Highway Journey to “The Final of Us” Filming Areas in Alberta

Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta workforce

Final Up to date on March 22, 2023

HBO’s TV sequence The Final of Us premiered in January of 2023 and was an immediate megahit. Based mostly on a online game by the identical identify, the story follows heroes Joel (performed by Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (performed by Bella Ramsey) throughout a post-apocalyptic United States. Whereas it options quite a lot of notable American cities like Boston, Kansas Metropolis, Salt Lake Metropolis, and extra, your entire sequence was truly shot in Alberta, and is among the greatest productions in Canada’s historical past! Because the present’s star Pedro Pascal mentioned: “There’s such a robust and dynamic bodily panorama to Alberta.” And within the present, that sentiment actually comes via. So if you happen to’re a fan and all for road-tripping to see distinguished The Final of Us filming places, then this text is for you.

We’ve designed a four-day, three-night journey that begins out in downtown Edmonton and takes you to the southern ideas of the province (with options for good, non-apocalyptic issues to do alongside the best way as properly).

Word that if you happen to haven’t performed the sport or watched the present, proceed to learn with warning, as there are many spoilers forward.

Take this highway journey to see vital The Final of Us filming places

DAY 1: Edmonton

The capital metropolis of Edmonton is featured within the second episode, with the Alberta Legislature Constructing performing because the Massachusetts State Home. Whole streets surrounding “The Ledge” (because it’s identified domestically) had been reworked to indicate the journey of Joel, Ellie, and Tess (performed by Anna Torv) to this vital location. What follows is a extremely pivotal scene within the sequence, the place Tess is attacked by the zombie-like creatures, setting Joel and Ellie as much as undertake the remainder of the journey on their very own.

Guided excursions of the Alberta Legislature Constructing can be found. Additionally, take a stroll down 100A Road, 104 Road and 108 Road to see if you happen to can spot the standout scenes and even recreate among the most exceptional pictures.

Olds

From Edmonton, begin driving south in direction of Calgary on Freeway 2, but in addition plan a detour into Olds. 51st Road was reworked right into a small Texas city for just a few scenes in episode one.

Additionally filmed right here was a cease at Willow Lane Barn. When you received’t be capable to go inside (except you’re attending an occasion there – it’s a beautiful wedding ceremony venue!) you possibly can admire from afar and say that you just visited the spot the place Joel and Ellie ravished a meal served up in a eating corridor by Joel’s brother, Tommy (performed by Gabriel Luna) in episode 6.

After you’ve accomplished the drive from Edmonton to Calgary, test into one among these glorious Calgary inns (we advise selecting one downtown), and also you would possibly need to get began on the checklist of all of the filming places within the metropolis, as famous beneath.

For dinner, head to Mannequin Milk – not solely is it one among our private fave Calgary eating places – but it surely was additionally one which Pedro Pascal liked!

DAY 2: Calgary

Prepare for an epic day of sightseeing and selfie-snapping, as a result of Cowtown was the positioning of so many filming places from the present. Listed here are among the most vital stops to make:

DOWNTOWN CALGARY

Downtown Calgary was the setting for a lot of scenes – usually nondescript pictures in parking heaps, tunnels, and staircases – however the neighbourhood of Inglewood held the constructed set for the Boston quarantine zone, and thus a lot of the primary episode was shot right here (seize a cuppa at Rosso Espresso on twenty fourth Ave & seventh St SE – the constructed set was throughout the road)!

There are additionally loads of different recognizable spots with fast glimpses all through the present. The historic Bell Block constructing (1002 Macleod Path SE) was seen within the first episode, as was Calgary’s notorious Globe Cinema (617 – 8 Ave SW) – even with the signal left in.

PHO ANH HUYEN VIETNAMESE NOODLE HOUSE

Do not forget that opening scene in episode two at a restaurant in Indonesia? That was truly the Pho Anh Huyen Vietnamese Noodle Home on 1403 Centre St NW.

4TH AVENUE FLYOVER

As you drove into downtown Calgary (taking Memorial Drive west from Deerfoot Path), the scene in entrance of you already might need triggered your reminiscence of the present. This main overpass was shut down in October of 2021 and reworked to provide memorable scenes of a post-apocalyptic world in episode two, as Joel, Ellie and Tess made their method to the Massachusetts State Home.

THE LAUNDROMAT

In Kansas Metropolis, in episode 4, Joel and Ellie crashed their pickup truck right into a laundromat which led to their run-in with the revolutionary group led by Kathleen (performed by Melanie Lynskey). Whereas the laundromat was truly a constructed set, the world it was located in is well identifiable! Stroll or drive north alongside Macleod Path and look down an alley on the proper, between eleventh and tenth Ave SE.

