Moviemakers spend months looking for the perfect movie locations. The setting can make or break the final film, so it's important to choose something truly iconic. While you might think some of these famous scenes were shot on a sound stage, there are some that you can visit right now. Did your favorite flick make the list?
RoboCop
Dallas City Hall boats some robust, daunting features, but it's most exciting feature is its rich history. The location was part of 1987's hit movie RoboCop, and the filmmakers managed to transform it into the headquarters of Omni Consumer Products —which you might recall as the company that made RoboCop. Today, the building is open to visitors, but tourists and fans should be wary that there's a price to pay.
Apocalypse Now
Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now was set during the dramatic and terrifying Vietnam War. It also had some scenes in Cambodia, but the jungles of the Philippines made most of the movie backdrop. About the famous filming of the flick, the cinematographer once said "We were in the jungle. There were too many of us. We had access to too much money, too much equipment. And little by little we went insane."
Harry Potter
The Glenfinnan viaduct, pictured here, is the most impressive concrete railway bridge in all of the Harry Potter Universe, and more importantly, in Scotland. It spans over 415 miles altogether. You might recognize it from the fourth "Harry Potter" flick when the students made their yearly trek to the enviable Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To see it for yourself, head on over and take a ScotRail passenger train on the West Highland Line.
Sideways
This 2004 film was one that put Alexander Payne on the map. Sideways contains the enviable drinking spot known as The Hitching Post II. in this food hub, wine enthusiast and struggling writer Miles becomes a regular among the staff. For those who are fans of the film and local to Northern California, stop on by this real establishment for some high-quality Californian BBQ and regional wines — probably not merlot though, in honor of Miles.
Groundhog Day
Feel like you've seen this place before? You probably have! This bed-and-breakfast first made an appearance in the 1993 comedy classic Groundhog Day from Harold Ramis. Today, this still stands as an actual bed and breakfast! It was sold to new ownership in 2017 and was renamed something reminiscent of the classic: The Cherry Street Inn. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, hundreds of miles away from this town, is the real home of Groundhog Day celebrations.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
In the Tyrrhenian Sea, nestled in the Meditteranean, The Talented Mr. Ripley film was shot. The psychological thriller followed a young Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as they battled between who was real and who was a liar. Not surprisingly, this spot rakes in tons of tourism with it's authentic and beautiful shores and thermal rejuvenating spas.
The Amityville Horror
Horror lives all around us. This house is rumored to be a haunted site as it was the location of a man who, in 1974, aggressively murdered six of his family members. Located at 112 Ocean Ave. in Amityville, New York, this horror story excited filmmakers and inspired two movies about the tale. The 1979 film was shot at 18 Brooks Road in Toms River, New Jersey, pictured here. The 2005 version highlighted a house found at 27618 Silver Lake Road in Salem, Wisconsin. Eerie...
Saving Private Ryan
A lot of movies use a beach setting to make things seem a little more easy-breezy. However, the depiction of D-Day in Saving Private Ryan was anything but relaxing. These iconic landing scenes from Steven Spielberg's pivotal major motion picture were filmed on two different beaches, both of which can be found in Ireland. Fun fact: they're actually on nature production areas!
Grand Budapest Hotel
The Grand Budapest Hotel needed some pretty grand settings, so Görlitz Department Store might surprise some readers. It is one of the oldest operating department stores on Earth, residing inside a stunning Art Nouveau establishment from 1913 until 2009. The 2014 Wes Anderson picture won a well deserved Academy Award for best production design.
Harry Potter
The Oxford's Christ Church Cathedral collects over 300,000 visitors each year, but how many of them were Hogwarts alumnae? The 16th-century church is most recognizable not for its stunning features but as the setting of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For about $27, you can tour the building to find different locations from the Harry Potter franchise, such as the staircase from the first day at Hogwarts as well as the Great Hall.
Good Will Hunting
Set on the south side of Boston, Good Will Hunting wanted to retain the authenticity of the area so nothing was changed or edited while the cameras were on the cast. Sadly, most of the film's restaurants and businesses have since closed, but L St. Tavern is still proudly selling the best beers in town. If you ever get the chance to head to Boston, take the scenic route around the south side and spot this bar from this famous flick.
Planet of the Apes
I the original Planet of the Apes, there is a scene where protagonist George Taylor discovers the Statue of Liberty on the beach, laying underneath centuries of sand. This exposes him and the audience to the fact that the planet he was on was Earth all along. Well, in California State Beaches in Malibu, you can visit this spot known as Point Dume. Though the Statue of Liberty isn't actually there, this particular area was a well-kept secret for several years. Recently though, fans put 2 and 2 together and started snapping pics at this iconic spot.
