The top 10 film-location cities you should visit in real life
Dublin, Ireland
Much of the last two “Star Wars" epics, “The Force Awakens" (2015) and “The Last Jedi" (2017), were shot in southern Ireland, so cinephile tour guides now whisk visitors to those filming locations — and especially to Skellig Michael— the small, craggy Irish island and World Heritage Site that served as Luke Skywalker's monastic retreat. Plan ahead, as only about 200 daily visitors are allowed on the island, and only from May to October. But the chance to hike the 600 stairs to the island's monastery is literally breathtaking. Besides “Star Wars" tours, Irish Film Tours offers walking tours of Dublin film sites.
New York City, New York
Nineteen “Best Picture" Oscars are set in the Big Apple, more than in any other city. Among them were the first two “Godfather" films. While visiting the city you can see the New York State Supreme Court building where Don Barzini was assassinated in “The Godfather" (1972) and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration where Vito Andolini is renamed Vito Corleone in “The Godfather: Part II" (1974). If your tastes are more contemporary, you'll need to stop by the St. James Theatre where the 2014 Best Picture, “Birdman," was filmed. You can also walk through Central Park where a number of scenes have been filmed, including Home Alone 2, where Kevin evades the “Sticky Bandits." Around the holidays, you can visit the Rockefeller Center where Buddy goes ice skating in "Elf" and where Kevin is reunited with his mom standing under the famous Rockefeller tree in "Home Alone 2". If you're looking for a tour of multiple film sets and locations, try On Location Tours, the busiest Manhattan film-tour operation.
London, England
Among countless films set in and around London, few top “A Hard Day's Night" (1964). Two of the opening scenes of the Beatles taking a train ride to escape hordes of screaming teenage girls show London's Marylebone Station. The most recent “Best Picture" to spotlight locations near London is “The King's Speech" (2010), with Ely Cathedral serving as the stand-in for Westminster Abbey. Then there's the Winston Churchill biopic, “Darkest Hour," which received six 2018 Oscar nominations and features several scenes at the Parliament's St. Stephen's Hall, which also welcomes visitors.
Auckland, New Zealand
The legendary producer/director Peter Jackson was happy to film all six of his blockbuster films in the “Lord of the Rings" and “The Hobbit" trilogies in his native New Zealand. No wonder, as the entire country is blessed with movie-worthy natural beauty. Much of the filming of both series took place on a sheep farm that served as Middle-earth and is now called Hobbiton, an immensely popular family theme park two hours from Auckland. Hobbiton visitors see the only still-intact movie sets from the films, from the meandering paths of the Shire to the Hobbit Holes, the Mill and Green Dragon Inn.
Tokyo, Japan
While in Tokyo, you and your travel partner can pretend to be the characters played by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in “Lost in Translation," the 2003 film that more than any other showcases the dreamlike dazzle of the city. First you can dine at the New York Grill atop a 52-story hotel where the two characters met to begin their long flirtation. Next you can sing karaoke just like Bill and Scarlett at Karoke-Kan in the Shibuya entertainment district. Or you can escape the neon jungle at Zojoji Temple, scene of Yashida's funeral in “The Wolverine" (2013), a landmark dating to 14th-century Japan.
Chicago, Illinois
Movies set in Chicago have featured actors in brooding roles like Christian Bale's Batman (“The Dark Knight," 2008) and Harrison Ford's Dr. Richard Kimble (“The Fugitive," 1993), as well as lighter roles like Paul Newman's slick con man in “The Sting" (1973 Best Picture). Chicago sites seen in such movies include visitor-friendly Daley Plaza and Navy Pier (“The Dark Knight") and Union Station (“The Sting"). You can see these downtown movie locations, along with dozens more from hit films like “Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) and the “Transformers" and “Home Alone" movies, on a bus tour or free walking tour.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Alnwick Castle, two hours from Edinburgh, draws nearly a million annual visitors largely because it was transformed to become Hogwarts School in the first two “Harry Potter" movies. Several “Harry Potter" tours that visit the castle and other filming locations start in Edinburgh. If you instead drive northwest of Edinburgh, you can explore the mountainous Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area, where many scenes that appear in “Braveheart" (1995 Best Picture) and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975 slapstick cult classic) were filmed.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is a magnet for the filming of dramas — from recent crime classics “The Town" (2010) and “The Departed" (2006 Best Picture) to “Mystic River" (2003) and “Good Will Hunting" (1997). The park bench where Robin Williams encouraged Matt Damon to grab life by the throat in “Good Will Hunting" — earning him an Oscar — is one of many spots in Boston Commonthat you've probably seen in the movies. Those sites, along with Jack Nicholson's mob hangouts in “The Departed" (2006), are seen on the Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Dramatic emerald mountains that tower over a verdant valley have made Kualoa Ranch the perfect exotic filming location for decades. But it's also a 4,000-acre nature reserve, a working cattle ranch and a tourist attraction. Found 25 miles from Honolulu on Oahu's windward coast, the Ranch offers tours of film-scene locations via ATV, all-terrain truck, e-bike, horseback and — the most popular choice — vintage school buses. On the Jurassic Valley Movie Sites Tour, the bus stops at the “Jurassic Park" (1993) fallen tree and the footprints made by “Godzilla" (1998) among other movie sites. It's common for visitors to see filming taking place for upcoming movies while exploring the ranch.
