Six Filming Locations We’ve Visited
Over the years we’ve visited several unconventional roadside attractions. From the Spam Museum to Lee Harvey Oswald’s grave, the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, to Foam-Henge and Car-Henge. We’ve also visited a few filming locations along the way. Here are six of those locations.
Can’t Buy Me Love
Airport Graveyard
This is the airport graveyard that Ronald Miller dragged Cindy Mancini to during one of their ‘dates’. The graveyard is at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. You can visit the Air & Space Museum to purchase a ticket for a tour of the boneyard or drive along bordering fenceline to view the expansive collection of retired aircraft.
Directions: Take exit 265 off I-10 and follow St Alvernon Way to Golf Links Way. Follow Golf Links around the base on the right until you reach S Wilmot Rd – turn right on Wilmot. Follow around the base once again. There are several spots to pull off to see the boneyard from beyond the base fence.
Field of Dreams
Ray Kinsella’s Baseball Field
They built it, and we went. The baseball field built for the movie was left in place as a park for residents and visitors. With the exception of power poles through the field, the field and white farmhouse looked just like it did in the movie. There was a corn-maze in the outfield. Visitors worked their way through the maze by answering posted questions about the movie. If you got all the questions right, you were given a free poster. Yes – I got the poster. 🙂
Empire Falls
Empire Grill
A 2005 HBO miniseries starring Paul Newman, Helen Hunt, and Ed Harris. Empire Falls was filmed in Maine based on the novel by Richard Russo. Empire Falls is the fictional name of Skowhegan, Maine; and old New England mill town. The Empire Grill was a centerpiece of the series and was created for the series. After filming ended, Empire Grill remained open operating as a local diner until 2010. This photo was taken during our visit for breakfast in 2005. I wonder where that sweet vintage neon sign is today?
Bull Durham
Old City Ball Park & Bull
Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins star in this classic minor league baseball movie set in Durham, NC. The baseball field used in the movie was the actual field the Durham Bulls baseball team played. The field still stands complete with the with the tower style gate. It is now a city baseball park used for local baseball games. The Bulls still play in Durham, across town at a newer, larger ballpark. The Bull sign from the old field is now on display at the new stadium.
Directions: Old Ball Park: 28 Morris St
New Stadium – 409 Blackwell Street
No Country For Old Men
Anton’s Cattle Gun Murder
Although this movie is set in the high desert of West Texas, most of the movie was filmed in Las Vegas, NM. However, a few sites were filmed around the Davis Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert of Texas. This particular spot is the location where our villain, Anton Chigurh in a stolen police car, pulls over an unsuspected victim. Anton claims his victim by shooting him in the forehead with a cattle bolt gun. I pulled my truck over at the same spot. The yellow 50mph turn sign in the photo above can also be seen in the movie.
Directions: I read online that this site is about 25 miles outside of Marfa, TX on route FM-2810. I’m not sure where this was measured from leaving Marfa. I found it to be closer to 30-35 miles outside of Marfa. I set my odometer at zero as I was leaving the town; After 25+ miles I almost turned around thinking I must have missed the spot. I decided to keep driving. When I came up to the spot, there was no question. It’s a slight incline and turns through a rock cut – the same as you see in the movie. It was obvious once I got there.
There is another pull-off scene from the movie. It’s located nearby on Route 505 (Connects US90 to Rt 166). I’ve been shown pics of the location, but have not been myself. . I read that the drug deal battle scene is also located somewhere on this same
UPDATE:
I found another location! This is the location where Anton gets a jump from a local rancher and winds up stealing his truck.
Directions: Take US 90 West from Marfa, TX. Turn right on Hwy 505. The spot will be just a few miles on your right.
Yankeeology
Reggie Jackson at the Baseball HOF
In 2004, we went to Hall of Fame Weekend in Cooperstown, NY. For those who are not baseball fans; Hall of Fame Weekend is an annual event in Cooperstown, NY when the National Baseball Hall of Fame inducts their most recent Hall of Famers.
We went to Hall of Fame Weekend several times. On this particular visit, we took one final walk around the village of Cooperstown. As we passed the Hall of Fame, we noticed a camera and a crowd forming. I decided to stick around to see what was going on. A few minutes later, Reggie Jackson appeared on the steps of the museum. He made an announcement that they would be filming for the television show, Yankee Ology for the YES network. He requested that everyone try to keep the noise level down as they filmed for about 30 minutes. He said when they were completed, he would stay for about a half hour after and sign autographs for kids.
Now, being that Sarah is a “lengthy” 5′ tall, she blended in with the group of kids and got a ball signed.
Directions: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located at 25 Main St., Cooperstown, New York
Comment below, what sites have you visited? I’d love to add some sites to my list to visit!