If you’re a Stranger Things fan living in North Carolina, I have incredible news for you: Hawkins is much closer than you think.
The Duffer Brothers grew up in the Durham, NC area, and throughout Stranger Things, they slipped in dozens of Easter eggs from their childhood. This includes real rivers, neighborhoods, restaurants, and forests – all hidden inside the fictional world of Hawkins.
Stranger Things was filmed mainly in Georgia, but the Duffer Brothers slipped in several references to their hometown of Durham, NC.
I spent time visiting the exact North Carolina spots believed to have inspired some of the most iconic scenes in the show. And I’ll show you how to visit all of these places yourself.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
⭐ 1. Eno River – Directly Shown on Will’s Map in Season 2
In Season 2, Will’s hand-drawn map shows the name “Eno River.” And yes, Durham, North Carolina, has a beautiful river named the Eno River.
Below is a picture from my visit to the river. Locals love this place. It’s a beautiful state park with gorgeous hiking trails. There’s no doubt the Duffer Brothers knew about and visited this place.
⭐ 2. Eno River Rock Quarry – A Real-Life Twin of Hawkins’ Quarry
Although the Stranger Things quarry scenes were filmed in Georgia, the Eno River has a rock quarry that could have inspired the series.
And locals say that the high school the Duffer Brothers attended, Jordan High School, had a tradition of spending Senior Skip Day at this rock Quarry.
I hiked into Eno River Rock Quarry, and here’s everything you need to know to visit:
- Address to trailhead – 4950 Howe St, Durham, NC 27705
- The hike in is a little less than a mile. It takes about 20 minutes to hike in.
- The hike has moderate hills, but is a very beautiful walk through the forest. I highly recommend it.
- This is a popular swimming hole in the summer, but there have been multiple deaths because of the depth (70 feet) and the many outcroppings and fallen trees in the water.
- The water can be very cold, increasing the risk of swimming there.
⭐ 3. Mirkwood – Kerley Road & West Cornwallis
The real-life inspiration for “Mirkwood” can be found at the intersection of Kerley and Cornwallis in Durham, NC.
Mirkwood is a dense forest where a demogorgon chased Will Byers before he disappeared into the Upside Down. It’s also the spot where Eleven stumbled out of the trees after she escaped Hawkins National Laboratory.
The Duffer Brothers lived near this area, and no doubt thought that the names of these two roads had a ring to them.
It’s an easy spot to visit, take a picture, and enjoy the dense surrounding woods. Just look for the intersection of the two streets on a map.
⭐ 4. Duke Forest – The Soul of Hawkins Woods
As you drive through the Durham area that inspired the world of Hawkins, you’ll quickly see that Duke Forest surrounds much of it – creating a serene, beautifully wooded backdrop.
Duke Forest is a 7,000-acre forest used for research and teaching. It even has a lemur center that houses the most diverse population of lemurs found outside of Madagascar.
The Duffer Brothers grew up surrounded by this dense, leafy forest, and it helped inspire the overall look and atmosphere of Hawkins.
⭐ 5. Lochn’ora – “The Rich Neighborhood With the Good Halloween Candy”
In Stranger Things, the kids go trick-or-treating in a neighborhood called Loch Nora. It’s presented as a wealthy neighborhood in Hawkins where people give out “full-sized candy bars“.
Well, there just so happens to be a neighborhood in Durham with the same name, although the spelling is Lochn’ora.
Lochn’ora in Durham is a beautiful neighborhood to drive through. And you can imagine it feeling like a wealthy neighborhood in the 80s, when it was new.
You can find the entrance to the Lochn’ora neighborhood at the corner of Lochnora Parkway and Erwin Rd. in Durham.
⭐ 6. Enzo’s Pizza Company – Fan Theory: Inspiration for Enzo’s Italian Restaurant
Some fans believe Enzo’s Pizza Company in Durham inspired:
- Enzo’s Italian Restaurant (where Joyce stands Hopper up in Season 4)
- Hopper’s Russian prison contact, codenamed Enzo
It’s not confirmed, but the Duffers grew up minutes from here and very possibly ate here, as it’s one of the hot pizza spots in Durham.
Enzo’s Pizza sits in a modern strip mall today, but its story began in a tiny spot just outside Duke University’s campus. Students lined up for a taste of its now-famous pies, helping Enzo’s grow into the larger, modern space it occupies today.
Known for its award-winning crust – perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and chewy inside – Enzo’s pairs its dough with creative, flavor-packed toppings, often finished with a drizzle of irresistible hot honey.
My husband and I visited Enzo’s Pizza, and it’s probably the best pizza we’ve ever had. If you’re in the area, you need to visit!
⭐ 7. Bullock’s BBQ – Mentioned by Name in Stranger Things
In a scene from season 4, Joyce and Hopper study a map of locations near Jordan Lake and Joyce mentions the word Bullock’s while pointing to a spot on the map.
“What about Bullock’s?”
She doesn’t say what it is – but Durham locals know.
Bullock’s Bar-B-Que has been around since the 1950s, feeding many famous people including:
- Ronald Reagan
- Joe Biden
- Billy Joel
- Lucille Ball
…and probably the Duffer Brothers too.
We enjoyed our BBQ platters from Bullock’s. It was tasty and affordable. And the hush puppies were some of the best hush puppies I’ve ever had.
It’s fun perusing the walls of Bullock’s Bar-B-Que. There are probably over 100 pictures on the walls of famous people that have ate there. I naturally gravitated to a signed picture of one of my favorite artists:
⭐8. Jordan Lake – Referenced as Lake Jordan on Will’s hand-drawn map of Hawkins.
In Season 2 of Stranger Things, Bob Newby points to “Lake Jordan” on a map and notes that it’s near the Eno River. For locals, this is an unmistakable nod to real Durham landmarks -both Jordan Lake and the Eno River are right here in the Durham area.
Right before Season 5 of Stranger Things was released, I spent some time exploring these Durham, NC locations. It was exciting to stand in the places that shaped the childhood of the Duffer Brothers and inspired the show’s eerie woods, mysterious corners, and unforgettable atmosphere.
If you ever get the chance to visit these spots yourself, you may find a new appreciation for the series. Seeing how real-life memories and landscapes helped build one of television’s most iconic worlds gives the show an even deeper sense of magic.
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