There’s a feeling of enthusiasm and inspiration when a great film magically transports us to beautiful places. Most of us wonder how it would be to step into the world of our favorite movie or television series. Although there is no instant way to take you into the world of your favorite movie, you may visit famous movie locations where some iconic flicks were shot.
From national parks to historic hotels in charming towns, film productions tend to go for unusual and stunning spots when it ventures off the movie sets. So, whether you’re longing to live out your Dream John romantic moments or just dying to spend time at Tony Stark’s cabin, this list can help you make that happen. And even better, maybe a few of these iconic filming locations are close enough to inspire a fun road trip!
Our Top 10 list of Famous Movie Locations to visit:
#1 “The Notebook” — Cypress Gardens in South Carolina
“The Notebook” is based on Nicholas Sparks’s best-selling novel of the same name. The plot revolves around Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson’s romance. Their love survived an uncertain beginning, the outbreak and end of World War II, the loss of one child, and Allie’s ultimate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease over five decades.
At the outset of their ultimate reconciliation, Noah (Ryan Gosling) takes Allie (Rachel McAdams) out on the lake in a rowboat to see the hundreds of geese that have gathered there. Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner is where these scenes were shot. The place is close to Charleston. Visitors can take a rowboat ride around the swamp but expect to see no migrating geese (those birds were brought in and trained just for the film).
#2 “Jurassic World” — Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii
Located on the island of Oahu, Kualoa Ranch has become quite famous. All the renowned stampede sequences from “Jurassic Park,” “Jurassic World,” and “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” takes place in this vast open area. In addition, the ranch has risen to the spotlight by opening up several tour options, such as all-terrain vehicle (ATV) excursions, electric bike tours, boat tours, and more.
Movie fans may tour the Kualoa Ranch on Oahu and view the set where many well-known films have been shot. Besides, the “Pearl Harbor” film also used this stunning location, and it’s simple to understand why this site is so popular among filmmakers; the scenery is breathtaking.
#3 “Dear John” — Isle of Palms Pier in South Carolina
“Dear John” follows John Tyree (Channing Tatum), a young soldier on leave, and Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), an aspiring college student with whom he falls in love during her spring break. Throughout the following seven difficult years, separated by John’s increasingly risky deployment, the couple communicates by letters, meeting in person only on rare occasions.
The couple first meets on the Isle of Palms fishing pier, a favorite place for tourists to take in the island’s scenery. Nowadays, this pier is privately owned and gated. When planning a romantic stay in Isle of Palms and wanting to visit this site, make sure to book one of the rental options of Sea Cabins and Oceanside Villas. Guests here can enjoy access to the pier.
#4 “Wild” — Mount Hood in Oregon
The film starts with the scene when Cheryl’s (Reese Witherspoon) boot accidentally falls off a cliff during her epic hike. Mount Hood, the highest point in Oregon, is the movie’s famous boot drop location. This story has inspired many travelers to plan a visit to this star of the show in Oregon.
Mount Hood is a spectacular place to get incredible views and waterfalls while hiking., located 50 miles east-southeast of Portland, between Clackamas and Hood River Counties. Since its premiere, many hikers have tried to find the location of the boot drop scene. There is even a hiker who declared he had located Witherspoon’s boot. So, to experience a fun hiking trip, check out this great movie and start planning your next expedition to Oregon.
#5 “The Shining” — The Stanley Hotel in Colorado
“The Shining,” tells the story of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), who becomes a winter caretaker at the remote Overlook Hotel in Colorado to overcome writer’s block. His wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who has psychic premonitions, move in. When Jack’s work goes nowhere, and Danny’s visions worsen, he learns the hotel’s terrible secrets and becomes a violent lunatic set on torturing his family.
The Stanley Hotel in beautiful Estes Park, CO, was the location for this horror movie. Due to the success of this film, the hotel has created The Shining Tour, a walking tour through the west side of The Stanley Hotel Campus. This tour includes visiting The Shining Suite, the re-created bathroom, and a glimpse of one of the Axes from filming “The Shining.”
When planning a stay in Estes Park, in addition to this thrilling experience, you can also enjoy a picturesque mountain town at the eastern entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park that offers lots of entertainment and allows you to explore the alpine landscape during any season.
#6 “Sommersby” — Warwickton Mansion in Virginia
The Warwickton Mansion is an antebellum estate constructed in 1848 by Judge James Wood Warwick that presently serves as the Hidden Valley Bed & Breakfast in Warm Springs in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley area. This beautiful location was the shooting set for the 1993 post-Civil War film “Sommersby,” starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Sommersby,” a post-Civil War film starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster, was shot there in 1993. You can spot the house from the river or access the Inn’s gate by reservation.
#7 “Armageddon” — Kennedy Space Center in Florida
The 1997 film “Armageddon,” starring Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton, was shot at Kennedy Space Center. Michael Bay’s film is about an asteroid on a collision path with Earth, threatening to impact our planet and endanger all life.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has a lot to offer to all visitors. They offer itineraries based on what category fits your needs, from families with children or teenagers to adult couples and large travel groups. Visits for more than one day are recommended, but they also offer one-day itineraries.
#8 “Twilight” – Bella Swan’s House in Oregon
Twilight is about Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), a high school student who transfers from sunny Arizona to gloomy Washington state and meets Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), an enigmatic youngster with eyes that seem to see right through her soul. Edward is a vampire whose family does not consume blood, and Bella, far from being terrified, embarks on a complicated relationship with her eternal soulmate.
Fans of the movie can now stay at Twilight Swan House, a 5-bedroom property available for rent on Airbnb that is the actual residence of Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan character. So if you want to sleep in Bella’s bedroom, this is your opportunity to stay in this beautiful home that served as one of the many Twilight movie locations in Oregon.
#9 “Thelma and Louise” — Arches National Park in Utah
Thelma and Louise’s story takes place on a supposed road trip from Arkansas to Arizona. However, much of the film was filmed in Utah, from the imminent desert mountain in the start credits to the epic car scene at the end. The desert locations purported to be in New Mexico were the sandstone landscapes of the La Sal Mountains, southeast of Moab in eastern Utah, as well as Arches National Park and Canyonlands.
One of the stunning locations in this movie you can visit is Arches National Park, a scenic wonderland packed with towering rock Moab arches and breathtaking views. Visitors come here not just to admire the view; outdoorsy tourists can camp, hike, and take in the sights alongside a knowledgeable ranger.
#10 “Avengers: Endgame” – Tony Stark’s Cabin in Georgia
For those who have always wanted to live a Marvel-style adventure, you can rent Tony Stark’s Cabin in the United States. In the film Avengers: Endgame, Tony Stark (Iron Man) has a cabin on a Georgia lake, which fans will recognize immediately. This three-bedroom cottage is located on the secluded Bouckaert Farm property, where guests may relax on the porch, cast a line in the lake, and hike in the woods. You can book it on Airbnb.
Plan a Trip to that Beautiful Location You Saw in a Movie
The good news is that many of the most famous shooting locations remain and are open to the general public for viewing.
If you want to have a real-life experience that is similar to what you’ve seen on the big screen, you should pack your bags and head to one or more of these well-known filming sites, which you should add to your bucket list if you’re looking for a real-life experience that is similar to what you’ve seen on the big screen.
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