Gilmore Girls reruns and autumn go hand in hand – and did you know you could visit the real-life Stars Hollow less than an hour from Toronto?
For over 20 years, the charming small village of Unionville tucked away within the city of Markham has attracted fans of the show from far and wide – and it’s especially magical to visit during the fall.
While the show’s long-running set was built in California, the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls was filmed on Unionville’s Main Street. That first establishing shot? Church steeple and all? 100 percent real Unionville.
Located just a 40-minute drive northeast of downtown Toronto, the village’s storybook charm, pedestrian-friendly streets, and gorgeous heritage storefronts became the blueprint for Stars Hollow. The show’s creators fell head over heels for this cozy stretch of Ontario architecture, channeling its small-town spirit into every frame of the series.
If you’d like to recreate your favourite Rory and Lorelai scenes, you can embark on the ultimate self-guided Gilmore Girls walking tour. Some highlights you can look out for include Luke’s Diner (156 Main Street), the Stars Hollow Church (150 Main Street), Taylor’s Soda Shoppe (170 Main Street), the Town Gazebo (Millennium Bandstand), and Kim’s Antiques (151 Main Street).
Over the years, Unionville has also made cameos in major productions like A Simple Favor, Schitt’s Creek, and The Love Guru, along with countless Hallmark and Lifetime movies. Come winter, it often transforms into a snow-dusted Christmas village straight out of a rom-com.
Beyond visiting your favourite film sets, you can explore Main Street’s one-of-a-kind boutiques, grab a latte or dessert from one of the local cafés, then wander over to Toogood Pond Park to take in the fall scenery.
Before the trees shed their fall leaves, it’s the perfect time to plan a quick visit to the idyllic village.