Salzburg, Austria
Mirabell Gardens is the setting for the “Do-Re-Mi" scene, the Great Festival Hall is where “So Long, Farewell" is performed by the children (and where the real Van Trapp Family Singers performed in 1936) and the Nonnberg Abbey is where the children are turned away while looking for their missing governess. All three locations from “The Sound of Music" (1965) are walking distance apart in Old Salzburg, a delightfully compact city of steepled churches, monasteries, abbeys and the Cathedral Quarter's 180 museum halls and galleries. Visitors can see these sights and more — including the “16 Going On 17" gazebo — on the “Sound of Music" tours on either a bikes or via bus.
If you go
United Airlines offers flights to all of these cities except Salzburg (less than two hours by train from Munich). Visit united.com or use the United app so you can jet off to admire the sights you've only seen in the movies.
Adventures in ancient Beijing
As I thought back to my world history class in high school, a lesson about ancient China made me fascinated and intrigued with the country's mysterious and charming appeal. What really sparked my interest in this lesson was the Great Wall of China. That day I wished that someday I could walk and climb the stairs of this magnificent and amazing structure, built by human hands. 40 years later, this wish became a reality when my wife and I boarded a United flight bound for Beijing. Our time there was unforgettable – the experience was once in a lifetime for both of us.
Arriving in a country without knowing, speaking and understanding the signs/symbols and language made me feel very uncomfortable and out of my element at first. Even though we don't speak nor understand the language, to get to our hotel we managed to communicate with our taxi driver through sign language, the ultimate universal language of the world. Translation apps downloaded on our phones were also very helpful.
The next day, after a good night's sleep and with a full stomach following breakfast, we were ready and excited for the day of adventure. Our tour guide picked us up at our. hotel and guided us through the sights of Beijing. We experienced a bird's eye view of the Forbidden City from the highest peak of Jingshan Park, a spectacular, postcard worthy view. Seeing the cute, world-famous Giant Panda at the Beijing zoo chowing down on bamboo was also an experience to remember. We also explored the 2008 Olympic stadium called the "Birds Nest" and the aquatic center. We rode a rickshaw through the hutongs of the oldest neighborhood of the city and then into the Yonghe (Lama) temple with interesting works of art. At night, we attended a show at Red Theater featuring "Legend of Kung Fu," which was performed by China's leading performing artists, top kung fu practitioners, acrobats and dancers using precision artistry and skills. It was an amazing show not to be missed while in Beijing.
Continuing our adventures the next day, we were guided through a full day of experiences, full of seeing even more major sites Beijing has to offer. We explored the ancient and mysterious Forbidden City, strolled around the legendary Tiananmen Square, absorbed the majestic charm of the Summer Palace/Temple of Heaven and the sacred grounds and tombs of the Ming dynasty. After a long day of exploring, we headed to Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant on Wangfujing Street, where you can eat the world-famous Beijing (Peking) duck. Here, a chef will carve the duck right in front of you and present it to you at your table - a mouthwatering dining experience and another must while in Beijing.
On our last day, we saved the best for last. As they say, "No trip to Beijing would be complete without going to the Wall." At last, my ultimate dream and the inspiration that brought us to Beijing: We were at the Great Wall of China. We walked, climbed and took many pictures of one of the most iconic wonders and largest historical sites in the world. It's also one of the greatest feats of engineering and architecture in the world. No wonder it's a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World!
Beijing is one of the most amazing cities in the world with countless once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are definitely worth the trip.
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Learn moreEating through Asia, Excursionist Perk style
Spoken like a true, world class chef. Marrone, the Corporate Executive Chef for TAO Group Las Vegas, Hollywood and Singapore, recently got to immerse himself in Southeast Asian culture – and cuisine – on a week-long foodie dream come true of a trip, thanks to United's new San Francisco-Singapore route.
Marrone experienced just how spectacularly grand and modern Singapore is – the towering Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the luminescent stalks of Supertree Grove and the curved roof of the Esplanade Concert Hall all amazed him. And few cities interweave modernity and greenery quite like Singapore, a fact he had great appreciation for. Look no further than the Gardens by the Bay, a 250-acre nature park featuring intricately designed, flora-infused structures.
