Gallery: 9 Nerdy Film Locations You Need to Visit in Your Lifetime
01arecibo-observatory-puerto-rico
*Wired.com is presenting a collection of galleries intended to help people become better geeks, nine items at a time. This is the seventh in the [9 for 9 series](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/rawfile/wireds-9-for-9-galleries/).* \- - - [](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/rawfile/wireds-9-for-9-galleries/)From *Star Wars* to *Lord of the Rings*, the spectacular geek destinations in the gallery above are some of the coolest movie locations on the planet. They're from films you've probably seen, but you'd have to be a well-traveled cinephile to have visited them all. We understand that to hit all these cinematic hot spots would be a time- and money-intensive affair, but we still made sure all the places on the list are actually locations that people can visit. Perhaps more importantly, these are locations that are really fun to travel to. (You can go to the California parks where *Return of the Jedi* was filmed, but without the Ewoks, the [Forest Moon of Endor](http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Endor) is really just a bunch of trees). These spots are scattered around the world, and all are worth the airfare. Let us know how many you've been to in the comments below. (We hope you're not a lifelong resident of [Mordor](http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Mordor).) Then enter your own must-visit geek movie destinations in the voting widget at the bottom of the page. __Above:__ Arecibo Observatory (Puerto Rico) --------------------------------- __Location for: *Contact* (1997)__ Based on Carl Sagan's 1985 novel, *Contact* actually features two National Science Foundation radio astronomy facilities, but let's face it: [Arecibo Observatory](http://www.naic.edu/) is in Puerto Rico, making it 10 times sexier than the [Very Large Array](http://www.vla.nrao.edu/) (sorry, New Mexico). Better yet, you can [visit Arecibo](http://www.naic.edu/outreach/brochure_fset.htm) almost any day of the year (save for a few holidays) and see the largest radio telescope on Earth. (Sorry again, New Mexico, you're just "very large.") The location was [also used in 1995 James Bond film *GoldenEye*](http://www.naic.edu/tony/movies.htm), but *Contact* is what put it on the map. Also, just look at it. How cool is that? __While you're there:__ We hear Puerto Rico has some jammin' beaches; take one in once you're done geeking out. __The movie trailer:__ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRoj3jK37Vc *Photo: [NOAA](http://www.noaa.gov/)*
02ennis-house
Ennis House (Los Angeles) ------------------------- __Location for: *Blade Runner* (1982)__ http://www.youtube.com/embed/KPcZHjKJBnE*Blade Runner* is supposed to be set in Los Angeles in 2019, but one of its most compelling settings is this Frank Lloyd Wright architectural masterpiece from 1924 in the city's Los Feliz neighborhood. [The Ennis House](http://www.ennishouse.org/), also known as the Ennis-Brown House, serves as Deckard's home and — true to the future predicted in *Blade Runner* — the mansion began falling into disrepair after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The Ennis House Foundation began a campaign to repair the building that was never truly finished. Businessman Ron Burkle [purchased the Ennis House](http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/17/local/la-me-ennis-house-20110717) this summer for nearly $4.5 million. (Let's see someone try to afford that on a blade runner's salary.) According to the terms of the sale, Burkle will provide some form of public access to the home at least 12 days out of the year, but even if you're not lucky enough to visit Los Angeles on one of those dozen days, Wright's masterpiece [is pretty visible from the street](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2655+Glendower+Avenue,+Los+Feliz,+Los+Angeles,+California,+USA&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x80c2c0a21a06722d:0xaf6c45c2a4857d78,2655+Glendower+Ave,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90027&gl=us&ei=GWzVTra-GO_J0AGB9bmjAg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q8gEwAA). __While you're there:__ Visit another beautiful building from *Blade Runner* -- the [Bradbury Building](http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/downtown/bradbury.php4). The [Griffith Observatory](http://www.griffithobs.org/) (featured in *The Terminator*) is also a lovely place to spend an afternoon; it's open Wednesday through Sunday and admission to the grounds and observatory building is free.  *Top photo: [jplouis](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/jplouis/")/Flickr. Bottom photo: [ricardodiaz11](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/ricardodiaz/")/Flickr*
