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Hey, Mouthbreather: You Can Visit the Real 'Stranger Things' Set in Atlanta

Aug. 02, 2019
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3 min read
Hawkins-Lab-1
Hey, Mouthbreather: You Can Visit the Real 'Stranger Things' Set in Atlanta
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If you're in a funk after binge-watching the latest season of "Stranger Things" on Netflix, we have some good news: And it's better than having a triple-decker Eggo extravaganza.

According to Lonely Planet, tour and activity specialist Civitatis has launched a new "Stranger Things" set tour of filming locations that will bring the fictional Hawkins, Indiana, to life. During the four-hour-long tour, you can visit nearly all of the settings where your favorite characters fought scary Demogorgons, evil scientists, high school bullies and yes, the Soviet Union.

The set and tour are located in Atlanta, Georgia, where the majority of the show is filmed. Tickets for the tour cost $150 per person, and include a coach bus that will pick you up directly at your hotel and bring you straight to the Hawkins Laboratory. Fun fact: The lab is actually a building on Emory University's Briarcliff campus.

"Hawkins Lab"; Image courtesy of Civitatis

The tour continues from there, stopping at other iconic "Stranger Things" locations, including Melvald’s General Store, an old-school Radioshack (RIP), Hawkins Middle School, Hawk Cinema, the library and more. The tour will even bring guests to places that Eleven hides during the second season. Guests are encouraged to take pictures and learn about the filming process for the hit Netflix series.

"Hawkins Middle School"; image courtesy of Civitatis
"Melvald's General Store"; Image courtesy of Civitatis

Perhaps the most exciting stop on the tour is the Starcourt Mall, which can be found in the semi-abandoned Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. Unsurprisingly, the mall now has acquired something of a cult following since its on-screen debut — which sounds just like the sort of thing the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, would have wanted.

'Starcourt Mall' photo by Mike Kalasnik via Flickr

In addition to private transportation, the tour includes an English-speaking guide. You can purchases your tickets here.

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If you want to really take a trip to the Upside Down (read: Atlanta), getting there is pretty easy. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) is the largest airport in the world, not to mention a hub for Delta Air Lines, so you'll have plenty of options no matter what airline you choose. Of course, if you fly Delta frequently, we recommend making sure one of these cards is in your wallet first to get the most out of your trip.

In the words of our good friend Dustin Henderson, "Why are you keeping this curiosity door locked?" Go get your tickets, and we'll see you in Hawkins.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.