If you’ve watched “Annie,” you’ve already seen a corner of New Jersey, even if nobody ever told you. In the film, the grand estate grounds of Monmouth University in West Long Branch stood in for Daddy Warbucks’ mansion, and the coastal towns of Asbury Park and Red Bank both turn up in “Chasing Amy.”
Plenty of other famous scenes sit in places you can visit, and New Jersey just put a batch of them on a map. Its new film trails pair real filming spots with places to eat and wander nearby. With fall road trips and Halloween coming up, your next movie night could turn into a day trip or a full weekend away.
New Jersey Launches Its Official Film Trails
New Jersey’s Division of Travel and Tourism launched the New Jersey Film Trails on Sept. 30, teaming up with the state’s film commission. The online hub helps you explore memorable filming locations with interactive maps and stories from behind the scenes.
Jon Crowley, who heads the commission, called the trails “a dream come true.” He also thinks film tourism will be a boon for local towns and businesses.
3 Trails to Start With
The hub opens with three seasonal trails, and each one sticks to a different kind of movie. Here’s what you’ll find.
- Spooky Season Trail: Horror fans can visit New Jersey spots from “Friday the 13th,” “The Amityville Horror” and “I Saw the TV Glow.” Along the way, you can grab coffee at the Blairstown Diner or order a ripper at Rutt’s Hut.
- Holiday & Family Feel-Good Trail: This one covers family favorites and holiday movies, including “Big,” “Annie,” “The Perfect Holiday” and “The Preacher’s Wife.” You can explore the estate grounds at Monmouth University or discover the historic downtown spots from “The Preacher’s Wife” in Newark.
- Fall in Love Trail: Love stories get their own route, with “Atlantic City” and “Chasing Amy” among the inspirations. You can stroll the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk and browse local comic shops. Coastal stops in Asbury Park and Red Bank are on the route too.
One Fan Gets Access to the Real Crystal Lake
Johnny Mingione, the morning host on New York’s NEW 102.7, is kicking off the Spooky Season Trail with a series for Audacy that runs in four chapters through October. You can follow along through weekly videos and radio features.
The series leads into a sweepstakes that opened Oct. 5 and runs through Oct. 29. One winner gets an overnight stay in New Jersey and an experience with Crystal Lake Tours at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco.
That’s the private site behind the original 1980 “Friday the 13th,” and the prize includes access to the real-life “Crystal Lake.” Fittingly, the contest page lists the tour date as Friday, Nov. 13.
The winner also gets dining gift cards for Rutt’s Hut and the Blairstown Diner, plus Six Flags Great Adventure passes. A runner-up takes home a four-pack of Six Flags passes, and the drawing happens Oct. 30.
Have a favorite New Jersey filming spot you’d add? You can suggest it for future trails through the Film Trails hub on VisitNJ.org, and the trails will show up in the 2027 Official New Jersey Travel Guide. Horror fans, though, only have until Oct. 29 to enter for a shot at Crystal Lake.