Travel alerts straight to your inbox:

Tag: movie set travel View All Tags

Hiding Out In Wisconsin, The Original Gangster Way

June 26, 2009 at 11:14 AM | 0 Comments

Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, opens nationwide on Wednesday to the usual Hollywood hype, but what sets the movie apart is that is was actually filmed where the real-life action once took place. Based on the life of gangster John Dillinger, who hid out for a short time in Northern Wisconsin until an FBI raid in 1934, the movie filmed in the dairy state. And since northern Wisconsin is still a popular getaway for Chicagoans, thanks to its picturesque lakes and small town feel, we've compiled a little guide to staying in Wisconsin, Original Gangster-style.

Where to Stay:
A favorite hotel of another equally famous gangster, Al Capone, was the the Four Seasons Resort on Miscauno Island. The Four Seasons forces visitors to get away from it all (ahhem hideout), as the only way onto the island is by a single lane, one hundred-year-old steel bridge; access to the outside world can thus be easily regulated.

The resort features large rooms with private porches, several restaurants, a golf course and activities including biking, fishing and canoeing. It also offers special packages year-round like the Silver Golf Package, with two days of golf, use of a cart, and one night at the lodge for $169 per person.

more ›

In 'The Proposal', Massachusetts Stands In for Alaska

June 19, 2009 at 2:06 PM | 0 Comments

The Proposal, in theaters today, stars Sandra Bullock as a Canadian citizen, working in America, who is about to get deported. To avoid deportation, she forces her assistant, played by Ryan Reynolds, to marry her. The two then fly to Alaska to visit his family and break the news. The catch is, the movie was never actually filmed in Alaska, instead the Massachusetts coast stood in for the last frontier. Check out where to stay and what to do in Cape Ann where you can um...pretend you’re in Alaska too.

What to Do:
Most of the movie was filmed in Bearskin Neck, Rockport, a seacoast village on Cape Ann which was dressed as Sitka, Alaska for The Proposal. Bearskin Neck is a popular tourist destination featuring dozens of shops, like the Kanegis Gallery, which can be seen in The Proposal as the Sitka Internet Café, and James Russell Goldsmiths which is Alaska Outfitters in the film. There are also several restaurants, bakeries and ice cream shops too, all within a few blocks of each other.

more ›

Take A Trip On the Pelham 1 2 3, Or Do Everything But

June 12, 2009 at 12:37 PM | 0 Comments

Today marks the nationwide release of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. This remake of the 1970’s classic stars Denzel Washington as a New York City subway dispatcher who finds himself up against a bitter ex-con (John Travolta) that hijacks one of the trains. The movie takes place and was filmed primarily within the NYC subway system, giving the rest of the world a look at the underbelly of New York City. Here’s a guide to getting on the subway and where to go when you get off.

Where to Eat:
One of the film’s most prominent locations is Grand Central Terminal, no big surprise since the movie is about the city's underground transportation. Yet the dining options at Grand Central are quite refined. Grand Central has a huge selection of restaurants and nearly every table offers a perfect view for people watching. From the upscale Cipriani Dolci to an array of delis and coffee shops, there’s also something for every budget.

more ›

Are Miley and Nick Rekindling Their Romance in Georgia?

June 11, 2009 at 10:02 AM | 0 Comments

Miley Cyrus has arrived in Georgia for her next movie, The Last Song, and already locals are in a tizzy over the teen. Although The Last Song doesn’t officially start production in Savannah and nearby Tybee Island until next week, the film's stars are already in town prepping for their roles and enjoying a little R&R.

Miley’s definitely having a good time so far, tweeting earlier in the week, “in love with Savannah.” Tuesday, she was spotted by several locals on a jet ski with ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas, who reportedly flew in to work a “duet” with the tween idol, a likely story from a guy who promised his mom he’d stay a virgin and a girl who just broke up her boyfriend. But we’re not buying it, especially since two of them were spotted flirting over the weekend in Malibu.

more ›

Tour Athens With Nia Vardalos in 'My Life In Ruins'

June 5, 2009 at 2:37 PM | 0 Comments

My Life in Ruins, a new rom-com in theaters today, stars Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) as a tour guide in Athens who accidentally falls in love. The plot is as dull as it sounds, but Vardalos' character's chosen profession does provide some great vistas of the city. Taking a cue from Nia, here is our guide to the best of all that Athens has to offer:

more ›

Finding the Paradise of 'Up' A Little Closer To Home

June 3, 2009 at 11:17 AM | 0 Comments

If you haven’t made it to the local multiplex to see the new Disney-Pixar film Up, you’re missing out. In the movie, our heroes are headed to a fictional Paradise Falls in South America. Pixar filmmakers did head to Angel Falls in Venezuela to get some inspiration, but still, if your new dream is now to see Paradise Falls you might be out of luck.

Unless of course you have some time to head to Thousand Oaks, California, then you might fulfill your new need for exploration. From Los Angeles, you’ll take the 101 up the coast into Ventura County, where you’ll be ready to explore your own version of Paradise Falls. The trail lasts about three miles round-trip and there isn’t much of an elevation gain, so even coach potatoes should be good to go with this one. Just make sure to bring some water along with your milk duds, since the area is pretty dry, and the shade is limited along parts of the path.

You’ll be rewarded with views of a waterfall spilling into a large pool below. It’s not quite as big as the one in the movie, but it should still be worth the time and effort to get there. However, be careful of the local wildlife. Hikers have mentioned that rattlesnakes are big fans of this area near Wildwood Park. Pay attention and you’ll probably be safe.

