Daniel Burnham's 1902 triangular skyscraper, the Flatiron Building, in New York City (NYC) appears in "Spider-Man," "Godzilla," "The Adjustment Bureau," and countless other films requiring iconic New York landmarks. The building's distinctive shape created by the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway makes it instantly recognizable and architecturally significant beyond its film appearances. Peter Parker worked at the Daily Bugle here in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, and the building's triangular shape has made it a favorite establishing shot for directors needing to say "this is New York" visually. You can't tour the interior since it's a working office building, but standing at the intersection and looking up recreates numerous film moments while also appreciating one of New York's architectural treasures. Have you ever seen the Flatiron Building in NYC?

Alabama Hills, California is the rocky terrain beneath the Sierra Nevada that served as the backdrop for "Iron Man," "Django Unchained," and literally dozens of classic Westerns. The rounded granite boulders and mountain backdrop created the quintessential Western landscape for generations of films. The Alabama Hills Recreation Area allows free camping and hiking among the rocks, and movie buffs can find specific filming locations with some research. The contrast between the orange rocks and snow-capped peaks creates photogenic landscapes that explain why Hollywood has been filming here since the 1920s and shows no signs of stopping. Do you recognize the Alabama Hills from any movie you have seen?

The Breakers, in Rhode Island, is the Vanderbilt family's 70-room summer cottage in Newport that doubled for locations in "The Great Gatsby" (1974 version) and "True Lies." The Italian Renaissance-style mansion epitomizes Gilded Age excess with rooms decorated in marble, gold, and elaborate plasterwork. Tours guide you through the main floor and some upper rooms, explaining how America's wealthiest families lived during summer months when they needed to escape the oppressive heat of their regular mansions. The grounds overlook the Atlantic Ocean, serving up the kind of dramatic coastal setting that films require for scenes of wealth and power. Newport has multiple similar mansions open for tours if you want to spend a day exploring how the other half used to live. Have you ever been to Newport, Rhode Island?

The Bonneville Salt Flats, in Utah near the Nevada border appear in "Independence Day," "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," and numerous car commercials needing vast empty spaces. The flats stretch 30,000 acres and are flat enough that you can see the Earth's curvature on clear days. Land speed records are set here because the hard salt provides a natural track surface that goes on seemingly forever. Walking onto the flats creates a disorienting experience where distance becomes difficult to judge and the white surface reflects sun with enough intensity to require sunglasses year-round. The flats flood with thin water in winter and early spring, creating mirror effects that are even more surreal than the dry salt crust. Before this survey, were you aware of the Bonneville Salt Flats?