Travel Edition

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🎬 Next stop: Beyond the big screen

Actors break an hourglass in A Biltmore Christmas

Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha starred in “A Biltmore Christmas.”
| ©2023 Hallmark Media, Photographer: David Scott Holloway

If you haven’t yet heard of “set-jetting” — a travel trend that’s taking the globe by storm — consider this your introduction.

Set-jetting is traveling to locations because of the iconic TV shows and movies that were filmed there. We’re not just talking about the production sets of LA or NYC; we mean “Jurassic Park” filming locations in Hawaii and iconic “Game of Thrones” spots across Ireland, Iceland, and Croatia.

But there are also plenty of remarkable filming locations across the contiguous 48 states. Cinephiles, take note of the TV shows and movies below + start planning a road trip to their filming locations.

Asheville, NC

“The Last of the Mohicans”: This 1992 blockbuster was filmed throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Chimney Rock State Park, the Biltmore Estate, and a slew of waterfalls located in DuPont State Forest.
“A Biltmore Christmas”: As the name suggests, this 2023 Hallmark movie was filmed at the historic Biltmore House, featuring shots throughout the property.
“Dirty Dancing”: The 1987 classic was shot at Lake Lure in Rutherford County, ~45 minutes from downtown Asheville.

See more films that feature Asheville. Bonus: Horror movie buffs will love these spin-chilling spots.

Horses racing around a dirt track with crowds of people and two spires in the background. — For the production of “Secretariat,” sections of Churchill Downs’ Grandstand, main track, barn area, paddock, and paddock runway were use for filming.
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Photo by Louisville Tourism

Louisville, KY

“Secretariat”: In addition to shots in Lexington, the film also featured Churchill Downs.
“Tammy”: Spot the Gene Snyder Freeway and the downtown Louisville skyline in this 2014 comedy starring Melissa McCarthy.
“Elizabethtown”: The Brown Hotel, Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area, and Highland Middle School were a handful of the filming locations for this 2005 rom-com.

Here are five more films with ties to Louisville.

A view of Lake Watauga with snow surrounding the Parthenon in the distance on a clear day. — In “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” the scene shot in the Parthenon featured fire breathing dragons *(not real, of course)*.
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Photo by @lukethroughmylens

Nashville, TN

“Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”: The Parthenon (coupled with some stellar special effects) was the backdrop for one action-packed scene in this 2010 fantasy film.
“Nashville”: Opryland, the Parthenon, and Berry Field (now Nashville International Airport) are three of this 1975 movie’s filming locations.
“Coal Miner’s Daughter”: Sissy Spacek’s Academy Award-winning performance as Loretta Lynn included scenes at Ryman Auditorium.

Find even more Music City filming spots.

Plus, filming locations in Chattanooga + more

Which of the following places was not a filming location for the “Harry Potter” franchise?

A. London, England
B. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
C. Dublin, Ireland
D. Oxford, England

Cinephiles tap in

Travel Picks

Outdoors

Looking for a last-minute summer road trip idea? Take a jaunt to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the entire family. The park recently launched adaptive programming, making it more accessible for visitors with disabilities. The programming includes ranger-led events + rental opportunities for all-terrain wheelchairs. (USA Today)

Tech

Trip planning capabilities are coming to Google’s AI software, Gemini. According to a video from Google, the tool will be able to produce a personalized travel itinerary based on your travel timeline, flight data, hotel bookings, interests, and more.

Transit

Uber has a new service called Uber Shuttle that will provide transportation to airports and large venues. The cost-effective shuttles will operate like a ticketed bus experience, accommodating 14-55 people per trip. The concept is initially launching in Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. Would you use this service if it came to Chattanooga? (ABC News)

Fun Fact

Lawmakers recently passed a new Federal Aviation Administration bill that includes protections for those traveling by air. Think: minimum seat size requirements, flight vouchers, automatic refunds for canceled flights + better accessibility for fliers with disabilities. Fly to the details. (AFAR)

Ranked

No. 1. That’s where Enterprise Rent-A-Car ranked on USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 2024 list of best rental car companies. The company operates in ~100 countries and has a fleet of 1.7 million vehicles.

Read

There’s a lot more to Google Maps than, well, maps. While it’s stellar for driving directions, the app has tons of other features. From collaborating on a travel itinerary with friends to using an automated-reality function to see what’s around you, see what features you may be missing out on. (AFAR)

Shop

Calling all budget-conscious travelers. Don’t break the bank before your vacay. Save your hard-earned dollars for a hotel upgrade or an extra mojito by the pool when you opt to buy used travel gear instead of brand-new. Check out six online marketplaces. (AFAR)

Listen

Looking for a road trip podcast the whole car can agree on? Autio is a GPS app that plays three to five minute audio stories about the places you pass through. Stories cover geology, local culture, history, and are celebrity narrated. Bonus: Autio’s lifetime subscription is currently 50% off.*

Save

Don’t forget our favorite flight hack of all time: sign up for Going. You’ll receive emails when flights are 40-90% off, saving an average of $500 on international flights and $200 on domestic. Editors’ pick: the two week free trial of its Premium plan.*

🪪 Read this if you plan on traveling in 2025

Beginning on May 7, 2025 you will not be able to board a domestic flight without a REAL ID. | Graphic by 6AM City

The real REAL ID deadline is quickly approaching. After being pushed back for over a decade, the Dept. of Homeland Security’s most recent extension of the deadline brings it to May 7, 2025. What does this mean for you? You’ll need to get a new, special ID in order to travel domestically. Before we tell you how to get one, let’s dive into the why you’ll need one.

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.” As a result, individuals must meet a minimum security standard to receive a state-issued driver’s license and identification card — and these must be used when taking a domestic flight or accessing federal facilities.

Are you REAL ID ready? Take this 30-second quiz to find out, or check your current driver’s license or state ID — if it has a star in the upper right-hand corner, you’re all set. To learn how to get a REAL ID, go to your state’s driver’s licensing agency website.

The Buy

Your summer trip wardrobe, unlocked

Here’s what to pack for road trips, day trips, and summer adventures:

🩳 For a put-together look that still provides comfort in the car or on the go, these linen palazzo pants are $12 a pop.

👖 Elevate your travel style on a much-loved travel pant with these straight leg cargo pants from Nordstrom.

👗 Need a dinner dress? Choose your favorite pattern of this off-the-shoulder maxi.

☀️ Stock up on UV-protected driving glasses in your favorite shade.

🎒 Bring along the perfect travel tote bag, created by a mother-daughter team.

🥿 Go for a comfortable walking sandal that lets toes breathe.

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