I’ve been obsessed with the quirky town of Stars Hollow for years now, and did some research online to see which towns resembled it the most. I scoured blogs, articles and forums, taking notes from real Connecticut residents and other Gilmore Girls fans, who were also on a similar quest. Below is a list of the towns I visited on my journey to finding a real-life version of Stars Hollow.

Watch this space – more to come soon! I still need to write about my experiences in Stonington, Old Lyme, Mystic and Essex. Feel free to subscribe to my blog to be notified on updates!

“Gilmore Girls” Fan Recreated Stars Hollow in her Hometown

This “Gilmore Girls” Fan Recreated Stars Hollow in her Hometown, and it’s Amazing!

Although Gilmore Girls is set in a fictional town, Ember Quillweb found a way to recreate the magic of Stars ...
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Litchfield, CT vs Stars Hollow

Remember when Luke lived in Litchfield?Because of its close proximity to Kent and Washington Depot, Litchfield, CT seemed like an ...
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New Milford, CT vs Stars Hollow

Yes, there is a gazebo, but... Along with Washington, CT, New Milford has been touted many times on Gilmore Girl ...
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Guilford, CT vs. Stars Hollow

A supersized version of Stars Hollow Guilford reminded me of a supersized version of Stars Hollow, minus the quintessential gazebo ...
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Washington Depot, CT vs. Stars Hollow

The actual town that inspired the Gilmore Girls Washington, CT (aka Washington Depot, CT) is cited to be the main ...
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Kent, CT vs. Stars Hollow

"Everything's magical when it snows..." Kent, Connecticut was our first stop on the road to finding Stars Hollow. The funny ...
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60 Comments

  1. I live in Newtown, CT (about 20 mins from the town Stars Hollow is based on) and it’s very Stars Hollow-y as well. I loooooove living in small town Connecticut!

    1. Sandy hook elementary school.

      1. Jen says:

        That just happens to be in newtown, it doesn’t reflect living in a small town in CT

      2. jason demoe says:

        WHY did you feel the need to go there. That tragedy has NOTHING to do with this list. I guess it IS true, there IS one in every crowd,. UGH!

        1. I thought the same thing, Jason. Such a shame…What does this have to do with anything? Honestly…

    2. What town is that which stars hollow is based of? Honestly I got confused. Lol

      1. Shelby Davies says:

        Washing Depot, CT. It says right in here.

    3. I want to live in a small town so bad! I love the idea of Just knowing everyone & everything is so close.

      1. Aspyn says:

        I know, right?! I’ve always wanted someone to look out for my grandfather. He says the mailman will notice. Yeah, in like, four days.

      2. Kristen Pounders says:

        I feel the very same way!

    4. Can I ask what jobs are there??

  2. Clare says:

    Seymour, CT. Really. Even used to have a restaurant called Duke’s (tho now a pizza place). I recall an episode where Stars Hollow was described as 20 minutes from Yale, so the proximity works in Seymour’s favor.

    1. Ryan says:

      Clare–in our own quest for Stars Hollow over the summer, my wife and I considered the possibility in your comment. I am now convinced you are correct. You are the person who knows the true location of the most important real life Stars Hollow location. If by chance you are still following this blog, could you possibly give me any details about the location of this pizza place? Thank you!

      1. I did a little internet sleuthing about Seymour, Connecticut and Duke’s. After doing a little search, I came up with a couple of URLs that looks like a “Duke’s Cafe” might have existed, but has been abandoned and/or sold a long time ago (see below).

        http://www.salespider.com/b-263159936/dukes-cafe

        http://www.best-restaurants.net/Name/Dukes%20Cafe/

        There is a phone number on that link, but I haven’t tried it yet. I wonder if the phone number has changed for the building as well.

        I also did a search on the former address, supposedly: 28 Main Street – and on Google Street view, that area looks pretty empty. I guess the only thing to do is actually GO there and ask around about it. :-) Unfortunately, I am in California so I can’t easily get over there. Anyone located in CT that can check it out? :-)

    2. Brittany says:

      I live in Ansonia on the Seymour town line and based on the MANY references on distance, its proximity to Naugatuck, route 8, 95, and 84 Im pretty sure Seymour / Woodbridge is the most conceivable actual “location” of Stars Hollow even if it wasn’t the actual town that sparked the idea of the show.

