America is the birthplace of the modern motion picture, as well as the majority of our television programmes, so what better place to visit if you want to check out The Hunger Games’ District 12 or Carrie’s Apartment from Sex and the City? We can assure you that film geeks and TV nerds won’t be bored in the home of the blockbuster, so let’s run down seven of the coolest locations from American film and television.
1.Hunger Games
The abandoned textiles town of Henry River Mill Village, in Burke County, North Carolina serves as the location for the desolate District 12, while the DuPont State Forest was used to film the Arena shots, where Katniss and Peta emerged victorious.
2.Sex and the City
Carrie’s apartment was sometimes more envied by fans of the show than her clothes or her boyfriends, so it’s one of the most visited spots on this list. At 66 Perry Street in the West Village, you can walk up the stairs to her place – don’t forget your Manolo Blahniks.
3.The Shining
The Timberline Lodge, in Mt. Hood, Oregon, was used to film the exterior shots of the Overlook Hotel, where Jack reigned terror on his family after a snowstorm. Before you ask, yes, you can stay here, but they have a strict policy against using axes on their doors and no one has ever reported seeing ghostly twins.
4.Breaking Bad
Hopefullyyou don’t fancy yourself as the next Walter White, but you can visit his house in Albuquerque, New Mexico at 3828 Piermont Drive.
5.Forrest Gump
Forrest visits dozens of locations throughout the States during his nationwide run, but if we had to choose just one place to visit, it would be the bench in Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia, where he delivers the iconic quote: “Mama always said ‘Life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get’”.
6.American Horror Story
If you’re a fan of the (oc)cult drama series, then head down to New Orleans, Louisiana, where you’ll find Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies (1410 Jackson Avenue) and Mary Laveau’s Cornrow City Salon (2000 Dumaine Street), both featured in the third season: Coven.
7.La La Land
If you loved the almost-Oscar-Winning film and want to channel your inner Mia and Sebastian, then why not visit the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, where the pair sang and danced the night away. Be warned though, you might be asked to leave if you start to sing.
If this list has inspired you to travel to America, here are some things that you should definitely pack:
- Valid Passport and US ESTA: Obviously, how else are you going to get past border control?
- An outfit/costume that relates to the location you’re visiting: This could be a full-on costume (i.e. Breaking Bad), a yellow dress (i.e. La La Land) or just a t-shirt that references the film/show.
- A selfie stick: You’ll want to get a picture of your adventures for Facebook. How else can you brag to all your friends?