12 Healing Film Locations That Will Restore Your Soul

Set-jetting — the practice of visiting places shown on screen — has moved beyond fandom into a travel style that can soothe and refresh. As the travel industry shifts toward experiences with deeper value, many travelers pair on-screen curiosity with wellness practices. Research shows set-jetting represents a meaningful slice of travel trends, and the global wellness tourism market is growing strongly, which explains why people now search for trips that feel both cinematic and restorative.

1. Yellowstone National Park, Montana — "Yellowstone"

Yellowstone’s wide-open plains, rugged mountains, and quiet ranch lands make it an obvious choice for travelers who want cinematic scenery and space to breathe. The TV series popularized a certain ranch aesthetic, but visiting the region offers more than photo moments. Long hikes across national-park trails or slower days spent on guest ranches let you reset your pace. Nature therapy research highlights the calming effect of immersive landscapes, and Yellowstone’s panoramas deliver that. For North American visitors, the park is accessible by car or short regional flights into hubs like Bozeman, with summer and early fall offering the most reliable weather. Winter offers quieter solitude for those who don’t mind cold temperatures and limited services.

2. Kualoa Ranch, Oahu — "Jurassic Park"

Kualoa Ranch on Oahu’s windward coast is famous for jungle-draped valleys and dramatic ridgelines that have starred in hundreds of productions. The film-ready scenery also supports restorative outdoor activities: ocean breezes, guided nature walks, and gentle horseback rides across green valleys. Time by the water and slow-paced exploration help reset mood and energy, especially when combined with simple Hawaiian wellness practices like beach-time breathing or a guided coastal walk. Because the ranch sits a short drive from Honolulu, it’s a straightforward addition to an Oahu trip for North American visitors seeking both cinematic context and relaxed island time.

3. Forks, Washington — "Twilight"

Forks, on Washington’s misty Olympic Peninsula, draws fans of a certain moody romance. The town’s rain-soaked forests and quiet coastal drives also provide an earthy backdrop for restorative walks and forest bathing. Small-town rhythms encourage slower days: linger in cafés, take guided walks through old-growth forests, or explore nearby beaches where tide pools invite mindful moments. Forks is reachable from Seattle with a scenic drive and a ferry option if you prefer to build in coastal scenery. The off-season rains are part of the town’s character, and many visitors find the gentle gray skies comforting rather than dreary.

4. Prince Edward Island, Canada — "Anne of Green Gables"

Prince Edward Island’s red-sand beaches, rolling farmland, and small harbors capture the gentle, restorative feeling associated with "Anne of Green Gables." The island invites slow travel: bike rides along quiet roads, seaside strolls at dusk, and time in small towns where the pace encourages reflection. For travelers from eastern North America, flights and ferries make PEI an accessible option for a long weekend or weeklong retreat. The island’s temperate summers are ideal for outdoor time, while shoulder seasons offer peaceful quiet and lower rates.

5. Monterey & Big Sur, California — "Big Little Lies" (set in Monterey)

The dramatic Pacific coastline from Monterey to Big Sur has a cinematic gravity that quiets the mind. Cliffs, crashing surf, and windswept beaches create sensory focus that feels cleansing. The TV series set in Monterey amplified interest in the region, but the area’s restorative qualities come from ocean time and long coastal walks. Driving Highway 1 at a relaxed pace is itself a restorative practice, since the route encourages stopping at vista points and listening to the surf. For North American travelers, Monterey is within easy driving distance from San Jose or San Francisco, while Big Sur’s limited lodging and seasonal road conditions reward advance planning.

6. Savannah, Georgia — "Forrest Gump"

Savannah’s oak-lined squares and slow-moving streets make it a natural spot for visitors who want a gentler city rhythm. The city’s cinematic moment in "Forrest Gump" draws many travelers, but the real value is in wandering historic neighborhoods, lingering in cafés, and letting the mossy trees set a calm pace. The compact downtown is walkable, encouraging easy days with minimal transit stress. Low-key art galleries, garden walks, and riverfront strolls give repeated small restorative moments that add up across a weekend.

7. Central Park, New York City — many films

Central Park is a rare urban place that offers quick restorative returns without leaving the city. Iconic film scenes set in the park help visitors feel connected to cinematic moments, but the park’s real healing power lies in pockets of green, swan-filled ponds, and quiet pathways. For travelers balancing city energy with needed calm, an early-morning walk or a midday boat ride on the lake can reset focus and reduce stress. The park’s accessibility makes it a practical option for a short, restorative break between museum visits or business commitments.

8. Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles — "La La Land" and classics

Perched above Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory provides skyline perspective and stargazing that help put things in view. Film fans know the spot from "La La Land" and many earlier classics, but visitors often find the real reward in the broad city views and quiet trails nearby. Sunset and evening visits offer a contemplative mood, while daytime hikes in adjacent Griffith Park give easy physical activity combined with fresh air. For travelers who want cinematic moments plus mental refreshment, the observatory pairs star-focused calm with urban accessibility.

9. Niagara Falls, NY/ON — "Niagara" and many films

Niagara Falls is sensory medicine: thunderous water, spray, and the sheer scale of moving volumes can make it easier to release worry. The falls have appeared in films across decades, and boarding a boat or walking the promenade provides immersive, grounding experiences. For citizens of the U.S. and Canada, Niagara is often a short drive or a short flight away, making it practical for a restorative weekend. The area also offers quieter vantage points if you seek less tourist-heavy experiences, especially in shoulder seasons.

10. Canadian Rockies (Banff & Lake Louise), Alberta — backdrop for films like "The Revenant"

The Canadian Rockies offer mountain immersion that slows mental tempo through alpine air, long vistas, and structured quiet. Areas around Banff and Lake Louise have stood in for dramatic film landscapes and provide countless ways to restore—gentle lakeside walks, easy gondola rides, and thermal pools at nearby spas. For travelers from the U.S., Calgary or Edmonton serve as typical air gateways with manageable drive times. Summer brings hiking and clear lakes; winter offers snowy hush and a different brand of slow focus.

11. Napa Valley, California — "Bottle Shock"

Napa Valley pairs cinematic vineyard vistas with rituals that invite slow savoring. Wine country’s walking routes, cellar-door tastings, and spa pairings create an environment for gentle indulgence and mindful tasting. Many travelers find that repeated small pleasures—tasting a single wine slowly, sitting in vineyard shade, or dining at a farmhouse table—add up to a restorative experience. For North American visitors, a weekend in Napa is a feasible reset, though lodging and tastings require advance booking during popular times.

12. Santa Fe & Taos, New Mexico — Southwestern film settings

Santa Fe and Taos combine art scenes, desert light, and cultural rhythms that help travelers slow down. The region has been used in various film and TV projects and attracts creative visitors who value contemplative time. Sitting in a sunlit plaza, visiting small galleries, or taking a quiet drive through desert landscapes are accessible ways to restore. The area also offers wellness offerings like spa retreats and restful lodgings that foreground quiet and reflection. Santa Fe’s airport connections and drive times from major hubs make it reachable for a short restorative break.

Wrap-Up: How to Set-Jet for Real Rest

Set-jetting can be more than a list of photo stops. When you choose a film location with restoration in mind, the trip becomes a crafted experience that supports slow rhythms, presence, and renewed perspective. Start by picking one or two healing priorities—quiet nature, seaside calm, mountain air, or gentle cultural time—and select a destination above that aligns with the feeling you want. Use the practical tips in each entry to book at the right time and avoid crowd-heavy moments. Pair cinematic visits with simple wellness practices: slow walks, focused breathing, a single mindful meal, or an early-morning pause away from the main tourist sites.