TV tourism is booming. After viewers saw luxury hotels on screen in 2021 and 2022, bookings jumped, and other shows gained travelers too. You can stand where famous scenes were filmed, then grab a photo with real dates and places to match. Always check hours, ticket rules, and local safety notes. Many sites need reservations weeks ahead, especially on holidays. Bring water, respect staff areas, and follow signs. These 10 stops turn streaming nights into real trips, with facts you can pin to a map.
1. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii
Season 1 of The White Lotus filmed here in 2020. The resort opened in 1990 and has about 383 rooms along Wailea Beach on Maui’s sunny south shore. Molokini Crater, a crescent reef 3 miles offshore, draws morning snorkel boats. Sun sets after 6 p.m. in winter, later in summer. Hotel daybeds and the open-air lobby match the show’s look. Safety note, reef shoes help on lava rock, and ocean flags post daily conditions. Parking fills by midmorning, so arrive before 9 a.m. for beach access.
2. San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Sicily
Season 2 used this cliffside hotel, a Four Seasons set in a 14th century Dominican convent. It first opened to travelers in 1896 and overlooks the Ionian Sea. Taormina’s ancient Greek Theatre, dating to the 3rd century BCE, sits about a 10 minute walk away, roughly half a mile. Balconies, courtyards, and tiled floors match what viewers saw in 2022. Evenings glow over Mount Etna on clear days. Safety note, streets are steep cobblestone, so wear treaded shoes and watch scooter traffic.
3. Highclere Castle, Hampshire, England
Downton Abbey shot here starting in 2010. The Jacobethan house was remodeled by Sir Charles Barry in the 1840s and anchors a 5,000 acre estate. Public open days often run April through September with timed tickets. Interiors like the Saloon and the Library match the series closely. Outside, cedar trees date back more than a century. Safety note, no drones on the grounds, and photography rules vary by room. Trains from London reach Newbury in about 50 minutes, then it is a short taxi ride.
4. Dubrovnik Old City Walls, Croatia
Game of Thrones used Dubrovnik as King’s Landing from 2011. The stone walls, largely completed by the 13th century, loop about 1.3 miles with towers and sea views. Fort Lovrijenac guards the harbor on a 121 foot cliff. Summer heat routinely tops 86°F, so walk early or late. Ticket booths post daily closing times that shift by season. The famous steps near the Jesuit church fill fast. Safety note, the parapets are narrow, keep to the right and mind the slick stones after rain.
5. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul filmed across the city from 2008 to 2013 and again in the 2010s. RV tours stop at recognizable spots like car washes and diner exteriors. The Sandia Peak Tramway, opened in 1966, climbs about 2.7 miles to 10,378 feet for desert views seen in montages. The “ABQ” murals make good daytime photos. Safety note, ask before photographing private homes and tip guides who manage traffic stops. Hydrate, because summer afternoons can pass 95°F.
6. Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
Twin Peaks fans know this lodge as the Great Northern. The waterfall drops about 270 feet, a short walk from the viewing deck. The original lodge opened in 1916, then was rebuilt in the late 1980s. Mists drift over the boardwalk most mornings. Inside, wood beams and stone fireplaces echo the show’s cozy vibe from 1990. Safety note, trails near the base can be muddy and slick, and railings sit high for a reason. Stay behind barriers, especially after heavy rain.
7. Jackson Town Square, Georgia
Stranger Things uses Jackson as small town Hawkins, with storefronts on 2nd Street dressed for the 1980s. The food court scenes from 2019 used the now-closed Gwinnett Place Mall, built in 1984. Fans still visit the square, where neon, brick, and old marquees set the mood. Summer filming brought road closures and retro signage. Safety note, sidewalks are narrow, so step aside for strollers and keep photos quick. Many shops close by 6 p.m., so plan daytime visits.
8. Scranton and Riverside Spots, Pennsylvania
The Office aired 2005 to 2013, set in Scranton even though most filming happened in California. Fans visit Cooper’s Seafood exterior, Steamtown shops, and the “Scranton” welcome sign at The Marketplace at Steamtown. The Electric City sign, first lit in 1926, glows above downtown. Dunder Mifflin merch still sells in local stores. Safety note, these are real businesses with regular customers. Ask before filming inside and use crosswalks across Lackawanna Avenue and Wyoming Avenue during busy evening traffic.
9. Friends Building, New York City
The exterior for Monica and Rachel’s apartment sits at Bedford and Grove in Greenwich Village. The six story corner building dates to 1899, with a restaurant at street level. The fountain from the opening credits is not here, it is on a studio backlot in California. Fans snap photos from the opposite curb to capture the full façade. Safety note, it is a residential address, so keep noise low and avoid blocking the door. Subways at Christopher Street and West 4th reach the block in minutes.
10. Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii
Lost filmed at Kualoa from 2004. The private ranch offers tours to Ka‘a‘awa Valley, often called Jurassic Valley, used by multiple productions. The Moli‘i Fishpond, about 125 acres, dates back hundreds of years and appears on screen often. Mountain walls rise more than 2,000 feet, and clouds form quickly. ATV and bus tours run year round with posted start times. Safety note, trails can be slippery after showers, and sunscreen is required under the tropical sun even on cloudy days.
