Are you excited for the Gilmore Girls revival coming to Netflix this month? Immerse yourself in all things Gilmore with a trip to the place that inspired the show’s hometown of Stars Hollow.
Amy-Sherman Palladino, the creator of Gilmore Girls, hasn’t released an official town as the inspiration for Stars Hollow. However, in an interview she described a vacation in a small Connecticut town, and how, “It all sort of fell into place over that two-day period.”
There have been many attempts by fan sites and blogs to pinpoint the inspiration for Stars Hollow, but I believe the town that most closely resembles Stars Hollow is New Milford, Conn. It is a small rural town with striking similarities to the fictional one where Lorelai and Rory lived. Town landmarks like the church, gazebo, local eateries and plenty of small shops all point toward Stars Hollow. And I haven’t even mentioned the nearby competitive private school that could be an inspiration for Chilton.
While in New Milford, the best place for lunch is Luke’s … I mean Theo’s Downtown Diner. From the familiar sign hanging off the side of the building, familiar inset front door and large windows with great views of the town, this diner could be easily be mistaken for Luke’s Diner from the show. Once inside, the diner is much more modern and no longer resembles the set from the show. It does, however, have a classic diner menu, and is said to serve a great cup of coffee.
What truly sets this town apart from others circulating on fan sites is the proximity to the Mayflower Grace in Washington, Conn Fans have long debated this inn must have been an inspiration for the Independence Inn, the fictional hotel Lorelai runs in the first few seasons of the show. The Mayflower Grace houses gorgeous rooms with a similar elegant and luxurious décor to the inn on the show, in addition to a relaxing pool and spa.
Round off the afternoon with a walk around town. You can browse the aisles at the local bookstore and check in at the antique shops for a perfect Stars Hollow day.
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