, GA. Entrance at the front, lower lot, was used for Hawkins High. Entrance at the rear side was the middle school. The field out back was the site of one of Will’s episodes with the Mind Flayer.
Alley behind the gym where Nancy and Steve had an argument about events at the Halloween party.
Middle school entrance. This was where the “Ghostbusters” realized no one else was dressed for Halloween.
Gotta have it cherry. 
High school entrance. 
WHEELER & FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD – EAST POINT, GA
The Wheeler home is on a cul-de-sac at the end of a beautifully wooded street. Only these home exteriors were used in the series. You’ll find Mike’s place at 2530 Piney Wood Lane. Tread lightly and respect the amount of time you spend here, these are private residences. No trespassing. Sinclair home is at 2550 Piney Wood Lane and the Henderson Home is at 2886 Piney Wood Lane.
HAWKINS LAB – ATLANTA, GA
At 1256 Briarcliff Road you’ll find a condemned old building that looks like it hasn’t seen any action since the 1980’s. And you know exactly what I’m talking about. Exteriors and some lobbies were used in filming. If you go here, mind that they continue using this site for filming (Stranger Things and other things), so mind the signage if something is happening during a week day.
This handy guidebook (which was actually our Stranger Things party invitation)! 
This Alexei and Murray couple costume is the best. 
STARCOURT MALL – DULUTH, GA
Under the guise of “Gwinnett Place Mall”, actually built in 1984, this interior was the scene of the Battle of Starcourt. The food court and actual shop fronts used in filming are blocked off to the public, and guarded. But you can peek between the cracks and see a bit of that pink neon.
They actually tried pretty hard to recollect that secret Russian message to decode.
And off to Scoops Ahoy (by way of Baskin Robbins) for this tubular ice cream cake!
Happy Birthday to us! (The adults, ha.) Creating an adventure around film sites is always a tops birthday party in my book.
