A Movie Buff's Tour of North America

There are endless traveller's tours designed for those with a love for sports and the extreme. Hiking and walking tours, camping, rock climbing, and even swimming vacations exist in the plenty. Outdoor enthusiasts can pick up virtually any travel book and quickly flip to the pages describing the best paths, the most dramatic camping locations, or the steepest cliffs. Similarly, travellers interested in art and the classics need only visit Italy to experience that passion in full force. But what about those with an interest in the most fluid of all art forms? Film lovers can of course tour Universal Studios, New York City and Central Park, locations that have played host to hundreds of films. Those looking for a slightly more varied tour, however, can follow this guide. Each of the following well-known films feature scenes and sequences with dramatic and memorable settings. Film lovers can visit one or all of these North American locations, and re-live their favourite movie moments.

Boardwalk on the Jersey Shore1

JAWS

The film Jaws hit Hollywood in 1975 and left its mark--in the shape of a shark bite. Dubbed the grandfather of the summer movie, the Jaws story revolves around a summer resort town where several beach-goers are attacked by a mysterious shark. When the town council refuses to close the beach, a local marine biologist (played by Richard Dreyfuss) gets a team together with the aim of finding and hunting the killer shark. Jaws' renowned theme song and seaside location were particularly memorable aspects of the movie.

The movie was filmed almost entirely in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The popular resort of Oak Bluffs in the film was shot at Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach, easily accessible from Edgartown. The beach can be recognized in the film as the spot where the swimmers are panicked by the shark attack on the Kintner boy.

There are some great places to stay in Martha's Vineyard, including the Harborside Inn in Edgartown. The beach-side resort features 90 guestrooms, as well as a heated swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. Hot Tin Roof is the town's hot spot, featuring live music and entertainment throughout the year. It has even played host to the likes of Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor. Visitors will find much to do and explore while vacationing along the Jersey Coast.

GONE WITH THE WIND

This timeless story is one of the most celebrated pictures in film history. Set in the old American south during the Civil War and the subsequent Reconstruction movement, Gone with the Wind tells the story of a rebellious southern belle named Scarlett O'Hara (played by Vivienne Leigh) and her experiences with friends, family, lovers, and enemies before, during, and after the war. Based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, the story delves into the effects the conflict had on the wealthy planter class.

Atlanta Tours offer several Gone with the Wind trips within Georgia, the setting of both the book and the film. Clayton County is home to the town of Jonesboro, where Mitchell set the story of Scarlett. The area hosts an endless array of film-related shops, events and attractions. The Road to Tara Museum is home to original props, costume reproductions, complete libraries, and more that offer a glimpse into the making of the movie. The beauty and feel of the old south is still prominent throughout the county, making it an unforgettable vacation destination.

	Jungles of Dominica2

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

What began as an amusement ride at Disneyland became a box office smash in the summer of 2003. Spurring two equally successful sequels, these films follow the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow (played by Johnny Depp) as he pirates, plunders and pillages his way through the Caribbean in the 18th century. Though the many special effects were shot and created in a studio, much of the filming was also done on location in the Caribbean.

Some of the most memorable scenes throughout the series were shot in Dominica, and Breakaway Adventures runs a nine-day walking tour of the island that explores many of the locations seen in the films. The tour includes the Indian River (known in the films as “Pantano River”), “Cannibal Island”, and the films' “Shipwreck Cove”. The film was a great showcasing tool of this wild corner of the world, an area greatly forgotten on mainstream Caribbean tours and cruises. The untouched jungles and paradise beaches provide ideal getaway locations for any traveller.

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID

One of the great western classics, this 1969 film tells the story of bank robber Butch Cassidy (played by Paul Newman) and his partner the Sundance Kid (played by Robert Redford). The film is only loosely based on historical fact, but it popularized the legends of these western icons. The rugged, lawless setting of the wild west is a character in itself, and a large part of what made the film such a success.

Railway Near Durango3

Shot mainly in Durango, Colorado, the wide open spaces and spectacular scenery can still be enjoyed today. The infamous scene where Butch and Sundance jump into the river was shot at the Animas River, which runs through Durango and south west Colorado, and there is much to do and see in the area. Lou's Bed and Breakfast is located right on the Animas River, offering great views and a full continental breakfast. Visitors to Durango can visit one of the many museums, roam the historic galleries, or catch a showing at the annual Durango Film Festival that takes place every spring.

X-MEN

Based on the extremely successful comic book series, these epic films follow the stories of a group of superheroes, each with a unique power. Understandably, the films feature awe-inspiring action sequences with larger than life stunts and scenes. From roof-top battles to high speed chases, these films leave viewers few seconds to catch a breath. With an all-star cast (including Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, and Sir Ian McKellan), the X-men films have been blockbuster smashes.

The majority of filming took place in Toronto, Canada. The Rouge River Valley Park is the backdrop to many of the first film's key scenes, and can be recognized periodically throughout the movie. The park is large, scenic, and home to several species of wildlife. Shaw Street in downtown Toronto, renowned for its glass skyscrapers and futuristic feel, is also a frequent location in the film, namely during all of the senate meetings and as the Ellis Island arrival point. The street is home to an array of shops from top to bottom and truly has that big city feel. As Canada's largest city, Toronto offers endless sites to visit, including the renowned Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Centre, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Visitors hoping to stay in the heart of the city will find The Shaw Street Guest Suites in the midst of all downtown excitement.

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

	Mount Kidd in Kananaskis Country4

This Academy Award-winning picture, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, was the talk of the film industry before and after its release in 2005. The story follows the lives of two cowboys in 1960s Wyoming who are forced to keep their relationship a secret over a sequence of years. Filmed in Kananaskis Country in Alberta, Canada, the dramatic setting of Brokeback itself played an important role in the film. The two protagonists first meet while working a summer on this mountain, and it is there where they are forced to meet in secret each subsequent year. The wild beauty of Kananaskis mirrors the beauty of the story and helped to make the film so memorable.

Kananaskis Country consists of 4000 sq km (1600 sq mi) of mountains and foothills on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. Mount Yamnuska is the actual mountain that portrayed Brokeback, and many stunning shots in the film depict Yamnuska and its surrounding valley. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures operate half, full and multi-day rock climbing tours for those up to the challenge. Visitors to Kananaskis in the summer months will have no shortage of adventures and activities. Walking paths, hiking trails, and glacier lakes can be enjoyed in the plenty. Mount Kidd Campground has over 200 sites, is surrounded by bike and hiking trails, and also boasts several tennis and volleyball courts, an indoor whirlpool, and an outdoor wading pool. Those visiting Kananaskis in the winter can enjoy the stark beauty of the snowy mountains, as well as a few days on the slopes at one of the nearby ski and snowboard resorts.

1. Seaside Boardwalk; Edgartown, NJ, USA
2. Woman in the Jungle; Dominica, Caribbean
3. Steam Engine; Durango, CO, USA
4. Mount Kidd; Kananaskis Country, AB, Canada