12 Cozy Small Towns That Feel Straight Out of Gilmore Girls
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This post shares 12 cozy small towns that feel like you’ve been transported to Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow for a cozy fall getaway.
Ever find yourself rewatching Gilmore Girls and wishing you could grab coffee at Luke’s?
That Stars Hollow feel hits differently, and Gilmore Girls fans (myself included) deserve their own real-life, picturesque town square experience.
These cozy small towns actually exist across North America, offering small-town charm and community spirit, and truly embrace Richard’s “I am an autumn” aesthetic to a tee.
Whether you’re craving autumn getaway ideas or planning fall travel destinations, these cozy towns are perfect to add to your list!
1. Unionville, Ontario
I’m going to start the list with where it all began!
Unionville was the actual filming location for the Gilmore Girls pilot! I bet you didn’t know that. Truly making it a real place behind our obsession.
Walking down Main Street feels just like Stars Hollow with boutiques everywhere, cute cafés, and yes, that gazebo you’ve stared at a thousand times is there too!
Autumn makes the town even more immersive when the maples change colour. And any of those cozy coffee shops work for channelling your inner Rory Gilmore.
2. Madison, Connecticut
Lorelai Gilmore would probably move here tomorrow if she could.
It feels like the whole downtown area is centred around RJ Julia Booksellers, which is surrounded by these perfect little cafés and a town green that’s just waiting for you to sit on a bench and relax.
You could easily spend an entire day just with a book and a coffee, but you should grab your Pumpkin Spice Latte to-go from any local cafe and just wander and enjoy the historic buildings that really shine in fall.
They even have a community theatre that regularly hosts performances, similar to Miss Patty’s. So, definitely try to catch a show!
Accommodation Recommendation: For that whole coastal Connecticut experience, The Scranton Seahorse Inn puts you right in the heart of it all.
3. Woodstock, Vermont
This quintessential New England town makes you fully appreciate the beauty of the small-town aesthetic.
Covered bridges and the lively village green host farmers’ markets and concerts, and the streets are lined with colonial architecture.
Staying at the Woodstock Inn & Resort will feel like the only option! It’s right in the heart of everything and looks like an upscale version of the Independence Inn.
Strolling around the town without a plan is the plan, because it feels too perfect not to. Grab a seasonal coffee, and pretend you’re Lorelai and Rory, enjoying the fall foliage.
Looking for souvenirs? Pop into the local grocery store, think Doose’s Market, where they sell Vermont maple syrup and hand-knit scarves that may be a tad expensive but feel amazing, so it’s okay.
Woodstock may just be the cozy town that convinces you to leave city life behind! .
4. New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope is an absolute gem that has so much to offer! This cozy small town sits right along the Delaware River, which means riverside cafés with beautiful views.
The cute vintage shops are just like the local community, authentic and truly delightful.
Don’t skip out on taking a scenic ride on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad for absolutely gorgeous fall foliage views along the Delaware River! It’s guaranteed it’s worth every penny.
The autumn season doesn’t just bring an explosion of colour but local festivals that take over the streets! They’re practically the next Firelight Festival, just waiting for a town troubadour to show up.
It has that Stars Hollow energy, but with a cool bohemian twist that makes everything even more exciting to visit.
Accommodation Recommendation: The Carriage House of New Hope offers that luxury riverside experience if you want to splurge.
5. Fort Langley, British Columbia
Fort Langley is a charming village that knows how to celebrate fall, with beautiful colours and harvest markets overflowing with pumpkins!
Antique shops with finds that could have been chosen by Mrs. Kim herself, a soda shop just like Taylor Doose’s, indie bookstores, and locally owned cafés serve coffee made with Luke’s kind of care.
And the town center is so walkable! It feels like you could run into Lorelai and Rory at any moment.
Now, before you get lost in vintage browsing, grab tickets and take a tour of Fort Langley National Historic Site; it’s just a quick five-minute walk from the town centre!
6. Mystic, Connecticut
Autumn brings a magical, cozy vibe to this small coastal town, where it slows down and embraces a more relaxed pace of life.
You can practically hear the “la la la” of the show’s soundtrack as you walk down the street.
You won’t be able to get enough of the harbour views, and the vibrant, indie shops are always frequented by friendly locals, making the historic downtown area feel less touristy.
If you’re curious about maritime history, visit the Mystic Seaport Museum. The tour, exhibits, and events are worth it!
Bookstores will stay open late, bakeries sell seasonal apple cider donuts that sell out quickly, and the waterfront walks clear your head better than therapy.
Mystic is like stepping right into a real-life Stars Hollow, but with the added bonus of fresh seafood and sailboats, and it’s perfect!
7. Galena, Illinois
You’re in for a treat with this amazing Midwest small-town gem! These charming Gilmore Girl-like towns aren’t just on the East Coast.