Pirates of the Caribbean
In the Caribbean, salt-flats are nonexistent. In fact, the salt-flat scene had to be shot in one of America's driest states, Utah. Just 10 miles west of Salt Lake City, this incredibly fantastical movie moment was shot in a salt-flat. Interested in a visit? You can try, but be warned that there is no telling whether you’ll be in the correct place or not. Around those parts, all the salt-flats look the same.
Game of Thrones
Remember this staircase? It was the same staircase where Cersi voluntarily took her "walk of atonement." Dubrovnik, Croatia is home to this fan-favorite GOT scene. Located along the Adriatic Sea, this alleyway is Cersei walked nude down the street and was harassed with horrible hatred and pelted with rotten vegetables and meat. She had been accused of adultery, incest, and regicide by the Faith Militant. It sounds like a terrible time, especially for the clean-up crew.
Tomb Raider
Looks pretty unbelievable, right? Most of the famous movie was filmed in Los Angeles on a studio set, a few of the reference shots were taken in the Siem Reap Province city of Angkor, Cambodia. Many ancient temples reside in Angkor, but the one that is known to Tomb Raider fans is likely the Ta Prohm temple. Here, the Mahayana Buddhist monastery sat, though later was turned into a university for those studying Buddhism. These days it's a tourist attraction for people who want to stand under the really big tree that Angelina Jolie did.
Avatar
It's hard to imagine this place is real, but it is. Although the mountains can't float like in the movie, the “Hallelujah Mountains” were inspired by the Hunan province of China. The Zhangjiajie mountain ranges stick up straight towards the heavens, made of sandstone and quartz pillars. Since James Cameron's Avatar was such a massive hit for the time, the Zhangjiajie government has grossed a ton from the film's effect on tourism. The government even renamed the Southern Sky Column to the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountains” to honor the flick for its role in the growing economy of the area.
Argo
Taking place in Tehran, Iran, the entire film of Argo was actually shot between LA and Istanbul in Turkey. At the time of filming, there was no way for a US film team to enter an active warzone in Iran. Though they wanted to shoot for a couple of weeks, they wouldn't leave untouched, so they chose instead to film in locations like the Grand Bazaar and the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul instead of some of the ornate buildings recognizable in Tehran, Iran. These places are just normal tourist hot spots you can visit next time you go over there.
The Avengers
Spoiler alert! Read on with caution. Located in the Philippines, this mountain range is something incredibly special to Avengers fans. Seen in both Infinity War and End Game, this scenic spot is where the mighty Thanos retired to reflect on his victory in Infinity War. Additionally, this where the Avengers came together to hopefully collect the powerful infinity stones in the End Game sequel. This place is known to our universe as the Batad Rice Terrace, and you can visit it if you can handle the hike!
Forrest Gump
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get! Well, if you head down to Savannah, Georgia, you might just get to see Chippewa Square. Located in Savannah's downtown region, this is the central location for the movie where Forrest Gump sat on the bus bench and recounted the many wild stories of his life-saving, quirky, and occasionally heartbreaking escapades. Sit there long enough and maybe you'll see Jenny!
Django Unchained
Many untouched plantation-style mansions sit in the historic parts of Louisiana. Either they sat long-abandoned during the housing collapses of the 1990s and of 2008, or they're regularly preserved by the families that live within them, typically hoping to retain their innate historical value. This Django Unchained mansion was a product of the latter. This house is known to locals as Bennett Manor, and it’s found on the west side of the Mississippi River, sitting on the southern side of Wallace, Louisiana.
You've Got Mail
Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, just south of the Bronx, Riverside Park sits for New Yorkers to walk through whenever they want. They’ve probably walked through this iconic filming spot and didn’t even notice. This is the part where Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly, right in front of the sign for the 91st st. community garden, they shared their first kiss. These days, this garden plot is controlled by long-time community members, some of whom planted the flowers that were in bloom in that film.
The Martian
This place, called Wadi Rum, is where all non-LA studio set scenes were shot for the film. It's a world heritage site, located in Jordan. By editing the lighting and saturating the orange colors in the surrounding area rock formations, filmmakers created a place that looks just like the Mars surface. While this is certainly cool and creative, The Martian was not the first movie that came up with the idea of using Wadi Rum to depict the planet. Movies like Mission to Mars, Red Planet, and The Last Days on Mars all used this spot.
