Follow in Virginia's Movie Stars Footsteps 

8 nights

 

Catch one of many direct flights from any number of major international destinations to Washington Dulles International Airport located in Chantilly, Virginia, just 30 miles from our nation’s capital. The airport’s location is exceptionally handy for your first stop in Fairfax County.

Located on airport property and just miles from the terminals, you’ll find The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Centre, the sister museum to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in downtown D.C. The Centre was chosen as the location for one of the climactic scenes in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen because the facility is home to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet in the world. You’ll not only be able to capture a selfie with the Blackbird on the very floor they filmed the movie, but you can also grab a shot of the space shuttle Discovery while you’re there, along with a multitude of other planes and artifacts.

Just 20 miles down the road is McLean, home to Langley and the CIA, and where parts of Argo were filmed. The movie starring and directed by Ben Affleck received the 2013 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Achievement in Film Editing. While you likely can’t gain access to the CIA (unless you’re an agent, that is!) you can grab a selfie outside the gates. Plus there is lots to do in nearby Tysons Corner, home to some of the best shopping in the capital region, not to mention the new Capital One Centre where you can grab a craft beer at The Perch or take in a little live music, comedy or even a Broadway show. Tysons Corner is also home to four Metrorail stations, making it the perfect home base for travels around northern Virginia.

Only 20 miles from Tysons and on the Metrorail line is Alexandria, also known as Old Town - one location for the recent filming of Wonder Woman 1984. Check out this self-guided stroll of Old Town’s TV and movie locations, for easy intel on a load of selfie sites. You’ll also discover quickly that Alexandria’s rich history and beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture, combined with 200 independent restaurants and boutiques, make it an ideal place to spend a day, or more.

Less than 10 miles south of Alexandria sits George Washington’s Mount Vernon, site for the filming of National Treasure: Book of Secrets. A visit to America’s first presidential home is a reason to come to Virginia all by itself, but a selfie with the mansion in the background to compare with the scene from the movie is especially fun! Additional shots for the movie were captured at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria.

Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center boasts upscale design and a stellar location at the elevated outdoor Plaza of Tysons Corner Center. Stroll to hundreds of high-end restaurants and boutiques adjacent to the hotel or catch a 20-minute train ride into Washington, D.C. from Tysons Corner Metro Station on the Silver Line.

It’s time for a change of scene, so set out for Richmond. Along the route stop off at Quantico, Virginia – home of the FBI Academy - where The Silence of the Lambs was filmed, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. The 1992 Academy loved the feature film, awarding five Oscars for the following categories: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Director, and Best Writing. Quantico is also home to numerous TV dramas through the years, though most make up their own sets and pretend to be on location. However, what is on location, adjacent to the Quantico Marine Corps Base, and well worth a stop, is the National Museum of the Marine Corps, highlighting the history of the U.S. Marines.

Richmond, and the adjacent city of Petersburg, have played host to numerous small- and big-screen features, not the least of which was Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN, which won an Academy Award for Production Design, while Daniel Day-Lewis, whom portrayed Abraham Lincoln, took home the Best Actor award. There are so many fantastic selfie spots for this flick there are guided tours, including a Segway Tour, that covers Lincoln’s path while in the state capital.  

As you walk around Richmond you’ll discover a wealth of historic buildings including The Jefferson Hotel, the shops in Shockoe Bottom, and even Virginia’s State Capitol building, which have been featured in LINCOLN, the Showtime hit drama Homeland, and many other productions. The streets of beautiful Old Towne Petersburg also reveal numerous sets, as the location for not only parts of LINCOLN but also the recent Academy Award nominee for best picture Harriet, based on the life of Harriet Tubman. 

Renee Zellweger won the Oscar in 2004 for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in Cold Mountain alongside Jude Law and Nicole Kidman. The movie was filmed in Richmond and nearby Williamsburg. Easy selfies can be secured on Belle Isle, in the James River in the very heart of Richmond – also a great place for hiking, biking, kayaking and white-water rafting.

Linden Row Inn is a 70-room boutique historic hotel located in the heart of downtown Richmond. Conveniently located at First & Franklin Streets, the hotel is just minutes away from all major attractions in the capital area. In a city where history abounds, Linden Row Inn stands alone in offering its guests the "True Richmond" experience.

**********

Let’s head waterside for our next group of movie-sets, to the Hampton Roads region including Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

The Oscar nominee for Best Film, Captain Phillips starring Tom Hanks, filmed off the coast of Virginia Beach with the assistance of the U.S. Navy at Naval Station Norfolk. The scenes filmed are those involving the dramatic rescue by the Navy SEALs. Tour the naval base from the water side on the Victory Rover to catch some selfies with the ships of America’s naval fleet in the background as well as to learn all about the base, the largest naval complex in the world.  

A short 30-mile drive across the Chesapeake Bay from Norfolk is Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and most of those 30 miles are spent over - or under - the water, on the world-renowned Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, lauded as one of the world’s engineering marvels. As you take in the beauty of the Bay, pretend you’re Tom Cruise, working to escape that destructive missile attack in Mission Impossible III, which was shot on the bridge. But before you set out, remind yourself of the scene, to be sure you get the right framing.

The Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club has welcomed travellers to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for nearly 100 years. Today, following a 4-year, multi million-dollar renovation, the hotel has been beautifully restored to its original grandeur, offering travellers all the comfort and elegance of yesterday, with today's modern amenities and conveniences. 

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel gives a nod to both its past and present. Eighty-five completely reimagined guest rooms and suites each feature plush fabrics, gleaming bathrooms and tasteful room appointments. Guests also enjoy a long list of luxury amenities, from a classic indoor "splash" pool and private beach club to world-class dining and a full-service spa.

The steadfast darling on the list of Virginia filmography is Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Filmed in the famous Appalachian Mountains, (rather than the Catskills as they would have you believe in the movie) Mountain Lake Lodge is the original Kellerman’s, and as soon as you drive up, you’ll feel that ‘lights, camera, action’ energy. The flick received an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song for “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and you will have the time of your life at one of the Lodge’s Dirty Dancing Themed Weekends. There’s no better way to step into Johnny or Baby’s shoes and you’re guaranteed to get the selfie of a lifetime. Even if you’re not up for the full dancing experience, a stay at the resort - even in Baby’s Cabin! – offers a wealth of events and outdoor activities in one of the east coast’s most breath-taking settings.

Set in the middle of a 2,600 acre nature preserve and surrounded by Appalachian Mountains, rustic and historic Mountain Lake Lodge is the ultimate retreat. Breathe in crisp, fresh air, dine on gourmet fare and build memories with fun indoor and outdoor activities.  

Discover the ultimate outdoor retreat in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range.  The lodge has a whole host of recreational activities including an Aerial & Zip Line Adventure Course, Treetop Adventures, and new special events throughout the year! Mountain Lake Lodge is the ideal place for families, friends, couples and groups to recreate and relax amidst nature’s bounty. Arrive to an unhurried pace in a place faithful to the outdoors, where friendly service prevails. 

A stay at Mountain Lake Lodge is an unforgettable experience. The cool, crisp mountain air carries the scent of Eastern Hemlock. The sound of gentle breezes stirring the trees is broken only by the chirping of birds. All of this surrounds you from the comfort of your own rustic cabin, cottage or guest room.

With a slew of scenic selfies and a multitude of memories, drive northwest through the stunning Shenandoah Valley back to Dulles International. Or take a flight out of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (only about 50 miles from Mountain Lake Lodge) through Dulles International for your trip home.

And THAT’s a wrap! We hope you had "the time of your life"

**********