The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been responsible for the top-grossing films of all time. But what many might not know is that the vast majority have been filmed around the state of Georgia, especially after the creation of Pinewood Studios south of Atlanta.
Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Black Panther, and Spider-Man: Homecoming are just a few that have used the region as a background. Marvel has since expanded into shows like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision.
For even more locations, check out this WABE guide and Atlas of Wonders.
Marvel Filming Locations in Georgia
Atlanta
Much of the on-location filming of Marvel movies are in and around downtown Atlanta. One significant location is known as “The Gulch,” named for the area where the trains ran underneath the city. Captain America: Civil War, in particular, pictured during filming, used this area as an African village using a large green screen.
The former Norfolk Southern building is undergoing extensive revitalization so its future as a location to visit is unclear. This article from Curbed provides a unique look inside. The best views are from Nelson Street in Castleberry Hill.
In Avengers: Infinity War, Pepper and Tony go for a walk in Central Park. But it was really Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, also designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and company. Later on, Walton Street was transformed into a New York City street where the Avengers fight the Children of Thanos.
In Black Panther, Killmonger steals an item from the British Museum, but in fact, it was Atlanta’s High Museum of Art. It was also used in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which transformed it into the Smithsonian museum.
Downtown’s Friedman’s Shoes is where T’Challa captures Klaue and across the street serves as the CIA headquarters. Atlanta City Hall stood in as the United Nations.
The Georgia World Congress Center stood in as the airport in WandaVision and the tunnels underneath were used in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The buildings of Peachtree Center were also used.
In Spiderman: Homecoming, Grady High School in Midtown stood in for New York’s Midtown High School, but a real school in Brooklyn was used for exteriors.
Later in the film, Tony Stark sends Peter Parker a warning from India after saving him. Riverdale’s Hindu Temple of Atlanta was used as a background.
In Avengers: Endgame, Broad Street was transformed into a Japanese street where Black Widow discovers Clint Barton. Many of the signs placed here, alongside colorful murals, are still there.
The old DeKalb Courthouse was used as the military court that Sharon Carter attends at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The Georgia State Capitol is also seen, although with its iconic gold dome removed.
Cartersville
Cartersville is a town in Northwest Georgia about an hour from Atlanta, first incorporated in 1854. It was one of the important railroad towns, especially after the destruction of nearby Cassville during the Civil War. It also had one of the first pharmacies to carry Coca-Cola, denoted by the 1894 hand-painted sign.
In recent years, the quaint downtown has been used in a number of films including the Three Stooges remake. Marvel has also used Cartersville.
In Spiderman: Homecoming, Wall Street and the historic depot were used as background. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, it’s used as one of the earth scenes as Ego tries to destroy the planet.
Fayetteville
Pinewood Studios is home to the largest studio space in the United States and is located in Fayetteville, south of Atlanta. Nearly every Marvel production to be filmed in the state used the studio. While it’s closed to the public, there are some spaces that fans can see.
Located across the street from the gates, the Hanna Brothers Studio Cafe is the state’s first film commissary, operated by a catering company that has operations in New Orleans and Miami.
Visitors can experience their menu on weekdays from 12-1 pm in the Studio Cafe in the Pinewood Production Centre, which also feeds those working at the studio.
The residential and commercial area called Trilith also has a lake that was used in Ant-Man. It will eventually have an onsite hotel but in the meantime, visitors can see the town’s restaurants and shops.
Hapeville
Starting with Captain America: Civil War, the Porsche Experience Center near the Atlanta airport is used as the Avengers headquarters. The modern exterior portrayed upstate New York.
The building serves as the luxury car manufacturer’s North American headquarters and includes a visitor’s center, restaurant, and test track where you can learn from Porsche drive coaches.
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island, in Georgia’s Golden Isles, has been used for a number of films and television shows, including The Walking Dead and Glory. But its beaches were also used in X-Men: First Class.
The movie was filmed primarily in England but moved to Georgia for the pinnacle scene where the mutants must stop a missile launch during the Cold War.
While it’s not clear exactly which beach they used, Driftwood Beach, Glory Beach, and St. Andrews Beach are three of the island’s best.
Savannah
The Falcon and Winter Soldier filmed scenes outside of Savannah, standing in for Louisiana. The Downing Piers and the Vernonburg neighborhood were used, located on Skidaway Island.
Marvel Tours and Experiences
Editor’s Note: Sadly, Atlanta Movie Tours has gone out of business. They will be missed.
Atlanta Movie Tours is the first and only company to offer Marvel-themed film tours of Atlanta, called the Hero Tour. The three-hour excursion visits the many locations around the city, including from Black Panther, Spiderman, and Captain America.
