Chicago
The Lake House (2006)So many Chicago hotspots were showcased in this movie – the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza, Michigan Avenue, Grant Park, the bridges over the Chicago river. One scene takes Kate (Sandra Bullock) on a walking tour, past stunning examples of local architecture. Christopher Plummer, who plays Alex’s (Keanu Reeves) architect father, has one of my favourite lines. He says the most important quality in architecture is “always the light. Always.” Take an architecture tour for your own light-filled experience.• Also filmed in the area: Sixteen Candles, The Untouchables, Source Code, Couples Retreat, The Break-Up
Seattle
The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)The scenes in this movie that were filmed in Belltown, Pioneer Square and the Roosevelt Hotel all pull you into this great Pacific Northwest city. Seattle is a walking city and the Underground city tour takes you through subterranean passages that used to be the city’s main streets – where you can see the storefronts and learn the origin of the term “skid row”. From the current street level, you can see [amazon asin=B000K8EQ5W&template=*lrc ad (right)]Mount Rainier, the Space Needle and Elliott Bay. Pike Place Market has the original Starbucks, but you’ll never run out of places for great coffee.• Also filmed in the area: Sleepless In Seattle, An Officer and a Gentleman, 10 Things I Hate About You
Asheville, North Carolina
Being There (1979)I’ve seen more US attractions than I can count, yet the Biltmore Estate remains my favourite. Built between 1889 and 1895, America’s largest privately owned residence is used extensively as a location in Being There, starring Peter Sellers. At 175,000 sq ft, with 250 rooms, it’s insanely opulent. This is a house you’ll talk about for the rest of your life – it’s that magnificent. The audio tour makes this spectacular chateau come alive. Or try a behind the scenes visit: ourstate.com/biltmore-insiders-tour.• Also filmed in the area: The Hunger Games, The Last of the Mohicans, Patch Adams, Richie Rich
Detroit
Transformers (2007)It’s sad to see a crumbling city, but Detroit’s ghostly existence is the reason it’s one of my favourites: it is littered with pre-depression-era buildings in varying states of disrepair. Michigan Central [amazon asin=B000LP6KMQ&template=*lrc ad (right)]Station is a spectacular display not just of Beaux-Arts architecture, but also of the city’s ruin, and Transformers offers a glimpse of the once-amazing interior. There’s still hope that the birthplace of Motown will revive, but it lives on in photographs and memories (motownmuseum.org).• Also filmed in the area: Dreamgirls, 8 Mile, Beverly Hills Cop, Four Brothers
Philadelphia
Rocky (1976)Who can forget Rocky Balboa running through Philadelphia, children cheering, the Gonna Fly Now theme pulsing? The run ends with Rocky boxing air at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. People come from all over the world in order to run up those steps. Visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the US constitution were signed and where Rocky jumped a park bench, stroll through the Italian Market in South Philly (seen in multiple Rocky movies), and have a Cheesesteak at Pat’s King of Steaks where Rocky ate in the first movie. • Also filmed in the area: Silver Linings Playbook, The Sixth Sense,National Treasure, Philadelphia
