Spotlight On: Covington

Covington has long been used in films due to its small-town charm and proximity to Atlanta. More than 60 projects have shot here, including “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “In the Heat of the Night” and “Road Trip.”  There are many spots around town that are of interest to film and television buffs. The Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce has maps available for those interested in a self-guided tour. Fans of the TV show “In the Heat of the Night” will recognize the Newton County Courthouse. Covington doubled as the fictional town of Sparta on the show, and the courthouse was often featured. In 1981′s “The Cannonball Run,” Burt Reynolds famously pilots his single engine plane onto a street in downtown Covington so Dom DeLuise can pop in to a market for more beer.

Covington is currently playing the part of Mystic Falls on the CW series “The Vampire Diaries.” It’s Southern picturesque downtown and homes are the perfect setting for the supernatural drama. Worthington Manor (known as Lockwood Manor on “The Vampire Diaries”) is a private residence, meaning it’s okay to photograph from the street, but please don’t trespass. Though “The Vampire Diaries” crew built most of “Lockwood Manor” on a soundstage, they still shoot at the actual home with some frequency. During your visit make sure to plan a meal at “The Mystic Grill,” which is the main hangout spot on the show and is also real-life working restaurant. There are a couple of Vampire Diaries tour companies that specialize in many of the show’s locations around Covington.

Learn more about Covington’s film history and tours at http://gocovington.com/