New Jersey Works with Oklahoma, Georgia and More US States Turning Screen and Film Tourism Into a New Travel Experience

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New Jersey works with Oklahoma, Georgia and more US states to expand screen and film tourism. Together, these destinations turn familiar movies and television locations into a new travel experience. As a result, travellers can follow famous stories, explore real filming sites, discover local attractions and build journeys around cinematic history.

New Jersey’s rich film and television history takes center stage this fall with the launch of the official New Jersey Film Trails, a new tourism platform on VisitNJ.org, connecting iconic movies and TV shows with the Garden State locations where they were filmed. Created by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism (NJTT), in consultation with the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, the New Jersey Film Trailsinvite fans, residents, and travelers to explore memorable filming locations, uncover the stories behind the scenes, and discover the local dining, shopping, and attractions located nearby. 

New Jersey Launches Film Trails Connecting Iconic Movie Locations With Real-World Travel Experiences

New Jersey is turning its screen history into a new tourism experience, inviting film and television fans to visit the real locations behind famous productions through newly launched New Jersey Film Trails.

What Are the New Jersey Film Trails?

The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, working with the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, has launched the New Jersey Film Trails on VisitNJ.org. The platform connects films and television shows with locations across the Garden State, helping visitors turn familiar screen settings into real travel itineraries.

The initiative combines interactive maps, filming-location stories and practical suggestions for nearby restaurants, shops, attractions and communities. Rather than simply identifying where a scene was filmed, the trails encourage visitors to spend time in the surrounding destinations.

The programme launches with three themed experiences covering horror, family entertainment and romance.

Explore New Jersey’s Movie Magic through Seasonal Film Trails 

The New Jersey Film Trails online hub features interactive maps, behind-the-scenes stories, and detailed travel itineraries that make it easy to explore New Jersey’s on-screen history. The platform is launching with three uniquely curated experiences: 

●      Spooky Season Trail: Perfect for horror fans and thrill seekers, the Spooky Season Trail takes fans to New Jersey locations featured in iconic horror films, from “Friday the 13th”and “The Amityville Horror” to “I Saw the TV Glow.” Along the way, visitors can grab a coffee at the Blairstown Diner, order a ripper at Rutt’s Hut or stroll the Sunken Garden at Georgian Court University. 

●      Holiday & Family Feel-Good Trail: Designed for families and holiday travelers, this trail connects beloved seasonal movies and family classics with festive New Jersey destinations, from charming downtowns and shopping districts to cozy local stops. Featuring movies such as “BIG,” “Annie,” “The Perfect Holiday,” and “The Preacher’s Wife,” the trail offers ideas for winter day trips and weekend getaways. Visitors can explore the grand estate grounds of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, which served as Daddy Warbucks’ mansion in “Annie,”or discover the historic downtown locations featured in “The Preacher’s Wife”in Newark. 

●      Fall in Love Trail: Romance fans can hit the road for a cinematic getaway through romantic comedies, dramas, and love stories filmed across New Jersey. Inspired by movies including “Atlantic City,” “Big Night,” and “Chasing Amy,” the trail pairs memorable movie locations with opportunities to enjoy local food, scenic destinations, and charming communities. Couples and rom-com fans can stroll the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk and browse local comic shops and explore coastal spots in Asbury Park and Red Bank, which are both featured in “Chasing Amy.” 

How Does the Spooky Season Trail Explore New Jersey?

The Spooky Season Trail focuses on New Jersey locations associated with horror films, making it particularly relevant during the Halloween season. Featured productions include Friday the 13th, The Amityville Horror and I Saw the TV Glow.

Travellers can combine filming-location visits with stops at local businesses and attractions. Suggested experiences include coffee at the Blairstown Diner, a visit to Rutt’s Hut for its famous ripper and a walk through the Sunken Garden at Georgian Court University.

The trail demonstrates how film tourism can connect screen culture with local visitor spending and community experiences.

Which Films Feature on the Holiday and Family Trail?

The Holiday & Family Feel-Good Trail links seasonal and family-friendly productions with destinations suitable for winter day trips and short breaks. Films highlighted by the trail include BIG, Annie, The Perfect Holiday and The Preacher’s Wife.

One notable stop is Monmouth University in West Long Branch, whose estate grounds portrayed Daddy Warbucks’ mansion in Annie. Newark also features through historic locations seen in The Preacher’s Wife, giving visitors opportunities to combine cinematic interest with exploration of the city.

Where Can Romance Fans Follow the Fall in Love Trail?

The Fall in Love Trail brings together romantic films and New Jersey destinations, including locations connected with Atlantic City, Big Night and Chasing Amy.

