The festive season is in full swing, and for lovers of Christmas films this really is the most wonderful time of year!
Everyone has their own favourite yuletide flick, but we’ve put together a list of 7 Christmas film locations that will give you some holiday inspiration for your travel bucket list.
Falling for Christmas (Park City, Utah)
This cute/cheesy (depending on your take) rom com launched on Netflix in November 2022. It has no shortage of festive feels as Lindsay Lohan’s lead character undergoes a character transformation after a bout of amnesia. Featuring jaw dropping luxury ski resorts and ridiculously cosy mountain lodges, this Christmas film will have you googling Winter holidays before it reaches its happy ending!
If you fancy hitting the same slopes as Lindsay Lohan or enjoying some Christmas cheer in the mountain air, then you’ll need to head to Park City Utah, where this cheery film was shot. Boasting 17 slopes and 300 trails, this super sized ski resort is the largest in the USA. The nearest airport to Park City is, Salt Lake City, which has regular direct flights from London. So, if you are looking for love or just some great ski/snowboard action then contact one of our ski specialists in Tunbridge Wells.
Home Alone (Winnetka, Illinois)
It’s not the best advert for a festive family holiday, but this slapstick Christmas classic is a firm favourite with the younger travellers in our house! Fellow fans of Home Alone will want to make a pilgrimage to the sleepy suburb of Winnetka, Illinois, specifically to 671 Lincoln Avenue. Here they will find the on screen home of the McAllister family.
Each year this sizable abode attracts thousands of sightseers that come to take selfies with the iconic mansion in the background. If you want to make a visit to Winnetka, you can include this as part of a Christmas city break to Chicago, or wait until summer when you will be able to include this as part of a Route 66 Road Trip. Just don’t forget the kids please!
It’s a Wonderful Life (Seneca Falls, New York)
This heart warming Christmas classic has been passing on its upbeat message since it was first released in 1946. If you want to go looking for your own Guardian Angel, you will have a hard time finding the fictional town of Bedford Falls though. Frank Capra’s snow dusted film was shot entirely on a Hollywood studio set! Don’t despair though, as this magical movie was inspired by the very upstate New York town of Seneca Falls.
Sharp eyed viewers will recall that the film references the nearby locations of Buffalo and Rochester (Seneca is midway between these). It also shares some strikingly similarities in terms of its architecture – including the steel girder bridge which George contemplated his life from. The town has its own museum dedicated to the film. Take a look and you’ll find memorabilia and photos f, documenting Seneca’s connection to the film. Each December the museum holds a celebration that is attended by members of the cast.
If you would like to visit Seneca then get in touch with one of our team who will be able to include this as part of a tailor-made American Road Trip – the town can be combined with Niagara Falls, Syracuse, The Finger Lakes region or The Catskill Mountains. Making this a truly ‘wonderful’ holiday!
Die Hard (Los Angeles, California)
There’s been more blogs debating the virtues of Die Hard as Christmas film, than there have been sequels to this 80’s action blockbuster! Rather than debate its festive credentials we are here to help you pinpoint the location of the Nakatomi Plaza. Still standing strong, this 34 storey tower is better known as Fox Plaza. Located on Hollywood Boulevard in the centre of Los Angeles, its a striking landmark. Much of the film was shot in and around this skyscraper (it was actually built by Fox for use as a film set), so ahem ‘die hard’ fans of this movie may recognise some of the nearby locations. LA isn’t quite warm enough for winter sunshine, so we would recommend that you save your visit for a summery California Road Trip. Just in case you were wondering – there’s no doubt that Die Hard is a Christmas Film. Yippee-Kay-Yay!
Miracle on 34th Street (New York City, New York)
The title is a bit of a giveaway with this one! In case you were not sure, the 34th street featured in this Christmas classic is on Manhattan, New York. Home of Macy’s! See if you recognise any locations from this festive film. Many scenes were shot on location at this world famous department store. The opening scenes also used live footage from the 1946 Thanksgiving parade. November and December are the perfect time of year to visit New York for a pre-Christmas shopping break. You’ll find festive window displays and twinkly lights aplenty. Shoppers will also relish the chance to grab a Black Friday bargain! Skate on the cities shiny ice rinks and browse unique Christmas markets. If you would like some help planning a New York City break, then get in touch. One of our team who will be happy to help you any time of year.
White Christmas (Vermont)
Most of our travellers head to Vermont in search of autumnal colour. If you’re dreaming of a White Christmas then this is the place to be! Just don’t expect to find ‘Pine Tree’ and the quaint ‘Pine Tree Inn’. These fictional locations were filmed on a theatrical set in sunny Hollywood! Don’t be disappointed though as there’s no shortage of cosy B&B’s and rustic inn’s in this part of New England. Head to the towns of Woodstock, Burlington, Stowe or Chester for a smorgasbord of winter activities. You can ski, snowboard, skate or take carriage rides through snowy streets! If winter is not your thing then these mountain towns are just as beautiful in the summer months.
Love Actually (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
This hit British offering follows the happy moments and heartbreaks which unfold at Christmas time. One strand of the many plots which run through this 2003 Rom com follows Colin. The unlucky in love character, to Wisconsin, USA where by chance he meets the girl(s) of his dreams! We can’t guarantee you will find love, but we can help you meet the locals and enjoy some stunning scenery. You’ll find lush forests, colossal sand dunes and picturesque towns on a tour of Lake Michigan. Speak to one of our team about a tailor-made self drive holiday to the Great Lakes
