Historic city Covington, Georgia, is best known as a film town. It's home to locations from old films like "In the Heat of the Night" and "The Dukes of Hazzard" and more recent shows such as "The Vampire Diaries" and "Sweet Magnolias," along with 140 other films. 

During the Civil War, European immigrants settled in 1822, where several antebellum structures were marked safe from Sherman's March to the Sea. The Newton County Courthouse is the most iconic structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

You don’t want to miss this rich and iconic town on your bucket list. The Alley put together a guide to help you enjoy your visit to Covington, Georgia.

6 Things to Do in Covington

1. To start The Alley's guide to visiting Covington, Georgia, you can take the Walk of Stars Self-Guided Tour that honors over 30 television and film productions. 

2. You can also experience Newton County's spooky side with Covington Ghost Tours operating walking tours of the town's historic sites. 

3. You only need a brochure from the downtown visitor's center for the Historic Home Self-Guided Tour to see the historical structures and homes in downtown Covington.

4. Film fans can't miss the On Location Self-Guided Tour, a tour that explores locations from the "In the Heat of the Night," "Duke of Hazzard," "Remember the Titans," and several other television and movie locations. You can pick up a brochure from the visitor's center. 

5. Fans can see the film locations from The Vampire Diaries and other Covington film settings with Mystic Falls Tours. You can also visit the Lockwood Mansion and the home used for the Gilbert House. 

6. You can take a Main Street Trolleys Tour to see filming locations representing Mystic Falls, Sparta, Hazzard County, and Serenity in Covington. You can listen to stories and get exclusive views of the prominent locations to appear in Georgian films. 

5 Best Inns to Stay in Covington, Georgia

Covington inns offer the best getaways from the busy city. 

1. Baymont by Wyndham Covington offers a complimentary hot breakfast, WiFi, microwaves, refrigerators, fitness, and a business center. They also have laundry facilities and a seasonal outdoor pool.

2. Holiday Inn Express Covington has spacious rooms with free WiFi and coffee makers. They have a fitness center, outdoor pool, daily breakfast, and event space.

3. Several productions rented Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast as a filming location. The eight guest rooms have flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, fireplaces, plush robes, and daily breakfast.

4. La Quinta Inn & Suites Covington has comfy pillow top beds, flat-screen TVs, free high-speed WiFi, a workspace, coffee makers, microwaves, and mini-fridges. They also have a swimming pool, fitness center, and sundries market. 

5. Hampton Inn Covington is off the highway and offers pet-friendly rooms with free WiFi, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and workspaces.

The Mystic Grill Restaurant

Mystic Grill Restaurant is a Vampire Diaries-inspired restaurant serving chef-driven and seasonal Southern food such as burgers and fried chicken.

This historical and eclectic building has been around since 1906 when C.S. Thompson originally constructed it as the Bank of Covington. Before Mystic Grill settled here, this building was home to several businesses, such as the Peggy Lee Dress Shop, Sears, Kesler's Billiard Parlor, and Mickey's Grill. This spot was also a saloon in 1883 belonging to Col. Robert Bagby. 

You can find the Mystic Grill on Covington Square, the town best known as the filming hub of The Vampire Diaries. From the rooftop dining space and the downstairs bar to enjoying the local fare, we invite you on a nostalgic trip! 

2 Major Events in Covington You Don’t Want to Miss

You can visit Covington on the 4th of July for the Stars and Stripes Fest to enjoy food, fireworks, and live music. Also, you can celebrate Christmas in Covington by enjoying the s'mores station and a visit Santa!

Wrapping It Up

Covington, Georgia, is home to several taping locations for prominent films. Following The Alley's guide can help make your trip memorable. 

The Alley is a Covington, Georgia-based souvenir shop for Vampire Diaries, Sweet Magnolias fans, and first-timers. Visit our shop today!