10 Virginia Movie And TV Filming Locations You Can Visit In Real Life

You have seen them on screen, a Virginia courthouse where a scene unfolded, a bridge where a character had a moment, a small town that looked so perfect it must have been a set. But these places are real.

This list has ten Virginia movie and TV filming locations you can visit in real life. I have tracked down each one, standing in the same spots where actors stood.

Some are famous, others are obscure. But all of them are part of Virginia’s cinematic history.

Virginia has plenty of attractions, but these are for people who want to walk through a scene. Bring your camera and your inner director.

1. Virginia State Capitol, Richmond

Standing in the House of Delegates chamber at the Virginia State Capitol feels like stepping directly onto a film set, because it literally was one. The 2012 Steven Spielberg film Lincoln used this stunning neoclassical room to recreate the dramatic congressional debates over the 13th Amendment.

The chamber’s original wooden benches, ornate ceiling, and period-accurate details made it a natural fit for one of cinema’s most acclaimed historical dramas.

Thomas Jefferson himself designed this building, which gives it an almost mythological weight before you even think about the movies. The Capitol also appeared as a stand-in for the White House exterior in the political thriller series Homeland, which filmed its seventh season across Richmond.

That kind of versatility is rare and speaks volumes about the building’s architectural grandeur.

Guided tours run regularly and take you through the Rotunda, where a life-size statue of George Washington stands as the centerpiece. You can peer into the very chamber where Daniel Day-Lewis delivered some of his most memorable lines.

The surrounding Capitol Square is equally photogenic, with manicured grounds that once doubled as a military encampment in Lincoln. Admission is free, making this one of the most rewarding stops on any Virginia film location tour.

The address is 1000 Bank St, Richmond, VA 23219. Go on a weekday morning for the quietest experience and the best natural light pouring through those tall windows.

2. Old Towne Petersburg

Few places in Virginia wear history as naturally as Old Towne Petersburg, which is exactly why filmmakers keep coming back to it. The neighborhood’s 18th and 19th-century architecture has served as a backdrop for an impressive list of productions including Harriet, The Good Lord Bird, and TURN: Washington’s Spies.

Walking its brick-lined streets feels genuinely cinematic, as if the cameras might roll again at any moment.

The Harriet film, which tells the story of Harriet Tubman’s courageous escape from slavery, used Petersburg’s period streetscapes to recreate antebellum Maryland. The AMC miniseries The Good Lord Bird, based on James McBride’s novel about abolitionist John Brown, also filmed key scenes here.

Both productions leaned heavily on the area’s authenticity, and rightfully so. The storefronts, alleyways, and architectural details look almost untouched by modern development.

Beyond the film history, Old Towne Petersburg is a genuinely fun place to spend an afternoon. Boutique shops, local art galleries, and cozy cafes line the main corridors.

The Siege Museum and the Blandford Church with its stunning Tiffany stained glass windows are nearby must-sees. The farmers market brings the neighborhood to life on weekends with local vendors and a warm community atmosphere.

Old Towne Petersburg is located along Old Street and Sycamore Street in Petersburg, VA 23803. Stroll slowly, look up at the rooflines, and you’ll start recognizing scenes from productions you’ve watched a dozen times.

3. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria

Towering over the city of Alexandria like something out of an adventure novel, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is one of the most visually striking buildings in the entire mid-Atlantic region.

It played a pivotal role in National Treasure: Book of Secrets, the Nicolas Cage sequel that sent audiences on a breathless chase through some of America’s most iconic landmarks.

The Memorial’s grand interior halls and mysterious Masonic artifacts made it a perfect fit for a film obsessed with secret history.

The building is modeled after the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt, which already gives it a cinematic quality before any director calls action.

Inside, you’ll find elaborate ceremonial rooms, a massive replica of George Washington’s Masonic apron, and artifacts that genuinely feel like they belong in a Hollywood prop department.

The observation deck at the top offers sweeping views across Alexandria and toward Washington D.C., making it worth the climb on its own merits.

Tours run throughout the week and cover multiple floors of the Memorial, each dedicated to a different Masonic order with its own distinct decor and symbolism. The Hall of Honors pays tribute to notable Freemasons throughout American history.

Even if you’ve never seen the film, the Memorial is a fascinating and underappreciated attraction that most tourists completely overlook. The address is 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA 22301.

Arrive early because parking fills up fast, especially on weekends when guided tours draw larger groups.

