10 US Towns Where Famous Movies Were Filmed

While countless American towns have served as backdrops for some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, a handful truly stand out as iconic. Remember Forrest picking through a box of chocolates in Savannah? What about the chilling canoe ride in Deliverance, shot entirely on location in Georgia? Or even the beach sequences in Jaws when Martha's Vineyard had its moment in the spotlight? Of course you do. We all do.

These magic moments in filmmaking have led to a surge in interest among travelers, young and old alike, all keen to visit these film locations for themselves. Whether it’s to re-enact favorite scenes or partake in a behind-the-curtain look at the filmmaking process, the connection between movies and the places they’re made runs deep in American culture.

Savannah, Georgia - Forrest Gump

Savannah's role in 1994’s Forrest Gump cemented this Georgia city’s reputation as a must-visit for film buffs. One of America's most recognized movie locations, Chippewa Square served as the backdrop for the famous bench on which Tom Hanks sat and ruminated on his life… and that box of Russell Stover chocolates.

While you’ll find several benches near the spot where Forrest sat, you’ll have to visit the Savannah History Museum to see the bench prop used in the movie, along with other artefacts related to the film.

The square itself, one of 23 surviving historic squares laid out in Savannah by James Oglethorpe in 1733, continues to attract thousands of fans annually who come to see where Forrest told his tall tales.

Filmgoers with an eye for detail will also likely remember the adjacent Independent Presbyterian Church, too. This beautiful structure is visible in the film's opening sequence, where the famous white feather drifts past it before landing at Forrest's feet. A memorable piece of cinema for sure.

Richmond, Virginia - Lincoln

Choosing Virginia’s capital, Richmond, as a stand-in for Washington, D.C., must have been a no-brainer for Steven Spielberg and the film crew for 2012’s Lincoln. Set in 1865 during the last days of the Civil War, the Virginia State Capitol in Capitol Square doubled as the U.S. Capitol.

Designed by Thomas Jefferson with a rotunda serving as the House of Representatives chamber, where the film’s re-enactments of the debates around the 13th Amendment and the abolition of slavery were filmed. The results, based on the film’s success, were compelling.

The neighboring Virginia Executive Mansion was also used as an interior for White House living quarters scenes. A 10-minute drive westward and you can visit Maymont Park, where the Lincoln family carriage ride and the recreation of General Lee's surrender at Appomattox were filmed.

Fascinating tours of the Capitol and the Virginia Executive Mansion are available. Along the way, you’ll learn a little more about the film as well as the Capitol’s significance as the seat of Virginia government since 1788, making it the country’s second-oldest still-in-use Capitol building.

Lexington, Kentucky - Seabiscuit / Secretariat

Horseracing fans won’t need to be told that Kentucky is the home of America’s most famous thoroughbreds. It’s for this reason, of course, that the Bluegrass State was the natural choice for two major racing films, with Keeneland Race Course in Lexington serving as the primary filming location for both Seabiscuit (2003) and Secretariat (2010).

Founded in 1936, Keeneland provided the historic grandstand and track for multiple racing sequences, with the facility's attractive limestone buildings and tree-lined paddock area proving a great backdrop.

The track offers fun tours on non-race days that include tales of the filming of these two classic movies, as well as the track’s history. You’ll also see references to Lexington’s thoroughbred connection throughout Downtown Lexington, too.

Home of the Kentucky Derby since 1875, Churchill Downs in Louisville appeared in Secretariat for the recreation of the 1973 Derby. The Kentucky Derby Museum offers year-round tours that include the Winner's Circle, where Secretariat's victory was celebrated.

Key West, Florida - Licence to Kill

Yes, Miss Moneypenny, James Bond has been to Key West in Florida. That was back in 1989 when the fictional British spy descended upon America’s southernmost town (it’s closer to Cuba than Miami) for Licence to Kill, the 16th film in the Bond franchise. Lovely Key West served as the setting for the fictional Isthmus City, with Hemingway House, the author's one-time home, used as the exterior of villain Franz Sanchez's residence.

Other Key West landmarks that appear in the film include St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where the wedding scene that opens the film took place (Timothy Dalton's Bond served as best man).

Although a little outside Key West, the Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon starred in the film’s spectacular tanker truck chase sequence.

You can experience a little of the thrill of this iconic bridge by embarking on a road trip along what is definitely one of the Sunshine State’s best scenic drives.

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts - Jaws

Steven Spielberg also put Martha's Vineyard on the movie-making map. Considered the world’s first true blockbuster, Jaws (1975) turned “The Vineyard” from a New England vacation spot into one of cinema's most famous filming locations. The town of Edgartown served as the setting for most of the downtown Amity scenes, with the Harbor View Hotel acting as the headquarters for the production crew and appearing in several scenes. (And yes, you can still book a stay there.)