  3. Mari K says:

    So how was stonington and Essex? What was your favorite? We are coming from upstate NY and have time for just one Stars Hollow stop…what was your favorite?? We need your knowledge:)

  4. I keep looking for someone to make a map of all the places mentioned. April mentions biking over to Beacon Falls to get rocks from the river. Lorelai and Rory run out of gas after leaving Yale and are supposedly nearish rt 68 going into Naugatuck. I think Beacon Falls and another place are mentioned during Lane’s bridal shower episode. And of course Woodbridge is mentioned often as their neighbor town. Seems like the only existing town that works for the location of Stars Hollow is Bethany. MAYBE Prospect. But Bethany borders Woodbridge and with traffic could definitely be 20 mins from Yale, depending on how close to Prospect they are in Bethany. I used to live in Prospect; the mayor has been the mayor for 40 years I think, although he doesn’t run the grocery store. But there is a small-town grocery store a tiny bit bigger than Doose’s!

  5. We want to see your comments on the other CT towns in your video!

  6. Roger says:

    Also try:
    Branford, CT, more foot traffic than Guilford and a smaller town green
    Bethel, CT, Stars Hollow-sized green (PT Barnum Square)

    1. Hanna says:

      More specifically, I’ve always thought Stony Creek is a good match – though our gazebo is on the waterfront…. :)

  7. There is a town in Iowa that is very similar to Stars Hollow. It is called Polk City. Last time we drove through, they were having a festival of some sort and all the townspeople were walking around the town square (where, yes, there is a gazebo). There were twinkly lights on all the trees. I nearly cried it made me so happy.

  8. Jen says:

    They often mention Woodbridge and being 20 miles from Yale, however no town near Woodbridge has been and breakfasts or tourists, more likely based on a town in litchfield, but they reference other CT towns.

  9. Silver City, New Mexico is like a southwest version of Stars Hollow! Small, welcoming community… kinda quirky! Cute and colorful… year-round festivals and events! :)

  10. Tess says:

    Colchester Ct rings true for a Stars hollow type town. There is a Town Square with a beautiful gazebo. Many community gatherings and events held there year round. They have a carol sing tree lighting. Many little shops, restaurants and consignment/antique shops. A traditional grocery ” Noel’s” that has been there forever. A hot dog hamburger stand called Harry’s that locals gather to and show off their cars. I don’t live there, but pass through at times. It could definetly pass for a substitute Star’s Hollow I think :-)

  11. Leslie S says:

    did you not go to Marty’s Cafe in Washington Depot?

    1. I went to Marty’s. They were gruff and out of everything I asked for… Like I image Luke would be except he would begrudgingly bring me what I ordered.

  12. Woodstock, IL has a lot of the flavor, including a town square with a gazebo. It’s notable for being where Groundhog Day was filmed as well.

  13. So it was confirmed the show is based on Washington Depot. That’s where they are throwing the festival

  14. Lynn says:

    A little further away there is Chagrin Falls…it has a gazebo and everything…
    http://photos.cleveland.com/4501/gallery/chagrin_falls_named_one_of_ohi/index.html#/0

  15. Roxy McDermott says:

    Hi! Do you know, or anyone know of a similar Gilmore Girls town in Maine or New Hamphshire, any New England state beside Conneticut? Thank you so much! Roxy

    1. I will suggest Henniker, NH, and there is a gazebo in the Community Park.

      1. Thank you for the reply, I will check this out!

    2. North Conway, NH. I grew up there. There is a gazebo on the green next to the community center, privately-owned shops, a tiny cafe called Kearsarge Cafe, beautiful Christmas decorations and tons of Fall/holiday events. Always lots of people walking on the streets. It’s also a ski town with a small ski mountain within a mile. :)

  16. Mackenzie says:

    Even though I live in Connecticut, Hammondsport, NY has actually felt the most like Stars Hollow than any town I’ve come across!