Related Stories:
·Paradise Falls [LocalHikes]
·Paradise Falls [World-Of-Waterfalls]
·Hiking coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Neither Fanboy]

Drag Me To Hell or At Least To Los Angeles

May 29, 2009 at 3:46 PM | 0 Comments

Director Sam Raimi's back with "Drag Me To Hell", opening nationwide tonight. The horror flick is about Christine, a bank loan officer looking for a promotion. When an elderly woman comes in requesting an extension on her mortgage payment, Christine turns her down in an attempt to prove she is serious about her job. She quickly learns she messed with the wrong old lady. The movie was filmed in the Los Angeles area so here's our guide for following in Christine's footsteps, just watch out for seemingly harmless little old ladies.

Where to Stay:
The Standard L.A.’s rooms are more minimalist than luxurious but the hotel makes up for it with their fabulous roof top bar. The bar has been featured in several movies and TV shows including "Entourage". This month, they kicked off two monthly rooftop parties, “Honey on the Rooftop”, every third Saturday of the month, and “Compression”, every third Sunday of the month. Rooms at The Standard L.A. start around $150.

Where to Eat:
One of the best Sushi joints in the valley is located just steps from the bank featured in "Drag Me To Hell". Ueru-Ka-Mu Restaurant, 19596 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA, serves excellent sushi, offers a long list of appetizers and is known for their pan fried eggplant in miso.

What to See:
Production for the movie began on location in a vacant bank in Tarzana that was redesigned and dressed to become the Wilshire Pacific Bank. Most of the remaining scenes in the movie were filmed on the 20th Century Fox lot in L.A. The Fox studio doesn't offer tours and you'll need to know someone just to get past the gate but there are plenty of other studios that do give tours, like Universal and Warner Brothers. Universal offers daily 1-hour tram tours of its studio lot as part of the general admission price to the amusement park, tickets start at $57. The WB VIP Tour takes visitors on a 2 hour ride around the world's busiest movie and TV studio for $45 per person.

Related Stories:
· Drag Me To Hell [Official Site]
· 'Drag Me To Hell': Killing Jokes, By Kurt Loder [MTV]
· Movie Set Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: Cinematical ]

Ferris Bueller Travel: The Ferrari House Hits the Market

May 29, 2009 at 9:07 AM | 0 Comments

While nothing would give us greater pleasure than to do a series on places featured in the classic movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a simple visit to Chicago should take care of most of your curiosity. That is, unless you've got a hankering to visit the real stars of the movie like Ferris' school or, even better yet, the infamous Ferrari House.

Since Ferris was filmed both in Chicago's downtown and suburbs, the suburban destinations are the hardest to locate and reach, thereby giving them cult status. While anyone is welcome to drive into the parking lot at Northbrook's Glenbrook North High School, the forest-hidden contemporary house in Highland Park, which serves as the home of Ferris' friend Cameron Frye, is far more secluded.

more ›

Spend a 'Night in the Museum' in D.C. This Weekend

May 22, 2009 at 10:59 AM | 0 Comments

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian", the follow up to Ben Stiller's 2006 hit "Night at the Museum", opens across the country today. The movie, set in Washington D.C., was mostly filmed on a Vancouver sound stage. That isn't stopping D.C. from doing its best to capitalize on the potential family tourism dollars the movie can bring in though. Here's a look at the best "Night at the Museum" promotions in D.C. this weekend.

Where to Stay:
The Liaison Capitol Hill is offering a “Day at The Museum in D.C.” package that includes accommodations for one night, a map of Smithsonian museum locations (the museums are free), two all day metro rail passes and two movie theater tickets to see "A Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" (or any other movie of your choice). The package starts at $169 a night and can be purchased by calling the hotel at 1-866-246-2203 and mentioning the promo code, MUSEUM.

more ›

Finding The Illuminati in Rome...and Los Angeles

May 15, 2009 at 1:42 PM | 0 Comments

Like its predecessor, “The Da Vinci Code”, which created a tourism frenzy in Scotland and France, "Angels and Demons" already has tourists flocking to Rome, Italy. All this week, Ellen has been recapping her recent Rome Field Trip which is blessedly free of any "Angels and Demons" mentions. But we understand that there are some of you out there who need to retrace Robert Langdon's steps across the Eternal City.

But if you care less about where the movie is supposed to take place and more about where it was actually filmed, then you’re better off catching the next flight to Los Angeles then a flight to Rome. Most of the film was actually made on a sound stage in L.A., thanks to the Catholic Church’s hatred for all things Dan Brown.

more ›

You Won't Need the Starship Enterprise to Travel to The Star Trek Set

May 8, 2009 at 11:15 AM | 0 Comments

Star Trek, which is J.J. Abrams' interpretation of what happened to Captain Kirk and Spock in their formative years, finally hits theaters tonight. The movie recycled some of the original series' locations and found a few new ones, like Bakersfield, Calif. Here's where you should stay, eat and play if you want to go where the cast and crew of Star Trek have gone before.

Where to Stay:
The Doubletree Hotel Bakersfield might not give you free WiFi but they do give you a warm cookie when you check in. Rates start at $129 a night.

more ›

Tourists Watch Car Crash on Times Square Set of Nic Cage Movie

May 4, 2009 at 9:48 AM | 0 Comments

A car chase being filmed for a new Nicolas Cage movie last night in Times Square went a little off-track, crashing head-first into a Sbarro pizza restaurant at around 1am. The scene was being shot for the movie, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and yes, it's related to Mickey Mouse.

Since the accident happened in Times Square, the crash was witnessed by several tourists who told The NY Post what they saw:

Mark Watkins, a tourist from Birmingham, England, watched the live action chase from the top of the new TKTS booth. "A black Ferrari and a silver Mercedes were chasing each other," he said. "The Ferrari took a route down the center of the road, swerving between cars. The Mercedes took the outside lanes. "The Ferrari took a sharp right to the left and lost it, swerving across the lanes, taking out a lamppost and a news stand.

more ›