Have you thought about taking a trip where you can see the actual sites of your favorite shows, perhaps even reenact a scene, or make a background appearance on the sequel? Unleash your inner fan and visit these real life movie sets around the world. Who knows, you may even run into some of the stars too!
“THE BLUE LAGOON” | FIJI
One of the most recognizable films about life on a tropical island, “The Blue Lagoon” was filmed in Fiji. While a scantily dressed teenage Brooke Shields roughed it on the deserted beaches and rainforests, you can stay at one of the 14 waterfront bures at the private luxury resort island. Today, Turtle Island is named as one of the world’s best honeymoon destinations.
“SEX AND THE CITY” | NEW YORK CITY
If you visited the Big Apple but didn’t take a “Sex and the City” series tour, time to plan another trip. The 40 or so locations featured in the witty series include Monolo Blahnik shoe store on Madison Avenue where Carrie spent $40,000, Magnolia Bakery where Carrie and Miranda ate cupcakes, and The New York Public Library where the phrase “he’s just not into you” went viral.
“GAME OF THRONES” | MALTA
You can visit all 11 “Game of Thrones” filming locations over a weekend on the islands of Malta and Gozo. The medieval gates, fortresses, convents, palaces, gardens, and cobblestone streets may look very familiar if you followed season one closely. Just put on a Renaissance period outfit and recreate the scenes.
“THE BEAR” | CHICAGO
If you’ve watched Michelin chef Carmine (Carmy) Berzatto returning home to take over his brother's Italian beef sandwich shop, "The Beef", on the award-winning series, “The Bear”, you may want to eat at some of the dining establishments featured on the show. The real Mr. Beef in the River North neighborhood went from selling 300 sandwiches a day to over 800 with the show’s popularity. Eater Chicago recently released Season 3 filming locations.
“LAWRENCE OF ARABIA” | JORDAN
Chances are, most of the scenes depicting outer space, sci-fi, or life on Mars are actually filmed in the vast desert of Wadi Rum and the archeologically fascinating lost city of Petra, Jordan. It has been a popular film site for Hollywood such as the 1962 hit “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Indiana Jones”, “The Last Crusade”, “The Martian”, and “Dune”.
“DIRTY DANCING” | PEMBROKE
Fans of the iconic 1987 film "Dirty Dancing" can dive into the world of Baby and Johnny by visiting Mountain Lake Lodge in Virginia, where much of the movie was filmed. At the Mountain Lake Lodge in the Appalachian Mountains, you can relive the iconic lift scene by taking a dance lesson in the very same location where Baby and Johnny practiced their moves. The lodge also offers behind-the-scenes making of the film secrets tours and a menu inspired by the film's time period.
“TICKET TO PARADISE” | AUSTRALIA
Don’t fall for what George Clooney and Julia Roberts told you about racing to the tropical beaches in Bali. The romantic comedy – “Ticket to Paradise”, was actually filmed around a beautiful Bougainvillea Pool, One Tree Hill, and Catseye Beach on Hamilton Island in Queensland Australia.
“BIG LITTLE LIES” | CALIFORNIA
You can’t watch the gripping series “Big Little Lies”, and not admire the gorgeous scenery where the ladies take long drives along the coastline and conspire by cozy fireplaces by the sea. The scenes featuring steep cliffs, crashing waves and misty shores were filmed on Highway 1 is Garrapata State Park and Beach. You may also recognize Paluca Trattoria that inspired Blue Blues café, Lovers Point Park and Beach and the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa.
“THE COLOR PURPLE” | GEORGIA
Take a self-guided film trail around Macon to learn about more than three dozen locations around town that have appeared on the silver screen and on television. As you stroll around the historic downtown, you’ll recognize many of the buildings dating back to pre-Civil War. Scenes in the 2023 film adaptation of “The Color Purple” were filmed at the historic Douglass Theatre, along 2nd Street and the iconic Capitol Theater.
