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We have all felt the urge to step through the screen. We want to walk the streets of our favorite cinematic places. The good news is you do not need a VIP studio pass to do it. You can see these places yourself. But there is a big problem.
Finding reliable information can be a massive headache. You need to know which sets are soundstages. You need to know which spots are closed to the public. Planning a trip to actual places you can visit is often a logistical nightmare. You end up wasting precious time and money.
Everything you need to plan your trip is right here. You are about to read a list of 20 iconic American destinations from beloved films and TV shows. Every guide includes up to date 2026 visiting hours. You will find current tour prices. You will get insider travel tips.
1. Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood
Step onto the absolute mecca of TV. Warner Bros holds over 100 years of cinema history. You can walk through the actual sets of Friends. You can see the town square from Gilmore Girls.
You might even spot the Batmobile from Batman. Working crews use these stages every day. You see real people making real movies.
- Address: 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA
- 2026 Cost: Studio Tour prices start at $79
- Search Tip: Search #WarnerBrosStudioTour on Instagram for set photos.
2. Griffith Observatory Los Angeles
Stunning views await you at this building on the hill. It offers incredible looks at the city. It is the exact backdrop for La La Land. It is also famous for Rebel Without a Cause.
Admission to the building and grounds is completely free. You can look through giant telescopes. You can take beautiful photos of the Los Angeles movie sets below.
- Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA
- 2026 Cost: Free admission
- Search Tip: Search #GriffithObservatory for the best sunset views.
3. Kualoa Ranch Hawaii
Tropical valleys replace city streets at this massive park. Kualoa Ranch spans 4,000 acres of sweeping green landscapes. This is where Jurassic Park came to life.
The hit show Lost also filmed here. Their ATV tours sell out fast. You can also take open air bus tours. The mountains look exactly like they do on screen.
- Address: 49560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI
- 2026 Cost: Tours start around $55
- Search Tip: Use #KualoaRanch to find the Jurassic Park gate.
4. Monument Valley Arizona
Red desert rocks provide a classic Western backdrop. The towering formations are iconic film backdrops. You can even find the exact spot from the Forrest Gump running scene. It is located right on Highway 163. The views are breathtaking.
- Address: Highway 163, Utah and Arizona
- 2026 Cost: Tribal Park entry is $8
- Search Tip: Search #MonumentValley for the famous long road shot.
5. Ghostbusters Firehouse NYC
Hook and Ladder 8 in Tribeca is a fully operational firehouse. It has been active since 1903. You cannot go inside. But it is perfect for exterior photos.
The firefighters embrace their fame. They often paint the Ghostbusters logo on the sidewalk. It is one of the best real world movie locations in the city.
- Address: 14 N Moore St, New York, NY
- 2026 Cost: Free to view from outside
- Search Tip: Search #GhostbustersFirehouse for the logo art.
6. Joker Stairs Bronx
West 167th Street Stairs connect Shakespeare and Anderson avenues. This spot became a massive meme tourism spot recently. Fans flock here to recreate the famous dance. But remember that real people use these stairs. They commute to work every single day.
- Address: W 167th St, Bronx, NY
- 2026 Cost: Free
- Search Tip: #JokerStairs shows the exact dance location.
7. Katzs Deli New York
Legendary food and movie history meet at this deli. A sign hangs right above the table from When Harry Met Sally. The smell of hot pastrami hits you right at the door. You should definitely order a sandwich while you visit. The food is just as famous as the movie scene.
- Address: 205 E Houston St, New York, NY
- 2026 Cost: The cost of your food
- Search Tip: Search #KatzsDeli for the famous sign.
8. Rocky Steps Philadelphia
Museum stairs become a gym for fans in this city. Run up the famous Rocky steps. This is a must do photo op for sports and film fans alike. You can pose with the bronze Rocky statue. It sits at the bottom of the stairs. Then you can head inside to see amazing art.
- Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA
- 2026 Cost: Free for steps, $30 for museum entry
- Search Tip: #RockySteps is perfect for seeing the city view.
9. The Stanley Hotel Colorado
Grand architecture and mountain views define this hotel. It is the real inspiration for Stephen Kings The Shining. The 2026 Historic Day Tour runs for $25. The tour takes 60 minutes. It caps at 20 people per tour. This gives you a very intimate experience. You will hear amazing ghost stories.
- Address: 333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO
- 2026 Cost: $25 for the Historic Day Tour
- Search Tip: #StanleyHotel shows the beautiful red roof.
10. A Christmas Story House Cleveland
Ralphies actual home in Tremont is open for you. CEO Joshua Dickerson took over in late 2023. The house remains open daily. You can even book overnight stays. You get to sleep in Ralphies twin bed. The leg lamp still shines brightly in the front window.
