Cinematic Escapes: A Holiday Guide to Famous North American Movie Spots

North America, home to Hollywood and iconic film history, offers not only famous studio tours but also hidden filming locations across the continent, each year round 150 films are produced in Canada, and 600 in the United States.

With this is mind, the team at American Holidays have put together a guide on the top places you can visit in North America for visiting filming locations.

North America is the home of Hollywood, from Ryan Reynolds and Julia Roberts to Cary Grant and Margarita Sanz, the history of North America film and TV stretches back over 100 years. However, you don’t just need to tour the studios of MGM and Paramount Pictures for a taste of film and television, many iconic filming locations are hidden under people’s noses, right across the continent!

In the United States alone, its estimated that around 600 features are released each year on average. Yet, due to financial factors like lower production costs and competitive tax incentives, many filmmakers have turned to Canada and Mexico has an alternative for filming locations in recent years.

With recent TV shows and films such as The Last of US, Black Mirror and Yellowstone having all been filmed in North America, the team at American Holidays have put together a guide on the locations worth visiting.

Lights. Camera. Canada.

Canada is famous for its welcoming attitude and breathtaking views. However, many people might not realise that it’s played a major role in the production of some of the top TV shows over the past year.

Since the release of its first series in 2023, The Last of Us has averaged almost 32 million viewers per episode. Despite being set in the United States, most of the filming took place across Calgary and Edmonton.

The production team built a large set in the Ramsay neighbourhood near Stampede Park, at 803 24 Avenue Southwest, which served to film the Boston quarantine zone. The façade of the Bostonian Museum was also shot in a Georgian- style located at 1202 1 Street Southwest. Interior shots were also shot in Rocky Mountain Film Studios on the outskirts of the city.

Tourists visiting Edmonton also have a lot to visit, the scenes outside the ‘Massachusetts State House’ were filmed at the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton. The capture the ‘post-apocalyptic’ Edmonton, the 4th Street Promenade and parts of downtown Edmonton, including 100A, 104 and 108 streets were transformed to capture the shows grim atmosphere.

Several episodes of Black Mirror have also been shot in Canada. Most recently “Common People”, episode one of season seven was filmed in Vancouver, with the show utilising the Allied Shipyards and the Queen Elizabeth Elementary School.

Southern Soil, Silver Screen

The US South, particularly states like Georgia, are experiencing growth in the TV industry, recently, Georgia has overtaken California as a location for feature film production

The Southwestern state Utah was home to many scenes in Yellowstone. Ogden, a winter ski town that transforms to a popular hiking destination in the summer hosted many of the show’s memorable scenes. The nearby Wasatch Mountain Range was the filming choice for many of the more rural scenes with lots of different trails to explore. For those wanting to stay nearer the town, the historic 25th Street is home to many familiar shop fronts used in the show.

Viewers of Yellowstone’s prequal 1883 will find many of the show’s locations in Fort Worth Texas. Areas around Exchange Avenue and North Houston Street transformed into a massive Old Western town. The Hotel Drover was also used to represent the Hotel Calhourn in 1883, with specific areas like the second story offices used for Clare and Elsa’s hotel bedroom.

NYC – Where Every Corner Is a Set

It’s hard to mention US cinema and TV without mentioning New York, where it can feel like every building and street has been used in some sort of production.

New York City is home to many iconic series like Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, The Sopranos, and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel to name a few. As a result, there are plenty of individual tours catering to the different series. If you’re a big TV fan and want to experience a variety of TV and film, there are also tours that cater to specific regions of New York, such as film tours of Central Park and The East Village.

Mexico The Home of Romance

Mexico has long been known as the home of vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes and passionate traditions, making it the perfect backdrop for romance. From the sun-kissed beaches of the Riviera Maya to the charming cobblestone streets of colonial towns like San Miguel de Allende, Mexico offers a rich tapestry of settings. Its because of this, one of the best romance films of the 90s chose Mexico as their ideal filming location.

The 1996 remake of Romeo and Juliet was primarily filmed in Mexico City. The scene were Romeo and Juliet first met was filmed in The Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Palace), situated in the Chapultepec Park, and is the cities Natural History Museum. One of the most iconic scenes in the film is Tybalts death and Romeo’s escape, the locations for this is Av. Paseo de la Reforma in Juarez, most of Mexico’s most famous and iconic streets. Along its path you’ll find some of the cities most renowned sculpture and statues.

For those wanting a taste of cinema without having to head into the city centre, Mercutio’s death scene was filmed in Boca del Rio, Veracru, which is situated on the Gulf of Mexico. Just for the film, a ruined theatre proscenium was constructed. Boca del Rio is an active port city with a bustling nightlife and stunning colonial architecture.

Bladhana Richardson, Head of Marketing at American Holidays commented; "Film location trips in North America offer an unparalleled opportunity to step into the worlds of your favourite movies and TV shows. From the rugged landscapes of the Canadian Rockies to the bustling streets of New York City, the continent is brimming with iconic sites that have shaped countless cinematic moments. These locations not only provide a deeper connection to the stories we love but also allow travellers to immerse themselves in the unique culture, history, and natural beauty of each destination.”

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About American Holidays

At American Holidays we specialise in tailor-made holidays to America, Canada & the Caribbean. You'll discover experiences, holiday offers and destinations exclusive only to us. We know it’s the little things that make a big difference. Like taking time really understanding you and what you want from your holiday. By getting to know our customers, we can create, and plan bespoke authentic adventures, so you can experience your holidays your way.