Travel Edition

This newsletter is dedicated to all things travel. We’d love your feedback — reply to let us know what you think or to share travel content you’d like to see covered in a future edition.

🎬 Next stop: Beyond the big screen

From the Good Will Hunting bench to the South End Buttery. | Photo by BOStoday team

You can find the exact bench in the Boston Public Garden that was featured in this scene of “Good Will Hunting.” | Photo by BOStoday / Miramax Films

If you haven’t yet heard of “set-jetting” — a travel trend that’s taking the globe by storm — consider this your introduction.

Set-jetting is traveling to locations because of the iconic TV shows and movies that were filmed there. We’re not just talking about the production sets of LA or NYC; we mean “Jurassic Park” filming locations in Hawaii and iconic “Game of Thrones” spots across Ireland, Iceland, and Croatia.

But there are also plenty of remarkable filming locations across the contiguous 48 states. Cinephiles, take note of the TV shows and movies below + start planning a road trip to their filming locations.

Boston, MA

“Good Will Hunting”: One of this 1997 film’s most well-known scenes was filmed at the Boston Public Garden. Plus, enjoy a brew at L Street Tavern, where this renowned bar scene was filmed.
“Gone Baby Gone”: This 2007 drama was filmed in Boston and the surrounding towns, including Cambridge, South Boston, and Medford. Some of the filming locations included Meadow Glen Mall, the LoConte Skating Rink in Medford, and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.
“Spotlight”: Popular cafe South End Buttery was featured in the 2016 movie when Boston Globe reporter Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) met with a survivor of the Catholic Church scandals.

Here are more filming spots worth checking out. Bonus: Don’t miss the chance to visit this pub that inspired “Cheers.”

Durham Athletic Park sign — Many of the baseball scenes from “Bull Durham” were filmed at Durham Athletic Park.
|
Photo by Tim Bounds via Flickr

Raleigh, NC

“Bull Durham”: Durham Athletic Park (aka “The DAP”) and The Green Room in Durham, as well as Mitch’s Tavern in Raleigh, were featured in this 1988 movie starring Kevin Costner + Susan Sarandon.
“Patch Adams": The campus of UNC Chapel Hill was a filming spot for this film starring Robin Williams.
“The Exorcism” (2024): Initially called “The Georgetown Project,” this recently released horror flick was filmed less than two hours away from Raleigh in the coastal town of Wilmington. Locations included Dock Street, Front Street, Brooklyn Arts Center, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Find even more iconic filming locations across North Carolina.

Front shot of the Virginia Executive Mansion, from Lincoln movie — Exterior shots of Virginia’s Executive Mansion depicted President Abe Lincoln’s house in the movie “Lincoln.”
|
Photo by Taber Andrew Bain via Flickr

Richmond, VA

“Hannibal”: This “Silence of the Lambs” sequel starring Anthony Hopkins featured many Richmond scenes, including a Park Avenue house where Julianne Moore’s character lived + a Capitol Square locale as the serial killer’s cell.
“Lincoln”: Spot shots of Virginia’s Executive Mansion + the House of Delegates in the Virginia State Capitol in this 2012 drama about President Abraham Lincoln.
“Dawson’s Creek”: An episode of this 90s high school drama was filmed at the University of Richmond. In Season 3’s “First Encounters of the Close Time,” the characters make a college campus visit that features shots of UR’s Westhampton Lake, bell tower, and buildings.

Here’s a list of even more TV shows + movies filmed in Richmond.

Plus, filming locations in Winston-Salem + more

Which of the following places was not a filming location for the “Harry Potter” franchise?

A. London, England
B. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
C. Dublin, Ireland
D. Oxford, England

Cinephiles tap in

Travel Picks

Outdoors

Looking for a last-minute summer road trip idea? Take a jaunt to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the entire family. The park recently launched adaptive programming, making it more accessible for visitors with disabilities. The programming includes ranger-led events + rental opportunities for all-terrain wheelchairs. (USA Today)

Plan Ahead

Mark your calendar for the inaugural Food & Wine Classic in Charleston from Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 29. The festival will feature wine and cocktail seminars with renowned mixologists, 40+ celebrity chef cooking demos, and delicious bites from the Grand Tasting Pavilion. Get tickets + book your accommodations.