- Address: 3159 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH
- 2026 Cost: $20 for tours, overnights vary
- Search Tip: #AChristmasStoryHouse for the leg lamp photo.
11. Timberline Lodge Oregon
Snowy mountains surround this stunning lodge. It provided the exterior shots of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. The building looks exactly the same today. The isolation of the mountain makes it perfect. It is an amazing horror movie location to visit. You can ski here in the winter.
- Address: 27500 E Timberline Road, Government Camp, OR
- 2026 Cost: Free to visit common areas
- Search Tip: #TimberlineLodge for snowy mountain shots.
12. Breaking Bad Albuquerque
Albuquerque acts as the ultimate Breaking Bad pilgrimage. Local RV set tours remain incredibly popular in 2026. You ride in an RV just like the one from the show. You can see Walter Whites house. You also visit the famous car wash. The tour guides know every detail of the show.
- Address: Various locations, Albuquerque, NM
- 2026 Cost: RV tours average around $85
- Search Tip: #BreakingBadTour shows the meth lab RV.
13. Stranger Things Hawkins Georgia
Jackson Georgia acts as the real world Hawkins for the hit show. Georgia has a booming film industry right now. Private filming location tours in the Atlanta area average around $175 in 2026.
These tours consistently get high ratings on major booking sites. You will see the arcade and the local schools.
- Address: Jackson downtown square, GA
- 2026 Cost: $175 for private area tours
- Search Tip: #StrangerThingsFilmingLocations for the town square.
14. The Walking Dead Senoia
Small town charm hides a zombie wasteland here. Senoia is a massive hub for TV show filming locations. You will find dedicated shops. You will find coffee spots entirely themed around the show. Fans walk the same streets as their favorite survivors.
- Address: Main Street, Senoia, GA
- 2026 Cost: Walking tours start at $30
- Search Tip: #SenoiaGA shows the Alexandria walls.
15. The Goonies House Astoria
Victorian homes and sea air fill this town. Visit the famous Goonies house from the sidewalk. The owners ask that you do not walk on their property.
Then head over to the Oregon Film Museum. This museum is housed in the actual old Clatsop County Jail. This is the exact jail from the movie opening.
- Address: 732 Duane St, Astoria, OR
- 2026 Cost: $6 for the museum
- Search Tip: #GooniesHouse for the Victorian style home.
16. Twin Peaks Snoqualmie Falls
Roaring water and cherry pie make this a top stop. Enjoy a slice at the Salish Lodge and Spa. This resort overlooks the 268 foot drop of Snoqualmie Falls. The water crashes down with incredible force. It is the perfect place to experience moody Pacific Northwest TV magic.
- Address: 6501 Railroad Ave, Snoqualmie, WA
- 2026 Cost: Free to view falls
- Search Tip: #SnoqualmieFalls for the misty waterfall view.
17. Grand Central Terminal NYC
Daily travelers and movie fans fill this massive station. It served as the epic battleground in The Avengers. The stunning ceiling features painted constellations. The massive windows let in beautiful light. This makes it one of the busiest sets in the entire world.
- Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY
- 2026 Cost: Free
- Search Tip: #GrandCentralTerminal for the clock and ceiling.
18. Empire State Building NYC
Tall towers and movie romance go together here. You have seen it in everything from Sleepless in Seattle to King Kong. The views from the top are still unmatched. You can see the entire city spread out below you.
- Address: 20 W 34th St, New York, NY
- 2026 Cost: Standard entry is $44
- Search Tip: #EmpireStateBuilding for city skyline views.
19. Forrest Gump Bench Savannah
Oak trees and quiet squares make Savannah beautiful. This is the square where Forrest Gump sat with his box of chocolates. The actual bench now sits safely inside the Savannah History Museum. But the square itself remains pristine and gorgeous. Large trees cover the area in beautiful shade.
- Address: Bull Street, Savannah, GA
- 2026 Cost: Free
- Search Tip: #ChippewaSquare for the park photos.
20. Twilight Forks Washington
Rainy forests and misty beaches welcome vampire fans. Local Twilight in Forks tours are alive and well for dedicated fans in 2026. You can see the high school. You can visit the famous beaches. Fans still travel here from all over the world.
- Address: Forks, WA
- 2026 Cost: Town tours around $50
- Search Tip: #ForksWashington for the misty forests.
Hi, I’m Bruno. I’ve worked in the aviation industry for over 6 years as a B1.1 Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. This blog is where I share insights on aviation and travel globally.