Private Stranger Things “The Upside Down” Film Locations Tour in Atlanta

Hawkins, Indiana shows up in Atlanta. This private Stranger Things The Upside Down film locations tour turns recognizable show moments into an easy, guided route with a private pickup from Midtown or Downtown. I love the built-in comfort of bottled water and a real guide who feeds you fun, show-specific facts while you ride between spots.

The main thing to consider is timing. The tour needs good weather, so if conditions are rough you may be offered a different date or a refund.

Key highlights that make this tour worth your time

• Private pickup in Midtown or Downtown Atlanta: fewer logistics, more time on the sights.
• Hawkins, IN homes and bike routes: you see the Wheeler, Sinclair, and Henderson neighborhood setting.
• Hawkins Middle School and High School: Cubs and Tigers, plus the school-era vibe fans love.
• Hawkins Public Pool: a memorable Season 3 style stop tied to the show’s water moments.
• Screen Gems Studios: a peek at where the show’s sets and production come together.
• Brimborn Steelworks and the Mindflayer: the stop fans book for, including an Upside Down mood.

From Midtown pickup to a 3-hour Hawkins fix

This is a private 3-hour tour that starts and ends in central Atlanta. You meet at 423 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, and the experience loops back to the same starting point, so you are not spending energy figuring out where you end up. Pickup is offered anywhere in Midtown and Downtown, which is a big deal if you do not want to drive or hunt for parking.

One smart detail: you get a text confirmation the day before the tour. You are also encouraged to enter the cell phone number you’ll have while traveling, which helps your guide line up the pickup smoothly. The tour runs in English, and you get a mobile ticket, so you are not digging through paperwork.

Price-wise, it is $175 per person for a private vehicle, guided stops, and bottled water. That can look steep until you add up the real-world cost of getting around Atlanta on your own, then compare it to having someone plan the route and keep you entertained at each location. If you are traveling with a friend or family member, it is even better value, and there is a minimum of 2 people per booking.

Hawkins, IN neighborhoods: Wheeler, Sinclair, and Henderson street scenes

The first big hit is the Hawkins, IN neighborhood area. You are not just looking at one famous spot, you are walking through the streets that represent the boys riding and rolling through their world. The focus here is the Wheeler, Sinclair, and Henderson homes setting, plus the surrounding streets where key bike-era moments play in your head.

Why this stop works: it makes the show feel like it has geography. Without the context, you might recognize a house facade, but with the guide running the commentary you start noticing patterns, filming angles, and why certain street views read so clearly on screen.

One practical tip for you here: bring a phone with enough battery for photo stops. Even if you are not a big photographer, you will want a few quick shots to remember the exact look of each block. This is also a good stop for stretching your legs early since the tour is only about 3 hours total.

Hawkins Middle School: the Cubs era, explained on the move

Next comes Hawkins Middle School, tied to the Hawkins Cubs. This is the stop that helps you understand how the show builds identity through places. Schools do a lot of storytelling in Stranger Things, because they are where friendships form, tension spreads, and kids act like kids.

A well-run tour matters most here because you will be moving between locations quickly. The guide’s job is to keep the story flowing while you are in the vehicle, so you do not end up with a stack of unrelated “cool spots.” You want a guide who connects what you are seeing to what happens in the show, and this experience is built around that kind of trivia and fact sharing.

From the way the stops are handled, you can expect time to look closely and take photos without feeling like you are being rushed out the door. The overall pace also seems designed to work for different groups, including kids, because the content is show-forward and the driving leg gets you out to the next stop efficiently.

Hawkins High School: Tigers, Nancy and Steve vibes

Hawkins High School is the next school stop, with the Hawkins Tigers as the anchor. This is where the show’s teen-era dynamics take over. If your favorite seasons are the ones full of hallway energy and bigger-feeling stakes, this is the place you will feel it most.

One reason I like including both school stops in the same tour is simple. You get contrast. Middle school feels smaller, more basic, and more “day-to-day.” High school feels like the setting where secrets go to mature. The guide’s commentary helps you “see the sequence,” meaning your brain maps the show’s timeline onto the real location you’re standing in.

Drawback to keep in mind: since the tour is only about 3 hours, you will be doing a lot of watching and photographing in a limited amount of time. If you want slow strolling, expect to choose a few must-have photos rather than trying to shoot everything.

Hawkins Public Pool: a key Season 3-style setting

Then you hit Hawkins Public Pool. The show’s pool moments are iconic, and this is the stop tied to Billy’s domain from Season 3. Pools are visual storytellers, and in this case, they help fans remember not just a scene, but the mood and the contrast between normal summer fun and the darker undercurrent the show builds.

This part of the day is also a good reminder that you are not only doing pop-culture tourism. You are seeing how Atlanta locations can “read” as small-town Indiana. That is why a guide helps. You see the same streets more clearly when someone explains what you are looking for.

