Love this Year’s Critically Acclaimed Films? Visit the Spots Where They Took Place Mary Zakheim February 16, 2017 Travel Guide We love film. You love film. We love film. Glad we’ve got that straightened out. So we take it that you’ve seen all of the top critically acclaimed films from last year — from the beautifully sweeping shots in Lion to the poignant and breathtaking Moonlight to the cheery musical La La Land — and are itching to see where these fantastic films were shot. You’re in luck! We have a roundup of all of the places you should check out on your next trip to LA, Miami, Tasmania, and more. Ryan Gosling not included. Sorry. La La Land — Los Angeles, California Ready to dance your way through LA? Don’t miss the cinematic beauty of the Griffith Observatory — the spot where Mia and Sebastian float gracefully about on one of their dates roaming the planetarium. Other hot spots to check out: Grand Central Market for a quick bite, practice your best dance moves on Hermosa Pier, listen to live jazz at the Lighthouse Cafe, and try not to get too angry when you’re stuck in traffic on the Century Freeway. Moonlight — Miami, Florida See Miami through Chiron’s eyes. Of course, nobody should go to Miami without visiting Miami Beach — and head south to experience the famous South Beach. Viewers will recognize Virginia Key Beach as the spot where Chiron learns to swim, and Jimmy’s Eastside Diner in the city’s MiMo neighborhood, where the reunion in the film’s final chapter takes place. While you’re there, take a ride on the Metromover, Miami’s free (and wonderfully bright) public transit system that’s featured in the film. Hidden Figures — Hampton, Virginia Though the actual film was filmed mostly in Atlanta, the real women worked at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The city’s Hampton History Museum recently opened an exhibit in honor of the film and the real-life inspiration called “When the Computer Wore a Skirt: NASA’s Human Computers”. Also pay the Virginia Air & Space Center a visit to learn more about the women who put John Glenn into orbit. A bench in Carousel Park across from the Air & Space Center is even dedicated to Katherine Johnson, one of the women featured in the film. Fences — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Adapted from the August Wilson play of the same name, Fences is set in Wilson’s own hometown — Pittsburgh. Visit Wilson’s childhood home at 1727 Bedford Avenue, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The August Wilson Center — a performing arts center that features a theater, art galleries, and other exhibits — is another must-see for fans. The city’s historically African-American Hill District also offers many walking tour options in the neighborhood as well. Lion — Kolkata, Tasmania, and Google Maps The film’s protagonist, five-year old Saroo Brierly, gets lost when he mistakenly takes a train into Kolkata — the city’s beautifully chaotic Howrah Station is the oldest rail station in India and worth a long visit. Once Saroo gets adopted by an Australian couple, he lives in Hobart, Tasmania — a scenic, striking, and uncrowded capital city. In Hobart, Mount Wellington is a must-see, as is Cape Huay and Bruny Island, for any outdoor enthusiasts. Hacksaw Ridge — Okinawa, Japan Pay tribute to the estimated 200,000 people who were killed — of which, more that 100,000 were civilians — in the Battle of Okinawa at the Peace Memorial Park, in the southern part of the island. There is a museum and monuments on the spanning grounds that pay homage to all of the fallen soldiers and civilians.