Students — check out these ‘Stranger Things’ film locations

The popularity of “Stranger Things” is undisputed — the science fiction show has become the second Netflix programme to surpass a billion hours viewed. If you’re a hardcore fan, you may be interested in finding out the film locations for “Stranger Things”.

This will give you the option to relive the first four seasons, not just from your couch — but from the places where your favourite scenes were made.

While it’s the shows’ characters that shine, the locations depict an intricate recreation of the 1980s in small-town America. They are rich in detail — great on screen, and even better in person.

From the Starcourt Mall — a shopping centre from season three — to the woods where the character Eleven was first found, to rollerblading in the rink in California (minus any bullying or bludgeoning of your enemy’s faces) — here are three film locations for ‘Stranger Things’ worth checking out.

Curious about what are some of the film locations for ‘Stranger Things’? The show is based on a fictional small town called Hawkins, Indiana and depicts the 1980s era. Source: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix/AFP

Film locations for ‘Stranger Things’: Three cities worth checking out

Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia

While the setting for “Stranger Things” is set in the fictional cursed town of Hawkins, Indiana — most of the scenes were actually filmed in Atlanta for the first three seasons.

You might remember a scene from the first season where the show’s characters were walking along the train tracks in a wooded area. This was filmed in the scenic Stone Mountain Park, which is nestled in 3,200 acres of natural beauty. Located 25 miles east of Atlanta, there are a number of family-friendly attractions for you to check out, including the scenic railroad.

Here, you and your friends can hop onboard a classic full-size locomotive train from the 1940s. The train, which travels for five miles, lets you soak in the beautiful views of Stone Mountain and marvel at the surrounding landscape.

Love cable cars? Then why not try out the Summit Skyride? The high-speed Swiss transportation lifts you 825 feet above the ground to the top of the Stone Mountain. You could revel in the stunning view of the Atlanta skyline, Appalachian mountains, and more.

Here’s a fun fact: Atlanta is home to a number of prestigious universities. Among them is the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), which ranks 88th in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Other universities based in Atlanta include Emory University, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.

Rink-O-Mania in Albuquerque, New Mexico is one of the film locations for ‘Stranger Things’. Source: Paul R. Giunta/Getty Images/AFP

Rink-o-Mania in Albuquerque, New Mexico

In season four, we were introduced to the Byers and Eleven’s new home, set in sunny Southern California.

According to an interview with the show’s production designer, Chris Trujillo, the actual backdrop for this season is based in the scorching semi-deserts of Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to Trujillo, the beautiful foothills outside of Albuquerque resemble that of some parts of Southern California.

Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico, which houses one of the cheapest medical schools in the country, according to Student Loan Planner.

In the season four episode titled “Vecna’s curse”, a number of our favourite characters were shown at a colourful roller skating rink. This scene was filmed at Skate-O-Mania. Besides being a roller skating rink, it also serves as a venue for parties and skating lessons for beginners.

#Vilnius considers converting #LukiškėsPrison, a former prison and one of the shooting locations for Netflix’s #StrangerThings, into a multifunctional center to suit various purposes. Find out more 👉 https://t.co/4xQLMFi3kP pic.twitter.com/zwuMWa7TnF

— Go Vilnius (@GoVilnius) April 30, 2021

Vilnius, Lithuania

In season four, one of the show’s favourite characters — Hopper — ends up at a snow-covered prison camp located somewhere deep in remote Russia. This was filmed at Lukiškės Prison in Vilnius, Lithuania.

This city is home to Vilnius University, which is ranked joint 400th in the latest QS World University Rankings 2023. If you happen to be in the city, you could rent a prison cell to stay with a friend or two at the prison, which is steeped in history. Bookings can be made via Airbnb for 107 euros a night.