    1. CT kitty cat says:

      Canton, CT has the SAME EXACT gazebo and town setting as GG SH and there are cafe’s and antique shops and pumpkin patches all around

  17. New Milford, CT with its iconic New England Green and gazebo, and shops and restaurants along Bank, and Railroad Streets, are pure GG. You will find a version of “Stars Hollow” here, just south of Washington Depot.

  18. Rochester Quadrajet says:

    Just curious. Did you ever check out Ridgefield, CT? Gazebo, park, hardware store, diner, folks strolling on Main Street year round.

  19. Sarah says:

    Bridgewater, CT. Check out the new bistro, which is located within the town store. Having lived here for two years, I already know all the town personalities and trust me, the GG quirks are alive and well in this town! Good and bad!

    1. Sarah, does Bridgewater hold town events/festivals? Looking on Google Map it looks like there isn’t much there besides a store and a couple churches.

  20. Laura Signor says:

    I always thought Litchfield but none of the Stars Hollow-y places are 30 minutes from Hartford where Emily lived. I live in CT in a decidedly unStars Hallow town.

  21. Allison says:

    Does anyone know of any towns like Stars Hollow in Texas?

    1. My mom and I stumbled upon Mt. Vernon, TX once. We looked at each other and said “Stars Hollow.” They were stringing lights up on the square that morning. It’s in Northeast, TX about five minutes north of I-30.

      1. Lauren says:

        Georgetown reminds me a little of Stars Hollow! It has a lovely town square.

  22. Charlotte Campbell says:

    Darien CT is just like Stars hollow it’s freaky!!!

  23. Jessica says:

    Danbury, CT has a very Stars Hollow feel to it as well.

  24. Jessica says:

    I think the first Gilmore Girls episode was shot in Unionville, Ontario, Canada. That’s another place to check out.

  25. Jessica says:

    Bangor, Maine and Cumberland, Maryland look very promising too.

    1. Tracy Thomas says:

      Cumberland Md has high crime! A huge Meth problem.

  26. Codi D says:

    Middletown IN. There’s even a gazebo and old timey market. It’s tiny but similar.

  27. Mary says:

    The opening scenes were filmed in Markham, Ontario Canada according to Wiki.

  28. gussypoo says:

    Crested Butte, CO may not be in CT but it is very Stars Hollow like!

  29. Nikki says:

    Northport, NY. Tons and tonssssss of quirky/fun festivals and events. Locals all know each and greet each other. Local diner Tims (featured on extreme makeover) is amazing and everyone in town loves the owner Tim. Gazebo on the harbor not directly in the center, but it is a main attraction and where most town events occur. An adorable hardware store which hosts a lot of Christmas events. A cute little organic grocery and cafe. Basically this town has everything about Stars Hollow except for the fact that it’s not Connecticut.. in fact, you can find a lot of similar towns like this all over Long Island!

  30. Tonya Winegar says:

    Thank you Amy for writing this! I recently started searching (randomly using Google street view) for a town similar to Stars Hollow. The hustle and bustle of city life is wearing me down. I’d love to relocate to a small town when I retire. Your article will give me some good ideas.

  31. Tia says:

    Please let me know when the next Gilmore girl festival is being held. I really think that a tour of ct should be set up where we can see all of the above mentioned towns and vote

  32. Katie says:

    For anyone who lives in the Midwest and doesn’t want to travel, Long Grove, Illinois has a similar feel. They even have an old covered bridge.

  33. Kyle Adkins says:

    You should look up ridgefield CT.

  34. Maya says:

    Portsmouth, NH is very cute and safe. There is a community feel and many storefronts that look like stars hollow. The types of shops they have seem very similar.

  35. Alexis roze says:

    Next time you come to connecticut you should go to Kittery Maine, its 3 and a half hours away from Ct but it resembles Stars Hollow amazingly. There’s a little coffee shop like lukes on the corner, a record shop that resembles the music store Lane loves. And down a side street there is a dance all in a blue wood building that looks like Patty’s studio (without the big barn doors)

  36. Mary A Warrick says:

    I to am looking for my Stars Hollow but I need it to be in Oklahoma, Texas or Arkansas. I want to retire to a quirky town full of friendly, eccentric characters, fun and small. Any suggestions.

  37. I lived in New Milford, CT and the town green and the little shops made it just like Stars Hollow.

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