Top 5 Fan Tourism Sets You Can Actually Visit

We all have our own favorite movies, but have you ever wanted to visit the real-world locations where the filming took place? Whether it’s running up the legendary steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art like Rocky Balboa or hunting for One-Eyed Willy’s long-lost treasure in Astoria, Oregon, made famous in The Goonies, fan tourism has become a firm favorite among travelers keen to recreate some of cinema’s most iconic scenes.

Join us as we venture to the real-life locations of five influential blockbuster films that have the power to turn your next vacation into a cinematic adventure.

Explore Amity Island from Jaws with a Trip to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Forever tied to the seminal movie saga Jaws, Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts became the backdrop to Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, featuring the fictional Amity Island and one of the earliest examples of fandom tourism. Of course, Edgartown Harbor and the American Legion Memorial Bridge – fondly referred to as Jaws Bridge these days – remain two of the most instantly recognizable filming locations on the island.

Interestingly, the frequent mechanical glitches with Spielberg’s shark meant he had innovatively created the suspense designed to incite fear in the film’s audience, a factor that still lingers in the subconscious when walking along the Lobsterville Beach where the opening scene was shot. For any Jaws enthusiast, Martha’s Vineyard is a dream vacation spot, where fans can not only retrace Chief Martin Brody’s footsteps but can also do so surrounded by the stunning New England coastline vistas.

Elevate your movie-themed vacation to Martha’s Vineyard by booking your stay at the Best Western Dartmouth-New Bedford in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

Retrace the Steps of Rocky Balboa by Visiting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Our next destination on our shortlist of the top film fan tourism locations in North America sees us heading to the home of Rocky Balboa – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As one of the most famous movie scenes of all time, in it, Sylvester Stallone ascended the 72 stairs that lead up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art as Rocky, which hundreds of fans still reenact themselves to this day.

By far one of the most popular landmarks in Philadelphia is the 10-foot-tall statue of Rocky, which sits at the base of the Rocky Steps – meant only to be a film prop originally, it was later gifted to the city as a permanent tribute to the film. However, while Rocky’s jog up the 72 steps remains a pivotal moment in cinematic history, should you do so, it also makes for an unrivalled photo opportunity when you get to the top.

Relive Rocky’s monumental life story with a trip to Philadelphia and get a great night’s sleep while you’re there at the Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection.

Step into Forrest Gump’s Shoes by Heading to Savannah, Georgia.

We head next to the historic Southern city of Savannah, Georgia, on our shortlist of nostalgic fan tourism destinations and the setting for Tom Hanks’ multi-award-winning film, Forrest Gump. Throughout the film, Forrest recounts his extraordinary while life sitting on a bench in Chippewa Square in the heart of the city’s Historic District, on his way to reunite with his long-lost love, Jenny.

For fans of the film, Chippewa Square remains almost entirely unchanged; however, the original bench where Hanks retells his life story is now preserved in the Savannah History Museum, where fans can still take selfies in front of it. Undoubtedly, while Forrest travels across the United States and beyond in the film, for many, the belief is that Savannah is the emotional epicenter of the story, making it an essential pilgrimage for devoted fans of the film.

Recreate the magic of Forrest Gump in beautiful Savannah and complete your film-inspired getaway with a comfortable stay at the Best Western Central Inn.

Channel your inner Goonie on a treasure hunt to Astoria, Oregon.

Our next film is an absolute 80s classic and the wonderful tale of The Goonies, which has always been a favorite with film fanatics for more than 30 years since it was released in 1985. Uniquely, Astoria, Oregon, wasn’t just where The Goonies was filmed, remarkably, it was also the actual setting of the entire movie, a rarity that truly cements its status as an authentic fan tourism destination.

For fans of The Goonies, there are countless landmarks used in the film that remain today, including the iconic Goonies House on 38th Street, along with Ecola State Park, which overlooks Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock, which featured in the film’s final scenes. In addition to this, be sure to stop in at the Oregon Film Museum (the old county jail from the opening scene), where you can see genuine Goonies Memorabilia and discover more secrets about the film itself.

Be sure to follow the Goonies’ trail while visiting Astoria on your fan tourism adventure, and sleep well afterwards by booking your stay at the Best Western Columbia River Waterfront Hotel Astoria.

Relive the Drama of Brokeback Mountain while Exploring Banff and Calgary in Canada

For fans of the film Brokeback Mountain, while it was meant to be set in Wyoming, the movie was predominantly filmed in the Canadian Rockies, much of which was shot around Banff, Canmore, and the plains surrounding Calgary. As a result, fandom tourism centred around Brokeback Mountain has sprung up, with two key locations being the Kananaskis Range near Canmore and the town of Fort Macleod.

Ideal for movie enthusiasts keen to witness the prominent backdrops used in the film, you can head to witness the awe-inspiring peaks of Moose Mountain and the Three Sisters. Inevitably, strolling through the quiet valleys and along the shores of Upper Kananaskis Lake used in the film, it provides the perfect chance to experience the landscapes firsthand that helped bring this incredible love story to life.

Immerse yourself in the cinematic beauty that is woven into the Brokeback Mountain storyline before getting a cozy night’s sleep at the Best Western Plus Okotoks Inn & Suites in Okotoks, Alberta.