How to Vacation with The Walking Dead

Many fans are so enthralled with The Walking Dead that they want to incorporate fandom into their vacation travels and celebrations. I am certainly one of those fans!

Photo credit: Rob Phillipps 2014

Just one year ago, my husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary here in Atlanta. Being fans of The Walking Dead, we decided (okay, I decided!) we should add Skybound’s The Walking Dead Escape to our celebratory weekend. We attended as spectators watching walkers roam around Philips Arena while “survivors” ran the obstacle course sidestepping said walkers. I got quite a kick out of seeing my husband startle as a walker suddenly appeared beside him sniffing at his throat! Our fair city is also home to Atlanta Movie Tours. They offer a variety of bus tours including the Big Zombie Tour. This tour visits many Atlanta locations where iconic scenes of The Walking Dead were filmed (think Rick riding into town and hiding in the tank!) as well as some other productions.

Another exciting way to vacation with The Walking Dead is in Senoia, GA and other surrounding areas where the show is filmed.

Senoia, Georgia. Carter Phillipps – 2013

When you pull up to Main Street in Senoia you see the fictional Woodbury on one side and the filming location for Alexandria on the other. It’s a spectacular view and breathtaking for any big fan!

Fans come from near and very far to get a glimpse of The Walking Dead world. One of my friends made Senoia a stop on her honeymoon. I also met 2 friends who travelled from Finland and the UK to tour and photograph the area as part of their United States fan trip. (You can take a look at their amazing and unique spin on fan photography called scene framing at fangirlquest.com.)

If you make it to Senoia, you have great options for touring. Senoia on the Big Screen Walking Tours is operated out of a fantastic local shop called The Georgia Mercantile known for its refreshments, as well as homegrown and locally manufactured merchandise.

Photo Credit: Tracey Phillipps 2014

The shop sits right next to the Alexandria set, just in front of the burnt out watchtower. Their walking tours are 2 hours long and include visits to locations used in seasons 3, 4, 5. And who knows what locations Season 6 will reveal? The tour provides details of how scenes were filmed, local insider knowledge, and views up close and personal of where the Governor, Milton, Merle, Andrea, Michonne, and Martinez spent their time in Woodbury. Find out where Carl indulged in that big can of chocolate pudding and see just how high those Alexandria walls really are. They even have a “Rick” lookalike who has guided some of the tours!

If you prefer the air-conditioned route, you can reserve a spot on the Atlanta Movie Tours‘ Big Zombie Tour Part 2 by purchasing tickets online or at The Official Walking Dead Store, The Woodbury Shoppe in downtown Senoia.

Photo Credit: Tracey Phillipps 2014

The bus tour will also venture out to other towns for stops at locations such as “Steve’s Pharmacy” in Sharpsburg, the walker fighting arena in Newnan, Grantville where the Morgan-centric episode “Clear” was filmed, and more. Actors who portrayed walkers in the show are known to be tour guides who enjoy sharing their “deadly” experiences!

A hop, skip, and a jump away from Senoia is the town of Haralson, home to the ESCO Feed Mill prominently displayed in the Seasons 3 and 4 intros. The Mill was host to several key scenes in Season 3, most notably the site of Merle’s death and Daryl’s discovery of his brother reanimated. There is also the barn where Rick and the Governor met to discuss their “differences”. The Mill is private property, so don’t try to sneak a peek on your own.

Photo Credit: Tracey Phillipps 2013

See these spots and more firsthand by booking a tour with Walkin Dead Haralson Tours and Events. You have the opportunity to re-enact scenes from the show such as Martinez taking a bat to a walker or Merle aiming for the Governor through the window. Before or after your tour, you can peruse the unique merchandise including jewelry, a large stock of t-shirts, and other custom-designed souvenirs in the on-site shop Cherokee Rose Retail. You can also get the scoop on several other nearby locations used for filming The Walking Dead.

So what if you are unable to travel to Atlanta, Senoia, or other neighboring towns mentioned? What events occur in your area that might be a part of your The Walking Dead getaway or celebration?

Is there a fan convention that comes to your town?
Do any venues in your area offer The Walking Dead trivia?
What shops near you sell comics and related merchandise?
Has your area hosted any zombie-themed charity events?

I imagine if you brainstorm with friends who are fans, you can come up with a lot of great ways to bring some of The Walking Dead to your vacation experiences wherever you may be! I’d love to hear about some of your experiences below.

Next: Walking Dead 50 most shocking moments and deaths

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