BUCKETLIST LOCATIONS

You Can Step Into These 10 Iconic Film Locations In The U.S.

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In today’s cinema, green screens and CGI reign; they are great tools for creating ethereal, fantastical worlds. But once upon a time, some unforgettable movie moments were captured in the real world. Previously unassuming landscapes and corners of our cities are now forever tied to some of cinema’s most memorable characters and dialogues. For film fans, exploring these sites can feel like stepping into the movies. Check out this list of ten iconic film backdrops you can visit in the US to recreate some of these legendary scenes and add them to your own collection!

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What do Iron Man, Hannah Montana, Mr. Bean, and Forrest Gump have in common? Well, they all visit this spot at some point in their films. The Santa Monica Pier, founded in 1909, attracts millions of visitors annually with its boardwalk, amusement park, and ocean views. Steven Spielberg featured the iconic pier in 1941 (1979), a comedic take on a fictional Japanese attack on California after Pearl Harbor.

Other titles where the boardwalk can be seen include The Sting (1973), Cellular (2004), and Her (2013).

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Who could forget the symbol of the bond between Mia and Sebastian? In La La Land (2016), the Observatory shows up from several angles, and the couple even steps inside it to waltz through the stars–literally. In real life, the facility offers free admission and welcomes all visitors to its grounds and building.

Perched atop Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, it’s also remembered from the classic Rebel Without a Cause (1955), which La La Land quotes repeatedly.

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It’s 7 a.m. on a cold morning in Philadelphia and the residents are rolling their eyes—because here come the movie fans again. The 72 steps to this museum have become a rite of passage. In Rocky (1977), the training montage shows the hero finishing his morning run with an energetic climb up the stairs, punching the air with his fists in the morning mist, celebrating over a dawning Philly.

Today, fans from around the world travel to emulate the triumphant climb. There is now a bronze Rocky statue near the base of the steps. Created for Rocky III (1982), the statue has remained there to remind everyone of the cultural meaning behind those steps.

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Grim past and all, Alcatraz Island is still one of the most visited sites in the city. Located in San Francisco Bay, the former prison is famously featured in The Rock (1996), where a gripping hostage rescue unfolds.

Now a national park, the island can be reached via ferry, and the main building is today a museum that explores the island’s notorious past. Alcatraz has also appeared in other films, such as Escape from Alcatraz (1979), Murder in the First (1995), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

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After running for three years, two months, fourteen days, and sixteen hours, Forrest halts. He does so in this exact spot of Monument Valley, which has since been dubbed the "Forrest Gump Point." The beloved 1994 movie has transformed this segment of Route 163 between Kayenta, Arizona, and Mexican Hat, Utah, into a landmark of cinema history.

Today, a roadside marker commemorates the spot, and several fans pull over to take pictures in front of the breathtaking view of the quiet red rock formations.

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"Patience" and "Fortitude" are the two iconic marble lions that guard the steps of the New York Public Library. By now, they both appeared in several movies: they have watched paranormal investigators in Ghostbusters (1984), witnessed survivors reaching a haven in The Day After Tomorrow (2004), and even spied a romantic rendezvous in Sex and the City (2008).

The library, officially known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is referred to as the "people’s palace," and is free for all to enter and explore.

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In the 1989 romcom When Harry Met Sally, Harry and Sally wander around having memorable conversations all over New York City. But the one they share inside Katz’s Delicatessen has become a top-tier gag in the genre: it’s the one that ends with the line "I’ll have what she’s having."

Established in 1888, Katz’s is a historic deli known for its delicious pastrami sandwiches, bustling atmosphere, and now for having the booth marked with a sign that reads, "Where Harry met Sally… Hope you have what she had! Enjoy!"

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The colorful backdrop of Scarface (1983) serves as a contrast to Tony Montana’s dark and gritty business. The Art Deco architecture along Miami's sun-drenched Ocean Drive contains facades that vary only slightly from the movie, but can still be recognized. Notable examples include the Carlyle Hotel and the Colony Theater.

But several other films feature the palm trees and scenery of this drive, including The Birdcage (1996), There's Something About Mary (1998), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), and Marley & Me (2008).

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An all-time favorite romantic drama, The Notebook (2004) contains several iconic scenes, but the one where Allie and Noah paddle around a sunlit pond is a top contender. This swamp, located within the Cypress Gardens in South Carolina still attracts couples who rent a boat to recreate that romantic setting. Minus the hundreds of swans, that is —those were specially brought in for that scene.

As a side note, it’s the same park where the swamp scenes from The Patriot (2000) were filmed.

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As if you needed a reason to visit the top of the Empire State Building. But this spot is significant to the plot of Sleepless in Seattle (1993). Up there, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks finally meet in an unforgettable climactic scene.

The observation deck of the iconic skyscraper offers stunning panoramic views of Manhattan. It’s also the setting for famous scenes in King Kong (1933 and 2005), An Affair to Remember (1957), Elf (2003), and Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010).

