4 Minnesota Towns Where Famous Movies Were Filmed

Minnesota has long given filmmakers a mix of northern landscapes and distinctive towns and cities that translate easily to the screen, along with tax incentives for productions. From Lake Superior’s shoreline to small communities framed by farms and woodlands and the dense cityscapes of the Twin Cities, this part of the Midwest offers settings that feel authentically American without needing special effects or elaborate sets.

Several towns and cities have become recognizable through memorable TV shows and movies, adding another layer to a visit for travelers interested in real filming locations.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis and its neighbor, St. Paul, have been the backdrop for several well-known films, giving the city a recognizable presence on screen. The film adaptation of Prince's Purple Rain is a key example, with scenes shot at First Avenue, the nightclub still active today.

Hockey is a major activity in Minnesota, so it is no surprise that The Mighty Ducks series filmed in the area, using local rinks and neighborhoods to shape its atmosphere. The movie Fargo was also shot on location in and around Minneapolis, creating the wintry setting that the Coen brothers wanted. Jingle All the Way and Grumpy Old Men again used the region’s snowy conditions.

Visitors interested in sites beyond film locations have options throughout the city. The Minneapolis Institute of Art holds a collection ranging from ancient objects to modern works. The Walker Art Center and the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden sit in downtown Minneapolis with outdoor pieces set against the skyline.

For a quieter setting, Minnehaha Falls has a waterfall and maintained walking paths. The Mississippi riverfront near St. Anthony Falls includes historic mills, trails, and views of early engineering in the city.

Silver Bay

Silver Bay sits close to some of the north shore of Lake Superior's most recognizable filming landscapes, particularly the cliffs and shoreline around Palisade Head near Lake Superior, which appears in the Macaulay Culkin and Elijah Wood film The Good Son, which used the area’s steep drop-offs and the inland sea of Lake Superior to heighten its sense of isolation. The surrounding scenery, with cold water and prominent geological formations, has also drawn commercial shoots and smaller productions seeking a northern setting that cannot be replicated on a soundstage.

Visitors spending time in Silver Bay can reach the places that make the area visually notable to location scouts and outdoor travelers. Tettegouche State Park has trails leading to Shovel Point, High Falls of the Baptism River, and several lookout points. Palisade Head, just south of town, has one of the highest accessible cliffs on the North Shore with panoramic views. Lower on the shoreline, Black Beach has dark sand and a calmer stretch of water popular with photographers.

A short drive brings travelers to Split Rock Lighthouse, where a restored beacon, a museum, and cliffside paths outline the region’s maritime history.

Duluth

Duluth has long drawn filmmakers with its waterfront, historic buildings, and natural scenery. The Disney film Iron Will was shot in large part around the city, using streets and nearby wilderness for period and outdoor scenes. More recently, the holiday rom-com Merry Kiss Cam was filmed and set in the area, with landmarks such as Fitger’s Brewery Complex, the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center, Carmody Irish Pub, and the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview.

The city of nearly 90,000 residents has several places of interest for visitors. The Aerial Lift Bridge spans the port and serves as a gateway between the city and Lake Superior. For a high viewpoint over Duluth, the lake, and nearby ridges, Enger Tower sits atop Enger Hill. Skyline Parkway runs along the ancient shoreline of Glacial Lake Duluth and is an option for a car-based outing.

Nature-oriented travelers can visit Chester Creek and Chester Park, where forested trails, rocky outcrops, and waterfalls create a quick shift from the city’s built environment.

Waconia

The town of Waconia gained screen recognition when the cult classic Drop Dead Gorgeous used the community as the stand-in for the fictional Mount Rose, Minnesota. Several scenes were filmed along 1st Street and in nearby neighborhoods, giving the movie its Midwestern setting. Although the city is not a major filming hub otherwise, the comedy has held its place in Minnesota’s film history for more than 25 years.

Travelers can walk through the settings that shaped the movie’s look and structure. Lake Waconia has open views, access for boats, and seasonal recreation throughout the year. Coney Island of the West, in the middle of the lake, adds another point of interest, with its trail system and remnants of its resort era.

For information on the area’s past, the Carver County Historical Society has a curated collection of artifacts from early Native residents and Waconia’s founding to the present. Downtown Waconia has a walkable set of cafés, small shops, restaurants, hotels, and other basic amenities for visitors and residents.

For a meal, Lola's Lakehouse sits near the harbor, and Iron Tap serves beer and cider from local breweries and orchards.

Experience Minnesota Beyond the Screen

Minnesota’s film locations give travelers real places connected to well-known productions, each with its own setting and history. From Great Lakes communities to rural towns and city streets, the sites used in these movies show the range found across the state. Visiting them often brings travelers near landscapes, museums, parks, and neighborhoods that continue to shape Minnesota’s identity. This combination of film background and everyday surroundings makes these locations useful reference points for anyone interested in seeing how the region appears on screen.