And what of that famous opening scene with composer John Williams' compelling musical hook? South Beach, now called Joseph Sylvia State Beach, hosted that famous opening attack scene, and you’ll still hear bathers humming it as they enter the water.

The island celebrates its Jaws heritage with multiple fun events. July’s JawsFest is one of the best and attracts members of the cast and production crews, as well as fans, to celebrate the film’s lasting legacy.

Bozeman, Montana - A River Runs Through It

Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It owes its success not just to fans of the star and Montana's fly-fishing culture, but also to the spectacular scenery, which served as the movie’s backdrop. Mainly filmed in Montana along the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone rivers near Livingston and Bozeman, this 1992 hit has earned a place among moviegoers for its close-to-the-bone, often raw portrayal of families and their failings.

The Gallatin River, particularly the section through Gallatin Canyon south of Bozeman, provided many of the film's fishing scenes, with specific locations, such as Storm Castle and House Rock, still popular among fans. The Montana Angler Fly Shop in Bozeman offers guided trips to some of the film's fishing spots, accompanied by professional guides.

If you desire more connections to the film, The Historic Murray Hotel in Livingston hosted some of the film production crew. It’s also only a short distance from the Livingston Depot Center, a restored Northern Pacific Railway depot from 1902, which appeared in multiple scenes.

Winterset, Iowa - The Bridges of Madison County

The covered bridges of Madison County gained international fame after the release of Clint Eastwood's film, The Bridges of Madison County, in 1995. Filmed entirely on location in and around Winterset, Iowa, the real star of this late-in-life romance (Eastwood was 65 at the time) is the Roseman Covered Bridge. Built in 1883, it had been renovated just before shooting, resulting in the film crew having to work on making it look old and in disrepair. Visitors today enjoy re-enacting Meryl Streep’s pose on the bridge as the photographer, played by Eastwood, takes her photo.

Winterset celebrates its iconic bridges during October’s Covered Bridge Festival. This popular event attracts visitors from across the country for craft demonstrations, music performances, as well as appearances by those connected to the film and the famous book on which it was based.

Another Winterset Hollywood fact: Legendary actor and eternal cowboy John Wayne was born here in 1907. You can learn more about this local hero and his roots in Winterset at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum.

Tucson, Arizona - Rio Bravo / Tombstone

Ahhh… who doesn’t enjoy a good old-fashioned Western! For a period, Tucson, Arizona, was a hub of films about cowboys and the Wild West, with films of all calibers being churned out to meet the demand from cinemagoers. Old Tucson, a studio and film set here, has been Hollywood's Western backlot since 1939, right up to the present day, serving up classics like Rio Bravo in 1959 and Tombstone in 1993, as well as countless other productions.

Originally built for the movie Arizona, the studio offers tours through its Western film sets, along with reenactments, stunt shows, and activities for kids in its Children’s Museum. Other highlights include the saloon where Dean Martin dealt cards in Rio Bravo, the street where the O.K. Corral gunfight was recreated for Tombstone, and the Town Hall, which doubles as a courtroom for trying the naughtiest cowboys.

Woodstock, Illinois - Groundhog Day

There’s nothing like a good romcom to get bums in seats. That’s something the wonderful Groundhog Day did in spades in 1993. Filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, and starring the legendary Bill Murray, this all-American historic town square became the stand-in for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

It was here that Murray’s endless loop of groundhog days took place, with the Woodstock Opera House serving as the exterior for the Pennsylvanian Hotel where Murray’s character stayed. The town square gazebo, rebuilt after filming, marks where Murray's multiple encounters with an insurance salesman take place and makes for an excellent selfie spot.

A great time to visit is during Woodstock’s Groundhog Days festival in February. Highlights include walking tours led by locals who served as film extras, and a musical adaptation of the movie at the Opera House.

Durango, Colorado - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Okay, so we’re not done with cowboy movies quite yet as the Colorado town of Durango deserves a mention for its role in this genre, too. Here, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, operating continuously since 1882, provided the awesome train robbery sequence in 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Starring Hollywood greats Paul Newman and Robert Redford leaping from the wooden trestle into the Animas River, you’ll learn more about this and other dramatic stunts aboard while participating in one of the railway’s frequent excursions.

Baker's Bridge, located just north of Durango, is where the iconic bicycle scene was filmed. You’ll instantly recognize it for its inclusion of the hit song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," which perfectly captures a rare lighthearted moment in an otherwise intense movie.

As difficult as it is to narrow down a list of America’s best movie towns, these 10 incredible destinations clearly represent the deep connections Hollywood has with communities big and small across the country. For curious travelers, these wonderful locations provide a unique opportunity to experience both cinematic history and a dose of authentic Americana.