Filming Locations Guide: Where was American Gods filmed?
Posted by Ra Moon
Based on the 2001 bestseller novel by Neil Gaiman, American Gods was primarily filmed in Ontario (Canada), with a few locations situated in Oklahoma and Wisconsin.
The Cinespace Studios in Toronto served as headquarters for the Starz series. The two main characters of the show travel across the country on a road trip, so potentially interesting filming locations are expected.
The Cinespace Studios in Toronto served as headquarters for the Starz series. The two main characters of the show travel across the country on a road trip, so potentially interesting filming locations are expected.
American Gods tells the quest of Shadow Moon and Mr. Wednesday to bring the Old Gods (from classical mythology) together and get ready for the war against the New Gods, invented by man. The gods are a bit like Marvel superheroes, but they also have real-life problems, as most common people do.
Leading the cast are Ricky Whittle (The 100) as Shadow, Ian McShane (Winston, the manager of the John Wick hotel) as Wednesday, and Emily Browning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) as Laura Moon.
You can find the new season 3 locations by scrolling down this guide to the filming locations of the series.
This scene from the pilot (with a sign of Shakamak State Park), was filmed at Gloss Mountain in Fairview, also in Oklahoma.
Also, a short scene was shot in the historic district of Ponca City.
Image courtesy of Starz - Maps: Gloss Mountain / Ponca
Laura's funeral was filmed at the Hamilton Cemetery in Burlington Heights (Ontario).
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
Neon-lighted Motel America, near the House on the Rock, is actually the New Plaza Motel located at 4584 Kingston Road in Scarborough (Toronto).
Image courtesy of Starz and Google Maps
Wyndham Street in Guelph, Ontario, was doubling as downtown Chicago.
Here is located the bank from the third episode, the Dominion Public Building.
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
The Starbrite Motel from episode 5 is located outside Toronto, off Highway 400 at exit 89.
Image courtesy of Starz
The town of Vulcan in Virginia was filmed in Cambridge (Ontario).
The filming took place in Queens Square, Main Street bridge, the Central Presbyterian Church, and in the Galt area.
These are very familiar locations for The Handmaid's Tale fans.
The stunning coastal landscapes with the Irish girl from episode 7 are from Bay Roberts in Newfoundland (Canada).
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
The mansion of Easter, the Old Goddess of spring, from episode 8 is the Hawkridge Farm (the famous Eaton Family Mansion) in Caledon (Ontario). It was built by George Eaton, heir to the Eaton's Department store chain.
At one point, the house was for sale and listed at 24$ Canadian million. It was the most expensive piece of real estate in the whole country.
According to Inside Caledon, "the huge estate covers 150 acres that include forests, a freshwater stream, cattle pastures, walking trails, gardens and, a pond. The 24,000 square foot home has a large living room, formal dining room, a large kitchen, 11 bedrooms and, an indoor pool".
Image courtesy of Starz - Map - Thanks Tommy for your help finding this!
Several scenes taking place in Cairo were filmed in the streets of the historic downtown in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Image courtesy of Starz and Google Maps
In the second season, American Gods finally arrives at the House on the Rock in Wisconsin. This place plays an important role in the book, as here is located the Infinity Room.
The House on the Rock is a real place situated between Dodgeville and Spring Green, Wisconsin.
This Japanese-style home, built over a 60 feet rock in 1959, has become a unique attraction, filled up with quirky artifacts and exhibits.
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
We love the cinematography of American Gods. The plane parked outside Don Q Inn is an ex-military Boeing C-97.
The aircraft is on the way from Dodgeville to House on the Rock, so probably the director of photography couldn't resist the temptation of recording a road trip sequence here.
This hotel is quite peculiar itself, with themed rooms and a honeymoon suite located in a church steeple.
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
New Season Three Filming Locations
In season three, fate takes Shadow (now called Mike Ainsel) to the lovely Lakeside town in Wisconsin.
The exterior shots were filmed in Port Perry (Ontario), situated on the shore of Lake Scugog. The Hinzelmann's store is the old mill and grain elevator.
Port Perry was also one of the locations of the fictional town of Margrave, Georgia, where the Reacher series was filmed.
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
The Haven Glen Retreat, the retirement home of the Greek Goddess of the harvest, Demeter (played by Blythe Danner), is the McLean House in the Estates of Sunnybrook (midtown Toronto).
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
The Peacock Motel is The Old Mill in the Kingsway neighborhood of Toronto. Opened in 1914, the complex includes a chapel and a wedding garden.
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
The spot from the eighth episode The Rapture of Burning, where leprechaun bartender Liam (played by Iwan Rheon) meets Laura is the Old Mill Bridge over Humber River in Etienne Brule Park (Toronto).
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
The Centaurus Observatory is the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill. Built in 1935, this is still Canada's largest optical telescope.
This location was also featured in The Umbrella Academy series.
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
The Center of America Motel
The Center of America Motel, with the awesome circular wood hall, is a church called Our Lady of Grace Shrine at Marylake located in King City, Ontario.
Designed by Mr. J. Stuart Cauley, in 1964, the shrine church features a 100-foot stained glass tower and superb acoustics.
The temple sits on approximately 800 acres of land with walking paths and rolling hills on the shores of the picturesque Mary Lake.
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
However, the motel's interior, including the spectacular wooden hall, is actually the Bloordale United Church in Etobicoke, Ontario.
Designed in 1960 by architect John Arthur Layng, 12 arch ribs representing the 12 apostles converge on a central lantern.
Image courtesy of Starz - Map
Can you help to improve this post about the filming locations of American Gods? To complete and correct this report, any feedback, info, or images that you may have are more than welcome, thank you!
