20 Washington Filming Locations You Can Visit From Movies and TV

Many movies and TV shows set in Washington feature real locations you can visit. From quiet coastal towns to busy Seattle streets, these places have served as backdrops for everything from cult classics to major productions.

Exploring filming locations is a great way to experience the state from a different perspective. In this slideshow, Seattle Travel highlights 20 spots across Washington that have appeared on screen, offering ideas for road trips, scenic stops, and destinations worth seeing in person. Whether you’re a film fan or just looking for new places to explore, these locations bring a bit of Hollywood into the Pacific Northwest.

North Bend

• Media: Twin Peaks
• Year: 1990

The town of North Bend and nearby Snoqualmie served as the backdrop for the cult classic, Twin Peaks. The famous Double R Diner, actually Twede’s Cafe, still operates and welcomes fans from around the world. Mountains and misty landscapes remain just as eerie and beautiful today, so spend some time wandering as you search for Laura Palmer’s killer.

Roslyn

• Media: Northern Exposure
• Year: 1990

Roslyn stood in as the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska, in this Emmy-winning series. The Brick Tavern and other storefronts still look like they did on TV. Visitors can walk the streets and recognize settings from the quirky small-town drama, one that’s well worth watching despite its relatively unknown reputation.

Seattle Center

• Media: It Happened at the World’s Fair
• Year: 1963

Elvis Presley filmed several scenes at Seattle Center during the World’s Fair. The Space Needle and Monorail also appear prominently in the movie. Today, the area is still one of Seattle’s busiest attractions, but likely just for the activities it has rather than it being a popular film location.

Deception Pass State Park

• Media: The Ring
• Year: 2002

This park’s haunting bridges and forests appeared in the horror classic The Ring, which makes sense the minute you catch this region on a misty morning. The location is open for hiking, photography, and camping, if you’re brave enough to check it out. Most consider it a must-visit if you’re in the Puget Sound.

Mount Rainier

• Media: The Mountain Runners
• Year: 2012

Mount Rainier National Park was used for this historical documentary-drama about America’s first mountain endurance race. The iconic peak has been featured in multiple productions over the years, both fictional and real. Today, the park remains a magnet for filmmakers and outdoor adventurers alike.

Seattle’s Gas Works Park

• Media: 10 Things I Hate About You
• Year: 1999

This former gasification plant turned park created one of the film’s most memorable date scenes. The industrial ruins paired with Lake Union views make it a uniquely Seattle backdrop. Locals and tourists still picnic here every summer, and the high school this movie filmed at isn’t far away, either.

Forks

• Media: Twilight
• Year: 2008

Forks and its surrounding forests became synonymous with the Twilight saga. Fans still flock to the small town for tours of locations tied to the series, and the town leans into it. Shops and museums embrace the legacy and welcome thousands of visitors annually.

La Push Beach

• Media: Twilight
• Year: 2008

Nearby La Push Beach also featured prominently in the film adaptations of the Twilight books. Its dramatic Pacific coastline added atmosphere to key scenes. The beaches remain open to visitors through the Quileute Nation, and they’re worth visiting regardless of whether you’re Team Edward or Jacob.

Tacoma’s Stadium High School

• Media: 10 Things I Hate About You
• Year: 1999

This historic high school overlooking Commencement Bay hosted numerous scenes in the teen rom-com, as previously mentioned. Its castle-like architecture is instantly recognizable to fans. The school is still in use, but exterior views are popular photo stops; try not to disrupt the school’s day-to-day should you visit.

Olympia’s Capitol Building

• Media: All the King’s Men
• Year: 1949

Olympia’s stately Capitol dome doubled for government buildings in this political drama. Its marble interiors and grand steps made it a fitting stand-in and regal enough to be passed off as a greater building. Today, tours of the building remain open to the public.

North Cascades

• Media: WarGames
• Year: 1983

Mountain passes and backdrops from the North Cascades were used in Matthew Broderick’s Cold War thriller. The rugged landscape brought cinematic drama to the tense storyline. The national park remains a favorite for outdoor film crews and hikers alike.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market

• Media: Sleepless in Seattle
• Year: 1993

This iconic market’s neon signs and bustling stalls appear in scenes from this romantic comedy classic. Its authenticity helped capture the spirit of the city, and, regardless, Pike Place remains a top attraction, drawing millions every year.

Coupeville

• Media: Practical Magic
• Year: 1998

Coupeville, located on Whidbey Island, stood in for the town of Friday Harbor in this witchy romantic comedy. Storefronts and harborside scenes gave the movie its cozy Pacific Northwest feel, though the home featured in the film was a set that was built. The town remains a ferry gateway but still embraces its Hollywood moment, reminding visitors of this Halloween favorite.

Mount St. Helens

• Media: Dante’s Peak
• Year: 1997

The volcano’s landscapes helped inspire and shape scenes in this disaster movie starring Pierce Brosnan. While filming was limited near the crater, the mountain’s destructive legacy gave the film authenticity. Today, it is a National Volcanic Monument open to tours.

Poulsbo

• Media: The Ring
• Year: 2002

Like Deception Pass, Poulsbo’s small-town streets and waterfront were used in exterior shots of this horror film. Its Scandinavian-inspired downtown added a hauntingly quaint mood, something the film took advantage of. Visitors today find a much cheerier atmosphere filled with bakeries and boutiques.

Seattle’s Kerry Park

• Media: Frasier
• Year: 1993

Though this famous sitcom primarily used sets, Kerry Park’s skyline view is the real deal, featured in promotional shots and montages. The park offers one of the most photographed views of Seattle. Tourists and locals still gather nightly for sunset views of the Space Needle and Mount Rainier.

Port Townsend

• Media: An Officer and a Gentleman
• Year: 1982

This Oscar-winning romantic drama filmed key scenes at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, which doubled as the U.S. Navy training base. The coastal town’s Victorian architecture and harborfront provided additional backdrops. Visitors can still tour Fort Worden State Park, making it one of Washington’s most enduring Hollywood landmarks.

Concrete

• Media: This Boy’s Life
• Year: 1993

This coming-of-age drama, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, was filmed on location in Concrete, a small town in eastern Skagit County. To recreate the 1950s setting, the town was temporarily transformed, and local residents even served as extras during production

Spokane

• Media: Vision Quest
• Year: 1985

This sports drama was filmed extensively in Spokane, showcasing its streets and high school gyms. Riverfront Park and other landmarks appear in the background. Fans of 80s cinema can still retrace many of the filming spots downtown.

Ocean Shores

• Media: Free Willy
• Year: 1993

Scenes from this family favorite were filmed along Washington’s beaches near Ocean Shores. The wide sands and Pacific waves gave the movie its sense of freedom. The beaches remain open and popular with families and campers.