Orange Is the New Black
Sure, Orange Is the New Black was almost entirely shot on a sound stage, but some of the important outdoor scenes were shot in front of a tiny and since abandoned admission hospital. This hospital was known as the Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center and some say it's haunted. This run-down psychiatric center opened it's doors back in 1931, and once housed over 11,000 nervous patients. Although it is technically not a prison, it’s extremely hard to discern from the exterior of the building.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Wes Anderson is known for his comforting and appealing design work in his filmography, so maybe that's why the Grand Budapest Hotel was actually set up in a small German town. Using the interior of Mendl’s Creamery to represent Mendl’s Bakery in the film, he was able to pull a fast one on viewers. In addition to that little trick, some of the ornate, vintage tiles that covered the floors and walls of the creamery were purchased by the director for his own personal enjoyment.
Black Panther
Probably about 90% of this flick was shot in Atlanta, Georgia (sometimes referred to as the New Hollywood), but occasionally they needed to film in places with breathtaking waterfalls. Using drones overtop of the Iguazu waterfalls in Argentina, these directors got the perfect shot. Although these angles would have been possible with a green screen, the genuine beauty of these scenes shined through in the final edition.
The Beach
The Beach might not be Leonardo Dicaprio's best-known film, but it is one that has earned a cult following. Almost entirely filmed at Koh Phi Phi Leh in the Maya Bay region of Thailand, this film is visually stunning. This beachfront hideaway is a popular tourist destination apart from the movie. It got so bad that the local police authority on the island was forced to block off tourists because the visitors were destroying the natural (and amazing) landscape.
The Sopranos
The Sopranos feels like a very authentic New Jersey show. Well, that might be because it is! The show used New Jersey Italians to act as New Jersey Italians! Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionery, which opened in 1939 in Brookdale, New Jersey, was a central part of the show's setting. The iconic ending scene was shot in the center of the restaurant in one of the booths. This place is still open today.
Harry Potter
Unfortunately for all us Muggles, Hogwarts is not a real school. However, you can get the Hogwarts experience by visiting Alnwick Castle which was used as the backdrop for all of the outdoor shenanigans. This location is about as close to the real thing as you could possibly get. Alnwick Castle, located in Northumberland, England, has become a hot spot for Harry Potter superfans hoping to relive the magic. For only a price of $30 for a tour, you can see how Harry and his friends lived.
Game of Thrones
During season eight of Game of Thrones, the Targaryen dragon pit inside of Kings Landing might catch your eye. Located in Seville, Spain, this place is a relic of the once fallen Roman City of Italica, though it has been well-preserved. This arena used to be an amphitheater for community entertainment, hosting events such as gladiatorial matches and impressive concerts. There are thousands of years of history in this one setting.
The Dark Knight Rises
There was once a period of time when Bruce Wayne (notably not Batman) was held captive by Bane in an underworld prison. In India, in the city of Jodhpur, there sits a prison pit on the far outskirts of the Mehrangarh Fort. Utilized during the 15th century, this is the largest fort in India. Though we might recognize it at Batman's prison, it is most well-known not for its impressive prison hole, but for its intricate architecture.
Interstellar
Earth can give us some pretty unearthly looking places. This particular location was actually used to demonstrate an alien planet. The permanently frosted mountainous region of Iceland was used to depict a barren, frozen wasteland planet that was untouched by humans. In many ways, this is kind of how the area actually was. Nothing ever grows in the space, and there is no life within hundreds of miles of campsites and bases around, which are sometimes lived in by extreme explorers.
Indiana Jones
Filmed in 1989, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade was shot inside a lost city, although it was rediscovered in 1812. The place of Petra has been a site for historians and filmmakers alike to study with intensity. The incredible architecture and lighting have made it an unbelievable location. This city was buried for thousands of years and was uncovered to be in almost pristine condition. In 2007, it was listed as one of the seven wonders of the world.
The Favourite
Queen Anne’s life was perfectly represented on this incredible piece of property located in Hertfordshire. Although she did not actually live in this palace, it's certainly a spot fit for a queen with its mile-long garden styled after the Lourve, as well as a safe and serene atmosphere tucked away. Known as The Hatfield House, this is a tourist attraction these days. With a fee, you and your friends can spend an afternoon pretending that you’re one of the royals.
