While movies and TV shows are usually filmed in studios, there are still scenes—or whole movies—that are filmed in the great outdoors. From casinos to scenic landscapes all over the world, you can find and visit many iconic locations from movie and TV show sets around the world. We’ll cover the most popular among them, so you can plan your next trip accordingly.
he Bellagio, Las Vegas (Ocean’s Eleven)
The Bellagio casino in Las Vegas was popular way before Ocean’s Eleven. It was widely considered the best of the crop, with amazing fountains and luxury décor. But, Steven Soderberg’s movie took its popularity to the next level, making The Bellagio the top casino choice in the 2000s and later.
Operated by MGM Resorts, this casino was named after the Italian village of Bellagio near Lake Como. It houses thousands of tables and slot machines, with the numbers parrying the best online gaming platforms such as casinos.com. You might not get bonuses for some extra cash to play the latest slots, but at least you’ll revel in architectural wonders online casinos simply can’t provide.
As a plus, you’ll spot iconic locations and tables from the Ocean’s franchise, many of which were filmed on the spot. So, if you’re visiting for a round of blackjack or craps, make sure to soak the atmosphere and the movie’s top scenes in.
Kings Cross Station, London (Harry Potter)
Many Harry Potter movie scenes were filmed on the green screen (CGI), but some locations were actually filmed on-site. Iconic scenes were shot at King’s Cross Station in London, where you can find platform 9 ¾. This is the train station where Harry and his friends book a ride to Hogwarts by clipping through walls that can put many magicians to shame.
The city of London has commemorated the iconic scene by slapping half of the famous bag carrier on the wall. It’s a pic waiting for you to take, so if you’re in London and you’re a fan of the Harry Potter franchise, it’s an automatic sell.
Dubrovnik, Croatia (Game of Throne)
Dubrovnik is also known as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones circles. All those fantastic shots of castles and amazing landscapes come from the Croatian city, which has seen an amazing uptick in tourism ever since the show aired.
It was a famous spot for the elite before but has now drawn in a new crowd. If you’re interested in visiting the medieval city, you’ll imagine many of the show’s scenes around every corner. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which shows how important a medieval stronghold it was. You should get some of the tours while there to visit the various gates and fortresses, as well as the Jesuit Stairs. The latter attraction is part of the many Game of Thrones city walking tours, which are a must for the show’s fans. You’ll certainly feel the urge to yell Shame while walking down.
Timberline Lodge, Oregon (The Shining)
Hotel vacations were never the same once The Shining came out. Based on a Stephen King story, The Shining remains a prime horror example decades later. The luxury ski lodge and mountain resort visited by the Torrence family is the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, which was renamed to Overlook Hotel for the movie.
The deluxe ski lodge still exists and is a major attraction for skiers and horror film fans. And yes, you can book room 217 if you manage to find it vacant. It’s the most requested room, which isn’t surprising considering it’s the spot for some of the movie’s most shocking scenes.
Petra, Jordan (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade)
If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones’ earlier movies—not the recent messes—you surely remember many of the iconic scenes. The most popular movie of them all, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, was filmed on many historic locations including Petra in Jordan. This ancient city dates back to 9,000 BC, and was abandoned and forgotten until the XIX century, when a traveller re-discovered it.
It was instantly declared one of the 7 wonders of the world and is the most popular place to visit in Jordan. The locals often refer to it as the Indiana Jones place, but if you take a deep dive into Petra, you’ll discover that it has an even richer history than being Dr. Jones’ playground.
90 Bedford Street, New York City (Friends)
90 Bedford Street is a Grove Street NYC address that houses some of the city’s most famous apartments. Sharp TV show fans will instantly recognize it as the location from the world of Friends. It’s the building where the crew filmed most of the episodes and had coffee on the iconic couch at Central Perk.
You can guess that there are full Friends tours that offer an immersive experience, taking you through iconic spots from the show and the cafe. The cafe is a fully functional replica of the one from the show, where you can take a seat on the famous couch and try some of the coffees. It’ll be a struggle to get to the orange couch due to the crowd, but if you’re a fan, you won’t miss the opportunity for a pic.
Albuquerque (Breaking Bad)
Created by Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad remains one of the top TV shows of all time. It took place in the town of Albuquerque, which has seen a tourism revival that has boosted the local economy beyond your wildest dreams. It’s safe to say that Breaking Bad did more for Albuquerque than any of its majors or the government.
If you ever visit it, you’ll find key locations from Walter White’s journey with no spoilers. There’s Walter’s house at 3828 Piermont Dr, the J.P. Wynne high school where he taught chemistry before the dramatic turn, the iconic car wash, and To’hajiilee Indian Reservation where Walt and Jesse first started their…uh, business.
It’s a must for any fans of the show. The beautiful landscapes of the desert may inspire naysayers to finally start the show. Beware – you’ll want to binge it.
