Movie set locations are, typically, kept totally secret throughout production. Off-site filming locations (sets using real-life places rather than a studio) are even harder to find, at least until the film is actually released. When it's out, though, some of these iconic locations become newfound tourist attractions in their own right.
RELATED: Marvel: Hilarious Hawkeye Memes That Hit A Bullseye
It can be a really awesome experience to find the exact spot where one's favorite scenes were filmed and make plans to visit. Marvel movies tend to film internationally, making travel a little bit harder for most. Even inside the U.S. though there are plenty of must-see stops for the Marvel pilgrim.
Randy's Donuts – Inglewood, California
Randy's Donuts is an iconic donut shot located in Inglewood, California for one reason: the gigantic pink donut towering over the small store. While interior shots for the donut shop scene of Iron Man 2 were filmed elsewhere, the donut appears as Tony Stark takes a rest on top of the shop.
The Randy's Donuts donut has been featured in a number of other films as well. Coming to America, Stripped to Kill, 2012, and Crocodile Dundee all used the iconic backdrop for scenes too.
The Chase Scene Pier – Liverpool, England
Towards the beginning of Captain America, Steve Rogers is being chased through the backstreets and docks of a fictional New York City. Funnily enough, the Pier 13 scene was not filmed in the U.S. at all – it was actually filmed in Liverpool.
The Stanley Dock in Liverpool received some major changes for the film that aren't there anymore – you won't find classic cars lining the sides of the road, the Pier 13 sign, or a Nazi submarine docked here. It's still amazing how little CGI was used for the backgrounds, though, as if Liverpool is stuck in the '40s itself.
The Plainclothes Mall – Cleveland, USA
In Captain America and the Winter Soldier, the eponymous hero and Black Widow have to casually blend in to avoid HYDRA agents throughout a mall in Washington DC. While there were a lot of on-site locations used in DC for the movie, this scene was actually filmed in Cleveland.
RELATED: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Best Heroes, Ranked
The Tower City Center was used for both this blending-in scene and the Apple Store scene. Perhaps they chose it for the huge available lobby space, or maybe the location scouts saw it as an idealistic-looking mall in general.
Hydra Research Base – Forte di Bard, Italy
The Hydra Research Base as seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron and in an after-credits scene of Captain America and the Winter Soldier is actually a lightly-edited rendition of a real-life fortress. The Forte di Bard in Italy was once in disrepair but was fully renovated in recent years.
The Fort sits above the small town of Bard in Northwestern Italy. Even if you're not a Marvel fan, it's still a magnificent piece of architecture build into the side of a towering rocky cliff and well worth seeing when spending time in Italy.
Calling Dormammu in Exeter College – Oxford, England
Oxford, England is home to countless filming locations, thanks to the city's austere history related to Oxford University. In Doctor Strange, we see the Zealots arrive at Oxford and bind themselves to Dormammu in Exeter College, specifically in the College Chapel.
RELATED: Marvel Villains That Could Debut In The MCU's Next Phases
The scenery in the college is awe-inspiring on its own, especially at the Chapel where Mads Mikkelsen is seen manipulating the makeup and shape of the college after the bond is sealed. You won't see rapidly changing floor tiles or psychedelic twisting corridors here, but it's nonetheless well worth a visit for its incredible stained glass and classic British architecture.
The Asgardian Forest – Queensland, Australia
Towards the middle of Thor Ragnarok, we see Heimdall leading a troupe of Asgardian refugees through the forests of Asgard to escape the wrath of Hela and her sudden takeover. Just about everything in these scenes used real-life backgrounds with minimal editing of places throughout two locations in Australian national parks.
Tamborine National Park, and Cedar Creek Falls, were used for the scene where Heimdall is ambushed by Hela and must lead the refugees past a gently cascading, instantly recognizable waterfall. This waterfall appears in real life just as it did in the movie – and it's possible to go for a swim in the shallow waters below.
The Schwarma Joint – Los Angeles
One of the most memorable (and hilariously out-of-character) scenes in any Marvel movie must surely be the after-credits scene of the original Avengers movie. The superhero squad is seen munching down on some middle-eastern food, recommended by Tony Stark, not talking at all as they unwind from the most insane day of their lives.
Interestingly enough, this scene was not actually in the original cut of the movie as it was released. It was filmed after the premiere of The Avengers in Los Angeles at a place called Elat Burger. Now called Shalom Grill, the restaurant has references to the movie all over (and are more than happy to embrace their newfound popularity).
NEXT: Pro Tips For Marvel's Avengers You Need To Know