Imagine historic buildings built up the forested hills that surround the area, giving the most spectacular views of the colourful fall foliage that has exploded.
Here’s the perfect day:
- Wander through the quaint shops that line Main Street.
- Hop on a Red Trolley Tour through the town.
- Enjoy local diner food, which will definitely remind you of Luke’s.
- Finally, spend the evening in a beautiful hotel with fireplaces to unwind and relax.
Activity Recommendation: For some added adrenaline, embrace your inner Rory snopoing on the Life and Death Brigade, and book a Zip Line Adventure at Long Hollow Canopy Tours?
8. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Wine country charm meets Victorian architecture in this Canadian cozy town.
Book a stay at The Prince of Wales Hotel, with its amazing Victoria architecture, right in the centre of town. It feels like a perfect place for Friday Night Dinners, with a little more flair.
Ride a horse-drawn carriage, which is steps away from the entrance and available year-round. The boutique shops offer a variety of items from local artisans, including sweets, marmalades, pottery, and handmade clothing.
And in true Stars Hollow fashion, the streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake are seasonally decorated, which feels elegant rather than overdone.
During the fall season, the vineyards turn a golden hue that you won’t want to miss!
Book and enjoy the wine tours and tastings while you take in the views of church spires and farmhouses in the distance. It can’t get much perfect than that!
9. Medina, Ohio
Forget just looking like the town of Stars Hollow, the cozy small town of Medina fully celebrates it!
Every year there’s a Stars Hollow Fest! Complete with gazebo ceremonies, costume contests judged by locals in character, and themed vendors!
And sell all kinds of souvenirs from Luke’s Diner merchandise to Doose’s Market tote bags. It’s pure Gilmore Girls magic!
The lovely town square is the centre of this tight-knit community, surrounded by historical architecture and local shops.
Gilmore Girls enthusiasts flock here, but even if you’ve never watched the show, you’ll soon understand why!
10. Washington Depot, Connecticut
This cozy small town serves as the inspiration for half of the show’s locations. The Mayflower Inn & Spa helped Amy Sherman-Palladino create both the Independence Inn and the Dragonfly Inn.
This is the place to book a reservation, or at least book a spa treatment, to get the whole insider experience! And maybe, just maybe, you’ll see a mischievous inn owner or two.
The Hickory Stick Bookshop stocks everything, from Rory’s reading list to Gilmore Girls cookbooks, so you can recreate some of the most famous meals, from Luke and Suki, anytime you want.
And Marty’s Cafe serves coffee that tastes like what you think Luke’s would, with a bit of latte art flair. So maybe more like Weston’s Bakery instead?
Explore the hiking trails at Steep Rock Preserve, where you’ll find an old railroad tunnel perfect for photos.
Finally, the Gunn Historical Museum and seasonal festivals enhance the town’s charm, making it a bucket list destination for every Gilmore Girls fan!
11. Hudson, New York
This town embodies the arts with a warm and welcoming vibe. A stroll downtown is a blast with colourful murals and lively shops.
There are a number of art galleries showcasing local artists, which will make it hard to choose which to visit!
Antique stores have curated collections, not just old stuff. The kind of places Lorelai would browse for a new, quirky piece of furniture for the house, when she was renovating.
Then there’s the food scene, with delicious, seasonal menus made from locally sourced ingredients that you can indulge in.
And the best part about Hudson, New York? Fall brings harvest events that feel like close-knit community block parties, just like Gilmore Girls.
Accommodation Recommendation: The Maker Hotel fits the artsy vibe perfectly without being pretentious about it.
12. Keene, New Hampshire
When autumn arrives in Keene, one of the cozy small towns that comes alive in vibrant colours. The foliage is simply stunning, and the community spirit is genuine and so refreshing.
The town green is the lively centre of town, surrounded by charming historic buildings that house local businesses. And, just like in Stars Hollow, residents greet others with friendly waves, and the cozy bookstores are more like community hangouts.
For evening entertainment, catch a show at the historic Colonial Theatre! They’ve got concerts, plays, and films you can book online. It’ll be like you’re going to the Black & White & Read Movie Theatre!
Keene may not be the most famous small cozy town on anyone’s radar, but once you visit, it’ll surely steal your heart!
Ready to Pack Your Bags to Visit these Cozy Small Towns?
These are some of the best towns for fall, that aren’t trying to become Stars Hollow, they already are! They embody everything that made the fictional town so special.
Each place offers its own mix of charm, character, and close-knit community that turns autumn into something from a storybook you want to live inside.
Planning a road trip or planning your dream itinerary is easier when destinations invite you to relax, explore freely, and fall in love with small-town life.
Stop dreaming about autumn getaway ideas and start booking because these places won’t stay secret much longer!
