Visiting Film-Inspired Destinations

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

An important battle between the First Order and the Resistance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi was filmed in Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. In the film it is a fictional mineral world called Crait, but, in reality, it is the worlds largest salt flat. A prehistoric lake drying up and leaving behind a salt desert likely created Salar De Uyuni. Fans of the film should visit this unique destination and marvel at the geological wonder; if you’re lucky, you’ll visit on a rainy day and witness the salt desert resemble a mirror.

Dunkirk, France: Dunkirk

Dunkirk was a fantastic film directed by Christopher Nolan, known for creating breathtaking films such as Interstellar and Inception. His latest movie was shot in Dunkirk, France, based on the Battle of Dunkirk. You can follow the path soldiers took to get through the city to the beach, and, if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll recognize key places. Other sites to visit include a museum dedicated to the Battle of Dunkirk and a memorial for the 4,528 men that did not survive and were not given marked graves.

Sylva, N.C.: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri used multiple small towns in North Carolina for filming. Sylva, N.C.’s, main street and several stores were featured and are now advertised as tourist attractions. Fans of the movie will be pleased the town in the movie wasn’t a fake set built in Hollywood. It is an hour drive from Asheville, a popular city for visitors. Also nearby is The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which has numerous trails, fishing streams and stunning views.