If there’s one thing that we’ve learned from meeting the many Vampire Diaries fans of all ages and from all walks of life, it’s that this series is so much more than a TV show. To many fans, the show is encouragement, inspiration, an outlet, and a passion. Last week, we welcomed a group from Virginia that included two sisters with a heartwarming story. In this next installment of Tourist Tales from the new Hollywood of the South® Museum, learn why the travels from their home state of Virginia brought them here— to the fictional Mystic Falls, Virginia in Covington, GA.
Sisters Taylor (left) and Alyssa (right)
Sisters Alyssa (14) and Taylor (9) have been enjoying a road trip for the past couple of weeks with their mother Christa, as well as other family members and friends. Christa told us the reason for this journey is to complete the bucket list for her daughter Taylor, and to treat Vampire Diaries superfan Alyssa with a visit to the home and backlot city of her favorite TV series.
Christa says the girls have been watching The Vampire Diaries since the show started. In fact, they often enjoy watching the show together. “Alyssa is obsessed with the show. Like, OB-SESSED,” Christa told us. She is currently re-watching the series again for the fourth time! When we asked how excited the sisters were for their trip to the real Mystic Falls, Christa said, “I haven’t heard them talk about anything else for months!” Alyssa’s favorite character is Klaus, while Taylor is sired by Damon, but also loves Bonnie Bennett.
Alyssa poses with Klaus' tea room table and rug
Christa went into a little more detail on the reason for completing Taylor’s bucket list and making sure they made a pit stop in Covington, Georgia— AKA— the real Mystic Falls, Virginia. Last December, the family found out that the younger sister, Taylor, was legally blind in her right eye. By January, she was diagnosed with the genetic LHON disorder, which will ultimately steal her eyesight. This trip is a way for the family to come together and treat the sisters with an experience that they will never forget.
“We wanted to do something really special for Alyssa, too, because she’s also having to go through making adjustments and watching her sister…” said Christa. “The fact that they’re together for this, is just awesome. They will remember this forever.”
Christa and her daughters, Taylor and Alyssa
On their bucket list road trip so far, the girls have been to New York and Disneyworld Orlando, and have enjoyed adventures like camping, zip-lining, and enjoying the beach. They also spent a couple of days in Georgia so they could bring the girls to Covington. The group enjoyed dinner at the Mystic Grill, an on-location tour with Vampire Stalkers/Mystic Falls Tours, and then rode around to explore and experience Mystic Falls a bit on their own. They also visited the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and rode Skyview Ferris Wheel in Midtown.
Christa couldn’t believe how many local activites she was able to fit into their two-day visit. “I was like, we could take our whole vacation right here and not run out of stuff to do! We thought we’d just come here for a day, see what there is to see, and then go somewhere else. But now we’re on day two…”
She told us that Taylor and Alyssa really enjoyed their time with Vampire Stalkers/Mystic Falls Tours. “Angie was really, really awesome on the tour. She told us all kinds of stuff, which was cool. Like talking about the scenes and what happened.” Christa said the behind-the-scenes knowledge that they learned on-tour helped her girls make the connections of what they remember from the scenes at each filming site. “It’s really cool just to see the town and locations,” she added. “The girls were in awe when we walked into the Mystic Grill.”
Our visit with this group at the Hollywood of the South® Museum was so much fun as we showed the girls our collection of costumes and set pieces from behind the scenes of The Vampire Diaries. Our little tourists got to see, touch, wear, and smell pieces that were worn or used by their favorite actors and characters.
Alyssa wearing Katherine's Masquerade Ball mask
Alyssa trying on Damon's V-neck sweater from our costume collection
The group took turns in our various selfie stations and tried on wedding dresses from the show so they could take part in our mock Steroline wedding.
Taylor and Alyssa “walking down the aisle”
Taylor was bouncing around the museum with glee and humming to herself the entire time! Her favorite piece from on-set was the safe that Stefan and Katherine were locked in by Silas.
It was so heartwarming to be part of this sisterly bonding experience and help to make the most of their trip. Alyssa and Taylor also received a very special keepsake from Tourism Director Jenny McDonald for their travels.
Christa told us at the end of our interview just how much they enjoyed their time in Covington. “It’s been a really good trip. Everybody down here has just been super nice and super helpful.”
We were also thrilled to hear that their stay in Covington/Newton County was a delightful one. “The staff at the new Holiday Inn has just gone above and beyond to make sure that their stay is amazing.” added Christa. “We’ll— I’ll never forget it. I’ve cried a lot. Happy tears…it’s all just been emotional. But it’s been good. We’ve been saying to each other, ‘Can we just buy a house here?’”
If you are a visitor coming to our community from out-of-state or overseas, we would love to connect with you about becoming our next Tourist Tales feature! Contact us on Facebook if you are interested, and follow us for more updates on Covington/Newton County tourism.
