We have decided to focus on the real place where Once Upon a Time is filmed, and have compiled a comprehensive guide of where you’d want to visit should you take a tour of “Storybrooke”!

Fans of the ABC series Once Upon a Time (Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Josh Dallas…) are well acquainted with the idea of Storybrooke Maine as it plays in the show. It’s a sweet town, close to the woods, and has charming, unique places to visit. It’s not a place where you will find a TGI Fridays or a Holiday Inn. But, on the show, it is a place where you can find all of the misplaced fairytale characters from your youth. But is Storybrooke Maine a real place?

The answer probably won’t surprise many of you, but there is no real Storybrooke. Once Upon a Time is filmed in Canada. And up there, they use Steveston Village (near Vancouver) for exterior location shots that serve to look like Storybrooke. Interestingly, Storybrooke is meant to be depressing and before filming, Steveston Village is rid of all colorful objects and flowers. Old cars are parked on the streets. Everything is meant to look old and weathered. Additionally, the crew puts plenty of Storybrooke signs (Storybrooke Hardware and Paint, Storybrooke Free Public Library) up over the real signs.

If you are looking to visit Steveston Village, Moncton Street might look very familiar to you. (Just squint and you can pretend the signs all say “Storybrooke” on them.) The show has also shot on location at Capilano College and in the North Vancouver forests.

Other productions that have filmed in Steveston include:

The X-Files series, Stargate SG-1, and “The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud” starring Zac Efron. Interestingly, Steveston was also meant to represent Maine in “A Cooler Climate” with Sally Field and Judy Davis.

Places in Storybrooke:

Storybrooke Free Public Library (actually Nikka), Henry’s Castle ( Find it at Garry Point Park), Toll Bridge, Mr. Gold’s Pawnbroker and & Antiquities Dealer, Storybrooke Hardware and Paint, Purbeck Shoe Store (actually Pieces), Storybrooke Country Bread, Storybrooke Coffee Co, Modern Fashions, Standard Clocks, Henry’s Castle, Marine Garage, Clock Twoer, Storybrooke Post Office (Which is actually the Steveston Museum, an iconic red building), Atlantic Twine & Net (actually Pacific Net & Twine), Neighbors variety store selling toys – supplies – stationary – dry goods (actually Splash), Granny’s Diner, Granny’s Bed and Breakfast, the actual Hepworth Building is used and instead of Fleming & Associates it is the office of Dr. Archibald Hopper, MD. that it holds. You’ll enjoy your tour of Storybrooke for sure!

Quick answer:

Where is Once Upon a Time filmed? Canada.

Planning a trip to Steveston?

Steveston Village hosts a Salmon Festival every year, as they have a historic salmon canning center. Don’t miss it!

Suggested Reading:

Vancouver is Awesome (Tons of photos of the set)
Caught on Set (Also lots of photos)
MissWoollyKnit (Blog of a Woman who lives in Steveston – she’s a knitter!)
In Steveston (Notes on the transformations)

Credit:

Wiki Commons & Clayton Perry (Check out his Flickr for updated photos from Storybrooke, like the Pet Shelter!)

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