The Godfather
Though his family came from Corleone, Sicily, The Godfather shot their town scenes somewhere else in the 1970s. The next best thing was Savoca, Sicily. This place is similar in appearance and size to Corleone. Both of these locations were built into the side of a mountain that overlooks the Mediterranian Sea, pretty wild. Bar Vitelli and the church where Al Pachino got married are both located in this seaside town.
Lost In Translation
Tokyo is the world hub for incredible colors and modernism packed into one city. Park Hyatt Tokyo once was visited by actress Scarlett Johansson. It is known for having one of the most outstandingly beautiful bars on the face of the Earth. The movie Lost in Translation also showcases the districts of Shibuya and Shinjuku. These are some of the most hectic districts in the whole nation.
28 Days Later
Zombie lover or not, everyone should check out this crazy flick. Centered around London’s downtown and historic districts, there is no shortage of iconic shots in this apocalyptic movie. Some of these locations have included the Westminster Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, and London City Town, which sounds fake but is a real neighborhood. This won't cost you your life, but probably a pretty penny.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
For people who study religion and monkish living, the hot spot for vacation might be Hongcun, a city in China’s Anhui Province. This is where our characters from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon find themselves training and ultimately fighting for the honor of the Yu family. Anji Bamboo Forest sits only three miles away from this location in the west, memorable for this movie’s treetop battle.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Indie film buffs, prepare to run to the shoreline. Though it was shot partially in NYC, ESotSM was filmed primarily on Montauk Beach, known for it's incredible surfing waves less than 100 miles of the city. Although the famous plot of the movie was shot in the Montauk Point Lighthouse, the other places weren’t where you wouldn't expect. Jim Carrey’s character wasn't in Montauk like it was portrayed in the film, but actually in a Wainscott adobe.
Slumdog Millionaire
The characters are from Mumbai’s Dharavi slum, so that's where filmmakers shot this flick. This infamous story of risk and reward helped increase public awareness of the slum, which began several charity funds to assist the individuals living there. They provided residents necessities and healthcare. Over $10 million was raised from a National Geographic article to help build proper housing in the area.
Trainspotting
Glasgow, Scotland is the setting for this depressingly beautiful and terrifying tale. The narrative covers themes of love, loss, and addiction. The writer of Trainspotting grew up in Glasgow, living an experienced similar to the ones of those he wrote about. Cafe D’jaconelli, where Ewan McGregor’s character shared a milkshake with Ewen Bremner, was actually a spot the writer sent the actors to visit.
The Lobster
Shot in County Kerry, Ireland, this is one of the wildest A24 movies yet. Movie tourists and nature-seekers alike will find this spot to be a hidden gem. Superfans can pay to stay at the Parknasilla Resort and Spa, where the movie is mainly set. Sorry, Colin Farrell likely won’t show up, but can you imagine what it would have been like to experience the end of life before being transformed into an animal? Spooky!
Life of Pi
Thailand has become an increasingly popular tourist destination over the past few decades. It's known for fun street markets, comfortable weather, and its remarkable natural beauty, largely untouched by tourism. Travelers everywhere have this spot on their bucket list. The film crew for Life of Pi shot in the Taipei Zoo, a place that has never allowed for any business ventures aside from that one.
Ex Machina
Norway’s Valdall Valley acts as the beautiful backdrop to this eerie robot movie. Though originally intended to be shot in the Canadian wilderness, this modern hostel overlooking a frozen tundra was too good to pass up. The filmmakers wanted to create a feeling of total isolation. Thankfully, this spot doesn’t actually have any hidden nightmare rooms, or AI robots or hidden experiments. At least...probably not...
The Hunger Games
Numerous wild areas were sourced in the making of Hunger Games that showcased an “arena’s” natural climates, such as snow or rainforest humidity. At North Carolina’s Dupont State Forest, you can spy one pivotal scene. Peeta hides from the action behind a waterfall called Triple Falls, and you can visit that waterfall if you have a pass from the local park rangers. Bridal Veil, only a short distance from Triple Falls, is where Katniss douses her flaming leg.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Completely shot in the Australian outback, the original Mad Max was a favorite for many. The 2015 addition to the Mad Max franchise was filmed in Namibia, against the original plan of again filming in the outback. Shot in 1985, global warming has introduced rain to the first location where it was shot. Because of this change, the land is now unrecognizable. Namibia was the only reasonable alternative aside from filming the movie on a set, which is pretty lame.
When Harry Met Sally
No one should be shocked by this addition. Katz’s Deli is the site of the 1980's most iconic movie scene. Katz’s Deli can be found in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and is widely considered to be both cinematically and culinarily historical. The deli has received several impressive awards for its crazy pastrami sandwiches, some of the best in the entirety of New York City. Yeah, that's something worth being proud of.
