This Cozy Connecticut Town Feels Like A Real-Life Stars Hollow, According To Visitors

If you've ever wanted to cozy up and kick through leaves just like Rory and Lorelai Gilmore, you're not alone. The fictional town of Stars Hollow, from the iconic 2000s television show, "Gilmore Girls," has had fans searching for the real-life equivalent of the homey small town since the show aired. Fans have cited towns all across the Northeastern U.S. and Ontario, but one town in Connecticut may take the cake for having the most similar vibe. Located a 20-minute drive outside of New Haven sits Guilford, Connecticut.

The charming Connecticut city is complete with a luscious town green, a local bookstore, and a white steeple church just like the one in the show. The town is so much like Stars Hollow that it became home to the Firelight Event, a fan festival dedicated to "Gilmore Girls." Held yearly, on October 17 through 19 in 2025, the festival has everything from dance lessons, trivia, and costume contests to panels and meet and greet opportunities with cast and crew. Even though it has been years since the show concluded, some of the show's more notable stars, like Kelly Bishop, Kathleen Wilhoite, and Emily Kuroda, come to meet and mingle with fans.

Fans online who have visited the town have attested to Guilford's similarities to Stars Hollow while not being an actual film location for the show. "Guilford, Connecticut, is one of the small towns in Connecticut that is most similar to Stars Hollow," YouTuber Planned Wanderings said while listing 10 towns similar to the fictional hamlet. This can mainly be attributed to the central town green and the charming restaurants and storefronts that make you feel as though you're walking past Luke's Diner. Visitors can get coffee and groceries at The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center, grab one of Rory's favorite books from Breakwater Books, and listen to a "Gilmore Girls" playlist while strolling on the Guilford Green.

Another fan who attends the Firelight Event affirmed Guilford's Stars Hollow-esque vibe on Reddit, saying, "Last year was the first year the festival was in Guilford, and it's a beautiful little town that feels JUST like Stars Hollow." The fan also noted how lovely the downtown green area is, with delicious local restaurants and friendly small-town residents. In addition to Guilford's "Gilmore Girls" charm, this scenic Connecticut small town also has a plethora of activities to take part in, like enjoying the public beach or visiting some of the historical museums in the area.

If you want to capture that iconic "Gilmore Girls" fall feeling, your best bet is to visit Guilford between late September and November. Imagine strolling through the town green with the variant red and orange leaves cascading down from the surrounding trees. Now that's a great way to spend an afternoon. If you live on the northeastern coast of the U.S., a road trip would be the perfect way to get there, but for out-of-towners who are a bit too far out of reach, you can fly into the Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN), which is a short drive from Guilford. You can also stop into Yale University on your way in, less than 20 minutes away, to see where Rory Gilmore eventually graduated from college.

While there's no real Independence (or Dragonfly) Inn located in Guilford, the surrounding towns have cozy accommodations reminiscent of the two inns Lorelai worked at during the show. Some inns, like the Westbrook Inn, offer "Gilmore Girls" packages to folks planning to attend the Firelight Event. This is one of the perfect ways to channel your inner Gilmore and enjoy some fall nostalgia.