THE HARDEST TIMES

The Great Depression: 10 Weird Facts About America’s Deepest Crisis

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The Great Depression, a period of economic instability that lasted from the early 1930s until the end of the decade, was one of the most challenging times in American history. Kickstarted by the Wall Street Crash of October 1929, the recession hit hard, bankrupting thousands of businesses and leaving no one untouched.

Though well depicted in films and literature, there are still numerous surprising and lesser-known facts that shed light on the resilience and creativity of the Americans who lived through those difficult times. From bizarre dance marathons to bustling criminality and a near-ecological collapse, here are 10 intriguing facts about the Depression Era that you might not have known.

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Due to the extreme economic volatility, as the banking system collapsed, some towns and communities had to resort to issuing their own currency in order to keep commerce moving. These emergency currencies, often colorful and varied, featured designs from local artists.

They played a critical role in maintaining local economies during the financial crisis, ensuring that people could continue to trade goods and services despite the widespread financial crisis. Today, these unique scrips are collectors' items and a reminder of the creativity and resilience of communities during times of hardship.

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The Great Depression saw a significant increase in the number of people who took to the road, wandering around the country in search of temporary employment. These migrant workers, known as hoboes, developed a cultural network that helped them survive the adverse conditions of the time.

This network included leaving messages for each other. While many of these messages were simple, including just their monikers or road names, a date, and the direction they were headed, there were claims of a more complex secret code. This code allegedly provided specific instructions on where to find food, safe places to sleep, or warnings about hostile areas. Though these claims were likely exaggerated, hoboes did rely on their community of fellow travelers to navigate the treacherous landscape of the Depression.

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Farmers were among those hit hardest by the economic crisis. When banks foreclosed on farms for unpaid debts and their properties were auctioned, neighbors would conspire to bid pennies on both property and equipment, often using intimidation or physical force if necessary to keep others from bidding competitively. They would then return the farm to the original owners.

This act of defiance and solidarity helped create a strong sense of community during tough times. For many, losing a farm meant losing their livelihood and sustenance, making these efforts crucial for survival.

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Many rural families survived by reverting to subsistence farming, hunting, and foraging. Skills that were once common but declining became essential for survival, aligning with a larger back-to-the-land movement that swept across America during the harder years of the crisis.

City folk believed that returning to the land was the only way to survive and avoid the pitfalls of consumerism that had contributed to widespread poverty. The back-to-the-land ethos provided both a practical solution to immediate economic hardships and a philosophical shift toward valuing independence and community perseverance.

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Not without irony, the largest skyscraper in the world until the 1970s was completed during the Depression. A symbol of ambition and modernity, the Empire State Building stood as a rare sight in a foundering country. Initially, it struggled to find tenants, earning it the nickname "Empty State Building."

However, despite the economic downturn, its construction provided much-needed jobs for thousands of workers. The building of the Empire State Building became a beacon of hope amidst economic despair, proof of American strength and determination to leave the economic crisis behind.

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As if farmers didn’t have enough on their hands with the hardships brought on by economic instability, they also faced an ecological collapse of significant proportions during the Great Depression.

Severe drought and dust storms ravaged farmlands, forcing thousands of families to migrate westward in search of employment and improved living conditions. This ecological catastrophe stemmed from a combination of natural phenomena and human activities, including the destruction of natural topsoil and inadequate measures to prevent wind erosion.

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With scarce job opportunities and widespread societal collapse, the Depression saw the rise of many notorious criminals like Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, and Pretty Boy Floyd.

These criminal figures soon captured the public's imagination, becoming folk heroes to some and villains to others.

Though the media often exaggerated their exploits to boost sales, the real backstories of most of these criminals reflect the desperation and feelings of societal abandonment that were prevalent during that time.

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In the midst of economic turmoil, Americans flocked en masse to sports for much-needed relief and affordable entertainment. Popular sports such as baseball, boxing, and athletics experienced a significant surge in both attendance and participation.

Iconic moments, such as Jesse Owens' triumph in the 1936 Olympics, also served as sources of inspiration and ignited a sense of nationwide pride. These events solidified America’s enduring fascination with sports of all kinds, demonstrating their power to uplift spirits and unify communities even during challenging times.

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Curiously, the Monopoly board game surged in popularity during the Great Depression. Originally developed in the early 1900s as "The Landlord's Game," Monopoly was commercially released under its modern name in 1935.

It became an instant hit, providing an affordable form of entertainment and a temporary escape from financial woes. In the world of the game, players could dream of economic success, even amid real-world hardships, cementing Monopoly as a staple in American households.

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Bizarrely, many forms of endurance entertainment became a craze during the Great Depression. One of these peculiar trends was dance marathons, where participants competed to outlast each other on the dance floor, often dancing for days with only short breaks.

Another similar trend was flagpole-sitting, which involved individuals sitting atop flagpoles for extended periods, attracting spectators and media attention. These events often offered participants a chance to earn money and meals, while also drawing large crowds who paid to witness the spectacle unfold.