4. George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Alexandria

George Washington’s Mount Vernon is the kind of place that makes your jaw drop the moment it comes into view. The elegant white mansion perched above the Potomac River has been meticulously preserved and is one of the most visited historic sites in the country.

It also appeared in National Treasure: Book of Secrets alongside the Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, giving Nicolas Cage fans two must-visit stops in a single day trip.

The estate spans hundreds of acres and includes the mansion, working farm buildings, slave quarters, gardens, and Washington’s tomb. Every corner of the property feels loaded with significance, and the curators have done a remarkable job presenting the full complexity of Washington’s legacy.

The museum and education center on the grounds uses cutting-edge technology to bring the 18th century vividly to life, with displays that would impress even the most history-averse visitor.

Film fans will enjoy spotting the specific architectural features that appeared on screen, particularly the mansion’s iconic colonnaded piazza overlooking the river. The view from that porch is genuinely one of the most beautiful in all of Virginia, with the Potomac stretching wide and peaceful below.

Seasonal programming keeps the estate lively year-round, from living history demonstrations to lantern-lit evening tours. The address is 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.

Budget at least three hours here because there is far more to explore than most first-time visitors expect.

5. The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond

The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond is the kind of place that makes you feel like a movie star just by walking through the front door.

Its palatial lobby, complete with marble floors, soaring columns, and a grand staircase that practically demands a dramatic entrance, has attracted film and television productions for decades.

The hotel appeared in the 1981 film My Dinner with Andre and later became a key filming location for the Showtime series Homeland during its Richmond-set seventh season.

Opened in the late 19th century, the Jefferson has hosted presidents, celebrities, and dignitaries throughout its long history. The Rotunda, with its breathtaking stained glass ceiling and famous life-size alligator statues, is the architectural crown jewel of the entire property.

No other hotel lobby in Virginia comes close to matching this level of theatrical grandeur, which is precisely why camera crews keep returning.

You don’t need to book a room to appreciate the Jefferson. The hotel welcomes guests for afternoon tea in the Palm Court, which is one of Richmond’s most beloved social traditions.

Walking through the public spaces feels like touring a living museum of Gilded Age excess and elegance. The TJ’s on the Corner bar area and the Lemaire restaurant are both worth a peek for their stunning interiors alone.

The address is 101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220. Even if you only pop in for a few minutes to admire the architecture, the Jefferson will leave a lasting impression that no ordinary hotel ever could.

6. Main Street and The Wayne Theatre, Waynesboro

Waynesboro’s charming downtown and its beloved Wayne Theatre played starring roles in the 2007 comedy Evan Almighty, the sequel to Bruce Almighty featuring Steve Carell as a modern-day Noah.

The production transformed the town’s Main Street into a fictional Virginia suburb, and the Wayne Theatre served as a recognizable anchor for several scenes.

Locals still talk about the filming with obvious pride, and the theatre itself has only grown more beloved since its on-screen moment.

The Wayne Theatre is a beautifully restored historic venue that hosts live performances, film screenings, and community events throughout the year. Its art deco exterior and intimate interior make it one of the most charming small-town theatres in the entire state.

Supporting it feels like supporting a piece of living history, and the programming calendar is genuinely impressive for a town of Waynesboro’s size.

Main Street itself is worth a leisurely stroll regardless of any Hollywood connections. Independent shops, local restaurants, and the nearby South River greenway make Waynesboro a surprisingly enjoyable day-trip destination.

The P. Buckley Moss Museum, dedicated to the beloved Virginia artist, sits just a short drive away and adds another cultural layer to the visit.

The Wayne Theatre is located at 521 W Main St, Waynesboro, VA 22980. Check the theatre’s event calendar before you go because catching a live show here adds a completely different dimension to the experience.

The town’s relaxed pace and genuine small-town character make it a refreshing contrast to busier Virginia destinations.

7. Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is one of those places that doesn’t need Hollywood to feel cinematic, but Hollywood showed up anyway.

The world’s largest living history museum served as a filming location for the 1940 film The Howards of Virginia and later for the acclaimed AMC series TURN: Washington’s Spies, which dramatized the story of George Washington’s spy ring during the Revolutionary War.

The show’s production team couldn’t have found a more authentic backdrop anywhere on the planet.

Spread across hundreds of acres in the heart of Williamsburg, the restored colonial capital features more than 500 original and reconstructed 18th-century buildings.

Costumed interpreters go about their daily routines as blacksmiths, milliners, tavern keepers, and politicians, creating an immersive atmosphere that feels genuinely transportive.