Visitors can explore the Atlantic City Boardwalk before travelling towards Asbury Park and Red Bank, both associated with Chasing Amy. The itinerary combines film history with coastal scenery, restaurants, independent businesses and local attractions.

What Is Planned for October’s Horror Campaign?

The launch will receive additional attention through an October campaign involving Audacy and filmmaker and digital creator Johnny Mingione. Across four weekly chapters, Mingione will explore horror filming locations through video, radio and social media content.

A sweepstakes beginning on October 5 will offer a major Friday the 13th themed prize, including an overnight New Jersey stay and a Crystal Lake Tours experience at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, the private location used for the original 1980 film.

The initiative gives New Jersey another way to convert its extensive film heritage into tourism experiences while directing visitors towards local communities and businesses.

“New Jersey’s variety of landscapes and locations, from charming main streets and bustling city blocks to rugged mountains and vast farmland, are a major asset for the state’s film and television industry, ensuring producers can find the perfect locale for their next feature film,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss. “The newest cohort of Film Ready Communities will be prepared for the industry’s continued growth, which will support Governor Sherril’s vision to create jobs for residents, support small businesses, and drive meaningful economic growth in municipalities across the Garden State.” 

The 15 new Film Ready Communities announced today are Edison, Fanwood, Garwood, Hamilton, Hanover, Highland Park, Hightstown, Lambertville, New Brunswick, Newton, Oceanport, Phillipsburg, Randolph, Robbinsville, and Shrewsbury. Along with the previous Film Ready cohorts announced in March 2024 and August 2025, New Jersey now has 58 Film Ready Communities.

“As film and television production continues to break records in New Jersey, local communities need to be prepared to handle the unique needs of the industry,” said NJMPTVC Executive Director Jon Crowley. “The Film Ready Program establishes statewide consistency and provides expert guidance on everything from permitting to public safety management, strengthening the state’s industry leadership as more producers choose the Garden State for their next big production.”

Utah Builds A Statewide Film Tourism Trail

Utah has developed one of America’s most recognisable state-level film tourism programmes through the Utah Film Trail.

The state has long attracted filmmakers because of its deserts, mountains, national parks, small towns and distinctive Western landscapes. Those locations now provide a foundation for visitors interested in the productions that used them.

The trail includes locations associated with films and television productions ranging from Thelma & Louise and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to The Sandlot, High School Musical and Yellowstone.

Official tourism itineraries allow visitors to combine cinematic locations with Utah’s established outdoor tourism infrastructure. A traveller following a film route can therefore move between filming locations, scenic drives, hiking destinations, communities, accommodation and restaurants.

The Utah model demonstrates how screen tourism can complement rather than compete with a destination’s existing attractions.

Georgia Connects Television Fame With Local Communities

Georgia has become another major US screen tourism destination, with Explore Georgia promoting filming locations through its Georgia Film Trail concept.

The state has been used extensively for film and television production, particularly around Atlanta and communities such as Covington, Conyers, Rome, Valdosta, Madison, Dahlonega, Douglasville and Columbus.

Television fans can explore locations associated with productions including The Vampire Diaries, The Originals and The Hunger Games. Covington, for example, has developed a strong tourism identity around The Vampire Diaries.

The important feature of Georgia’s model is its community focus. Film locations are connected with downtown areas, restaurants, historic buildings, shopping and other attractions, encouraging visitors to spend time within the destination rather than simply stopping for a photograph.

This turns television recognition into a broader economic opportunity for local tourism businesses.

California Expands Hollywood Beyond The Studio

California has an obvious advantage in screen tourism because of its association with Hollywood, but the state’s approach extends well beyond studio attractions.

Visit California promotes filming locations across its travel regions, giving visitors opportunities to discover the real settings behind films and television productions.

The state’s cinematic tourism offering includes road trips connecting locations associated with productions such as The Birds, American Graffiti, Sideways, The Big Bang Theory and Yellowjackets.

California’s geography makes this particularly suitable for road-based screen tourism. Visitors can combine a famous filming location with beaches, wine regions, deserts, mountain communities, museums and major cities.

The result is a tourism model in which the film becomes the inspiration for the journey rather than the sole attraction.

North Carolina Uses Film And Television To Promote Coastal Tourism

North Carolina has developed a strong relationship between screen production and destination marketing, particularly around Wilmington and the state’s coastal communities.

The state promotes locations connected with productions including One Tree Hill, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Safe Haven and Nights in Rodanthe.

For fans, the attraction is often the opportunity to experience places that have become recognisable through television and cinema. For destinations, the value comes from introducing audiences to communities they may not previously have considered for a holiday.

Wilmington’s screen heritage is particularly relevant because visitors can combine filming-location exploration with beaches, historic districts, restaurants and other coastal attractions.

