RSS Feed

Related Articles

Related Categories

Virginia launches The Lincoln Movie Trail

29th January 2013 Print
Lincoln

The worlds of movie magic and travel are set to come together in Virginia with the launch of The Lincoln Movie Trail. Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, opens in the UK on 25 January 2013. The movie was filmed 100 percent in Virginia at sites in Richmond and Petersburg. The state tourism office has created a self-guided trail and interactive website to help movie and history buffs visit actual film locations that are open for visitors as well as restaurants, bars and shops that were favorites of the stars. The trail experience includes special Lincoln tours by Segway and guided walking tours.

Notable film locations that are open for visitors include the Virginia State Capitol, historic downtown Petersburg and the Empire Theater. Each participating trail site is marked with an iconic “Lincoln was Here” graphic, with more information online about each site’s connection to the movie.  An interactive trail map as well as Lincoln travel packages, special offers and unique guided tours are on Virginia.org/Lincoln.

“The anticipation for Lincoln has been building for years. We’re excited it’s finally here as Virginia has a starring role in the film,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “The trail launch is timed with the movie’s release so fans can come walk in the footsteps of Spielberg’s Lincoln in Virginia and see where they made the movie and enjoy the same restaurants and businesses that were favorites of the stars.”

The Lincoln Movie Trail is self-guided. Visitors can go to Virginia.org/Lincoln and use an interactive map to plan a visit to film sites which are open for visitors and include the Virginia State Capitol, Maymont, the Virginia Executive Mansion, historic downtown Petersburg, the Empire Theater and other sites in Richmond and Petersburg. The cast and crew spent months filming Lincoln in Virginia and reportedly had several restaurants and shops that were favorites which are now part of the trail, including Arcadia, Brickhouse Run and Bistro Bobette. Each business included on the trail completed an online application form and stated which stars visited. 

Online visitors can also learn about historic sites in Virginia where President Lincoln himself visited during the Civil War. The online trip planner will help build a personalized itinerary complete with museums, restaurants and lodging options.

Lincoln makes use of Virginia’s many historic battlefields to portray the story of the Civil War and the State’s fascinating Central Virginia Civil War trail provides the ideal opportunity for visitors to explore Richmond and Petersburg, taking in the Richmond National Battlefield Park, which is home to many important and historic sites associated with the Civil War, the White House of the Confederacy, the Petersburg National Battlefield Park, and several historic Civil War sites and battlefields located in and around Central Virginia.

Having explored these historic filming locations, travellers may wish to learn more about the Civil War at one of America’s leading historical attractions, Pamplin Historical Park. Alternatively follow in the footsteps of President Abraham Lincoln in Virginia and visit all the key locations visited by the infamous President during the Civil War, such as City Point, Chatham Manor, the Fredericksburg Battlefield, and the White House of the Confederacy.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in 2012 and 2013, a number of special events will also take place across Virginia and the Capital Region.

Visit Virginia.org/Lincoln to learn more about The Lincoln Movie trail

To find out more about Virginia and the Capital Region USA, visit CapitalRegionUSA.co.uk

More Photos - Click to Enlarge

Lincoln