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Compiled by the Street 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 prompt megahit. Primarily based 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 plenty of notable American cities like Boston, Kansas Metropolis, Salt Lake Metropolis, and extra, the complete sequence was truly shot in Alberta, and is without doubt one of the largest productions in Canada’s historical past! Because the present’s star Pedro Pascal mentioned: “There’s such a strong and dynamic bodily panorama to Alberta.” And within the present, that sentiment actually comes by way of. So if you happen to’re a fan and focused on 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 suggestions of the province (with ideas for good, non-apocalyptic issues to do alongside the way in which as properly).
Notice 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 regionally) had been remodeled to indicate the journey of Joel, Ellie, and Tess (performed by Anna Torv) to this crucial 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 the direction of Calgary on Freeway 2, but in addition plan a detour into Olds. 51st Road was remodeled right into a small Texas city for a number of scenes in episode one.
Additionally filmed right here was a cease at Willow Lane Barn. When you received’t be capable of go inside (except you’re attending an occasion there – it’s a beautiful marriage ceremony venue!) you may admire from afar and say that you simply 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, examine into one in every of these glorious Calgary accommodations (we recommend choosing one downtown), and also you would possibly need to get began on the listing of all of the filming places within the metropolis, as famous under.
For dinner, head to Mannequin Milk – not solely is it one in every of our private fave Calgary eating places – nevertheless it was additionally one which Pedro Pascal cherished!
DAY 2: Calgary
Prepare for an epic day of sightseeing and selfie-snapping, as a result of Cowtown was the location of so many filming places from the present. Listed below 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 tons, 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 remodeled to supply memorable scenes of a post-apocalyptic world in episode two, as Joel, Ellie and Tess made their option 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 realm it was located in is definitely identifiable! Stroll or drive north alongside Macleod Path and look down an alley on the proper, between eleventh and tenth Ave SE.
CALGARY ZOO
After 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 fallacious! You’ll be able to 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 finest 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 below development to turn out to be an open-air mall. Keep tuned as it’s slated to open in 2023 (though it’ll doubtless 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 non-public dialog in episode six. (Belief us and pattern the Fry Bread whilst you’re there.)
FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK
Out of doors lovers who dwell in southern Calgary rapidly 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 seem like the College of Jap Colorado (together with having vines, leaves, and sandbags added, plus snow was eliminated). Right here, Joel and Ellie had been making their option 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 house to the Indonesian Ministry of Well being, with the lounge and hallways seen within the first couple of minutes of episode 2.
To your second day in Calgary, perhaps take a break from apocalyptic gazing and discover some enjoyable within the metropolis! We recommend consuming at our fave Mexican restaurant – Native Tounges – and in addition choosing one in every of these superior guided Calgary excursions to do.
DAY 3: Canmore & Space
Immediately, you head to one of the vital scenic spots in Alberta, and probably the most beloved of all The Final of Us filming places! Each stars raved about this mountain resort city, and with good cause. Get your caffeine repair early at one in every of Calgary’s nice espresso retailers, after which make your approach west on Freeway 1 from Calgary to Canmore.
The entire city was remodeled into Jackson, Wyoming, and strolling down the principle road of Canmore will set off many reminiscences from the present. It performed the backdrop for many of episode six, and in addition to wandering the streets, don’t miss seeing the Canmore Engine Bridge – a beautiful 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 might 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 lengthen your highway journey by a day or two, we recommend including an evening right here. There are SO many wonderful issues to do in Canmore, and plenty of fabulous Canmore eating places! Plus, with some further time in your palms, you too can 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 word that parts of that highway are closed in winter).
DAY 3: Heading south
On day three, the stops are going to return sizzling and heavy as numerous floor goes to be coated in southern Alberta. Head again in the direction of Calgary on Freeway 1, however then flip south on Freeway 22X, after which Freeway 22 east in the direction of Priddis for a complete of 113 km.
PRIDDIS
The small city of Priddis was house to pivotal scenes in episode 4. The Priddis Normal Retailer is the place Joel had some provides stashed, and the close by Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Space confirmed some stunning pictures of Joel and Ellie climbing.
From Priddis, head south on Freeway 22 and east on Freeway 549 into Okotoks.
Non-compulsory facet journey!
Though it’s a little out of the way in which, 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 an alternative of taking Freeway 549 into Okotoks, hold 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. Notice that this may add over an hour of driving time to your day, and Sheep River Street is barely open in summer time months.
OKOTOKS
The Suntree neighbourhood within the small metropolis of Okotoks was house 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 reveals. It serves as the house base for CBC’s heart-warmer referred to as Heartland, so being house to a number of apocalyptic filming places for The Final of Us is definitely 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 by way of a restaurant, plus the complete sequence opened on the quiet Sullivan Street cul de sac on the town – one of the vital 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 principally shot within the Excessive River neighbourhood of Beechwood. This residential neighbourhood, deserted after dramatic floods hit the town in 2013, was the proper setting for Invoice and Frank’s home.
NANTON
Preserve 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! Preserve occurring Freeway 2, and while you move by way of 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 fundamental road Fort Macleod.
Notably, pre-outbreak, Sarah obtained Joel’s watch mounted 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 barely seen through a fast glimpse of the large Excessive Stage Bridge (additionally referred to as the Lethbridge Viaduct) with a collapsed portion, it’s definitely 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 ultimately 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 might have squeezed this cease in yesterday, or you might simply pack up and go house 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 examine in to one of many superior Waterton accommodations.
As well as, word that these are only a handful of the 180 identifiable The Final of Us filming places!
For a fuller listing, 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 certain hope so. Will probably be some time although with Bella Ramsey predicting late 2024 or early 2025. All we all know is we will’t wait. Keep tuned!