Experience the Movies with Your Family

We all know that if you want to experience the movies you can go to California or Disney World, but for those who have the finances or are willing to scrimp and save for the trip of a lifetime, there are a few other places you may want to consider visiting first, especially if you're a huge fan of any of the following films.

Lord of the Rings - New Zealand

If you are one of the many zealous fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy of hobbits, elves and men, you won't want to miss out on this opportunity to experience Middle Earth up-close. The three feature films, based on Tolkien's classic series, were directed by Peter Jackson in the beautiful Netherlands and if you have the cash, you can book one of many Lord of the Rings tours.

The various tours include The Trails of Middle Earth, a full-day tour that departs Queenstown and includes visiting over 20 locations, gorgeous scenery, lunch, and gives you the opportunity to handle and photograph costumes and weapons used in the films.

The Gondor Tour is a one and a half hour tour that departs from Twizel and according to the tour Web site, "takes you to the very place King Théoden gives his speech to the Rohirrim, before they charge into battle."

Minaret Lodge offers tour packages that feature Lord of the Rings themed accommodations including oversized furniture and special themed menus, including a hobbit menu. You will also visit over 20 film locations as part of the package,

Visit the tour Web site to see what other great tours they offer.

Robin Hood - England

Whether a fan of one of the many movies or the recent BBC television series, you won't want to pass up a visit to Sherwood Forest.

If you visit during Robin Hood Month in May, you can experience many Robin Hood themed activities including dancing and archery. Nottinghamshire Libraries host a series of events and talks which included "learning about mediaeval herbs, script writing, mediaeval life in Nottinghamshire and the timber framed buildings of the county from the time of Robin Hood," according to the Nottingham County Council.

At Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle visitors can watch costumed characters tell stories, give combat demonstrations, and live out history by re-enacting life at the time of Robin Hood.

If you can't visit during Robin Hood Month, you can still visit Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre and Nottingham Castle at any other time of the year. They recently unveiled the Robin Hood Exhibition, an official exhibition for the most recent Hollywood film starring Russell Crowe. The exhibition will be on show until the end of October.

The Robin Hood Festival in August celebrates the life and times of the famous outlaw through colorful costumes, juggles and jesters, and a re-enactment of Robin Hood and his outlaws fighting the Sheriff and his men.

No matter when you visit, fans of Robin Hood and his band of merry men will enjoy plenty of family fun.

National Treasure - Virginia

Fans of the film "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets," will want to head out to Mount Vernon during the month of March. That's when the National Treasure Tour takes visitors on an hour long walking trip through Hollywood and history. During the tour visitors will learn all about the filming of the movie and how the various locations were used in George Washington's time. While the basement of the mansion is usually closed throughout the year, it is opened for the tour and was used during a pivotal scene in the film.

Anne of Green Gables - Canada

LM Montgomery's classic story of Anne Shirley, the red-headed orphan who begins a new life on Prince Edward Island has warmed the hearts of millions over the years. And now fans of the spunky, headstrong orphan can experience her world by visiting PEI's National Park. There you can tour the grounds of Green Gables and treat yourself to a Raspberry Cordial at the Anne of Green Gables Country Fair in Cavendish.

Or if you're a fan of musical theater, take a trip to at the Charlottetown Festival where "Anne of Green Gables: The Musical" just marked its 45tth Anniversary on stage. You can also enjoy "Anne and Gilbert: The Musical" at Summerside, PEI.

Visit The Charlottetown Festival for more information on the musicals and TourPEI.com for everything else Anne-related.

Chronicles of Narnia - United States & Canada

Step through the wardrobe and into Narnia with this state-of-the-art exhibition that is currently touring the United States and Canada.

If you can't visit the actual locations where the films were shot like New Zealand or Poland, you can still experience CS Lewis's fantasy land through The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition which, according to the Franklin Institute, "is a10,000-square-foot interactive exhibit that features scene displays, creatures, props, and costumes from both movies, while also explaining the science and natural history behind the fantasy world."

You can visit the Exhibit web site to find out more about the exhibits, find tour dates and learn more about author CS Lewis.

Sources:

Lord of the Rings Tours, http://www.lordoftheringstours.co.nz/lordoftheringstours.htm

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/countryparks/sherwoodforestcp.htm, Nottingham County Council.

Anne of Green gables, http://www.tourismpei.com/travelmaps/anne.htm, Tour PEI.

Anne of Green Gables: The Musical, http://www.charlottetownfestival.com, Charlottetown Festival

Anne and Gilbert: The Musical, http://www.anneandgilbert.com

National Treasure Tours, http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/plan/index.cfm/pid/1183, Mount Vernon.