5 Real-Life Versions of Stars Hollow Every ‘Gilmore Girls’ Fan Should Visit
The fictional New England town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, captured hearts with its idyllic charm, eccentric residents and strong sense of community. Stars Hollow is a sweet town where the show’s heroines live, work and caffeinate. It’s an idyllic community of quirky townspeople, charming businesses and a shared commitment to eccentricity. In season two, diner owner Luke Danes rants that Stars Hollow has “twelve stores…devoted entirely to peddling porcelain unicorns.” In fact, Stars Hollow’s unique blend of whimsy and warmth is just part of what makes “Gilmore Girls” so beloved.
While Stars Hollow remains a fantasy, its spirit thrives in real towns across America. From historic town squares and quirky traditions to fiercely loyal locals, here are five charming spots that embody the magic of Stars Hollow.
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Jonesborough, Tennessee
Population: 5,860
Jonesborough is the oldest (and possibly cutest) town in Tennessee — founded the same year as Stars Hollow, in fact, in 1779. Their chief claim to fame, in classic Stars Hollow fashion, is the National Storytelling Festival, which consumes the town every October for a weekend of fall foliage, fried food and folktales.
Of course, no Stars Hollow doppelgänger would be complete without a few wacky shops, and Jonesborough has plenty. Pop into the Jonesborough Antiques & Artisans shop or the Mill Spring Makers Market while you’re there, but as always, be wary of employees named Kirk. And while they might not have a Luke’s Diner or Weston’s Bakery, the foodie scene in Jonesborough offers visitors a taste of what Tennessee has to offer.
Winters, California
Population: 7,115
If you don’t mind a few palm trees, Winters, CA, does a solid West Coast impression of Stars Hollow. From the Friday night music in the downtown square to the Winters Salmon Festival, there’s always an eccentric community event going on in this town. Or, if you’re in search of a Sookie and Jackson vibe, check out the holiday tractor parade each December. Local farmers decorate their tractors in Christmas lights and coast down Main Street toward the picturesque downtown square. You can even watch the festivities from (where else?) the Rotary Park gazebo in the center of town.
Gruene, Texas
Population: 1,825
An hour outside of Austin, you’ll find the unincorporated district of Gruene, TX, (within the city limits of New Braunfels). Think of Gruene as the Stars Hollow of the Old West. You can browse 6,500 square feet of antiques at the soon-to-open General Store, housed in the space that formerly held the Gruene Antique Company (which is impressive even by Mrs. Kim’s standards), or host your very own 24-hour dance marathon at Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. The Gruene General Store has been in business since 1925, and it’s still the perfect place to stock up on junk food for a Gilmore-caliber movie marathon. And consider this: if you need to pull a Lorelai Gilmore on laundry day by wearing cut-off shorts and cowboy boots, you’ll fit right in!
Oberlin, Ohio
Population: 8,555
Oberlin, OH, is Stars Hollow with a Midwestern twist. First of all, this town obsesses over its history like Taylor Doose. There’s even a yearly reenactment of one of the town’s foundational stories – but instead of kooky townsfolk standing outside all night in the snow, Oberlin reenacts the story of John Price, a fugitive slave who escaped the clutches of slave catchers with the help of Oberlin residents.
In the spring, Oberlin hosts a big parade (no, really – it’s called “The Big Parade”) just to celebrate how much people like it there, and anyone in the community can participate. Student groups, local unions and the public library all show up with homemade floats, and people heartily praise the weird and whimsical.
Washington, Connecticut
Population: 3,646
Washington, CT, is probably the most famous Stars Hollow stand-in, because it’s the real town that inspired it! “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino visited Washington during a vacation to Connecticut, and she was so charmed by the small-town magic and camaraderie that she funneled her experience straight into the show.
But Stars Hollow doesn’t just mirror Washington with its colonial look and chatty residents. The town is governed by a traditional form of New England government, which includes volunteer committees, a selectman and, of course, town meetings. Don’t forget to bring snacks!