7 Super Popular TV Shows That You Can Build Trips Around

This blog post was updated on May 23, 2023.

Calling all TV junkies!  When you’re watching the shows that everyone’s buzzing about, do you ever fantasize about visiting where they’re filmed or take place? We bet you do! While filming for television used to be limited to studio or Hollywood lot, today’s television series seem to have insane set locations, filming all around the world in some pretty cool places. And you can visit them!

It’s easy to see why TV show locations make great travel destinations, they’re often chosen for their incredible landscapes and architecture…plus, you can pretend to be your favorite character for a day,!

Below are 7 shows that fans can’t stop raving about and which you can totally build trips around!

Game of Thrones

The HBO show that’s become a phenomenon around the globe, with viewers wishing they were “King of the North” or “Mother of Dragons.’ The series, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s bestselling novels,  is nothing short of genius in its use of amazing international to depict its epic fantasy world. If you’re  even only slightly familiar with Game of Thrones, then we’re sure you’ve heard of the remarkable backdrops and sets shown in each episode. The series has filmed in a variety of countries such as Iceland, Croatia, Spain, and Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has been one of the prime filming locations since season 1 and it’s where the island of Dragonstone shown in episode 1 of season 7 was filmed. If you’re a GoT fan, a trip to Northern Ireland (with or without a guided tour) is a great way to experience where one of the hottest show on television is filmed. And even if you don’t follow the show, you’ll still enjoy all of the gorgeous scenery and numerous castle tours that Northern Ireland has to offer. While here, you can visit Castle Ward in County Down which is one of the locations of Winterfell and stroll through Tollymore Forest Park where the dark forests were filmed.

Breaking Bad

We’re sure you’ve heard of this hit cable show set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If you’ve never seen any of the five seasons about the mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher’s transformation to meth kingpin, then pregaming a trip to ABQ is the perfect chance to start! When visiting the city, we recommend you take the Breaking Bad tour to view the locations for some of the show’s most memorable scenes. The tour goes along an 88-mile-long route throughout Albuquerque, taking about an entire day to complete.

Visitors will go from Northeast Heights to Downtown Albuquerque, to see 26 locations that were exact restaurants, stores, and homes of where the show was filmed. But aside from Breaking Bad tourism, there’s a lot more to do in Albuquerque, such as visiting the Explora Science Center, taking a ride in the Sandia Peak aerial tram, or learning more about Pueblo Indian culture!

Outlander

This British-American drama on Starz is based on the historical time travel novel series of the same name. The series is set in the Highlands of Scotland and features breath-taking scenery that you can visit! Familiar or unfamiliar with Outlander, it doesn’t matter. The show uses a lot of real landmarks for filming, so a trek based on the show is also a great historical sightseeing trip. Some must-see castles from Outlander are the Blackness Castle in the Falkirk council district, the Stirling Castle in central Scotland, and Doune Castle in the Stirling district. Just be prepared for the massive dimensions and picturesque architecture to will leave you speechless and feeling like you’ve “fallen through time.”

American Horror Story

If you’re a horror fan, then you probably watch American Horror Story. The FX anthology series is known for its incredible costumes, memorable characters, and impressive sets. One definite destination for AHS fans is the ghost-packed “murder house” featured on the hit show’s first season. The house, which is the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion in Los Angeles, was already pretty famous before its role on the show. It was used as a shooting location for  The Twilight Zone, Spider-Man, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Depending on how into AHS you are, you even can book to stay the night in the mansion on Airbnb.

The Walking Dead

Are you a zombie fan waiting for the apocalypse? Well, then you should head to Georgia. Pretty much all of AMC’s hit zombie apocalypse show The Walking Dead has been filmed in the state. The capital city of Atlanta was featured pretty prominently in the early episodes and it’s there that fans will be able to find the real-life versions of Rick’s House and headquarters for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

But after that, be sure to head about 40 miles south to Senoia, Georgia. The town and surrounding area was a frequent home to the show’s production for many of the middle and later season and now boasts a Walking Dead tour for fans. We also recommend using The Walking Dead Locations website to help find another other filming locations around the peach state.  

Have you taken a trip built around your favorite TV show? Tell us about it in the comment section below!