By Abigail Cattell
With excitement about The Oscars® sweeping the globe in the run up to next week’s Academy Awards® why not get inspiration from some of Hollywood’s best films as you plan your next USA holiday?
Las Vegas: Strike it rich with George and Brad
The Film: Ocean’s 11 saw Hollywood hunks George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon devise a cunning plan to steal $150 million from casino boss Andy Garcia.
The Locations: Much of the filming took place in the luxury Bellagio Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Hotel: So, why not stay at the Bellagio, modelled on a posh Italian village nestled around an 8-acre lake? Julia Roberts, Matt Damon and George Clooney all stayed in the hotel’s private villas while filming the movie. Don’t miss the graceful ‘dancing’ fountains where the gang say their final goodbyes.
The Insider’s Tip: Head to the Downtown casinos to try your luck at poker or blackjack – it’s cheaper to place table bets here than on the Strip.
New York: Shop till you drop à la Carrie and Samantha
The Film: Sex and the City brought back everyone’s favourite characters from the TV series, continuing with the tales of four not-so-single women in New York.
The Locations: Book a Sex and the City Excursion for a detailed guide to the most popular locations for this fabulous movie. Exterior scenes from the film include Bryant Park, City Hall and the Public Library.
The Hotel: Splash out and stay at the five-star London Hotel where scenes from the film are rumoured to have been filmed.
The Insider’s Tip: For fantastic fashion at rock-bottom rates head to Century 21 (22, Cortlandt St) where you can find designer labels up to 75% off.
San Francisco: Sip some Milk with Sean Penn
The Film: Milk is hotting up to win Best Picture for this year’s Oscars®. Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk, an activist who moves to San Francisco to battle for gay civil rights.
The Locations: From City Hall to Chinatown; Grace Cathedral to the Golden Gate Bridge, there are plenty of iconic San Francisco sights in this powerful film.
The Hotel: The luxurious Fairmont San Francisco sits atop Nob Hill, one of the poshest parts of town, just a block from magnificent Grace Cathedral.
The Insider’s Tip: For the best photo of the Golden Gate Bridge, head north across the Bridge to Battery Spencer Park where you can ditch the car and hike for 10 minutes to the picture-perfect place.
Grand Canyon: Go over the edge with Thelma & Louise
The Film: Oscar®-nominees Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon play two troubled house wives who escape from their difficult lives. Brad Pitt makes a memorable debut too!
The Locations: Filming takes place across Arizona and into Canyonlands National Park to its final destination, the Grand Canyon.
The Hotel: The Grand Hotel is just 15 minutes’ from the South Rim and has the area’s only hotel pool.
The Insider’s Tip: Have your own Thelma & Louise moment at the area’s latest attraction, the glass SkyWalk on the West Rim. It’s a horseshoe-shaped platform that extends 70 feet over the canyon 4,000 ft below. You get to come back though!
Chicago: Bunk off school with Matthew Broderick
The Film: Empire Magazine’s number one teen film of all time, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off sees Ferris (played by Broderick), girlfriend Sloane and buddy Cameron take the day off school to enjoy Chicago.
The Locations: Memorable movie scenes take place in the Art Institute of Chicago, at the top of the Sears Tower and at Wrigley Field, where the characters watch a baseball game.
The Hotel: Stay at the Hilton Palmer House and you’re just steps from the Art Institute of Chicago, where paintings by Seurat and Monet impress the characters.
The Insider’s Tip: Order Cherry Pie at Manny's Coffee Shop and Deli, 1141 S. Jefferson St – it’s what President Barack Obama ate last time he was here!
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Abigail Cattell is a freelance travel journalist who has written for Wanderlust, The Guardian, ASOS Magazine and TTG Luxury.