You can’t get enough of fantasy from books and movies. No matter how great the graphics are or how real the narration and descriptions are, you’d probably want more.
The good news is there are more ways to immerse yourself in the magical experience, and that’s in person.
This is beyond some virtual reality headsets, haptic feedback bodysuits, or smart motion shoes — it’s purely through real-time experience in some cities.
Fantasy movies are an escape from the real world; some locations could make you feel like you’ve known them all your life, and others could just get your attention, and you’d feel an instant connection with them.
Some players would still want to experience a physical casino even after gaming regularly in an online casino. Similarly, many fantasy lovers crave to be in the real-world locations where their favorite movies were filmed.
If you’ve always thought of exploring some amazing locations in your favorite fantasy films, this article will look at some locations you should consider visiting for your next vacation.\
If you’re a passionate fan of fantasy, you’ve possibly coveted some dreamy locations. These are some iconic places you’d definitely enjoy :
8 Places Every Fantasy Movie Lover Must Visit
Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary
The Eastern State Penitentiary was one of the most expensive and popular prisons worldwide. It lies in ruin today and remains haunted by empty guard towers and crumbling cell blocks, but it is the perfect location for some cryptic movies.
It was the place people like Al Capone and Slick Willie were jailed, but also the place where movies like 12 Monkeys (1995), Vampiyaz (2004), Outside the Wall (1950), Paranormal Challenge (2011 – ), Return to Paradise (1998) and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) were filmed.
It was a prison, but it’s now a museum, a place many would call a beautiful decay. It’s still in use by people looking for adventure.
Scotland’s St. Abbs
St. Abbs, Scotland, is most famous for its scuba divers. It’s plaited by sea and clear coastal waters and has spectacular underwater views.
It’s also the rugged coastline, wild ocean, and pretty cottages where the Marvel crew shot Avengers: Endgame.
Some people have even branded it the New Asgard because it’s a small village featured in the Marvelverse — a term for settlements featured in Marvel films.
St. Abbs, Scotland, is also the location for movies like Link, a 1986 horror movie, the 2010 drama, This September, and the crime movie, Doors Open (2012).
Many visit St. Abbs for other things aside from its affinity with Marvel. They visit it for its cozy getaways in rugged coastal villas, the diverse wildlife, jagged cliffs, and the scuba diving experience.
Some even visit because of attractions like St. Abbs Head National Nature Reserve, the St. Abbs Visitor Center, St. Abbs Lighthouse, Rib Rides St. Abbs, St. Abbs Harbor, St. Abbs Charters, and others, including the markets.
London’s Platform 9¾
One of the greatest fantasy movies of all time, Harry Potter, was shot here. The site has a Gothic feel, and aside from immersing yourself in the Harry Potter feel, there are other things you can do there.
You can start by seeing The British Museum, which has been described as a historian’s treasure trove.
You can also visit the British Library, famed for having 14 million books; the King’s Cross; The National Gallery with major artworks from the 13th to 19th centuries; the St. Paul’s Cathedral with an iconic garden; and Buckingham Palace, home to British Queen & State Rooms.
Colorado’s The Stanley Hotel
This secluded, yet set with epic views, lush grounds, and rocky mountains is the location for some of the best fantasy novels ever written.
Stephen King’s best-selling novel, which featured Jack Nicholson, The Shining, was set in this hotel.
Some films made in the hotel include Dumb and Dumber (1994), Serotonin Rising (2009), and Secrets of The Shining: Live from the First Annual Stanley Film Festival (2013).
If you happen to visit Colorado and would love to experience some real-life fantasy setting, take a trip to the hotel.
Los Angeles’ The Hollywood Museum
Hollywood is the Silicon Valley of movies. If you ever thought a museum would be dedicated to impressive motion pictures over a century old, Los Angeles just had that museum.
It was launched in 2021 and is a $484 million project that has integrated several movie magic into its build. The museum is a 300,000-square-foot project with a seven-story building and a 1,000-seat theater.
It has an extensive library, studio warehouses, and over 13 million photographs, 67,000 posters, and 137,000 production art, props, customs, and Oscar statuettes.
If you’d ever thought you’d take a tour to see decades-old wonders in just one museum, here is an opportunity for you. You can go solo to the museum, but you can also go with a company.
It’s a place where you’d spot films made from everywhere in the world and marvel at the architectural design.
The museum is said to have been built to celebrate everything about global films, and you can celebrate it with them by having a date in its theater if it pleases you.
New Zealand’s Hobbiton
First opened for a tour in 2002, Hobbiton was made into a movie, and thousands have been in the location since then. It was built in two years and had 37 hobbit holes, many gardens, barberry hedges, and trees.
It was later rebuilt in 2011 when other films like The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies were produced.
This location is also the heart of New Zealand and is featured in the legendary fantasy movie, The Lord of the Rings.
If you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Hobbiton is a place you’d love to go, not just to celebrate art but also to enjoy several places depicted in the film series.
Some of the places you can visit include The Green Dragon™ Inn, Lake Karapiro for water skiing and kayaking, Firth Tower Reserve, and the museum in the old H.Q. of a grand estate.
There’s also the Cambridge Museum, a Heritage museum& local archive, the Maungatautari Mountain, the Maungakawa Scenic Reserve for bird watching, picnicking & trails, and the Little Waipa Reserve for Camping, and other places.
Austria’s Ice Q
It’s said that James Bond discovered this place high up on the Gaislachkogl mountain. The location was first discovered in 2015, and the Bond movie Spectre was filmed there.
Since then, it has become a hotspot for tourists, fantasy movie lovers, and those who love the sights of snow around them.
The location now has luxury dining, a futuristic architecture design, and ridiculously brilliant views of mountains.
If you’d love to take a trip to Ice Q in Austria, don’t forget to enjoy a lovely time hiking the mountains, seeing Ice Q and Gallacher See Lake, and treat yourself to exquisite food and wine at the gourmet restaurant.
Also, don’t forget to immerse yourself in the 007 Elements Museum.
Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City
If you’re a fan of Bollywood, like millions across the globe, then visiting Ramoji Film City would be on your bucket list. Not only is it the world’s biggest film studio, but it’s also a place where over 350 Hindi films are made annually.
It has many hotels and covers over a thousand acres, and it’s also more like the Hollywood of India.
It’s where the hit film; Baahubali: The Beginning by S. S. Rajamouli was made.
It also features in other movies like Chennai Express featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul, and Deepika Padukone; K.G.F.: Chapter 2 featuring Yash, Srinidhi, and Sanjay Dutt; Naayak featuring Kajal Aggarwal, Amala Paul, and Ram Charan.
Also, Gabbar Singh which is featuring Pawan Kalyan, Shruti Haasan, and Rao Ramesh. Other films set in this location are Pushpa: The Rise, Hotel California (2013), and Bruce Lee: The Fighter.
Conclusion
Movies are now beyond entertainment. They also give the average human something to look forward to for relief or otherworldly experiences.
There are places you must never cross off your travel list if you love a bit of fantasy and would love to relive the exotic locations in your favorite films.
Locations like Eastern State Penitentiary, St. Abbs, Platform 9¾, the Hollywood Museum, Ramoji Film City, and a few others that couldn’t make this list will give you a treat of a lifetime. Consider visiting them.