03top-notch-austin-texas
Top Notch (Austin, Texas) ------------------------- __Location for: *Dazed and Confused* (1993)__ http://www.youtube.com/embed/f\_eTV4lRJYUIt's a little ridiculous to go all the way to the heart of Texas just for a burger joint, but going to Top Notch is really just about being in Austin, which is one of the coolest towns in America. With South by Southwest, a banging [food truck scene](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/2011/03/foodspotting-sxsw/) and more music venues than you can shake a drumstick at, Austin is awesome. Director Richard Linklater, a Houston native, baked that awesomeness into *Dazed and Confused*. And helmers from Quentin Tarantino to Robert Rodriguez have also filmed the city's charms. So, yes, hit up all of Austin's wonders, then head to Top Notch for a burger. Keep your eyes peeled for the long-haired stoner who calls from the next car, "Hey, I know you. We had geography together, remember?" __While you're there:__ Visit [Initech's office building](http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=4120+Freidrich+Lane,+Austin,+Texas&gs_upl=92715l95190l0l95414l2l2l0l0l0l0l209l376l0.1.1l2l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&biw=1277&bih=849&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x8644b486a91919c5:0x49cbcb34798b6ef,4120+Freidrich+Ln,+Austin,+TX+78744&gl=us&ei=1HzVTpePEOHV0QHdv6DvAQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=2&ved=0CCUQ8gEwAQ) from *Office Space* (see below). Ask local burnouts about parties at the Moon Tower.  *Top photo: [Paul Lowry](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/paul_lowry/)/Flickr. Bottom photo: [thomascrenshaw](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/tommyc/)/Flickr*
04eastern-state-penitentiary-philadelphia
Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia) ----------------------------------------- __Location for: *12 Monkeys* (1995)__ www.youtube.com/embed/wcztDZ13TLIPerhaps the only thing more screwed up than the plot of director Terry Gilliam's virus thriller *12 Monkeys* is the story behind the [Eastern State Penitentiary](http://www.easternstate.org/), which served as the setting for the film's asylum. The prison was opened in 1829 as part of a movement to change the behavior of inmates through "confinement in solitude with labor." It would go on to hold inmates as infamous as Al Capone. Following a visit to the prison, Charles Dickens wrote that "the System is rigid, strict and hopeless solitary confinement, and I believe it, in its effects, to be cruel and wrong." It was abandoned in 1971, but luckily it now offers daytime tours and a special Halloween haunted house. __While you're there:__ After leaving the pen, explore the City of Brotherly Love.... You'll need it.  *Top photo: [robzand](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/robzand/)/Flickr. Bottom photo: [shinya](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/shinyasuzuki/)/Flickr*
05astoria-oregon
Astoria, Oregon --------------- __Location for: *The Goonies* (1985)__ The city of Astoria, Oregon, has become so associated with *The Goonies* that there are [tours of the town associated with the film](http://www.oldoregon.com/visitor-info/entry/goonies-never-say-die/). Astoria even has an Official Goonies Day (June 7), and the [25th anniversary of the movie](http://goonies25thanniversary.com/) was celebrated there. Mikey's house (above)? The museum where his dad works? Head to Astoria to see them for yourself. Just don't go looking for the pirate ship — [it was scrapped after filming](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/trivia). __While you're there:__ Search for lost doubloons. __The movie trailer:__ http://www.youtube.com/embed/pWgc8Ute2tU *Photo: [Tim Rodenberg](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/sheriffaj/)/Flickr*
© Dave G. Houser/Corbis06tikal-national-park-guatemala
