Locations around Phoenix pop up in movies more often than you might realize. It’s no surprise since it’s full of picturesque settings.
So, in which films can you see Arizona’s capital city appear?
Today, we’ll tell you all about the famous flicks that include Phoenix as one of the stars.
Let’s roll!
Tour Movie Locations in Phoenix
When you think of Phoenix, what comes to mind? The first things might be the sun, heat, cactus, and a sprawling metropolis.
But there’s something else this city offers that might surprise you. Phoenix is also home to numerous popular filming locations for movies. It’s no wonder since this area has loads of unique buildings and parks that make great settings for motion pictures.
Museums, golf courses, a rich cultural history, and Southwestern culinary delights are some of the many reasons to plan a visit here. While temperatures often reach triple digits during the summer, you’ll experience pleasant weather the rest of the year. Book your vacation for the cooler months unless you love exploring cities in the heat.
Adding Phoenix’s movie locations to your itinerary is an excellent way to satisfy cinephiles in your group. So get ready to relive some of your favorite film scenes in real life!
#1 Barrister Place
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1960 film Psycho opens with a shot panning a city skyline. Then, the camera begins zooming in on one building in particular. It happens to be the Jefferson Hotel, opened in 1915.
Located on the corner of Central Avenue and Jefferson Street, it still stands today, though you can’t reserve a room there anymore. Now called Barrister Place, it sits empty after changing hands several times after the hotel closed in the mid-1970s.
Few images remain showing what Phoenix looked like in 1960, so this movie location offers a glimpse back in time. The Jefferson Hotel was the tallest building in Arizona for five years after construction. With six floors and a rooftop garden, it consisted of 150 rooms ranging in price from one to three dollars per night.
The Bates Motel may be what most of us remember from Hitchcock’s famous thriller. But check out that opening scene before visiting Phoenix to jog your memory.
Need a place to stay? 7 Best RV Parks in Phoenix, Arizona
#2 Phoenix Municipal Stadium
The 2011 movie Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt, used the Phoenix Municipal Stadium as one of its primary locations. After all, a film based on the true story of a baseball team’s general manager needs a proper setting.
Built in 1964, it holds 8,775 people. So it’s certainly not in the league of most sports stadiums these days. The Phoenix Muni, as locals call it, is currently home to the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball program. If you time your visit right, you can catch a game and relive scenes from Moneyball.
From its opening year to 1981, the San Francisco Giants held spring training here. In addition, the ballpark hosted concerts for major touring acts like The Police, Black Sabbath, and Blue Oyster Cult.
While no longer a multi-use facility, the park remains a popular spot for Phoenix area residents to enjoy watching one of their favorite sports.
#3 Arizona State Fairgrounds
The Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix was a location in the 1956 movie Bus Stop. Starring Marilyn Monroe, it’s a story of a cowboy and a pretty nightclub singer who fall in love at the rodeo.
Considering the site opened in 1905, It’s likely that very thing happened in real life before the film’s debut. In addition to the annual fair, it’s hosted numerous community events such as concerts and important speakers. Luminaries, including President Obama, Pope John Paul II, and Elvis, have graced the stage over the years.
The facility is on McDowell Road in Phoenix’s Encanto Village neighborhood. Of course, you can walk by it anytime, but you’ll have to wait for one of the many public events to go inside.
#4 Papago Park
In 1985, Just One of the Guys, a comedic coming-of-age movie, used Phoenix’s beautiful Papago Park as one of its film locations. During the story, teens explore a spot known as Hole-in-the-Rock.
For those familiar with the area, this unique setting is instantly identifiable. Fortunately, this is one of the places on our list that’s open to the public. You can get some excellent photos on the short, steep trail leading to the location featured in the flick.
The history of Papago Park dates back to 1879. At that time, it was the home of the Maricopa and Pima peoples. Thirty-five years later, President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national monument. While Congress later removed that designation, the city of Phoenix bought the land in 1959.
Today, you can walk the hiking trails that wind through incredible red rock formations. It’s also great for biking and picnicking. Additionally, you’ll find a botanical garden and zoo as two of the many attractions to check out.
Go beyond the movie locations: 9 Best Things To Do in Phoenix, Arizona
#5 Arizona Biltmore
Phoenix’s legendary Arizona Biltmore was the location for several scenes in two mid-90s movies, The Getaway and Waiting to Exhale. In the first flick, Kim Basinger checks in at the resort’s front desk. You’ll also see other shots of the historic building throughout the film. In Waiting to Exhale, Angela Bassett joins Wesley Snipes for a drink in the Wright Bar.
Opened in 1929, the Biltmore’s designer was Albert Chase McArthur, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The impressive structure is sure to excite any architectural fans.
While you can reserve a room, cottage, or suite here, it’s not cheap! Prices start around $600 for a one-night stay.
However, you could also book a tour online for a more affordable way to explore the grounds. Or, purchase a day pass to access the resort’s multiple pools and cabanas. The kids will love the splash pad and waterslides while you grab a beverage from the swim-up bar.
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The Sun Shines on Phoenix’s Movie Locations
Phoenix definitely has plenty to offer in the way of picturesque movie locations. From historic buildings to urban parks, Arizona’s state capital provides a beautiful backdrop for all kinds of films. You could spend days wandering around the city and checking out famous spots featured on the big screen.
Of course, with so many places to visit in this desert town, you won’t run out of things to do. But if you need more ideas, add a few famous movie settings as stops along the way!
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