Through the minds of author L.J. Smith and writer-director Julie Plec, Mystic Falls is home to vampires, witches, werewolves and hybrids; a town consumed by magic, romance and death. 

What first began as a popular book series was brought to the television screen with Julie Plec leading the way. “The Vampire Diaries” first aired in 2009 is a supernatural teen drama, starring Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Candice King, Kat Graham, Joseph Morgan and many more. 

In the show, Mystic Falls is located in Virginia, but in real life the town is really Covington, Georgia. 

It has been tradition that every Christmas break my dad takes my youngest sister and I on a trip; and last year was Mystic Falls. 

We drove the complete 11 hours, picking up our older sister in Indiana along the way. Arriving late at night, we stopped at a 24 hour IHOP for dinner where we brainstormed the game plan for the next day. 

Obviously the Mystic Falls square was the first thing we wanted to see. Seeing the famous clock tower in the distance as we drove up sent a rush of excitement through me. We were here! Quickly rushing out of the car we ran in the direction of the square. 

We were stopped in our tracks by a beautifully painted mural on the side of a building, welcoming tourists to Covington. The iconic clock tower was painted in the center and surrounded by images of shows that had been filmed there: “The Vampire Diaries,” “Dukes of Hazzard” and “Sweet Magnolia.”

Standing in the middle of the square you could see the clock tower right next to the Mystic Grill; the bar and grill from the vampire diaries. It was a unique feeling to be standing where some of your favorite scenes had been filmed. 

We got in line to grab lunch at the Mystic Grill which moved much faster than anticipated. Signed images from Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley lined the walls. The inside didn’t look exactly like it was portrayed in the show but it was pretty close. 

We couldn’t leave without stopping in a gift shop for souvenirs and of course, a “blood bag;” don’t worry, it was just fruit punch. 

On this same trip we were also able to visit President Snow’s Mansion, from “The Hunger Games” as well as Hawkins High and Star Court Mall from “Stranger Things.”  

I hope to go back again someday with my best friend who is also a big fan of “The Vampire Diaries.”

Visiting the place where “The Vampire Diaries” took place was incredibly fun. For fans of the show, I highly recommend visiting Covington, Georgia and immersing yourselves in elements of the show.