Binge watchers and casual fans alike may be surprised to learn that some of the most memorable scenes from their favorite movie or series were filmed in Georgia. Savannah, Rome, Atlanta, Columbus, and beyond—these are only a handful of the cities where Georgia’s film tours bring movie magic to life.
Credit: Pamela Knowles
So, why Georgia? Film crews travel to Georgia for many of the same reasons groups do—a temperate climate, Southern hospitality (not to mention cuisine), idyllic landscapes, and historic sites. Georgia has been a popular filming location for decades, and has served as a backdrop for countless iconic movies and TV shows, including “Forrest Gump,” “The Hunger Games,” and “Stranger Things.” No genre is off limits, with Hallmark flicks, Marvel films, and horror movies all sharing Georgia as their backdrop. Visitors can walk the paths of their favorite characters, visit prop museums, and explore sets, plus they may even glimpse a surprise sighting of a movie star filming on location.
Even better? Georgia film tours appeal to all ages and interests. Fans of Tom Hanks and “Forrest Gump” can take a self-guided Forrest Gump-inspired film tour in Savannah. Stop by Chippewa Square where the famous scene of Forrest sitting on a bench with a box of chocolates was filmed. Visit the Savannah History Museum to see the exact bench used in the film, as well as 10,000 other artifacts.
While Georgia’s larger cities see their fair share of moviemaking, the small towns are no less popular. Plan a visit to Juliette, a filming location of the 1991 film, “Fried Green Tomatoes.” Today, the town remains much like producers left it more than 30 years ago. Walk the downtown streets, tour the cemetery, and don’t miss a stop at The Whistle Stop Café. The cafe operated as a general store prior to being cast as the setting of the fictional Whistle Stop Café. After filming, the building remained open as a restaurant, where visitors can taste a smorgasbord of Southern specialties, including, of course, fried green tomatoes.
Credit: Ralph Daniel
Groups can build or find Georgia film tours for more recent TV shows, too. Fans of “The Vampire Diaries” can join Vampire Stalkers Mystic Falls Tours to visit the filming location in Covington. Tourgoers can stop for a bite at the Mystic Grill, a restaurant inspired by the series; stay at The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast, where scenes were not only filmed, but also where members of the crew occasionally stayed; and visit Lockwood Mansion, the location of many memorable scenes. Fans of the ongoing hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” can visit iconic filming locations with Georgia Tour Co., which offers two different Strange 80s Tours.
Whether travelers dream of enjoying a box of chocolates like Forrest Gump, serving up their own “Fried Green Tomatoes” experience, checking out iconic vampire haunts, or flipping their own world “Upside Down,” Georgia has a film tour to give everyone a slice of Hollywood.
More Movie Magic
Get starstruck at famous filming locations across the Southeast
“Big Fish”
Wetumpka, Alabama
Explore the fictitious town of Ashton, which is really downtown Wetumpka.
“Caddyshack”
Davie, Florida
Stop by the “Bushwood Country Club” also known as the real-life Grande Oaks Golf Club.
“Dirty Dancing”
Pembroke, Virginia
Visit Mountain Lake Lodge, the resort where Baby’s family goes on vacation.
“The Help”
Greenwood, Mississippi
See the homes of some of the five leading ladies: Skeeter, Abilene, Celia, Hilly, and Elizabeth.
“Nights in Rodanthe”
Rodanthe, North Carolina
Book a stay at the inn from the movie, “Inn at Rodanthe.”
Written by Danielle Devota
Main Image: Forrest Gump impersonator in Savannah; Credit: Ralph Daniels