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NOTICE: If you’re using this information on your website, please credit and link to this page as a source.
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Ra Moon
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Where did they film the last scene in episode 8?
ReplyDeleteIf you're thinking what I'm thinking, that looks like the turnoff to the midlothian castle, near Burk's Falls, Ontario.
Deletethe police chase to the house in Cairo is Niagara falls
DeleteHaving driven through that intersection a few dozen times, I would say it is at County Road 8 (Mono Centre Road) and 3rd line EHS in Mono Township, Dufferin County.
DeleteWhich is the South East corner of Mono Cliffs Provincial Park.
44.036812, -80.058900 is the coordinates on the Map
Was any of it filmed in Ireland?
ReplyDeleteNo Paul, we don't think so
DeleteThe motel is just off the 400 at exit 89, saw them filming
ReplyDeleteThanks Drew, updated!
DeleteSame motel as the one from Umbrella Academy when Hazel abandons Cha Cha.
DeleteIt shows up again in "Random Acts of Violence"
Vulcans house in the episode where they go visit him is the Scottish Rite masonic centre in Hamilton Ontario.
ReplyDeleteAwesome work!!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the motel location from the first episode?
ReplyDeleteIt says up top outside of toronto off a highway
DeleteThe motel is the 'Motel 400'. It is located in Ontario, Canada north of Toronto at Just off of Highway 400 at Highway 89. Here's a map link. Cheers. www.google.ca/maps/@44.1989663,-79.6576992,324a,35y,174.97h/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
DeleteTo the last book recommendation, I got the book on Audible after watching the show last year, they have a version of the 10th anniversary book that is performed by the Show's main cast members.
ReplyDeletewhere is the diner in nashville at in season 2 episode 7
ReplyDeletePretty sure the scene where Laura and Mad Sweeney steal the ice cream truck was filmed in Dundas Ontario at a place called Dyments. The same scene was used in an episode of The Umbrella Academy. It's in my hometown 🙂
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd post the map link to 'Easter's Mansion' www.google.ca/maps/place/17490+McLaren+Rd,+Caledon,+ON+L7K+1R8/@43.8221776,-79.9949951,807m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b05eebce8d683:0x8c4dc1cecb76c249!8m2!3d43.8221738!4d-79.9928064?hl=en
ReplyDeleteThe scene where Shadow and Mr. Wednesday walk into a Chicago diner was shot in my neighbourhood in Hamilton, On, right beside the steel factories
ReplyDeleteI lived in an apartment off of Queens Square in Cambridge and saw them film Handmaids scenes
ReplyDeleteThey never mention Hamilton.
ReplyDeleteThe Scottish Rite was in Episode 6 ft. Shadow ...
The scene where Shadow and technical boy ambush the security guy is filmed at McMaster University (where the gargoyle gateway is).
ReplyDeleteSeason 3 episode 4 where shadow is at a pay phone booth is in Toronto on eastern avenue just west of Leslie st. You can seethe Green of the fresh co. Behind it.
ReplyDeleteSeason 3, episode 5. Where's the restaurant that Shadow Moon and Belquis have a meal?
ReplyDeleteThe insane asylum where Demeter was committed looked like MacLean House at the Sunnybrook Hospital Campus - am I correct or is it elsewhere?
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the inside bar scene s3e6 that gets blown up and the out side of the cancelled show in s3e6 is at the rock pile on Dundas in Toronto
ReplyDeleteWhere is the house that Shadow Moon is in episode 2 of season 3?
ReplyDeleteSeason 3 - Ep 8: Peacock motel is the old mill in Toronto. The bridge where Sweeney’s ashes were spread and Odin’s spear appears is the Humber river at Etienne Brule Park in Toronto. Season 3, Ep 9: Diner in the opening of the episode is Skyline Restaurant in Parkdale, Toronto.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the farmhouse located where Shadow goes through the tree ritual in Season 3, Episode 10?
ReplyDeleteWhich shopping mall are the scenes in season 2, episode 6 shot in? Is that a mall in Wisconsin or Canada?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where the "Motel at the Center of America" scenes in Season 3 Episode 10 are filmed? Particularly curious about the lobby and common areas with that amazing architecture!
ReplyDeleteMy husband said it was identical to a place he visited while in North Dakota and they hole Indian tribal Council there. He swears by it but me reading the majority of GBE hotels are all in Toronto can't be sure he's correct. The wood and the Indian war painting were what stood out to him. He said it is a beautiful site to see that type of wood preserved in such a building.
ReplyDeleteInteresting fact, the place where shadow sees the flaming head in that courtyard along with many scenes in season two were filmed on bridge street Niagara Falls, the same building used in the movie Niagara featuring Marilyn Monroe. That building is the historical police station circa 1885 abandoned, and the corner store (gales, yellow building ) is down the street corner of Victoria and bridge. The old downtown Cairo is old downtown Niagara, queen street, by river road ....enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThe center of America motel is a church in King city called “Our lady of grace shrine at Marylake”
ReplyDeleteWhere were the farm and cabin scenes in Season 1, Ep. 7, which were supposed to be in Virginia filmed? Read the article twice and all comments and didn't see this mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThe diner that Mad Sweeney and Shadow first meet? It's awesome! Is it a real place?
ReplyDeleteThe interior of the Center of America Motel is actually the Sanctuary at Bloordale United Church in Etobicoke, ON.
ReplyDeleteThe external shots of the mansion where Shadow sees the hanging tree in the Vulcan episode season 1 is the Scottish Rite in Hamilton Ontario. It's a beautiful old building.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t see it mentioned…the House on the Rock is a Frank Lloyd Wright house
ReplyDeleteAll comments are reviewed prior to publication