Tech

Trip planning capabilities are coming to Google’s AI software, Gemini. According to a video from Google, the tool will be able to produce a personalized travel itinerary based on your travel timeline, flight data, hotel bookings, interests, and more.

Transit

Uber has a new service called Uber Shuttle that will provide transportation to airports and large venues. The cost-effective shuttles will operate like a ticketed bus experience, accommodating 14-55 people per trip. The concept is initially launching in Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. Would you use this service if it came to Winston-Salem? (ABC News)

Fun Fact

Lawmakers recently passed a new Federal Aviation Administration bill that includes protections for those traveling by air. Think: minimum seat size requirements, flight vouchers, automatic refunds for canceled flights + better accessibility for fliers with disabilities. Fly to the details. (AFAR)

Ranked

No. 1. That’s where Enterprise Rent-A-Car ranked on USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 2024 list of best rental car companies. The company operates in ~100 countries and has a fleet of 1.7 million vehicles.

Read

There’s a lot more to Google Maps than, well, maps. While it’s stellar for driving directions, the app has tons of other features. From collaborating on a travel itinerary with friends to using an automated-reality function to see what’s around you, see what features you may be missing out on. (AFAR)

Shop

Calling all budget-conscious travelers. Don’t break the bank before your vacay. Save your hard-earned dollars for a hotel upgrade or an extra mojito by the pool when you opt to buy used travel gear instead of brand-new. Check out six online marketplaces. (AFAR)

Listen

Looking for a road trip podcast the whole car can agree on? Autio is a GPS app that plays three to five minute audio stories about the places you pass through. Stories cover geology, local culture, history, and are celebrity narrated. Bonus: Autio’s lifetime subscription is currently 50% off.*

Save

Don’t forget our favorite flight hack of all time: sign up for Going. You’ll receive emails when flights are 40-90% off, saving an average of $500 on international flights and $200 on domestic. Editors’ pick: the two week free trial of its Premium plan.*

🪪 Read this if you plan on traveling in 2025

Beginning on May 7, 2025 you will not be able to board a domestic flight without a REAL ID. | Graphic by 6AM City

The real REAL ID deadline is quickly approaching. After being pushed back for over a decade, the Dept. of Homeland Security’s most recent extension of the deadline brings it to May 7, 2025. What does this mean for you? You’ll need to get a new, special ID in order to travel domestically. Before we tell you how to get one, let’s dive into the why you’ll need one.

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.” As a result, individuals must meet a minimum security standard to receive a state-issued driver’s license and identification card — and these must be used when taking a domestic flight or accessing federal facilities.

Are you REAL ID ready? Take this 30-second quiz to find out, or check your current driver’s license or state ID — if it has a star in the upper right-hand corner, you’re all set. To learn how to get a REAL ID, go to your state’s driver’s licensing agency website.

The Buy

Your summer trip wardrobe, unlocked

Here’s what to pack for road trips, day trips, and summer adventures:

🩳 For a put-together look that still provides comfort in the car or on the go, these linen palazzo pants are $12 a pop.

👖 Elevate your travel style on a much-loved travel pant with these straight leg cargo pants from Nordstrom.

👗 Need a dinner dress? Choose your favorite pattern of this off-the-shoulder maxi.

☀️ Stock up on UV-protected driving glasses in your favorite shade.

🎒 Bring along the perfect travel tote bag, created by a mother-daughter team.

🥿 Go for a comfortable walking sandal that lets toes breathe.

Highlighted

Feedback on Today's Newsletter

Did you like today’s newsletter?

😍 Loved it 🙂 Solid effort 😞 Changes needed

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

You received this email because you are signed up for newsletters from 6AM City.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.