Stars Hollow is one of the most unique settings of any drama, because it plays into the ideal New England town, but it's completely different from real cities. Run by the authoritarian Taylor Doose, the Hollow is a place where everyone pitches in to make town festivals, pageants, and everyday activities the best they can be.
Fans of Gilmore Girls watch the show again and again to catch a breath of fresh air from all the coffee-loving locals. They can be nosy and eccentric, which keeps viewers entertained. As charming as Stars Hollow is, it isn't always the best or easiest place to live.
Terrible: Bid On A Basket
Characters in Stars Hollow typically go along with things just because they're tradition. One of those things is the picnic basket event for charity.
In season two, the ladies of the town must prepare baskets full of lunch foods for the men of the town to bid on. Not only is this tradition expensive and odd--it's also a bit sexist and can lead to uncomfortable situations. The basket-buyer gets to have lunch with the basket-maker as part of the deal, which is why Jess and Rory wind up together that day.
Perfect: Fall Foliage Every Year
New England autumns are the best, so the Stars Hollow residents are fortunate to experience them year after year. There are so many fall episodes of Gilmore Girls that are displayed through Thanksgiving feasts and everyday walks by the pumpkins in the square.
Lorelai's favorite time is winter, but many people feel most satisfied with their Stars Hollow choice when those leaves start to change colors.
Terrible: Dealing With The Snow
As much as Lorelai loves to smell the snow, even she knows that it can be a big burden. Snow cancels plans, turns to ugly sludge, and is often a cause for accidents. While managing The Independence Inn earlier in the show, Lorelai has to deal with snow ruining upcoming guests' travel plans.
Her love-hate relationship with it surfaces again in season five when cars are stuck in driveways and yucky puddles of sludge are just waiting to be stepped in. It helps that Luke builds her an ice-skating rink, but the snow is still a nuisance.
Perfect: Luke's And Weston's Amazing Food
The best times in Stars Hollow are arguably meal times. Even though there aren't tons of restaurants to choose from, Luke's Diner is right for any occasion. Luke is a health nut, but he serves up burgers, fries, pancakes, and endless cups of coffee.
Weston's is also the perfect place for a coffee date or a heavenly slice of pie to go. With establishments like these, one might be led to think that every day is a dream in Stars Hollow.
Terrible: Town Hall Meetings
To those unfamiliar with them, Town Hall meetings might sound interesting or exciting. However, the people of Stars Hollow don't always care for these regular, required sessions. Taylor Doose is town selectman, so he runs the meetings out of Miss Patty's.
The Town Halls make for some funny scenes, and they also mark more challenging times, like when Lorelai is trying to get her new inn approved. With the responsibilities of life and family already weighing on people, these meetings seem to be more of a chore than a social opportunity.
Perfect: Shopping At Kim's Antiques
For those who can afford it, owning a home in Stars Hollow is nice in many ways. People get to furnish their homes with unique wares from Kim's Antiques. Tourists can find enjoyment in the shop, as well.
When Emily Gilmore gets a grand tour of Stars Hollow, she is surprised at the wide selection of Mrs. Kim's goods and is impressed by the owner's negotiation power. Many people who visit small towns like Stars Hollow prefer to peruse local shops, even if it's just for fun. Kim's Antiques could make visitors want to move to town.
Terrible: Taylor Doose Giving Streets Horrific Names
As if Taylor's usual business wasn't enough, he always takes his plans to the next level. One of the worst plans Taylor inflicts on Stars Hollow residents is to rename town streets with "authentic" historic titles.
Lorelai and Sookie get the short end of the stick when Taylor is ready to nip 3rd Street in the bud. He instead calls their street "Sores and Boils Alley." That's just about the worst street for a quaint inn to sit on.
Perfect: Liz & T.J.'s Wedding In The Square
Weddings in the town square in Stars Hollow are generally a good thing, but Lorelai embarrasses herself by making a drunken speech at Lane's wedding. Surprisingly, Liz and T.J. throw one of the best weddings on Gilmore Girls, and town members are lucky to witness the beautiful event.
It is a Renaissance-themed wedding set in the bright bloom of summer. The outfits and the decorations make it a picture-perfect day, and it's an opportunity for people to be grateful for such a welcoming small town.
Terrible: Too Much Gossip
As welcoming as Stars Hollow is, its people talk too much. Lorelai is a constant target for gossipers like Miss Patty and Babette.
These ladies mean well, but they stir up so many rumors that the outcome could be confusing or even hurtful. It can be difficult to live in a place where people have trouble minding their own business.
Perfect: Seasonal Festivals
While some of the festivals in Stars Hollow make no sense, the seasonal affairs are quite exciting. Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life is built on distinctions between spring, summer, fall, and winter. In addition to occasional weddings, there are town-wide events to mark the various seasons of the year and seasons of life.
Who could forget Jess and Rory eyeing each other during the summertime festival, or Lorelai dressing up Paul Anka for the winter carnival? Then there are all the hayrides, cups of hot chocolate, and various contests. All in all, these seasonal festivals make Stars Hollow look like an amazing place to live.