If you’ve ever wanted to stroll the streets of your favorite on-screen locales or witness where all the action happens, settle in with a super-sized tub of buttered popcorn. Groups can immerse themselves in the scenes that make us laugh, cry and cheer, from comedies like “Home Alone” to sci-fi flicks like “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
Here are five must-visit destinations where the real world collides with movie-making magic. Lights, camera, action — let’s embark on a journey to the places where small and big screen legends are born.
Vancouver, Canada
Given its natural beauty, temperate climate and versatile urban settings, Vancouver, Canada has become a popular film location, even earning the nickname “Hollywood North.” The city has hosted numerous well-known movies and TV shows, including the blockbuster “Deadpool” franchise starring Ryan Reynolds, who happens to call Vancouver his hometown.
“I always think of Vancouver as having a lot of depth of character,” said Geoff Teoli, a former film location manager and current film commissioner for the city of Vancouver. “It can play so many different roles. It’s also really appealing to visit because there’s so much variety, whether more remote areas in nature or the downtown core.”
One notable television show shot in Vancouver is “The X-Files.” The city’s moody, wooded locations perfectly complemented the series’ eerie and mysterious vibe. The CW also filmed such shows as “Supernatural,” “Arrow” and “The Flash” in and around Vancouver, featuring camera-friendly landmarks like the Vancouver Art Gallery and Stanley Park.
Vancouver isn’t just an on-camera favorite for action and sci-fi genres. Teoli noted that surrounding villages, like Fort Langley, have proven to be postcard-perfect backdrops for Hallmark movies, including “Cookie Cutter Christmas” and “The Sweetest Heart.”
Vancouver Film and TV tours offers a three-hour walking tour through key filming locations in Vancouver, including Gastown, Downtown and Chinatown. Tours are led by local actors who share industry insights and personal production stories from time spent on set. Private group tours are available, which can be customizable for work events or special occasions.
Chicago
Chicago is known for its iconic skyscrapers, deep dish pizza and wildly loyal sports fans, but it’s also a paradise for lovers of movies and television. The Windy City has been a backdrop for iconic films such as “The Blues Brothers” and “The Untouchables,” as well as hit TV shows like “Chicago Fire” and “The Bear,” which scooped up numerous awards in its first three seasons.
“The Chicago skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world,” said Erin Miller, marketing manager for On Location Tours, which organizes walking and bus tours, including customizable group tours, led by local actors and actresses in Chicago’s downtown and suburbs. “There’s a mix of historic and modern architecture. There are stunning backdrops that have been used in countless TV shows and movies.”
One of the most requested movie sites is the house from “Home Alone,” a nostalgic draw for many visitors. “[Nostalgia] is a big tie in when it comes to these tours,” added Miller. Similarly, the football field from the final fist pump scene in “The Breakfast Club” is sought out for its wistful appeal. Younger fans are drawn to filming locations from “The Dark Knight,” given Chicago was the inspiration and backdrop for Gotham City.
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was filmed across town at such notable landmarks as the Art Institute of Chicago, Wrigley Field and Skydeck Chicago. Chicago Movie Tours offers “The Art of Ferris Bueller,” a popular 90-minute guided walking tour at the Art Institute of Chicago to see more than a dozen works of art from the movie. Private group tours for up to eight guests are also available.
Chicago boasts several art house cinemas, including the historic Music Box Theatre and the Gene Siskel Film Center. Essanay Studios, which produced silent films in the early 1900s, also called Chicago home and is now preserved as a historical landmark.
Jordan
Jordan, with its stunning desert landscapes and ancient historical sites, is a dream destination for movie and television fans. Wadi Rum and Petra, in particular, have served as iconic backdrops for numerous films and shows, making Jordan a must-visit for lovers of the small and big screens.