If you plan to bring kids, this is a strong pick. School sites can be fun, but pools are universally fun. You are also in a controlled tour setting, meaning you can focus on enjoying the moment without worrying about where the rest of the group is headed next.

Screen Gems Studios: where the show’s world gets built

After the Hawkins stops, you get a glimpse of Screen Gems. For fans, this matters because it shifts you from “recognition tourism” into “production context.” You are now seeing where filming comes together, which makes the day feel more like a behind-the-scenes visit than just a scavenger hunt.

Even though you are not inside every production space on a typical photo-style tour, the value is in perspective. Knowing a little about where filming happens helps you understand why certain looks show up again and again. It also makes you appreciate how a city like Atlanta can double for another place, with the right angles and sets.

From the reviews and the tour design, the guides often keep things moving without turning the stops into a blur. That matters here, because studios can otherwise become a quick look with no real takeaway. The intent of this tour is to connect the screen to the place, and Screen Gems is the best anchor for that.

Brimborn Steelworks and the Mindflayer nesting vibe

The final core stop is Brimborn Steelworks, the nesting place of the Mindflayer. This is the Upside Down-leaning location on the route, and it is the one many people book first. Steelworks settings bring a different texture to the show, and that contrast is part of the fun. Hawkins can be nostalgic and small-town. Brimborn feels industrial and off-kilter, which matches the show’s darker tone.

One helpful thing here is that the tour handles logistics for you. Brimborn can be a spot you want to photograph from the right side, and you do not want to be thinking about directions. Your guide keeps the route tight and the timing reasonable so you can focus on what you came for.

A nice bonus you might run into, depending on your guide and current access at the time, is extra show detail around the Brimborn area. Some guides have pointed out additional Stranger Things elements nearby during past departures. You should still treat this as a possible bonus, not a guarantee.

The goal at this last stretch is to send you back with memories that feel specific. You are not just remembering a general vibe. You are remembering the exact feel of Hawkins, then the switch into the industrial side of the story.

Price and comfort: why $175 per person can make sense

At $175 per person, this is not a budget outing. But you are paying for a private vehicle, pickup from Midtown or Downtown, bottled water, and a guide who holds the day together with show facts. When I think about value, I look at time and friction. If you had to line up rides, handle routes across different parts of the city, and then try to arrange knowledgeable commentary on your own, the savings would evaporate fast.

This is also a smart plan if you are visiting Atlanta for a short trip. The whole experience is about 3 hours, so you can fit it around other plans without turning your day into a transport marathon. It also helps that admission is listed as free, meaning you are not dealing with extra ticket fees for the core locations on this specific route.

Two small conditions can affect your planning. First, there is a minimum of 2 people per booking, so solo travelers need to check whether a slot is available for their dates. Second, the tour requires good weather, so build a little flexibility into your schedule.

Who should book this Stranger Things tour in Atlanta

This fits best if you are:

• A Stranger Things fan who wants recognizable locations with context, not just a quick photo run
• Traveling as a couple, friends, or a family group that wants the same experience together in one vehicle
• Short on time and willing to pay for convenience and a guided route

It might not be ideal if you:

• Want a totally self-paced walking tour with long stops at every location
• Are set on going no matter what the weather is like that day, since the tour depends on good conditions
• Need animal-friendly stops, because animals are not allowed

Should you book it

I’d book it if you care about the show enough to want the why behind the what. The best part is that you do not just see places, you connect them. From Hawkins neighborhoods and schools to Screen Gems and Brimborn Steelworks, the route is built to match the way fans remember the story: start with the everyday world, then track toward the darker side.

If you can handle a weather-dependent outdoor experience and you are traveling with at least one other person, this private format is a strong deal. With guides like Greg, Dana, Francesca, and Julio mentioned in past departures, the energy tends to be friendly, fast, and focused on keeping you engaged from stop to stop.

Go in expecting a smooth, guided loop that feels like a VIP version of getting your bearings in the Upside Down.

FAQ

How long is the Private Stranger Things The Upside Down Film Locations Tour?

It lasts about 3 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $175.00 per person.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Where is the meeting point, and where do we end?

You meet at 423 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered anywhere in the Midtown and Downtown area of Atlanta. The pickup details are confirmed by text message the day before your tour.

What is included with the tour?

It includes bottled water and private transportation.

What locations are included on the tour?

The stops include Hawkins, IN neighborhoods; Hawkins Middle School; Hawkins High School; Hawkins Public Pool; Screen Gems Studios; and Brimborn Steelworks.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is there an admission ticket cost for stops?

Admission is listed as free for this experience.

What is the cancellation policy and what if weather is bad?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. The tour requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather you will be offered a different date or a full refund.