If you’re a fan of the classic 1983 comedy movie, National Lampoon’s Vacation, you might be wondering where the film was actually shot. The movie follows the Griswold family on a cross-country road trip from Chicago to California in their trusty green station wagon, encountering mishaps and comedic situations along the way.
Locations of Lampoon’s Vacation
The movie features several iconic locations that have become synonymous with the film over the years. Here are some of the most famous locations used in the filming of National Lampoon’s Vacation:
Walley World Theme Park
One of the most memorable locations in the movie is Walley World, a fictional amusement park that serves as the Griswold family’s ultimate destination. The park scenes were filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. The roller coaster featured in the movie is called Colossus and was one of the largest wooden coasters in America at that time.
The Grand Canyon
During their road trip, Clark and his family make a stop at one of America’s most iconic landmarks—the Grand Canyon. The scenes were actually filmed at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park near Agua Dulce in California.
The Desert Scenes
The desert scenes where Clark and his family get lost were filmed near Yuma, Arizona. This location is where they end up driving through a fake town called “Cousin Eddie’s” which was built specifically for this scene.
St. Louis Arch
In one scene, while driving through St. Louis, Missouri, Clark accidentally drives into a rough neighborhood and ends up crashing into a closed down amusement park before finally getting to see Gateway Arch from far away. All these scenes were filmed on location in St Louis.
In Conclusion
National Lampoon’s Vacation is a classic comedy movie that has entertained audiences for decades. The film’s iconic locations have become just as famous as the characters themselves.
From Walley World to the Grand Canyon, the film captures some of America’s most beautiful and memorable destinations. Now that you know where the movie was filmed, you can plan your own Griswold-style road trip to see these locations for yourself.