Wadi Rum, known for its otherworldly beauty, has played a starring role in more than a few high-profile films. Its dramatic desert landscape stood in for Mars in “The Martian,” while its majestic sand dunes and dramatic rock formations stole the show in “Lawrence of Arabia.” Fans of the epic “Star Wars” movie franchise will recognize Wadi Rum as the desert planet Pasaana from “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
“Jordan serves as a great backdrop, because of its amazing landscapes, first and foremost,” said Janine Jervis, communications director for the Jourdan Tourism Board. “Jordan is just a fascinating, diverse destination. It’s an open-air museum.”
Petra, the ancient city carved into red rock, is another iconic filming location. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its awe-inspiring architecture and rich history made the site ideal for “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”
“When visitors get to Petra, they have this image from ‘Indiana Jones,’” Jervis said. “Then you get there and realize it’s a whole city.”
Wadi Rum Adventours offers a 3.5-hour guided tour that starts with a traditional tea with a Bedouin guide before exploring famous film locations. For a more in-depth experience, local tour company Petra from Israel offers a three-day private group tour called “Jordan Through the Movies,” which immerses fans in the landscapes of their favorite films.
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas, known for its vibrant culture and lively music scene, is also a haven for movie and television lovers. Home to stars like Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock and Kyle Chandler, Austin has been the backdrop for popular films like “Dazed and Confused,” “Miss Congeniality” and “Office Space.”
Fans of “Friday Night Lights” will recognize Austin from the show’s portrayal of the world of Texas high school football. Many of the show’s scenes were filmed in and around Austin, including the fictional East Dillon High School and Panthers Field.
“We get calls from folks that say ‘Hey, we’re visiting from Japan; we’d love to know where ‘Friday Night Lights’ was shot,’” explained Brian Gannon, director of the Austin Film Commission, who added that production in Austin began to flourish in the 1980s, initially with made-for-TV movies. “A lot has been shot at restaurants and businesses that people can still visit,” including Top Notch Hamburgers from “Dazed and Confused.”
The local tourism bureau, Visit Austin, has created an online Austin Film Tourism Guide, which is a top-notch resource for groups eager to track down film locations around town. It features self-guided tours for more than 25 movies and television shows shot in Austin, including “Friday Night Lights,” “Walker,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Spy Kids.”
Time your group’s visit right to attend one of Austin’s 30-plus film and TV festivals, like the Austin Youth Film Festival and South by Southwest, an annual creative conference showcasing music, comedy and film. The historic Paramount Theatre hosts a classic film series every summer, featuring dozens of films.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., has appeared in various movies, including “Forrest Gump,” “National Treasure,” “All the President’s Men” and “Wedding Crashers.” The 97 steps between M Street NW and Prospect Street in Georgetown, better known as “The Exorcist” steps, are a historic landmark.
“DC’s monuments, memorials, museums and neighborhoods are iconic, so it’s no wonder they have become integral backdrops to some of the most memorable moments in movie history,” said Elliott Ferguson II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “We’ve seen increased interest in set-jetting, with the hopes of seeing these locations in person.”
Movies have been filmed all across town, from the Lincoln Memorial to Union Station. More recent hits like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Wonder Woman 1984” also feature the city’s landmarks, adding a touch of superhero excitement to the capital’s cinematic allure.
Small-screen enthusiasts will recognize D.C. from shows like “House of Cards,” “Veep” and “The West Wing.” Although most of “Scandal” was filmed in Los Angeles, some scenes were shot in front of the White House and at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s cinematic history by taking guided group tours that highlight famous filming locations. Devoted Capital Movie Tours (aka DC Movie Tours) offers 90-minute guided bus tours with stops at 10 on-screen locations, including Dupont Circle, U Street and Georgetown.
“House of Cards” fans can use the Questo mobile app for a fun 11-stop city exploration game called “Washington, DC: House of Cards,” which features various filming locations, like the National Gallery of Art and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
If time allows, let your group loose at the National Museum of American History’s “Entertainment Nation” exhibition, which features props from such movies as “The Wizard of Oz” and “Star Wars.” Take a break with a movie at the historic Miracle Theatre, the oldest movie theater in Washington, D.C., which sells a book of 50 movie tickets for $250 to groups.