While Marvel may not have their own fan festival in the state like Stranger Things and The Walking Dead, DragonCon brings in the stars of many superhero films and well as cosplayers.
Where to Eat and Drink
Looking for something to eat while you’re touring the locations from the movies? There’s a delicious meal not far away.
Atlanta Restaurants
In the two Ant-Man films, the characters make their way around the city’s eateries. Hope Pym and Darren Cross dine at St. Cecilia in Buckhead, an award-winning Italian restaurant.
The Braves All-Star Grill downtown was also used as an internet cafe. El Bandido Mex Mex Grill in Little Five Points was also used for interior shots in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
In Captain America: Civil War, Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead stood in for an English pub. The bar and restaurant serves authentic Irish fare like braised lamb as well as beer from throughout Europe.
While the real place where the Avengers get shawarma is in Los Angeles, foodies can dine near the filming locations at Baraka Shawarma Mediterranean on Forsyth Street. The casual to-go spot has been open since 2010.
Cartersville Restaurants
Downtown Cartersville has an incredible restaurant scene. Table 20 offers fresh cuisine with international influences. Appalachian Grill is known for its pecan-crusted chicken and grilled steaks. Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Ross’s Diner. Shweat Deli has hearty sandwiches like chicken salad and
Hapeville Restaurants
If you’re visiting the Porsche Experience Center, also known as Avengers headquarters, you can dine at Restaurant 356. The upscale restaurant overlooks the test track and has a menu of Southern and international-inspired dishes.
For a casual option, Mami’s La Cubana is an authentic Cuban restaurant that is a favorite of airport employees. They have Cuban sandwiches, tostones, tamales, and empanadas as well as strong coffee.
Jekyll Island Restaurants
Jekyll Island has incredible seafood restaurants. Driftwood Bistro is a short walk from the namesake beach and has beloved shrimp and grits.
Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar at the Jekyll Ocean Club has weekend brunch, a raw bar, and pizza oven. Menu favorites include their seafood pizza, goat cheese hushpuppies, and lobster mac and cheese. The Wharf at the Jekyll Island Club overlooks the water with live music and coastal fare.
Where to Stay
Looking for a place to stay while on your Marvel pilgrimage? There are accommodations all along the way, including ones used in the films.
Atlanta Hotels
The Embassy Suites Atlanta Perimeter Center was used in Spiderman: Homecoming for the Washington DC trip to academic decathlon. The renovated property is close to Perimeter Mall and includes complimentary breakfast.
Later on, Peter gets an “upgrade” from Tony Stark. The Mandarin Oriental Atlanta, now the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, was used as the luxurious hotel in Berlin . The stunning property has an English-style garden, upscale spa, and restaurant.
In Captain America: Civil War, Steve Rogers, Sam, and Sharon Carter see the news about Bucky Barnes. This scene was filmed at the W Atlanta Buckhead.
Cartersville Hotels
Hilton Garden Inn Cartersville has conference facilities and is located a short drive from downtown. Hampton Inn Emerson LakePoint is one of the sporting community’s properties. Barnsley Resort is also nearby.
Chattahoochee Hills
Bouckaert Farms near Chattahoochee Hills was used for battle scenes in Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame. But fans can also stay in the rustic cabin where Tony Stark got away. Use our link to get a discount on your first Airbnb stay. The Inn at Serenbe is also nearby.
Hapeville Hotels
Kimpton Overland Hotel Atlanta Airport was built in 2017 under a different name but became a part of the brand in 2019. It overlooks both the airport runways and the Porsche Experience Center’s test track.
Rooms and suites have necessary amenities like flat-screen televisions and coffee makers. The hotel also has a rooftop bar, swimming pool, a fine dining restaurant, and complimentary airport shuttles.
Jekyll Island Hotels
Some of the cast were reported to have stayed at The Lodge at Sea Island during the production of X-Men: First Class. The luxury resort also has the inn property on St. Simon’s Island.
The Jekyll Island Club Resort (review here) is an affordable alternative a short drive from the beaches where the scenes were filmed. They also have a beach club property.
Must-Have Marvel Gear
Looking for some fan-inspired gear before your trip? There are some great places to pick up the essentials whether you’re in Georgia or online shopping. You can find fan attire on Etsy and stores like Hot Topic.
PIN IT
Looking for even more Marvel locations in the South? Iron Man 3 filmed at Villa Vizcaya in Miami, Florida as well as in Wilmington, North Carolina, also known as Wilmywood.
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