North Carolina therefore illustrates how screen tourism can support an existing leisure destination while adding another layer of storytelling.

Oklahoma Combines Screen Heritage With Museums And Small-Town Tourism

Oklahoma has taken a different approach by linking film history with museums, historic communities and the state’s distinctive landscapes.

Travel Oklahoma highlights productions including Killers of the Flower Moon, Twister, The Outsiders, Where the Red Fern Grows and August: Osage County.

The Twister connection is particularly visible in Wakita, where the Twister Museum commemorates the 1996 film and its relationship with the community.

Tulsa also has an important connection with The Outsiders, while other productions have created links between rural Oklahoma and screen audiences.

This model shows how film tourism can help smaller destinations attract visitors who might otherwise overlook them. A production can become a reason to visit a community, while museums, restaurants, historic sites and nearby attractions extend the visitor’s stay.

Maine Promotes A Longer Film Heritage

Maine offers a more heritage-focused version of screen tourism.

The state has been associated with filmmaking for generations, and Visit Maine promotes filming locations alongside cinemas, cultural attractions and film festivals.

Productions associated with the state include Empire Falls, Five Nights in Maine and Beneath the Harvest Sky.

Rather than depending entirely on blockbuster productions, Maine can use the broader history of filmmaking as part of its cultural tourism narrative.

This approach is particularly relevant for destinations where scenery, literature, historic communities and independent culture already form an important part of the visitor experience.

Pennsylvania Turns Iconic Screen Moments Into Attractions

Pennsylvania demonstrates how a single famous cinematic moment can become an enduring tourism asset.

Philadelphia’s Rocky Steps, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, remain one of the best-known examples of screen-inspired visitor activity in the United States. The location associated with Rocky has become part of the city’s wider sightseeing experience, alongside the Rocky statue and other attractions connected with the character and films.

The Pennsylvania model does not necessarily require an extensive statewide film trail. Instead, an iconic screen moment can be incorporated into an established city tourism itinerary.

Visitors may arrive because of the film but continue exploring museums, historic districts, restaurants and neighbourhoods.

Louisiana Connects Production With Destination Development

Louisiana, particularly New Orleans, has developed a substantial film and television production ecosystem, creating opportunities for destinations to build tourism around screen heritage.

New Orleans’ architecture, streets, cemeteries, neighbourhoods and distinctive cultural landscape have appeared in numerous productions.

The city’s screen identity can complement established attractions such as its food culture, music, historic architecture and festivals. This makes film tourism an additional storytelling tool rather than a standalone tourism product.

The broader state film infrastructure also provides a foundation for local communities to identify and promote filming locations.

Why Are US States Investing In Screen Tourism?

The growing interest in screen tourism reflects a change in how travellers discover destinations.

A successful film or television series can introduce millions of viewers to a location without traditional tourism advertising. When audiences develop an emotional connection with a story, some want to see the places where that story was created.

For destinations, the opportunity is to convert that interest into an actual visitor journey.

A filming location can become the starting point for a road trip. A television series can inspire a weekend break. A famous movie building can become one stop within a city itinerary.

The strongest programmes also connect screen locations with local restaurants, hotels, attractions, retailers, museums and outdoor experiences.

How The US Screen Tourism Model Is Evolving

The examples across the United States reveal several distinct approaches.

New Jersey is creating dedicated themed trails. Utah is using a statewide trail and cinematic road trips. Georgia is spreading screen tourism across individual communities. California is incorporating filming locations into extensive road-trip itineraries. North Carolina is connecting television locations with coastal holidays, while Oklahoma uses museums and local heritage to deepen the experience.

These models demonstrate that there is no single formula for screen tourism.

The common element is the conversion of screen recognition into physical travel.

For visitors, the appeal is straightforward: they can step into places they have previously encountered only through a screen. For destinations, the opportunity is broader, allowing film and television to become gateways to local culture, hospitality, food, shopping and attractions.

As streaming platforms continue to distribute American productions to international audiences, the potential audience for these experiences is no longer limited to domestic travellers. A viewer in the UK, Europe or another international market may discover a US destination through a television series and subsequently add its filming locations to a future holiday.

New Jersey, Oklahoma, Georgia and more US states are turning screen and film tourism into a new travel experience. By connecting famous productions with real destinations, these states encourage visitors to explore beyond the screen. This approach also supports local businesses while giving travellers new reasons to discover America’s cinematic landscapes.

That makes screen tourism an increasingly relevant component of destination marketing — and explains why New Jersey, Utah, Georgia, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Maine, Pennsylvania and Louisiana are turning their screen histories into new reasons to travel.