CALGARY ZOO

Once we watched the scene in episode 9 the place Ellie fed the giraffe (in supposed Salt Lake Metropolis), we had been sure it was created through CGI. We had been very flawed! You possibly can truly meet Nabo, the bull Masai giraffe who resides on the Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE), who’s now well-known by affiliation with the present.

HOTEL ARTS

Do not forget that terrifying scene within the Boston Museum in episode two? The doorway to the museum was truly shot on the Lodge Arts (119 – 12 Ave SW).

CALGARY NORTHLAND VILLAGE MALL

This mall carried the storyline in episode seven during which Ellie and her greatest buddy Riley (performed by Storm Reid) had been attacked whereas having fun with an epic night of exploration, video games, and extra. Sadly, it’s at present unvisitable, as it’s beneath building to grow to be an open-air mall. Keep tuned as it’s slated to open in 2023 (though it should probably be fairly unrecognizable from the present).

HERITAGE PARK

Head to the Wainwright Lodge at Heritage Park, a big open-air museum in Calgary’s southwest, to situate your self within the actual spot the place Joel and Tommy had a personal dialog in episode six. (Belief us and pattern the Fry Bread when you’re there.)

FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK

Out of doors lovers who dwell in southern Calgary shortly recognized the Shannon Terrace pedestrian bridge that Joel and Ellie walked over in episode three. To see it, park on the Shannon Terrace day-use space within the provincial park. From there, it’s roughly a five-minute stroll to the bridge.

MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY & SOUTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (SAIT)

In early winter of 2021, each of those post-secondary establishments hosted the forged and crew, as they had been revamped to appear to be the College of Japanese Colorado (together with having vines, leaves, and sandbags added, plus snow was eliminated). Right here, Joel and Ellie had been making their method to a supposed Firefly compound in episode six, solely to be attacked. That is the place Joel was impaled.

SAIT’s Senator Burns Constructing additionally performed residence to the Indonesian Ministry of Well being, with the lounge and hallways seen within the first jiffy of episode 2.

To your second day in Calgary, perhaps take a break from apocalyptic gazing and discover some enjoyable within the metropolis! We advise consuming at our fave Mexican restaurant – Native Tounges – and likewise selecting one among these superior guided Calgary excursions to do.

DAY 3: Canmore & Space

Immediately, you head to probably the most scenic spots in Alberta, and essentially the most beloved of all The Final of Us filming places! Each stars raved about this mountain resort city, and with good motive. Get your caffeine repair early at one among Calgary’s nice espresso retailers, after which make your method west on Freeway 1 from Calgary to Canmore.

The entire city was reworked into Jackson, Wyoming, and strolling down the principle avenue of Canmore will set off many recollections from the present. It performed the backdrop for many of episode six, and moreover wandering the streets, don’t miss seeing the Canmore Engine Bridge – a stunning spot within the hit present the place Joel and Ellie crossed simply earlier than attending to Jackson.

Whereas there, head a bit out of city to Bow Valley Provincial Park and hike the Barrier Lake Lookout Path. This beautiful overlook (altered to indicate the city of Jackson) was the ultimate scene of episode 9. (We could have shed a few tears at this scene – however don’t fear – season two is coming! Though it’s but to be introduced if the present will return to Canada for filming.)

If you wish to prolong your highway journey by a day or two, we advise including an evening right here. There are SO many superb issues to do in Canmore, and lots of fabulous Canmore eating places! Plus, with some additional time in your arms, you may as well take a drive into Kananaskis and peep at another scenes from the HBO present – like, some beautiful overhead views of driving alongside Freeway 40 had been used (though notice that parts of that highway are closed in winter).

DAY 3: Heading south

On day three, the stops are going to come back sizzling and heavy as a whole lot of floor goes to be coated in southern Alberta. Head again in direction of Calgary on Freeway 1, however then flip south on Freeway 22X, after which Freeway 22 east in direction of Priddis for a complete of 113 km.

PRIDDIS

The small city of Priddis was residence to pivotal scenes in episode 4. The Priddis Common Retailer is the place Joel had some provides stashed, and the close by Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Space confirmed some lovely pictures of Joel and Ellie mountaineering.

From Priddis, head south on Freeway 22 and east on Freeway 549 into Okotoks.

Non-obligatory facet journey!

