By Sue Rodman
The movie for Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games series was filmed right here in Atlanta. If you aren’t familiar with the trilogy, young adults from the fictitious country of Panem are forced to fight to the death in an arena while televised. It sounds awful, and well, it is, but once you start watching, you won’t want to stop.
After you see the movie, bring it to life by visiting the filming locations around town, or creating your own tour. Here are four ways to experience the Hunger Games in Atlanta.
- Take a Tour of the Capitol –The Atlanta History Center is hosting Swan House Capitol Tours. This is a guided tour showcasing the Swan House and the rooms used during filming. You’ll have access to a special behind-the-scenes exhibit showcasing photos from the filming and movie props, as well as an opportunity to take your own pictures in sets from the movie. Tickets are $10 in addition to museum admission.
The Atlanta History Center is the site of President Snow’s mansion. Take a guided Capitol Tour, with photo opportunities with movie props. Tour goers are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters. - Take a Tour of the filming locations – Step on a shuttle bus and explore the filming locations around Atlanta for Catching Fire. The Hunger Games Unofficial Fan Tours and Atlanta Movie Tours will take you to Presidents Snow’s Mansion, District 12, The Victory Tour, and the beginning of the Games – tick tock! Included in the tour: guides, hands-on activities, entrance to all filming locations, and lots of photo opportunities. Note, this site doesn’t have the Atlanta information up yet. Here’s an overview from the Atlanta CVB.
Archery tag is one of the activities of the Hunger Games Adventure Weekends coming this spring to Atlanta. - Enter the Games – My son is very excited about this opportunity. Coming in the spring you’ll be able to experience the Hunger Games in a weekend long adventure. During this immersive hands-on weekend from the Hunger Games Unofficial Fan Tours and Atlanta Movie Tours, you’ll spend three days and two nights in Atlanta walking in the footsteps of your favorite characters. The weekend includes lodging, meals, transportation to filming locations, tour guides and mentors, and hands-on activities like archery, food that your favorite characters would have experienced, a Gala Banquet and a final death-free game simulation.
Try the Field Trips with Sue Hunger Games Experience, and learn to be an archer at Panola Mountain State Park. - Bring the Fantasy of the Hunger Games to Life – For the DIY person, you can put together your own Hunger Games Experience. We’ve got everything you need in our post Experiencing the Hunger Games in Atlanta. Take an archery class, go underground in a mine, take your own Victory Train Tour and enjoy the excesses of the Capitol.
What funny timing that I discovered your post today. I just watched the movie two days ago. I didn’t realize it was filmed in Atlanta. Loved the books.
Lance, The Goat Farm is really cool. That’s where they filmed District 12. They have an awesome coffee shop there with tons of old treasures that could take hours to truly explore. The photos are amazing. I’ve been there with my husband for a slow food tour event and it was really awesome — very much off the beaten path. http://ftws.wpengine.com/the-goat-farm-atlanta/