One of the things I love most about my daughter completing her film production degree at university is her passion for storytelling. I tend to approach it from a reader/writer’s perspective, whereas she approaches it from a filmmaker’s perspective.
Either way, our annual mother-daughter trips are always to somewhere we’ve watched or read about!
This year, we headed to Atlanta (I did have a Walking Dead appreciation squeal as we landed!). Forty minutes outside of Atlanta, you’ll find the small American town of Covington, which has been the setting for loads of our favourite shows and films.
Sweet Magnolias and the original Dukes of Hazzard were filmed there, but we wanted to visit to get our Vampire Diaries fix.
I adored reading The Vampire Diaries series by L.J Smith (all thirteen books!) so much that I was already a firm fan when they launched the TV show fifteen years ago.
Who doesn’t fantasise about a love triangle between two gorgeous vampire brothers?! No? Just me then?
Why was this trip so memorable? Covington also doubles as Mystic Falls!
Although the town is small, there is so much to do. We weren’t the only fans in town! The museum is packed with props from The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Sweet Magnolias, and Dukes of Hazzard. It was also free to enter, which I complained about because it’s so good it deserves an entry fee!
We did a fabulous tour that takes you to all the homes in Mystic Falls. This included having photos taken on Elena’s porch (we paid $20 for this to the homeowner, who donates all proceeds to their chosen charity). We also got to visit the Lockwood Mansion, which is owned by a lovely couple who allowed us to take a million photos and invade their back garden (which is bigger than a park!) for more photo ops.
The tour guides were brilliant and told us loads of stories from when they were filming the show. We also discovered that Ian Somerhalder (Damon) and Paul Wesley (Stefan) were visiting Covington the following week as part of the anniversary celebrations!! Unfortunately, we couldn’t extend our stay. #gutted
The B&B I chose was stunning and was also the inspiration for Tara, the fictional home of the O’Hara family in Gone with the Wind.
Everything about this trip was magical, from pulling up at the B&B (even the taxi driver said, ‘Oh, wow!’) to people-watching in the town square. We captured so many photographs, joined the other fans making Reels and TikToks, and fully embraced life in Mystic Falls.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat!
Have you ever visited somewhere because it was in your favourite book or TV show?
Shelley Wilson Author 
Fun trip!
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Looks fabulous, Shelley!
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What a fun trip! And that B&B, how spectacular!
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