Vancouver on the Screens : Fall Filming Locations You Can Actually Visit

Also known as Hollywood North, Vancouver has been the backdrop of countless films and TV series throughout the years. Visit in the fall and you’ll see why. From the cobblestone streets of Gastown covered in crunchy leaves, the transformative plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, or even the Georgia Viaduct on cloudy days in your favourite superhero flick, the city is filled with cinematic locations you can step right into. To bring the experience to life, Storyboard Experiences offers guided walks that reveal behind-the-scenes stories and filming locations throughout the city.

Capilano River

Quintessentially autumn, Capilano River is a popular destination where the Capilano Suspension Bridge is framed by colourful foliage, drifting fog, and the sounds of waterfalls below. Whether you’re team Edward or team Jacob, this spot is a must-visit for Twilight fans as it was featured in the third instalment of the vampire film franchise.

The Marine Building

Completed in the 1930s, the Marine Building was once Vancouver’s tallest skyscraper and remains a Hollywood favourite due to its transformative design. Considered one of the most notable Art Deco landmarks in the world, the building has often played a role on the screen as New York office towers, appearing in superhero flicks such as Fantastic Four, The Flash, and Superman & Lois. Centrally located in downtown Vancouver, it is also steps away from a number of notable restaurants, including Nightingale, which made an appearance in the rom-com Always Be My Maybe.

Vancouver Public Library (Downtown Branch)

The Coliseum-inspired architecture of the Vancouver Public Library’s central branch makes it a go-to for panoramic views and dramatic scene settings. In autumn, the overcast skies and rain-slicked streets add a mysterious atmosphere that filmmakers adore. It has appeared in productions such as The 6th Day and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

Bloedel Conservatory

One of the most beautiful viewpoints in Vancouver is found at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park, home to the domed Bloedel Conservatory. The domed building has the unique bragging rights of being Vancouver’s highest point, providing 360-degree views year-round and is especially captivating in autumn when the surrounding trees shift colour. The futuristic glass dome has also caught the eye of filmmakers, appearing in productions such as Supergirl, Fringe, and The Magicians.

Vancouver Art Gallery

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a popular spot among visitors and locals, but did you know the former law courts are also the backdrop of many of your favourite films and shows? The interior was transformed into the museum in Night at the Museum, while the surrounding plaza is prominently featured in The Interview and X-Men: The Last Stand.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia has appeared in over 100 different films and television shows, thanks to its lush campus and grand architecture. While the university maintains a strict anonymity policy for filmmakers, film fans may recognise some familiar spots: The UBC Rose Garden is featured in Battlestar Galactica, Thunderbird Stadium doubled as a soccer pitch in She’s The Man, and the Chan Centre set the stage for a party in the cult-classic, Josie and the Pussycats. While browsing the campus, make sure to check out the UBC Botanical Garden as well.

Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts

The Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts may carry traffic across downtown Vancouver, but they’re also a favourite backdrop for filmmakers. Overlooking False Creek with views of Science World, Rogers Arena, and BC Place, the elevated roadway has appeared in several blockbusters. It also gained international attention in Deadpool, when Vancouver’s own Ryan Reynolds starred as the infamous antihero, opening with an explosive action sequence on the viaduct.

Britannia Mine Museum

The Britannia Mine Museum is one of the most distinctive heritage sites along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, where industrial architecture meets unbeatable views of Howe Sound. In the fall, mist often drifts across the bay, giving the site a cinematic quality. An award-winning national historic site, the former mine turned museum now welcomes visitors to explore its many tunnels, exhibits, and 20-storey concentrator mill. Its rustic setting has also caught the eye of filmmakers, featured in series like The X-Files and Smallville, transformed into a post-apocalyptic landscape for The Last of Us, and used in blockbuster films including Scooby-Doo 2 and Underworld: Evolution.

Gastown

Gastown is one of Vancouver’s most recognisable filming locations, drawing tourists, film fans, and locals alike. The city’s oldest neighbourhood boasts a vintage character that has doubled for countless on-screen settings–from Ana and Christian’s first date in Fifty Shades to the backdrop of the 80s classic MacGyver. Even the famous Steam Clock has had its close-up in Chuck Norris’ The Hitman. With exposed brick buildings and cobblestone streets that can easily transform into New York brownstones or 1940s film noir backdrops, Gastown’s cinematic appeal is unmistakable. Visiting these spots in the fall offers a chance to experience Vancouver the way that filmmakers do, through moody skies, golden leaves, and dramatic backdrops. Whether you’re a fan of blockbuster superhero films, rom-com leads, or cult classics, the city proves that Hollywood North is just as captivating off-screen.