But beneath all of those stop-and-stare attractions lied what resonated most with Marrone: the food. From hawker stalls and wet (food) markets to Michelin-starred fine dining establishments, Singapore boasts meal options that cater to every mood.
Sharing in those food experiences with others who hadn't yet been to Singapore was his favorite part.
"You know, to see someone's face when they get to try something for the first time --that you've already had -- is an incredible experience, to be able to share that with somebody," Marrone says. "But then on top of that, experiencing some things on my own for the first time with everybody was really a crazy and amazing experience. We got to eat some amazing food and got to try some amazing things, and see some really cool parts of the city."
Additionally, Singapore is a great launching pad to the rest of Southeast Asia — as Marrone experienced, thanks to United's Excursionist Perk. Who wouldn't want two trips for the price of one?
The Excursionist Perk is meant to give a free one-way segment to travelers on round-trip award itineraries between two different regions, as defined by the United award chart. By invoking the Excursionist Perk, travelers can get a segment for no additional miles within the region they're visiting as long as it's a different region than where they're starting. All they have to pay are the taxed and fees associated with the new segment. For example, Newark-London-Vienna-Newark would cost the same amount of miles as Newark-London-Newark.
Marrone used the Excursionist Perk to add a day in Vietnam to his itinerary on his Singapore trip.
"I got to cook on the side of the street and eat some of the best food right off the grill on the sidewalk," Marrone said. "Little did I know how much of an impact the 26 hours we spent there would have on me."
To Marrone, Vietnam stands out more than any other destination he's been to.
"From the minute we got off the plane to then we got back on the plane, it was a full immersive cultural experience between all the different foods, we got to experience how we travel around Vietnam, and really got to spend a true day in the life of what it's like to be in Vietnam."
5 tips & tricks we learned
- Eat at a hawker center more than once They're everywhere and Singapore is home to the cheapest Michelin-starred meal in the world (Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle).
- The airport is a destination in and of itself The world's best airport for many years complete with a butterfly garden and rooftop pool. English is an official language of the country so no language barriers and it's a hub for Asian destinations so you're only a few hours from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and many more.
- Download Grab Singapore doesn't have Uber or Lyft so the Grab app is a must-have for getting around town.
- There's more than one infinity pool in town While the iconic Marina Bay Sands has its very popular roof top infinity pool, you can also find one at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South.
- You can still hit the beach in Singapore Singapore is home to Sentosa, a man-made island that features a beach that is over a mile long. You can also hit one of the two golf courses, 14 hotels and even Resorts World Sentosa, featuring the theme park Universal Studios Singapore and a casino.
The many faces of our United family
Rosa Fernandes
Rosa has been a customer service representative at New York/Newark (EWR) for 31 years.
Rosa helps a United customer.
"Since I can remember, I've loved airplanes. I first traveled on an airplane back in 1978 when I came from Portugal. I was lucky enough that they put my family and me in first class on a 747 from Lisbon to America. I had a window seat … my face was glued to the window."
Joe Bunker
Joe is a Boeing 777 first officer based at Chicago O'Hare (ORD) for 24 years.
Joe pictured with his daughter, Callie.
"I enjoy speaking with our passengers, even if it is just saying 'thank you and goodbye' at the end of a flight. During irregular operations, it is rewarding to explain how and why the weather event (or maintenance problem) is affecting our operation."
Jim Hott
Jim is lead ramp service employee at Houston (IAH), and has been with United 35 years.
Jim pictured on a United ramp.
"In a nutshell, I am responsible for the safe loading and unloading of aircraft I have been assigned to service. This encompasses making sure all personnel are safe in doing so. This not only includes United coworkers, but vendors such as aircraft fueling personnel, aircraft cleaners, etc."
Marilyn Adkins
Marilyn is a senior production controller in Technical Operations at San Francisco (SFO), and has been with United 29 years.
Marilyn pictured with another United employee.
"I dreamed of working for an airline from the time I was 12. I wanted to work as part of an in-flight team, however my small stature didn't meet the early requirements of this group. I started working in the kitchens then … went to school to get my airframe and powerplant licenses which allow you to work on the aircraft. After a brief period as a mechanic, I entered management within Tech Ops."
M.J. Flaherty
M.J. is an operations manager in the Network Operations Center [NOC] in Chicago and has been with United 40 years.
M.J. pictured in the United NOC
"When I go home at the end of the day, I think about all of the people that successfully got to where they wanted to go. … I think people don't fully understand how many people are involved in getting a flight out, not only on time, but safely to the destination."
James Simons
James is the base chief pilot at Washington Dulles (IAD) and has been with United 29 years.
James pictured at Chicago's O'Hare Airport
"The best day on the job was when I first became a captain … I was the final authority on all things that affected the almost 160 people that were on board that flight. They were concerned with their upcoming business meetings, vacation plans or just visiting relatives, and they trusted me and my crew to get them to their destination safely and on time."