Walking down Duke of Gloucester Street on a quiet morning, with wood smoke drifting from chimneys and the sounds of period instruments in the air, is an experience unlike anything else in Virginia.

Film fans following the TURN series will recognize the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol building, and the various taverns that appeared throughout the show’s run. The attention to period detail is extraordinary, which is exactly what drew producers to the location in the first place.

Combine a visit with nearby Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Battlefield for a full day of historically rich exploration. Colonial Williamsburg’s main entrance and visitor center is located at 101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

The experience is endlessly layered, rewarding repeat visits with new details every single time.

8. Berkeley Plantation, Charles City

Berkeley Plantation carries the kind of historical weight that most landmarks can only dream about. Built in the early 18th century along the James River, it is one of the oldest and most storied plantations in America, and it served as a filming location for the biographical drama Harriet.

The property’s sprawling fields, dense woodlands, riverside banks, and formal gardens gave the production a remarkably diverse range of visual settings without ever leaving the grounds.

The plantation has a remarkable real-world history that rivals any screenplay. It was the birthplace of President William Henry Harrison and the site where Taps, the famous military bugle call, was first played during the Civil War.

Walking the grounds means moving through multiple centuries of American history simultaneously, which gives the visit an almost overwhelming sense of depth and significance.

The Georgian brick mansion at the center of the property is open for guided tours. They cover its architectural history, its role in the colonial tobacco economy, and its complicated legacy connected to enslaved people who lived and worked there.

The riverside setting is genuinely beautiful, with sweeping views across the James River that have remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Berkeley Plantation is located at 12602 Harrison Landing Rd, Charles City, VA 23030. Spring visits are particularly spectacular when the formal gardens burst into color and the surrounding woods are lush and full.

Plan to spend at least two hours exploring the full scope of the property before heading back down the scenic Route 5 corridor.

9. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia Beach

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is one of the most audacious pieces of engineering in the entire country, and it got its Hollywood moment in Mission: Impossible III when Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt faced a pulse-pounding action sequence on its dramatic span.

It’s stretching nearly 18 miles across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The structure alternates between soaring bridge sections and underwater tunnels, creating a driving experience that feels genuinely surreal on a clear day.

Driving the Bridge-Tunnel is an attraction in itself, and many people make the crossing specifically for the experience rather than just as a way to get from one side to the other. The views are extraordinary, with the Atlantic Ocean visible to the east and the wide expanse of the Chesapeake Bay stretching in every direction.

On calm days the water takes on a glassy, almost Caribbean quality that photographers absolutely love.

Seagull Island, located roughly at the midpoint of the crossing, offers a small rest area, a gift shop, and a fishing pier where you can step out of your car and take in the full panoramic scope of the structure. It’s one of the more unusual roadside stops in Virginia and genuinely worth the brief detour.

The Bridge-Tunnel connects the Virginia Beach area on the south with the Eastern Shore on the north, making it a natural part of any coastal road trip itinerary. The main toll plaza is located near 32386 Lankford Hwy, Cape Charles, VA 23310.

Sunrise crossings are breathtaking and far less crowded than midday traffic.

10. Virginia Commonwealth University Campus, Richmond

Virginia Commonwealth University’s urban Richmond campus might not look like the end of the world, but that’s exactly what the production team behind The Walking Dead: World Beyond needed it to become.

The CW and AMC series, a spinoff of the original Walking Dead franchise, used VCU’s campus buildings and grounds to create the fictional Civic Republic Military campus. It serves as a central location throughout the show.

The transformation required minimal effort because the campus already has a dramatic, modern architectural presence.

VCU is one of the most creatively energetic universities in the country, known for its top-ranked arts programs and its deep integration with the surrounding Richmond community.

The Monroe Park Campus and the MCV Campus together form a sprawling urban environment with an eclectic mix of historic and contemporary architecture.

Walking through it, you’ll see the kind of institutional buildings, open plazas, and connecting walkways that lend themselves naturally to dramatic storytelling.

Beyond the filming connection, VCU’s campus is surrounded by some of Richmond’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The Fan District, with its stunning Victorian row houses and tree-lined boulevards, sits immediately adjacent.

The Institute for Contemporary Art on campus, designed by Steven Holl Architects, is a world-class cultural venue that’s worth visiting on its own terms. VCU’s main campus is centered around 901 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23284.

The surrounding blocks are packed with independent coffee shops, bookstores, and galleries that make the area one of the most walkable and enjoyable urban neighborhoods in all of Virginia.