Tikal National Park (Guatemala) ------------------------------- __Location for: *Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope* (1977)__ Yes, *Star Wars* is a masterpiece. But even a sci-fi classic pales in comparison to one of the most renowned examples of Mayan architecture in the world. Located in northern Guatemala, the [Tikal](http://www.tikalpark.com/) ruins date back to periods with BCE date designations, but only began to be excavated by archaeologists in 1956. Eventually, a huge city of temples and other monuments was uncovered. The place that served as [Yavin 4](http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Tikal) in *Star Wars* was named a UNESCO World Heritage site just two years after the film's release. If you visit Tikal National Park, [you can stay within the park](http://www.tikalpark.com/tikalhotels.htm) — just like a real rebel. (OK, not really.) __While you're there:__ Take in some wonderful Mayan culture. Also: Jungles! Get your Indiana Jones on. __The movie clip:__ http://www.youtube.com/embed/ijkeyUSUE-E *Photo: Dave G. Houser/Corbis*
07hook-and-ladder-8-new-york
Hook and Ladder 8 (New York) ---------------------------- __Location for: *Ghostbusters* (1984)__ Normally this place holds firefighters who battle real blazes, but its exterior was used as the headquarters of every nerd's favorite team of parapsychologists — [the Ghostbusters](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/). There is (typically) no Ecto-1 inside and no Slimer to be found, but the firehouse is still located in downtown Manhattan, so there are probably dogs and cats living together somewhere nearby. Also, [the location](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=14+North+Moore+Street,+Manhattan,+New+York+City,+New+York&hl=en&ll=40.717339,-74.000001&spn=0.024818,0.038452&gl=us&hnear=14+N+Moore+St,+New+York,+10013&t=m&z=15&vpsrc=6) is pretty close to hundreds of other cool New York destinations, so there are plenty of other things to do after you take your obligatory photo outside of the Number 8. While in the city, be sure to head to the New York Public Library and make sure there are no books flying around. __While you're there:__ You're in the concrete jungle where dreams are made; there's nothing you can't do. __The movie trailer:__ http://www.youtube.com/embed/cyRqR56aCKc *Photo: [DanDeChiaro](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/dandechiaro/)/Flickr*
08tongariro-national-park-new-zealand
Tongariro National Park (New Zealand) ------------------------------------- __Location for: *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy (2001-2003)__ http://www.youtube.com/embed/zPTyuYnAd8s Ever since Peter Jackson unleashed the [*Lord of the Rings* movie trilogy](http://www.lordoftherings.net/), it's been hard to look at the New Zealand countryside in the same way — mostly because even though he filmed in the country, his final product looked nothing like his homeland. But if you want to visit Mordor in Tongariro National Park you can, and it's actually quite pretty. In fact, there are lots of [*LOTR* locations](http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/lord-of-the-rings-locations/#mordor) you can visit in the country's first national park. Camping abounds, and you can even [climb craters](http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/central-north-island/ruapehu/mt-ruapehu-crater-climb/). Precious. __While you're there:__ Find Peter Jackson. Tell him to get cracking on *The Hobbit*. We're waiting.  *Photos: [Heike\_Quosdorf](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/quosi/)/Flickr*
Picasa 2.709marin-county-civic-center-san-rafael-california
Marin County Civic Center (San Rafael, California) -------------------------------------------------- __Location for: *Gattaca* (1997)__ Another of Frank Lloyd Wright's fantastic buildings, the Marin County Civic Center was also used by George Lucas in his 1971 film *THX 1138*. But in the 1997 Andrew Niccol film, the building served as the headquarters for Gattaca Corporation. In Marin County, where it holds people controlling things (probably) far less sinister than genetic engineering, the building offers docent-led tours. [Tours cost $5](http://co.marin.ca.us/depts/cu/main/vs/index.cfm) and no appointments are necessary. Neither is a hair sample. __While you're there:__ Head into San Francisco. It's been the backdrop for films from *Bullit* to *Zodiac*. __The movie trailer:__ http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZppWok6SX88 *Photo: [tibchris](https://secure.flickr.com/photos/arcticpuppy/)/Flickr*