Though it’s a little out of the best way, visiting Sheep River Falls will put you in the identical setting as Joel and Ellie whereas resting by a river, simply downstream from the falls, in episode three. To get there, as a substitute of taking Freeway 549 into Okotoks, maintain heading south on Freeway 22 till you arrive on the former city of Turner Valley. From there, go west on Freeway 546 into Sheep River Provincial Park. Word that this may add over an hour of driving time to your day, and Sheep River Highway is just open in summer season months.

OKOTOKS

The Suntree neighbourhood within the small metropolis of Okotoks was residence to a battleground in episode eight. Whereas most of that episode’s scenes had been filmed in Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park, Ellie might be seen leaving 501 Suntree Place (an deserted home) earlier than her run-in with cult chief David.

HIGH RIVER

This small metropolis, simply 22km south of Okotoks on Freeway 2, isn’t any stranger to filming iconic exhibits. It serves as the house base for CBC’s heart-warmer referred to as Heartland, so being residence to a number of apocalyptic filming places for The Final of Us is actually a departure! Whereas a few fast pictures might be seen in episode one – Evelyn’s Reminiscence Lane Diner was very recognizable the place Joel and his daughter Sarah (performed by Nico Parker) are chased via a restaurant, plus your entire sequence opened on the quiet Sullivan Highway cul de sac on the town – probably the most memorable episodes of the entire season was virtually totally shot right here.

Episode three, during which we watch Invoice (performed by Nick Offerman), and Frank’s (performed by Murray Bartlett) heart-wrenching love story, was largely shot within the Excessive River neighbourhood of Beechwood. This residential neighbourhood, deserted after dramatic floods hit town in 2013, was the proper setting for Invoice and Frank’s home.

NANTON

Hold heading south on Freeway 2 till you arrive at Nanton (solely 30km additional) to search out the Ranchland Inn, the place Joel, Ellie, Sam (performed by Keivonn Woodard) and Henry (performed by Lamar Johnson) retreated for security in episode 5. Throughout the road from there may be the place Henry was buried after he was overcome with the lethal an infection. That is additionally the place you see a manufacturing oops, the place a small little bit of a UFA (United Farmers of Alberta) signal might be seen within the present.

FORT MACLEOD

Southward sure, once more! Hold occurring Freeway 2, and if you go via Clareshom, take a fast glimpse east of the freeway on the town – that water tower you see was additionally seen in episode 4.

However the massive draw is Fort Macleod – 81 km south of Nanton – because it predominantly stands in for Austin, Texas, in episode one. This small city is as soon as once more no stranger to moulding itself into different places – because it has beforehand been used for such massive productions as Brokeback Mountain, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Fargo, and extra. And because the cordyceps fungus outbreak took over Austin, so did it take over essential avenue Fort Macleod.

Notably, pre-outbreak, Sarah received Joel’s watch fastened at Lone Star Watch Restore Retailer right here, with the native Don’s Barber Store within the different half of the constructing. As chaos began to take over the streets, Samuel Roland Antiques is recognizable, as are Johnny’s Restaurant and the enduring Empress Theatre.

LETHBRIDGE

From Fort Macleod, take Freeway 3 east to Lethbridge (50 km). Though Alberta’s third-largest metropolis is just seen through a fast glimpse of the huge Excessive Degree Bridge (additionally referred to as the Lethbridge Viaduct) with a collapsed portion, it’s well worth the detour for that view.

DAY 4: Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park

The final day of our highway journey takes you into one of many best-kept secrets and techniques in Canada – Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park. To get from Lethbridge to Waterton, take Freeway 5 southwest for simply over an hour and a half of driving time.

The townsite was featured closely in episode eight. Ellie encounters a faith-based group residing within the city and finally finally ends up caged within the kitchen of the Bayshore Inn & Spa (depicted within the present because the Silver Lake Steakhouse). The Tamarack Storage can also be seen, rebranded because the Silver Lake Rental Store, as are the beautiful shores of Waterton Lake, the place Joel and Ellie embrace after she escapes.

So perhaps you possibly can have squeezed this cease in yesterday, or you possibly can simply pack up and go residence now, however don’t waste the truth that you’re on this beautiful nationwide park! Spend one other day or two having fun with all of the issues to do in Waterton, and test in to one of many superior Waterton inns.

As well as, notice that these are only a handful of the 180 identifiable The Final of Us filming places!

For a fuller checklist, see this map put collectively by Journey Alberta.

The Final of Us – Season 2

We don’t know but if Season 2 will likely be filmed in Alberta, however we positive hope so. It will likely be some time although with Bella Ramsey predicting late 2024 or early 2025. All we all know is we are able to’t wait. Keep tuned!