Star Wars
Star Wars isn't so out of this world after all. From the newest edition of the Star Wars franchise, Episode 7: The Last Jedi, our leading man Luke Skywalker is discovered hiding on the planet Ahch-To. This distant planet is really just southern Ireland with a little editing over top. Christian monks would remove themselves from the distractions of the real world by retreating to this landscape, once upon a time.
The Hobbit
These fictional Hobbits got very real...in real estate! Set on a family-owned farm in Waikato, New Zealand, this location was crafted into the iconic scenery. Sure, it's still private property, but for visitors who politely ask the current homeowners, they'll bring you out to the creative Hobbit holes. Nowadays, the 37 fully constructed Hobbit holes are not as strictly maintained on the 1 acre of land, but you can still go see them!
Escape from Alcatraz
Shocker: Escape from Alcatraz was really filmed on Alcatraz Island. Only two people ever managed to leave the “most inescapable prison of all time,” and this flick follows their journey. Alcatraz is now a beloved and spooky national park, and for film buffs, you can go tour some of the most iconic settings from the incredible true story. That is if you can handle it...
Black Panther
Black Panther went all out and more for its incredible setting. In the starting scenes of this film, you might spy the characters walking through busy city streets, passing through local food vendors, and even popping in and out of shops before eventually riding away in their cars. Busan was the hectic and mesmerizing backdrop for these parts and was only minimally enhanced for the final finished film.
Mary Poppins Returns
You might expect this movie to be a studio set, but a few special scenes took place in London. The prolific nanny, Mary Poppins, momentarily filmed her triumphant return in areas like Big Ben, Bank and Threadneedle Street, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Tower of London is used in some shots, but usually, this was done in post-production on account of law and lighting issues.
Die Hard
It might look like any old office building, but true Die Hard fans know this is Nakatomi Plaza. However, they might not know it is located in Los Angeles. Nakatomi Plaza is actually known as Fox Plaza to the local residents, and it has been a site to see in a ton of major motion pictures. Some of the most popular appearances include Speed, Airheads, and Fight Club.
Ghostbusters
The 14th St. fire station in TriBeCa was the eclectic but perfect choice as a home base for the ghostbusting crew. The neighbors who live beside this historic movie set have dubbed the location “the Ghostbusters Club House.” It serves as a piece of local lore and history, and there have been no reported sightings of Stay Puff men wandering through the streets.
La La Land
What a shocking twist, Los Angeles was the set and setting for this award-winning film. All of the iconic dance sequences were meant to highlight the city's amazing and spectacular views. Cathy’s Corner on Mount Hollywood Drive is an easy road trip and will give you the best view of the city whether you're a local or a tourist. Both Warner Bros. Studios and the Smoke House restaurant are available to visit too, the places the characters worked in the film.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Spaghetti westerns can be costly to create if you want to film them on a studio lot in a part of Italy. However, for studios who want to cut corners, making a movie in Spain instead would make things a load cheaper, since there are no permits required. Just outside of Andalucia, Spain The Good, The Bad and The Ugly was shot in the beautiful and hot Tabernas Desert.
Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman fans know this iconic Beverly Hills location just from the sight of it. Julia Roberts dazzled the locals on Hollywood Boulevard, through the streets of downtown Los Angeles, and most importantly, she found her fairytale ending in beautiful Beverly Hills. if you remember that Rodeo Drive scene, rest easy knowing the Beverly Wilshire hotel still stands today.
Forrest Gump
"Run forest run!” Only Forrest could run across the country, but did you know this part was shot almost exclusively on US Rt. 163? The stretch of road runs from the end of Colorado to the end of Utah. Though Route 66 has all the fame, this lane was picked because it historically has the most scenic views on the western side of the USA. Luckily Tom Hanks didn't actually have to run across the entire country over the course of 3 years, but if he did, this is definitely the place to start!
Lord of the Rings
Did you know the Lord of The Rings franchise was entirely filmed in New Zealand? Sure, there was a little CGI usage in quite a few places of the flick, but the locations remained very recognizable and breathtaking. The Argonath Gate, for example, kept the innate beauty of the waterway called the Kawarau River. Nowadays, it’s a widely beloved tourist destination. Intense LOTR fans can sign up to take rafting tours through the river. The added bonus is a Lord of the Rings guide that can teach you about the movie while you raft.
