If you’re a devoted cinephile — or just a huge Netflix fan — exploring a new city is a great way to bring your favorite movies and TV shows to life. There are walking tours all over the world that highlight famous filming locations and landmarks, from the real-life Cheers bar to the steps featured in Mary Poppins. These tours let you step into the shoes of beloved characters as you visit their old haunts and, in some cases, even try their favorite foods, cocktails, and coffee.
Here are just some of the best walking tours you can check out the next time you’re in one of these exciting cities.
Boston On Location Tour: Boston, Massachusetts
If you’re as passionate about movies set in Boston as the Affleck brothers are, this tour that’s all about Beantown cinema may be for you. You’ll visit the locations depicted in films including The Departed, The Thomas Crown Affair, American Hustle, and Ted. Want a cup of coffee to take with you as you enjoy the sights? Grab one at the Dunkin Donuts featured in The Town — everyone knows a true Bostonian runs on Dunkin.
The Sex and the City Locations Tour: New York, New York
Get ready for Carrie Bradshaw's return in HBO Max sequel series by taking a walking tour of Sex and the City’s most popular locations. That includes Scout (real name: ONiels), the bar owned by Aiden and Steve, and Carrie’s famous West Village apartment. You’ll trek through SoHo, the West Village, and the Meatpacking District, so make sure to leave your highest pair of Manolos at home for this one!
The Gossip Girl Locations Tour: New York, New York
Spotted: All of the iconic locations from the hit CW series Gossip Girl. If you’re obsessed with the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite, you’ll adore this tour, which takes you to Blair and Serena’s favorite shopping spots, the real Empire Hotel, and Grand Central Station, where S was first spotted getting off the train after her return to NYC.
If you want something even more exclusive, you can also head to the Gossip Girl location Lotte New York Palace and find security officer Maurice Legere, who has been hosting his own private walking tour for fans of the show for the last decade. XOXO.
The Central Park Tour: New York, New York
Central Park covers 843 acres and has been featured in dozens of movies and TV shows. If you want the inside scoop on these locales, check out this two-hour walking tour. Locations include the Boathouse Café used in When Harry Met Sally, Bethesda Terrace from The Avengers, and the Bandshell from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
The East Village Walking Tour: New York, New York
It’s amazing how many movies have been filmed on location in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan. This two-hour walking tour won’t take you to all of them, of course, but it’s frequently updated with new locations. On your stroll down St. Marks Place, you’ll pass spots seen in TV shows such as Mad Men, Friends, and Broad City. From there, you’ll head to Veniero’s Pastry Shop, which you may recognize from scenes in Law & Order: SVU and Curb Your Enthusiasm. And if you need some coffee to go with your sweets, you can grab a cup at a shop seen in Spider-Man 2 and Sex and the City. (Hmm, think Carrie Bradshaw ever ran into Peter Parker while picking up a latte?)
The Harry Potter Walking Tour: London, England
Even muggles can get a taste for the magic of Harry Potter, thanks to this London walking tour. This unofficial tour takes you into sites such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square, as well as the location believed to have inspired Diagon Alley, where Harry and his friends purchased their school supplies for Hogwarts.
The London Filming Locations Tour: London, England
Adventurous tourists who want to make their own fun should follow travel blogger On the Luce’s comprehensive walking tour of London. While it's not an official walking tour, On the Luce shares specific directions and details so visitors can see sites made famous in movies such as 28 Days Later, Love, Actually, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
The Roman Holiday Walking Tour: Rome, Italy
The Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck classic Roman Holiday is a love letter to the Eternal City. If you want to see the locations Princess Ann and Joe Bradley explored on the big screen, this self-guided walking tour of Rome may be for you. Download the GPSMyCity app to get started, and turn your phone into your own personal tour guide as you explore the sites seen in the film.
Main photo by Song_about_summer/Shutterstock.
