If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, you absolutely need to go to Ontario where the pilot series was filmed over 20 years ago. The rest of the episodes were shot at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles and more specifically at studios 12, 14 and 18. The exterior scenes and the town of Stars Hollow happened on Midwest Street, also used as a set for ‘Pretty Little Liars‘ or ‘Hart of Dixie‘.
Gilmore Girls filming location in Unionville
Stars Hollow city sign entrance
The Welcome to Stars Hollow sign is a billboard that indicates the businesses inside the old Unionville Mill. Look closely under the fake foliage, you can see the word Planing Mill. In the background is Main Street and just behind this sign there is the gazebo.
Stars Hollow Main Street
Based on the very first opening shot of the episode, we instantly recognize Unionville’s Main Street. The red brick church is a good marker, as are the street lights. However, don’t try to rely on the left side of the street, everything has changed. But look to the right and the two houses behind Lorelai, as she crosses the street, are there. You can identify them perfectly because they still look the same.
Outside of Luke’s Diner
Lorelai’s favorite hangout spot, Luke’s Diner, is also easily identifiable. Its facade is still the same: the door in the center, the stained glass high windows and the large front windows are the same. The electric pole right in front it is also a clue that we are in the right place. Unfortunately, no coffee is served here but rather facial treatments.
Inside of Luke’s Diner
It takes a little imagination to picture Luke behind his counter or Lorelai and Rory sitting at a table. The establishment was never a restaurant and has often changed owners. It was in turn a dress shop, a photo studio or more recently a fancy beauty salon. The facade and the bay windows remain original and remind us of our beloved coffeeshop.
Gilmore Girls filming locations in Toronto
Emily and Richard Gilmore Mansion
Without a doubt the most recognizable location of all. Emily and Richard’s house, place of the iconic Friday night dinners hasn’t changed. It is quite impressive and moving to stand in front of it. The mansion is located in one of the wealthiest areas of Toronto, all the houses around are imposing. I’m not sure if the interior scenes were shot in this same house though.
Bonus : the town of the opening credits
This is the small village of South Royalton, Vermont in the fall. Nothing to do with Connecticut where the story is supposed to take place. The church and its main square look just like the studios and there is even a gazebo in the middle.
The Google Map
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If you want to explore Stars Hollow in real life, here are all the locations previously listed on a map.
Please share your journey with me in the comments.
I loved this post! It was so fun to see where the magic of Gilmore Girls began. I’ve always wanted to visit the filming locations in Ontario. Thanks for sharing these details and photos; they really took me back to Star Hollow!
I absolutely loved this post! It’s so fascinating to see the real-life locations that inspired the magic of Gilmore Girls. I had no idea the pilot was filmed in Ontario! I can’t wait to visit these spots on my next trip. Thanks for sharing these details!
Hi! Of course, I’m really happy you liked it. Happy travel!
I loved this post! It’s fascinating to see where iconic scenes from the pilot were filmed in Ontario. It makes me want to plan a trip and explore those locations myself. Thanks for sharing these details!
Of course! Thanks for reading. Happy travel!
I loved this post! It was so fascinating to learn about the filming locations from the Gilmore Girls pilot in Ontari
You are probably too young to remember, however back in the early 1970’s a Christmas movie called “The House Without A Christmas Tree” was also filmed in Unionville, as were the sequels to the movie. Back then it was very rural and there was an old school on the main street that was across the street from the main characters’ homes. Lovely area…I believe those old homes are still there, the school is gone though. So it was nice to see Gilmour Girls in the area as well (even if it was only the pilot).
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