Skip to main content

Four TV-inspired Travel Destinations Worth Hopping a Flight for

The most binge-worthy TV shows feature some of the world’s most jaw-dropping backdrops.

Many are real-world destinations that have inspired a new level of obsession where fans are no longer content to simply watch at home. They now need to fully immerse themselves in their favorite fantasy world. Here are four of the best television-inspired travel destinations worth hopping a plane for.

Related:

Westworld (Utah)

dead horse state park
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The $40,000 daily admission fee to Westworld is a bit steep for most mortal men. But the real-world locations featured on the hit show can be easily visited with a quick flight to Utah. Dead Horse Point State Park — arguably the most beautiful in the entire state — features prominently throughout the show. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, head to the park visitor center just outside Moab. Meander along the 1.5-mile East Rim Trail to iconic Dead Horse Point, perched 2,000 feet over a gooseneck turn in the Colorado River. It’s simultaneously one of the easiest and most spectacular hikes in the United States.

Good to know: The view at sunset — overlooking the stunning buttes and pinnacles of Canyonlands National Park — is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world.

Game of Thrones (Ireland / Northern Ireland)

Generic-Northern-Ireland-Giants-Causeway-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With impossibly green hills, hundreds of preserved, centuries-old castles, and a picture-perfect air of fantasy-meets-reality, the whole of Ireland is a fitting landscape for HBO’s Game of Thrones. Ballintoy Harbour, a cave system in Cushendun, and Giant’s Causeway (a World Heritage Site) are among the featured destinations. The country has become such a hotspot for so-called “Thronies” (yes, that’s a thing) that large-scale GoT Exhibitions are held in Belfast each year.

Good to know: The aptly named Game of Thrones Tours provides niche tours to some of the show’s most breathtaking — and hard to reach destinations — including the “real” Westeros, the Iron Islands, and Winterfell.

Breaking Bad (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sure, Breaking Bad may have ended. But, the show left an indelible mark on Albuquerque that the city will likely never escape from. Taking a themed tour, shopping for Walter White-inspired “Let’s Cook!” chef’s aprons, and a stop at the candy store that provided the famous, ultra-pure “blue meth” — they’re all de rigueur experiences for fans of the show. Kitschy? Sure. But, until Vince Gilligan delivers a sixth season, these are the only things we have left to cling to.

Good to know: The woman who lives in the real life White residence still occasionally has pizzas tossed onto her roof by rabid (and clearly asocial) fans.

Lost (Oahu, Hawaii)

Kualoa Ranch - Oahu Hawaii - Glidecam & DJI Phantom

Like Breaking Bad, Lost may have ended years ago, but The Island lives on in many fan’s minds. Oahu’s famous Kualoa Ranch served as the backdrop for many of the series’ most memorable scenes, including a few of the Dharma Initiative stations, many of the stream and water-crossing scenes, and a golf course as well. The massive property can be toured via the Hollywood’s “Hawaii Backlot” Tour. Countless additional scenes were filmed throughout the island in other well-known locations such as Mānoa Falls Trail, Waialua Sugar Mill, and even Diamond Head.

Good to know: Once filming wrapped, many of the actors chose to continue living on the island.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
These are the best travel shoes (so you don’t waste any space in your luggage)
Every globetrotter needs reliable kicks for exploring In comfort
best travel shoes globe trotting guy lems boulder boot in timber edited recropped

Whether you’re roaming the ancient streets of Istanbul or pub-crawling in Paris, a good pair of shoes may arguably be the most important item a traveler can pack (or wear). On the other hand, these kicks tend to be the bulkiest item in your suitcase. Choosing wisely what to put on your feet can’t be understated. Here are the best travel shoes to consider for your next trip.

One big note here: a few of these companies are low or sold out of stock. All that we can say is that shopping requires patience nowadays. The times be what the times be.

Read more
The Best Travel Gear for Domestic and International Trips
A man traveling with a suitcase that's filled with the best travel gear because he read this list.

In 2020, travel was nil. Then in 2021, everyone was still staying pretty close to home. Now in 2022, most borders are open, travel restrictions are ending, and people are hitting the road and taking to the skies in growing numbers. If you're among them, you're probably thinking that now is a good time to update some of the travel gear that you haven't used since the twenty-teens. To that end, we're looking at the 2022 travel essentials, whether you'll be out for a weekend, taking the week off for a domestic vacation, or jetting for a prolonged international adventure.

You can travel with confidence knowing that these suggestions are authentically awesome. The writer of this piece has spent the past decade traveling non-stop and has written about travel gear for the likes of Popular Science, Afar, the Daily Beast, Thrillist, Men's Health, and more. He's constantly testing out the latest releases from the industry's top brands and knows exactly what you need for every type of travel.

Read more
The Best Spring Break Beach Destinations for 2022
The tide pools at Arroyo Burro County Beach, Santa Barbara, California.

Spring break season is about to begin, and travelers have already begun to book flights for their spring break coastal getaways. We already know which beaches will attract the largest and wildest crowds. If you’re not in the mood to revisit your college student glory days, or even if you simply want to try somewhere new, where should you go?

Fortunately, we have some answers. Come along with us as we travel across America for spring break beach destinations.
Is it Time to Change Your Spring Break Travel Routine?
Photo by Andrew Davey Andrew Davey/The Manual

Read more