Following on from our recent post of top UK filming destinations to visit in 2015, we looked Stateside for its most iconic filming locations. While Hollywood is the Mecca of movie-making, studios search far and wide for the perfect environment for their film – and choose so wisely that the location is often made synonymous with their output.
It’s led to a steep rise in film tourism, so we brought in the help of specialist tour company My America Holiday to tell us which destinations are proving popular with movie-buffs. Three, two, one…action!
2014 Oscar winners:
Boyhood
This Oscar nominated movie was filmed over 12 years with the same cast. The film has been described as a quasi-autobiographical love letter to Richard Linklater’s home state of Texas, with locations including Houston, San Marcos, Austin and Bastrop plus the wild deserts of West Texas.
An 8 night Grand Texan Trails fly drive holiday starts at £1,150pp including stops in Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Fort Worth. The price includes return flights from London and car hire.
Birdman
Starring Michael Keaton and Emma Stone, A washed-up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career and himself in the days leading up to the opening of his Broadway play. Filmed in and around New York.
Prices start at £680pp for a 3 night break to New York, including return flights and accommodation in a 4* hotel in Manhattan.
Classic films:
Rocky
The 1976 classic was filmed in Philadelphia, and the steps leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art are still, to this day, known by many as the “Rocky Steps”. Do your best run up the 72 steps and end with a classic victory pose at the top.
Prices start at £770pp for a 4 night break to Philadelphia, including return flights and accommodation in a centrally located 3.5* hotel.
Jaws
Set around the fictional summer resort town of Amity Island, Jaws was filmed in Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
A 6 night fly drive holiday to Martha’s Vineyard and the Southern Coast starts at £1,475pp including stops in Boston, Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard and Newport.
Thelma and Louise
You know the film, but did you know the Grand Canyon scenes were actually filmed just south of Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah?
A 7 night Canyon Adventure fly drive holiday starts at £1,195pp, including nights in Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, Moab (for Dead Horse Point State Park), Mesa Verde and the Grand Canyon.
Dirty Harry
“Do you feel lucky…punk?” Harry Callahan sneers at a bad guy during the iconic scene, which took place on Drum Street in San Francisco’s downtown, outside of the Bank of America.
Other San Francisco locations that serve as a backdrop to this great 1971 film include Golden Gate Park, North Beach, Washington Square and San Francisco City Hall.
Prices start at £790pp for a 5 night break to San Francisco, including return flights and accommodation in a 3* hotel near San Francisco City Hall.
The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers is an excellent Chicago travelogue, capturing the warm, gritty vibe of the city from the downtown high-rises to the bustle of the Maxwell Street market.
Prices start at £655pp for a 4 night break to Chicago, including return flights and accommodation in a central 3* hotel.
Forthcoming films:
Wild Card
British hard man Jason Statham stars as a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal professional skills and a personal gambling problem. This all action drama from two-time Academy Award-winning writer William Goldman, was released in the UK on 20th March and is in cinemas now. Set in both Las Vegas and New Orleans.
Prices start at £635pp for a 5 night break to Las Vegas, including return flights and accommodation in a 4* hotel on the famous Strip.
The Longest Ride
Clint Eastwood’s son Scott Eastwood, stars as Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City’s art world. Filmed in North Carolina, The Longest Ride will be released in the UK this June.
A 13 night fly drive holiday to explore North Carolina’s Mountains and Coast starts at £1,380pp including stops in Raleigh-Durham, Boone, Asheville, Charlotte, Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Beaufort and the Outer Banks. The price includes return flights and car hire.
Hunger Games
Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 is released in the UK in November and was filmed in the state of Georgia, which in fact has benefited from a reported 158 feature film and TV productions having been shot during the 2014 financial year.
A 13 night Georgia Explorer fly drive holiday starts at £1,565pp including nights in Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Savannah, Golden Isles and Columbus, plus return flights from London and car hire.