Stephanie is a cherished member of the Sampling America writing team, dedicated to crafting captivating narratives that transport readers to thrilling adventures across the country and beyond.
Movie buffs will quickly point out real-world locations when watching one of their favorite films. Whether it’s the carved castles from Indiana Jones or the house from The Goonies, there are many famous scenes from movies that you can find in real life.
Seeing the spots for yourself can be a thrilling adventure. Follow our list to find these real-life film sights to see into the background of your favorite movie.
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade in Petra, Jordon
This unique temple is carved into the side of a sandstone cliff. It brings millions of visitors each year to wonder how an ancient civilization could build such a monument.
In the film Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, this location, Al Khazneh, was the final resting place of the holy grail. The site dates back to the 2nd century, so visiting can be a thrilling adventure for those who love the Indiana Jones franchise and those interested in history.
Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment in New York City
Anyone who loves the TV and movie franchise Sex and The City knows how enigmatic Carrie’s apartment is to New York City and the franchise.
The brownstone is owned privately by a family and, unfortunately, doesn’t appreciate fans of the show taking photos on their stoop. However, if you’re in New York, there’s no harm in walking past the famous location and taking a quick selfie.
The Harry Potter series at the Christ Church Cathedral, England
Potterheads will immediately recognize several locations from all seven films at the Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, England.
The courtyard is where many outdoor scenes are shot, but fans will better recognize the dining hall, hallways, and stone staircases from the films.
Besides the connection to Harry Potter, this site is a fantastic place to visit. The Cathedral is full of rich history and makes a perfect place to visit on your next vacation to England.
Rebel Without a Cause at the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
The Griffith Observatory has been featured in several famous films throughout the years due to its proximity to most of the major filming locations in L.A.
The stunning planetary observatory is well-known for being featured in Rebel Without a Cause, starring a young James Dean.
When visiting this location, you can also be excited to see a bust of James Dean that he commissioned himself.
Jurassic Park in the Hanapepe Valley, Hawaii
In the original Jurassic Park movie, fans quickly found the actual filming location in the Hanapepe Valley on the island of Kauai, Hawaii.
This valley holds up its reputation for looking like a prehistoric jungle. When visiting, you can enjoy several hikes around the valley to enjoy the same sights from the film.
Hatley Castle in X-Men 2, British Columbia
This famous castle, located at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, has been featured in many famous movies and TV shows. You can see it in Smallville, Arrow, Poltergeist, Deadpool, and most famously in X-Men 2.
Although you need to pay a small fee to tour the castle, viewing this famous filming location is worth the admission fee.
The McCallister House from Home Alone in Illinois
The McCallister home from Home Alone is one of the most famous houses in America. It’s long been a favorite tourist spot to visit in Illinois.
Nearly 30 years after the film, fans still flock to the house to get a photo from the sidewalk. The family that owns it keeps a large wire gate up around their home for privacy reasons, so be sure to keep your visit quick when visiting this famous filming location.
Katz’s Deli in When Harry Met Sally in New York City
Katz’s Deli has been featured in reality food shows throughout the decades, so most people in the country know this famous spot for a pastrami on rye.
But it’s also the spot in When Harry Met Sally where Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal share a meal. The very table that they sat at was designated with a sign.
This Deli will be packed any day of the week, so consider yourself very lucky if you wind up at the same table.
King’s Cross Station in the Harry Potter series, London
Another famous location from the Harry Potter series is Platform 9 3/4, located at King’s Cross Station in London.
Fans can expect to see the half-in-half-out trolly to take photos next to on your way to Hogwarts. This filming location is an easy place to visit if you’re already in London, as King’s Cross is in the middle of this busy city.
The Lincoln Memorial in Forest Gump, Washington, D.C.
On top of visiting the Lincoln Memorial to discover more about America’s history that celebrates Abraham Lincoln, you can also remember the scene in Forest Gump where Tom Hanks reunites with his lost love.
The 25th anniversary of the film was recently celebrated at the memorial. This stop makes an excellent place to visit in Washington, D.C., to break up the more educational content.
Pike Place Market in Sleepless in Seattle, Washington
Tom Hanks fans appreciate that the movie Sleepless in Seattle was filmed in Seattle. You can visit several famous sites from the movie in Washington, including Pike Place Market.
When visiting, you can expect to enjoy some of the best seafood and produce from multiple vendors around the market.
Point Dume in Planet of the Apes, Malibu
The cliffs and beaches in Malibu are famous for several reasons. One of them being one of the best beach locations to film in the U.S.
In one of the most famous movies of all time, Planet of the Apes, Point Dume is used as a filming location for the final scene where the Statue of Liberty is buried in the sand.
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Pretty Woman, Beverly Hills
Next to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills sits the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, one of the city’s most well-known hotels.
The hotel was featured in Pretty Woman, and up until today, fans of the Julia Roberts movie will visit the famous location to take a few photos while sightseeing in L.A.
The Getty Center in Star Trek: Into Darkness, Los Angeles
The Getty Center in LA is a staple in the futuristic 2013 movie Star Trek: Into the Darkness. The center serves as Starfleet Headquarters in the film.
Visitors can tour the museum and walk through the garden to see where one of their favorite movies was filmed.
The Swan House in The Hunger Games, Georgia
Fans of The Hunger Games will immediately recognize this beautiful Atlanta house at President Snow’s mansion.
The rolling hills in front of the house were also used for the famous party scene where Jennifer Lawrence dances with Philip Seymour Hoffman before re-entering the games.
Visitors can visit this stunning home by guided tour. The house was built in the 1920s for a wealthy family and looks straight out of the gilded age.
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