Based on the book series, The Hunger Games movies chronicled Katniss, a girl living in a post-apocalyptic world where the government forces children to fight to the death every year.
It made stars of Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson. Visitors can actually see where The Hunger Games was filmed. The four movies were also filmed around the South, specifically Georgia and North Carolina. Many locations are open to visitors.
The Hunger Games Locations in Atlanta, Georgia
The Swan House at the Atlanta History Center
Set in the Buckhead neighborhood, the 1928 mansion is Atlanta‘s most famous, owned by the Inman family. The “Swan House,” as it is commonly known, was designed by architect Philip Trammell Shutze, who also designed nearby landmarks like The Temple and Henry W. Grady High School.
The home was used for exterior and interior shots as President Snow’s home, including the banquet scene in Catching Fire. The Swan House is open to tours as a part of the campus of the Atlanta History Center, which offers Hunger Games-specific tours that showcase Snow’s office and its remaining props.
The Goat Farm
Located in a complex of 19th-century industrial warehouses, the Goat Farm Arts Center is home to hundreds of artist studios. The buildings host film screenings, dance performances, and other events, but have also been used as the backdrop for countless film and television shows.
In The Hunger Games, this area was where the Justice building was set up, as well as The Hob where Katniss and Gale kiss. The arts center is open to the public, especially the in-house coffee shop.
Pratt-Pullman Yard
The Pratt Pullman Yard has ties to Atlanta‘s industrial history, built in 1904 as a sugar and fertilizer processing plant. In 1926, the Pullman company bought the buildings to restore their iconic sleeper train cars. It was abandoned in the 1970s, briefly being used in the 90s before falling into disrepair and being covered in graffiti.
But it’s this look that made it perfect to be used as The Hob in The Hunger Games, along with scenes in Divergent and Baby Driver. The site was purchased in 2017 by a film producer and has started to host events like art exhibits and food trucks.
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Located south of Atlanta in Hampton, the Atlanta Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile track that opened in 1960. It hosts a number of Nascar races every year but has also been used in films like Smokey and the Bandit and Logan Lucky.
In The Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta make their entry into the Quarter Quell on this track. Visitors can check out the track during a race, during one of the many events like festivals and Christmas lights, or on a track tour.
Marriott Marquis Hotel Atlanta
One of the best places to stay in Atlanta, the Marriott Marquis Atlanta is an iconic building designed by John Portman. Built in 1985, it was once the largest atrium in the world, with a unique wave pattern. Located near Peachtree Center and countless attractions, the hotel has a spa, fitness center, and cocktail lounge.
In Mockingjay, the hotel’s futuristic interior served as the tribute quarters where Johanna Mason famously stripped down in the elevators. If you’re a guest of the hotel, you can see it up close, but the public can also admire the interior by grabbing a drink at the bar or attending DragonCon, one of the event’s host hotels.
Other Hunger Games Georgia Locations
Sweetwater Creek State Park, Lithia Springs
Set in Douglas County only 15 miles from downtown, this state park has over 2,500 acres of hiking trails. The remains of the New Manchester Textile Mill, which was burned by Union troops, is a must-see. The park was used as a backdrop in Mockingjay, where Katniss and Gale sit by the river.
The park is open to day-trippers and overnight guests, where you can stay in one of the yurts. Don’t miss the LEED-certified visitor’s center, which has information about other film projects that used the park.
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo, Dahlonega
The North Georgia zoo and wildlife preserve has over 100 species of rescued animals that call it home, including alligators, chimpanzees, and lions on 30 acres.
Volunteers educate visitors about animals. In Mockingjay, Katniss and Gale hunt elk in District 13, which was filmed in Chestatee. They’re open daily for animal encounters. It’s also near many of Georgia’s wineries.
Clayton County International Park, Jonesboro
This public park has a beach that was the site of the 1996 Olympics volleyball games as well as a lake, children’s water park, walking trails, and tennis courts.
In Catching Fire, the Quarter Quell was filmed on the beach, where the cornucopia was set up. The beach and the rest of the park are set to reopen after restoration in 2019.
Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake, Augusta
The dam on the Georgia-South Carolina state line overlooks a 71,000-acre lake, which is a part of Elijah Clark State Park. Built in 1946, the lake near Augusta is popular with fishermen and boaters, with rental cottages and campgrounds nearby.
The dam was used in a digitized version to show the train rides from the districts to the capital. The visitor’s center has information and programming.
The Hunger Games Locations in North Carolina
Dupont State Forest, Cedar Mountain
Full of stunning waterfalls and trails, Dupont State Forest near Brevard is just one of many natural settings in the North Carolina mountains that is worth a visit. The 7,600-acre forest was designated in 1996, purchased from the Dupont Corporation.
This park was used in the first Hunger Games film for a number of scenes, including when Peeta was in hiding after camouflaging himself. Dupont is open to visitors daily.
Henry River Mill Village, Hildebran
This now-abandoned factory town near Shelby was originally built to produce cotton yarns but fell into disrepair when the industry was no longer needed.
Left behind are simple wooden houses where workers and their families lived. The style was ideal for the sets of the Mellark bakery and the Everdeen home. Visitors can explore the village only by guided tour.
Charlotte Convention Centre and Knight Theatre, Charlotte
In the Queen City, the 550,000 square foot Charlotte Convention Center hosts countless conferences, trade shows, and events, but it was also used as the site of the Tributes’ chariot entrance in the Hunger Games films.
Nearby, the Knight Theater is a performing arts venue that is the permanent home of the Charlotte Symphony and the North Carolina Dance Theatre. Here, the tributes were interviewed by the outrageous Caesar Flickerman. The theatre is best seen while attending a performance.
The Hunger Games Tours
The Hunger Games Unofficial Tours showcases some of the early film locations in North Carolina.
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Looking for an Atlanta hotel? Some of our favorites include the Marriott Marquis and the American Hotel. Airbnb is another option. There’s no shortage of things to do in Atlanta, including tours and museums, so check out our weekend guide for more information.
Henry River Mill village is closer to Hickory NC than Shelby NC. Hickory was known at one time as one of the largest furniture producing towns in the USA