Be your own movie star
What if you could be Katniss Everdeen and volunteer as tribute in the exact location Jennifer Lawrence did?
As a matter of fact, here are 10 movie locations you must visit in your lifetime for a chance to live out the stories of your favourite television characters!
1. Hone your superhero powers – Hatley Castle, British Columbia
“Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they’re lost forever” – Professor X
Hidden in Colwood lie the grounds of Hatley Park where Hatley Castle stands. If it looks familiar, that’s because this Edwardian-style castle built in the early 1900s was the set for Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters!
Today, it belongs to the Royal Road University – you can try asking the reception if they’ll allow you to register for a course under Professor X.
Klook Pro Tip: You can only gain access to the grounds via a guided tour offered by Hatley Park itself.
2. May the Force be with You – Black Sand Beach, Iceland
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
Step on the grounds of the storm-stricken Planet Eadu. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Iceland remains one of the coolest locations of Star Wars. With its iconic black sand, basalt columns, lava formations, towering cliffs and deep caves, you’re in for for an experience.
Klook Fun Fact: In actual fact, the black sand isn’t sand at all. Interestingly, it is a mixture of shiny black pebbles and stones as a result of lava instantly cooling down when in contact with the ocean.
3. Ready to live and train as a tribute? – The Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta
“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.” – Effie Trinket
Eeps, have you just volunteered yourself as Tribute? Well, your time is almost here because a space is awaiting for you at The Training Centre…
Visit the actual set of the Training Centre filmed in the 14th tallest skyscraper, also known as the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Georgia. With its stunning interior architecture and decor, you’ll immediately imagine Katniss and Peeta with bows and arrows aiming for bullseye.
But please don’t start battling with others in the hotel lobby, they’re just mere hotel guests that will not harm you! Or are they?
4. Winter is coming – Girona, Spain
“Winter is coming.” ― Ned Stark
Welcome to the land of Braavos – the real land. Not far from the bustling city of Barcelona lies the quaint town of Girona, or as we shall call her, Arya’s new home. There are severals spots in Girona used as filming locations for the Game of Thrones and we’ve nicely broken it down for you!
- As seen in an episode, Arya roams the street of Bisbe Cartaña when she falls victim to an attack by the Waif
- Similarly, Girona’s festival square, Plaça dels Jurats was used as the Outdoor Theatre where Arya painstakingly watched a parody of her father, Ned Stark being beheaded
- Once again, Girona Cathedral is the iconic location where the showdown between Jaime Lannister and High Sparrow occurred
- Remember the explosive fight that happened between Arya and the Waif? Yes indeed, it was filmed at Girona’s Arab Baths and it’s well worth a visit!
(Transportation and Bilingual Guide included!)
5. Kids, it’s time for Camp Crystal – Camp Nobebosco, New Jersey
“You’re doomed! You’re all doomed!” – Crazy Ralph
For the fans of horror, here’s an old-school movie location so totally worth the visit! Remember Camp Crystal where a group of camp counselors were murdered? Yes, we’re talking about Friday the 13th.
Camp Nobebosco, opened in 1927 is the oldest operating scout camp in New Jersey and also the grounds of Camp Crystal. Previously closed up from visitors, the campsite has since opened its doors to highly-demanded tours on Friday the 13th…an experience that’ll haunt you for life.
Check back on their official home page for the next haunted tour of Camp Crystal.
6. Are you ready to be Captain Jack Sparrow? – Port Royal, St Vincent
“Nobody move! I dropped me brain!” – Jack Sparrow
Retrace the steps of Captain Jack Sparrow along the Wallilabou Bay of St Vincent. Thank goodness there won’t be any pirates awaiting your arrival at Port Royal. In fact, Disney pumped in millions to build a look-alike Port Royal that was used multiple times as set location for several scenes across the series.
Visit the local friendly bar, Pirates Retreat and have the local special – Jack Sparrow Rum Punch concocted with a local rum produced in St Vincent.
7. The time has come to destroy the One Ring – Hobbiton, New Zealand
Source
‘Not all those who wander are lost.’ – J.R.R. Tolkien
If you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings then the Hobbiton should definitely be on top of your list! Be transported into Middle Earth and explore the Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill and several more iconic structures in the film.
Hobbiton’s birth started in March 1999 and together with the New Zealand Army, took 9 months to construct. Be awed by the magic of this place and perhaps, you might just want to stay back!
(Guided Tour included)
8. Are you ready for dinosaurs? – Kauai, Hawaii
“Nothing in Jurassic World is natural, we have always filled gaps in the genome with the DNA of other animals.” – Henry Wu
Kauai has captured almost the whole movie with most of the scenes filmed on location for Jurassic World. Scenes were filmed along the Napali Coast, at the National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Wailua River Watershed.
In fact, The Kauloa Ranch on the Windward Oahu also had a mini cameo!
9. It’s District 12 – Henry River Mill Village, North Carolina
“You don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope.” – Katniss Everdeen
The Henry River Mill Village opened in 1905 and was abandoned in 1987 when the last resident left. Besides being home to District 12 of Hunger Games, it’s rumoured to have been haunted since its beginning…but evidence have yet to surface.
Hey Ghostbuster, wanna have a go at it?
10. Have you registered at Hogwarts? – London
“You’re a wizard, Harry.” – Hagrid
Who doesn’t love Harry Potter?? Even if you’re not a major Wizard-wannabe, we’re sure you love the buildings in the movie! The infamous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry isn’t made up of a single location, but multiple areas across London.
- Christ Church College and Cathedral offered its 16th-century stone staircase while its dining hall inspired the likes of Hogwart’s Great Hall.
- Gloucester Cathedral was used in the school’s hallway
- Lacock Abbey remained as the classrooms of Hogwarts together with the Bodleian Library of Oxford University
- Alnwick Castle in Northumberland also played a part!
Looks like there’s already a long list of places you must visit from your favourite movies! So here’s presenting you with a bonus location that isn’t a movie location, but nonetheless very interesting and shall we say spine-chilling!
11. Are you the killer? – London
Jack the Ripper remains as one of history’s most infamous criminals that never got caught. Police could never put a name nor a face to him and thus the name Jack the Ripper.
He terrorized London in 1888, murdering 5 women and mutilating their bodies in the most unusual manner within miles of one another near Whitechapel, London.
Now’s the time to gather all your courage and visit the most haunted areas of London. Begin at the Theatre Drury Lane (London’s most haunted theatre) before you approach the East End to trace the footsteps of Jack the Ripper and where he left the dismembered bodies…remember to stop by 18th Century 10 Bells Pub where Jack the Ripper’s victims were said to have drunk.
