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Get your Gilmore Girls Fix: 5 Small Towns that Rival Stars Hollow

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“I smell snow.” -Lorelei Gilmore

It’s here, Gilmore Girls season! Fall is turning to Winter and while I routinely try to outrun the snow every year there are some parts of winter that just feel magical. Imagine how much more magical a soft snowy day would be if you were in Stars Hollow? Unfortunately, Stars Hollow was a fake set, but I’ve found 5 small towns across the US that will make you want to embrace your inner Gilmore Girl.

1. Washington/Washington Depot, Connecticut

Image Coutesy of Po’s Cafe Google Page

I’d be remiss not to start with this one because it is the town that inspired Stars Hollow. Apparently the creator of the show, Amy Sherman-Palladino, stayed at an inn here halfway between New Haven and Hartford Connecticut and fell in love with the town. Who could blame her? Here’s what you should do to live your best Stars Hollow life:

  • Coffee: Grab your classic coffee or find something more “over the top” as they say at Po’s Cafe every morning before you put on your mittens and walk around marveling at the small town.
  • Food: Stars Hollow visitors got to dine as well as sleep at the Dragonfly Inn and you should follow suit! The Mayflower Inn & Spa offers farm fresh food at The Garden Room.
  • Entertainment: Take a 15-minute drive to the Bantam Cinema and Arts Center. A barn-like out building showing indie flicks? It’s giving Kirk vibes. Feel like shopping instead? Head to The Hickory Stick Bookshop, the town’s 60 year old independent book store.
  • Accommodations: The Mayflower Inn & Spa is a must, and not because its one of the only accommodation options in town. It’s colonial, its gorgeous, and it will be the closest you’ll get to staying the Lorelei and Sookie’s Dragonfly Inn

2. Ligonier, Pennsylvania

You couldn’t ask for a more iconic small town gazebo, perfect for your Gilmore Girls photoshoots or, if the show taught us anything, for having very important life changing moments. Check out these spots to fall in love with this small town:

  • Coffee: Abigail’s Coffee shop is the most highly rated shop in town. It has a “Luke’s” vibe with picturesque storefront windows and no website, all they’re missing is the “no cell phone” sign.
  • Food: Fat Daddy’s Place. Offering some of my favorites as an appetizer, fried green beans and pickle chips, is enough to convince me to move here and become a regular. If you want to travel like a local, this is the place to be.
  • Entertainment: After your life changing Gazebo moment, you can tour a rail museum, shop books at Second Chapter Books, or visit the downtown boutiques.
  • Accommodations: Did Rory and Lorelei hate their Bed * Breakfast experience? Yes. Do you have to? Not if you stay at The Colonial House B&B. It’s close to everything in town and will certainly give you a small town charm experience.

3. Granville, Ohio

I live near Granville and driving there will certainly put you in Gilmore Girls mood as the roads spill over with bright fall foliage. It’s just as pretty in the first snow with brick lined streets, boutiques, and unique eats.

  • Coffee: There is plenty of great coffee in Granville. However, if you want good coffee and great espresso you can’t go wrong with the small town favorite Village Coffee Company.
  • Food: Lorelei and Rory can be adventurous eaters at times and I firmly believe they would have enjoyed Three Tigers Brewing Company. They offer a variety of pub and Thai food as well as drinks. Get the Pork Belly Steamed Buns.
  • Entertainment: Visit the local shops. A Gilmore’s Girl trip isn’t complete without a bookstore, so visit The Reader’s Garden and then Green Velvet for clothing, jewelry, and gifts. If you’re tired of shopping (somehow?) Seek No Further Cidery looks magical in the snow and is packed full of delicious apple-based drinks.
  • Accommodations: It’s a tie between the Granville Inn and the Historic Buxton Inn. They are near each other and both offer extraordinary stays with the classic small town Inn feel.

4. Friday Harbor / San Juan Islands, Washington

West Coast fans rejoice! The East Coast doesn’t own the monopoly on the Stars Hollow small-town experience. The San Juan Islands will make you want to run outside and gaze at the sparkling snow just like Lorelei.

  • Coffee: Nothing says small town quite like “family owned”. Check out The Sweet Retreat and Espresso which has been here since 1998 for breakfast, lunch, and of course coffee-coffee-coffee!
  • Food: Pizza is basically a food group on the show, and Van Go’s Pizza is the place to get some unique and classic options made with fresh ingredients.
  • Entertainment: The Friday Harbor Winterfest is a great idea to indulge in local goods and there is an Island Lights Festival too! You could also visit the Whale Museum, the Art Museum, or bundle up and take a winter hike.
  • Accommodations: The Bird Rock Hotel is one of the highest rated places to stay in the area. They have a variety of room sizes to choose from and offer great views, activities, and breakfast.

5. Dahlonega, Georgia

The colorful buildings here are sure to remind you of Stars Hollow. This quaint downtown offers antiques, waterfalls, and wineries. It may not snow down here but it certainly will remind you of summer in Stars Hollow no matter the time of year.

  • Coffee: If you’re like me you can eat dessert any time of day, even with morning coffee.  The Picnic Café & Dessertery has such a small town old timey name you almost have to stop in! (Taylor’s Olde Fashioned Soda Shoppe anyone?)
  • Food: I’m not sure if Rory and Lorelei ever indulged in Irish fare on the show but it’s some of my favorite food so you can’t miss Shenanigans brightly colored interior and delicious meals.
  • Entertainment: Dahlonega was part of the gold rush and features gold mines, gold museums, and more. Plus their downtown is dotted with local shops like a General Store, Dress Up Boutique, The Humble Candle, and of course gold shops.
  • Accommodations: The Dahlonega Square Hotel & Villas is heavy on the small town southern charm. It’s classic and gorgeous, I’m sure that if the Gilmore Girls had visited the south they would have stayed here.

Did you know I offer a small town road trip plan? Check out the “Road Less Traveled” planning service if you want to tour quaint towns across America. I’ll share all the best coffee, restaurants, and unique activities each town has to offer so you can live your best Gilmore Girls life.

Thanks for letting me obsess over Gilmore Girls, the only show that can make me crave snow.

Taysia