The Best Fictional Small Towns on Television

Lately, I’ve had this feeling that something has been missing from television, but it’s been hard to really put my finger on it. A show will have an outstanding plot, likable characters, and maybe even a love triangle or two—yet I still don’t find myself falling in love with it the way I used to.

So, I decided to go back to the beginning and watch a few shows I loved when I was younger. That’s when I realized that, despite their vastly different genres, they all had one thing in common: they took place in a small town. One of those towns where everyone knows everyone and there’s only one place to get coffee. I don’t know why this makes for such a great show that you can binge season after season without getting bored—but it does. If you’re looking for your next small-town watch, here are some unforgettable favorites.

Stars Hollow — Gilmore Girls

Before I was even old enough to like coffee, I fell in love with Luke’s Diner. Of course, backwards-baseball-cap-wearing Luke and his diner were just one part of the iconic town of Stars Hollow. The rest was a quaint Connecticut town with tree-lined streets and a charming gazebo in the town square. It’s a town where people support one another and celebrate pretty much everything, with festivals seemingly taking place every weekend. But that’s exactly what makes it so great. It’s what we imagine when we think of a kind small town where everyone knows your name and even your mail carrier feels like family.

Stars Hollow feels so real that I always assumed it was filmed in a small town somewhere in the Northeast. Surprisingly, it wasn’t. It was actually filmed on a permanent set at Warner Bros. Studio. The inspiration, however, came from creator Amy Sherman-Palladino’s visit to the real town of Washington, Connecticut.

Bluebell — Heart of Dixie

Bluebell is essentially Stars Hollow’s Southern counterpart. Both exemplify the perfect small town, but Bluebell stands apart with its unmistakable Southern traditions. From sweet tea and cook-offs to picnic auctions, Bluebell has its own way of making life equally dramatic and entertaining. With an ex-pro football player serving as mayor and a grocery store owner who secretly works as a private investigator, I’m not sure there could be a more interesting small town.

Another great thing about Bluebell is that it has a real-world counterpart. Much of the series was filmed in Wetumpka, Alabama, which means fans can visit and stroll the same streets that Zoe Hart once walked.

Mystic Falls — The Vampire Diaries

Probably my favorite small town on this list is this unconventional Virginia town where everyone knows everyone, but only some people know why there are so many “animal attacks” and “gas leaks.” It’s a town where the founding families hold great power—and great responsibility—when it comes to protecting the town from the supernatural and creating believable cover-ups. But on the surface, once you take away the vampires and werewolves, it’s a quaint town with seasonal parades and community festivals that would make anyone want to stay.

To add to its charm, this town is completely real, Mystic Grill included. Better yet, I’ve actually visited it, so I can confidently say it’s worth your time. The clock tower, the grill, and several of our favorite characters’ homes—including Elena Gilbert’s childhood home and Tyler Lockwood’s mansion—still exist today in Covington, Georgia. The Lockwood mansion is even available for an overnight stay on Airbnb, complete with a tour of the estate.

Storybrooke — Once Upon a Time

Another small town that appears quaint and ordinary on the outside but hides a deep secret is Storybrooke, Maine, where the residents are actually cursed fairy-tale characters. Even though they don’t realize they’re living under a curse where time stands still, they remain a close-knit community. Unlike some of the other towns on this list that revolve around celebrations and festivals, Storybrooke is lovable because it’s driven by relationships rather than spectacle.

If you’re interested in visiting this cursed town in real life, good news—you can. Much of Once Upon a Time was filmed in the historic fishing village of Steveston, British Columbia, and to this day, you can walk down Main Street or take a picture with the iconic clock tower. I’d be wary of stepping over the town line, though. Some say you might lose your memory and fall under the curse.

Sullivan’s Crossing

The town of Sullivan’s Crossing is so memorable that the entire series was named after it. Better yet, it’s set in the breathtaking landscapes of Nova Scotia. What makes this town unique is that much of the community centers around a campground owned by, as you might expect, Mr. Sullivan. So instead of being a close-knit community with only the occasional visitor, Sullivan’s Crossing is built around travelers while still maintaining its welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.

People come to Sullivan’s Crossing for the sense of peace it offers. Instead of festivals, they enjoy quiet mornings watching the sunrise over the lake and peaceful evenings gathered around the fire. And if you’re wondering whether you can visit, the answer is sort of. The series was filmed throughout Nova Scotia, using locations in and around Halifax, so you can experience many of the places featured on the show—you’ll just have to do a little exploring to find them all.

Is there a connection between a show taking place in a small town and the quality of that show? I’d say so. Perhaps, deep down, we all want to find a place where we belong, and each of these towns offers exactly that to strangers and residents alike. So if you’re in need of a comfort show, choosing one set in a small town is a great place to start.