If you’re a film buff, you’ll no doubt have an array of travel destinations to visit on your bucket list from your favorite TV and movies. While many scenes are created temporarily in studios, the good news is that there are plenty of locations and museums where you can simply roam; enjoy browsing memorabilia and have your photo taken against famed backdrops. In this blog, we’re going to look at just a few of some of the best destinations for film buffs to tick off the list while on your travels.
The Making of Harry Potter, London United Kingdom
While many studios are simply set-up and dismantled for shooting, the Harry Potter Studios in London is one of the few warehouses which holds an impressive selection of backdrops, scenes and props from the film series and is open to the general public. Throughout the decade of filming, these sets and props were stored here in the event of being used for future shoots and as a result, have been preserved.
Warner Bros. is just one production company that continues to make revenue from public interest. Profits are made from self-guided tours and merchandise on a daily basis, as well as launching the theme park ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ within Universal Orlando Resort, Florida. With this in mind, fans investing in stocks in listed companies unknowingly helps keep further incomes of the movie franchise intact.
Lord of the Rings, New Zealand
Whether or not you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, it’s hard not to appreciate the remarkable scenery within the films. Most of the filming took place in New Zealand and in particular, a small village called Matamata which is known in the movies as ‘Middle Earth’. Here, tourists can explore the location at their own leisure, where they’ll come across picturesque cottages and plenty of greenery which will make an excellent backdrop for photographs and make you feel as though you’re in the films yourself!
Groundhog Day, Woodstock Illinois
Most of the Groundhog Day movie was shot in Woodstock, Illinois. If this is a destination on your bucket list, you should aim to make your way here when the town celebrates its annual ‘Groundhog Day’ festival on 2nd February. During this time, you’re bound to meet like minded fans and enjoy a more thrilling experience of the local area. While here, you must visit the Cherry Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast, which features heavily in the film.
Dirty Dancing, North Carolina / Virginia
Dirty Dancing is one of the most popular films of all time and if you’re a huge fan, you should try and make the trip to the key locations of Lake Lure in North Carolina and Mountain Lake in Virginia. The scenes around Lake Lure were filmed at a previous boy’s camp which is now privately owned; however, you can still make your way to the Lake Lodge which is known in the film as ‘Kellerman’s Hotel’ which still welcomes guests to this day from around the world.
Th Hollywood Museum, Los Angeles
Situated just off Hollywood Boulevard lies the Hollywood Museum. If you’re a fan of the glitz and glamour of films from the 1940s and 1950s, you’ll be in your element here. The building was once the original Max Factor Headquarters, but still has all of the charm and glamour you can expect from its heyday.
Here you can discover costumes, vintage posters, scripts and other memorabilia worn and owned by some of the most famous names in showbiz including Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball.