Star Trek
The most recent versions of the Star Trek franchise were shot in Los Angeles, mostly on a studio set, with a budget higher than the filmmakers ever anticipated. However, some shots couldn't be faked with a green screen and required more thorough set work. For example, one Star Trek scene used the Vasquez Rock formation located in northern L.A. This natural earth structure was actually an alien planet in the final product.
Green Book
The Green Book, a flick about a touring black pianist and his racist Italian bodyguard, was partially shot on the campus of Tulane University. The unlikely duo creates a positive and loving relationship over the course of their tour across America. TU was the host for a pivotal scene in which actor Mahershala Ali played his instrument in a high ceiling room, which was also recorded with all of the natural reverb. The sound team had quite a task on their hands, but it worked out well in the end.
Lost
Beach scenes for this cultural phenomenon television show were mostly filmed on the shores of Hawaii, though the island was not set there. This impressive series brought tons of tourism to the Big Island, with fans wanting to live out the episodes for themselves. While great for the economy, it was terrible for the formerly untouched wildlife and jungles.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Set in Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise in the beautiful city of Paris, the movie decided to cut costs by using the cheaper alternative, Highgate Cemetery in north London. The two locations don't look anything alike, but the eerie vibe of the entrance to the Highgate Cemetery seemed to be enough for filmmakers. The Highgate Cemetery was previously pretty untouched and remains a hidden spot for English movie buffs to geek out on in secret.
Amelie
Amelie might not be the most famous movie, but indie lovers and artistic film students definitely recognize this title. Just a short walk past Moulin Rouge in Paris, less than a block away, you can take a peek into the real establishment where Amelie’s work scenes were shot. Sadly, the new owners were not huge fans of the movie and made some serious changes with the renovations.
James Bond: Skyfall
Though James Bond had his roots set in Scottish soil since the very start of the famous series, he never actually makes the pilgrimage to his homeland until the Skyfall sequel. He's made appearances in London, Japan, Turkey, back to Japan, and more, but Bond needed a to head back to his home for a wake-up call. This is a plain field overlooking a plain in the center of Scotland. It's very difficult to find, but it's definitely worth searching for. Fans of 007 have left hidden treasures around the location, so following the clues will eventually lead you to the correct spot.
Rocky
Philly residents hardly consider this movie set a secret. It's one of the best tourist locations! For a visitor in Philadelphia, you can see the Liberty Bell, grab a cheesesteak from either Pat's or Geno's (there's a huge rivalry), or visit the art museum in Fairmount. Be warned though, you'll have to climb up the stairs as Rocky did in the original movies. You'll probably see people running up and down the staircase because while it was a fictional movie, the workout routine has become a citywide staple.
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The 1975 classic film Jaws was shot on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. As unbelievable as that sounds, Martha's Vineyard allowed director Steven Speilberg to shoot his film there for no extra charge, and for as long as he thought was necessary. The hope was that the locals could represent the island as an artistic getaway for those with a vision. Naturally, Martha's Vineyard made the right call, and it's one of the most iconic movies of all time.
Mamma Mia!
The movie, Mamma Mia, was set in Skopelos, Greece, a hot spot for tourism before the film ever was released. Most likely, this spot will be a visitor favorite for a long time due to its beautiful architecture, culture, and sightseeing. Sadly, global warming might take it before you ever get to go. In this area, water levels are rising quicker every year, and the inevitable demise of this oceanside town is coming soon.
The Sound of Music
It is approximated that almost 70% of the tourism in Salzburg, Austria comes through because of this famous musical movie. The Pegasus Fountain is featured in the flick but was already one of the most visited spots in the entire city, but the movie increased tourism there even more. The Hellbrunn Palace gazebo also got the Hollywood treatment and gained significantly more fame from visitors after this movie was released.
Into the Wild
Into the Wild is the true story of hiker Christopher McCandless who purposefully got stranded in the Alaskan wilderness. He slept in a perfectly recreated bus, pictured here. The set designers were mimicking the true relic that sits just 50 miles south of where the major motion picture was filmed. The real bus is no easy feat to get to, sitting stagnant after a 20-mile trek through difficult terrain. Anyone who is able to get there is considered a quality hiker.
Star Wars
Tatooine might have looked out of this world, but things were a lot more earthly than they might have appeared on the screen. Tatooine is actually a set from Southern Tunisia. Tunisia, for those who don't know, is in an empty desert region of northern Africa. The remote hideout that famously hid protagonists Luke Skywalker and trusty friend Obi-Wan Kenobi still resides there, even to this day.