Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls is definitely based on State College
Rory and Lorelai have probably been here the whole time
On November 25, Gilmore Girls is back after a seven-season run. Rory and Lorelai have left us for almost 10 years now—way back when most of us were in middle school. In just a few days, we can get back to Stars Hollow and after spending some time in State College, there is no question that the two are pretty much identical.
Luke’s Diner is totally Ye Olde College Diner
Luke’s is the place to get a hot cup of coffee every morning – a staple for both Rory and Lorelai. And while most people don’t frequent the College Diner every morning, it’s a must try for every Penn State student at least once, if only to get a famous grilled sticky.
Logan is 100% a frat bro
While in Gilmore Girls they never actually say that the “Life and Death Brigade” at Yale is a frat, it most definitely is. Logan is your typical frat boy: sweet when he wants to be and belligerent when drunk. It’s easy to picture him standing in front of a mansion on Frat Row saying things like, “who do you know here? “or “what’s your ratio?” He’d fit right in.
Andy’s Bookstore is Webster’s
Andy’s bookstore is small, quaint, and the only shop in town. In State College the only other bookstore besides Webster’s is the Student Book Store…and who likes to go there for fun anyway?
Taylor takes the role of the Willard Preacher
Taylor is constantly on everyone’s case about how they are messing up. Sound familiar? No PSU student has ever walked past the Willard building without hearing the sweet yelps of the Willard Preacher telling us that we are alcoholic liberals who are just lining up at the gates of hell. Maybe he’s right?
Al’s Pancake House vs. The Waffle Shop
The only difference between these two is that Al’s Pancake House will never have a line like the Waffle Shop on a football weekend—or any weekend for that matter.
Lane’s mom is basically every naive Penn State parent
We all have that one friend whose mom is completely clueless. Lane’s mom believes that drinking doesn’t happen until your 21 and that everyone stays a virgin until marriage. Absolutely none of that is the case. Especially at Penn State.
The Dragonfly Inn is the Nittany Lion Inn
Clearly, the most extravagant place to stay in either town. The Dragonfly Inn is pretty much the only place you can stay in Stars Hollow and the Nittany Lion Inn is definitely the most coveted spot here. State College floods with people on the weekend and if you’re a real working adult (what’s that like?) sleeping on a beer covered floor isn’t as tolerable as it once was. The Nittany Lion Inn may be your only choice.
Surplus of rich alumni
Lorelai’s parents are positively loaded and threw a to-die-for tailgate at the Harvard vs. Yale game—complete with an RV. Anyone who has ever been to a Penn State game knows that if you’re invited to a tailgate in the RV lots you’re going to find some loaded alumni who live to throw the tailgate of the year.
Stars Hollow and State College are strikingly similar. We wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Rory cooped up in the Pattee stacks studying one night…