Take watching your favorite movies and shows to the next level by going to their real-life locations! Here’s a collection of 12 cinematic places you need to visit and the movies they were used in.
Verdant Rainforests, Hawaii – Avatar
We’re starting out strong here with one of the most wondrous films of all time, Avatar. While Avatar used groundbreaking CGI to create a lot of their scenes, the Verdant rainforests in Hawaii were featured plenty.
Big Ivy Area, North Carolina – Hunger Games
Actually, two of North Carolina’s forests were featured in Hunger Games. Big Ivy Area was where we see Katniss and Gale sneak away often, and DuPont State Forest was where many of the arena scenes were filmed.
Martha’s Vineyard – Jaws
Jaws made a lot of us scared to jump in the water for some time. If you want to get an even scarier experience, try jumping in where it was filmed! Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and some of its residents were the perfect backdrop for this film.
Forks, Washington – Twilight
Practice your vampire baseball and “this is the skin of a killer, Bella” lines while staying in Forks, Washington. This whole town was used to film the book series turned movies, making you feel part of the pages no matter where you go.
Astoria, Oregon – The Goonies
This is another location that doesn’t have just one set place to visit. The whole town was featured in The Goonies. But fans can visit important locations like the homes of Mikey and Brand on 38th Street.
Alcatraz, San Francisco – Escape From Alcatraz
We bet you didn’t know that Escape From Alcatraz was filmed in Alcatraz! Oh, you did. Well, you can still visit the location via ferry tour and imagine yourself as Clint Eastwood in the 1979 thriller.
New York City – When Harry Met Sally
This isn’t just a fun photo stop, it’s also a tasty meal! Check out Katz’s Deli from When Harry Met Sally and eat your way through tasty Jewish sandwiches and cuisine. This place hasn’t been in business for more than 30 years for no reason.
Los Angeles, California – La La Land
Another movie that took part all over LA. If you want to visit places directly featured try out the SmokeHouse Restaurant, Cathay’s Corner on Mount Hollywood Drive, and the Lighthouse Cafe at Hermosa Beach.
Tribeca, New York – Ghostbusters
Hook and Ladder 8 Fire Station is currently still used to fight fires to this day, Ghostbusters fans might recognize it however as the headquarters of Peter, Ray, and Egon. This is a great location for a ghosty-inspired photoshoot.
Civil’s Tower, Wyoming – Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Alien fanatics will be excited to hear that you can visit the mountain integral to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. You also might be less excited to hear that extraterrestrials are not living anywhere close to it, but it’s still worth a visit!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Rocky
Want to run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art just like Rocky? Well take a deep breath, put your hands in the air, and prepare to take the most wondrous 72 steps of your life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Savannah, Georgia – Forrest Gump
Visit Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. or grab a box of chocolates and talk to random people about your life on the iconic bench in Savannah. While Forrest Gump was filmed in multiple locations across the US, the superstar bench of the film is only located here.
10 Highest Grossing Movies of All Time (Inflation Adjusted)
Ever debated the greatest movies? Well, we’re counting cash, not critics. Here’s an inflation-adjusted roundup of the top 10 box office champions—because modern-day blockbusters can’t just inflate their way to the top! This list represents the highest-grossing movies of all time.
10 Highest Grossing Movies of All Time (Inflation Adjusted)
10 Movies So Funny They’re Guaranteed to Make You Laugh
Are you searching for funny films that don’t require a lot of thinking and make you laugh out loud? We got you covered. Recently, someone asked for genuinely hilarious movies, and the internet responded to deliver this list.
10 Movies So Funny They’re Guaranteed to Make You Laugh
10 Awesome Movies to Watch if You’re a ‘Top Gun’ Fan
Redditor u/TooManyPxls asked for “Movies about piloting aircraft.” They continued, “So I bought Chorus on Steam and like to take related movie breaks between gaming sessions. Does anyone know any good piloting movies? It doesn’t necessarily need to be in space.” Reddit responded with these ten aviation gems in no particular order.
10 Awesome Movies To Watch if You’re a ‘Top Gun’ Fan
Step Into the Past: 10 American Ghost Towns to Explore
America may not have a history as old as other countries, but we do have our share of ghost towns. Around 3,800 of them, according to a recent report by the New York Times. From the largest ghost town in Jerome, Arizona, to quirky ghost towns like Calico, California, here are ten of the most well-known in America.
Best Cities to Vacation in That Don’t Require Renting a Car
When planning a vacation, there’s enough to worry about without stressing over renting a car, where to park it, and whether you can afford the extra insurance. What if you simply choose a location designed for people without cars and skip the rental car altogether? You could plan on walking, rent an e-Bike, or Uber when the occasion calls for it. It will still be cheaper than renting a car. Here are some of the absolute best cities for vacationing without getting behind the wheel.
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures
Karee Blunt is a nationally syndicated travel journalist, focused on discovering destinations and experiences that captivate and inspire others through her writing. She is also the founder of Our Woven Journey, a travel site focused on inspiring others to create memory-making adventures with their loved ones. Karee is passionate about encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone and live the life they dream of. She is the mother of six kids, including four through adoption, and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. You can learn more about Karee on her about me page.