Big Fish Filming Locations to Visit

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Based on the book Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace, the Tim Burton film is about Edward Bloom and his unusual life full of unbelievable characters.

On his deathbed, his son tries to discover what, if anything, his father told him is actually true. The movie was filmed almost entirely in Alabama and many locations from the Big Fish movie set are open to visitors.

Big Fish Locations in Alabama

Millbrook

Jackson Lake Island

Located outside of Montgomery is the set of Spectre, set on private land that is open to visitors. The town where Edward Bloom appears twice by accident has been left relatively untouched since it appeared on film.

The interiors of the buildings are not open since they’re just shells, but it’s a great photo op. The site is also inhabited by a family of goats.

Entry to Jackson Lake Island is $3, which grants access for fishing, boating, and exploring. There’s a boat ramp, but you’ll need to bring your own bait. They also have a campground for $11 per night with a bathhouse, picnic area, and playground. Call (334) 430-7963 to get the gate code.

Wetumpka

The small town of Wetumpka was used extensively in Big Fish for its small-town setting. The Blooms lived at the stunning home on the hill, located at 401 East Bridge Street (this is a private home, do not trespass).

Edward gets the key to the city in front of the Elmore County Courthouse at 100 East Commerce Street. And just down the street, at 109 Company Street, was the site of the bank robbery. A bank sign is still on the building.

The trailer park Edward and Sandra lived in for a time was also here, as is the Bibb Grave Bridge they drove over in the escape. The town also has a museum, a few restaurants, and shops you can check out.

Montgomery

Huntingdon College

Edward showed his love for Sandra by visiting her at Auburn University and bringing her hundreds of flowers. But she has a boyfriend who tries to stop him.

Real-life Auburn was not used as a location, but instead Huntingdon College, a Methodist liberal arts college in Montgomery. It was founded in 1854 as Tuskegee Women’s College, and landscaping was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.

It has National Register-listed buildings of the Gothic Revival and Tudor Revival styles and is in the Cloverdale neighborhood. You’ll find it at 1500 East Fairview Avenue, but be aware of when school is in session.

Deatsville

Pine Flat Presbyterian Church

At the end of the movie, Edward’s friends from his entire life all gather for his funeral, and his son gets to meet them. The scene was filmed at the remote Pine Flat Presbyterian Church on Highway 143. It was originally built in 1871 and still holds church services every Sunday at 10 am.

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Looking for a place to stay nearby? Jackson Lake Island has campsites. In Wetumpka, the Wind Creek Casino and Hampton Inn are two options. And in Montgomery, relax at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center.