Where was National Treasure filmed? Explore National Treasure filming locations for the movie and series, featuring fan trivia, history, and road-trip tips.
Crave a cinematic scavenger hunt? If you’ve ever paused National Treasure and shouted, “Wait, where was that?” you’re in the right place.
This National Treasure filming locations guide maps out both the films and the Disney+ series, walking you through the real-world sites (and cheeky replicas) where clues were uncovered, letters were read, and Nicolas Cage honed his squint.
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🗺️ Where Was National Treasure Filmed?
Each National Treasure filming location has a rich history and fan-friendly trivia perfect for road trippers, history buffs, and those who wish their museum trips had more explosions.
Ready to collect stamps on your own treasure map? Let’s go.
🏛️ Washington, D.C.: The Archives, Monuments, & “White House” Interiors
Wondering where National Treasure was filmed in DC? The short answer is: everywhere the plot needed gravitas.
The National Archives Museum (the Declaration scenes) and the Jefferson Memorial show up onscreen, and DAR Constitution Hall doubles as a period White House interior – classic movie magic that mixes real federal facades with stand-ins and studio builds.
The production also recreated some hard-to-access interiors elsewhere, because the real deal doesn’t always allow rooftop chases or ancient-sleeping-Freemason sequences.
Fans can still visit the National Archives rotunda (Declaration on display), but running on the roof? That one practically needed stunt insurance.
🔔 Philadelphia: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell & Franklin Institute
Philadelphia is the film’s historical playground. Scenes outside Independence Hall and near the Liberty Bell give that “birth-of-a-nation” feel, and the Franklin Institute scores a cameo as the repository for the Gates family ephemera.
Fun twist: the National Treasure movie used a replica for some of the more acrobatic Independence Hall moments, so while Philly’s sidewalks and bridges are real, a few rooftop shots are theme-park neat.
Trivia for fans: the film’s nod to Benjamin Franklin and colonial clues sent tourists flocking – Philly created its own little National Treasure pilgrimage that’s still a weekend itinerary classic.
🕯️ Boston: Old North Church, North End Misdirection
Boston’s role is mostly a theatrical red herring: Patrick Henry Gates plants a fake Paul Revere clue that sends bad guys to the Old North Church, and the North End’s historic flavor helps sell the deception.
The movie borrows Boston’s revolutionary mystique rather than staging action set pieces there, so your selfie will be historically relevant and chronologically correct – and you’ll enjoy pointing out to friends where the villains were duped.
Bonus fan nerdism: much of the Boston “clue” sequence in National Treasure leans on real Revere lore (one if by land, two if by sea) – which makes it an excellent place for history-obsessed treasure hunters.
⛰️ South Dakota: Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake & the Black Hills
Where was National Treasure filmed in South Dakota? The Mount Rushmore climax vibes big, but production used both the monument’s region and nearby Black Hills stand-ins.
The lakeside “hidden entrance” scenes in Book of Secrets were shot at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, near Rapid City – not carved into the presidential heads, thankfully. The movie leans hard on the awe factor of Rushmore while actually filming safer, scenic locations nearby.
Fan trivia: many devotees hunt down the exact rocks and lakes seen onscreen – Sylvan Lake’s shore is now a pilgrimage stop for clue-seekers and picnic-packing explorers alike.
🎬 Los Angeles/South Pasadena: Ben Gates’ Family Mansion & Studio Magic
Ben Gates’ supposedly “Philadelphia” family home? That stately white mansion is actually at 1030 Buena Vista Street in South Pasadena – Hollywood’s ability to play geographic musical chairs.
Los Angeles also supplied studio space (freezers, soundstages, and a brick-for-brick Independence Hall replica at Knott’s Berry Farm) for scenes that would’ve been tough to film on protected historic property. So, if you want to stand where Gates’ family frowned at treasure maps, pack sunscreen, and stop in SoCal.
Small-world trivia: Knott’s replica saved the production from permission headaches and gave fans a slightly less guarded way to reenact that rooftop sprint.
🗽 New York: Trinity Church, Pier 86 & Manhattan Stand-ins
Trinity Church (Wall Street) acts as the film’s subterranean Freemason lair, and several Manhattan streets, piers (like Pier 86/Intrepid area), and downtown alleys give the movie its urban archaeology vibe.
The National Treasure movie’s underground crypt was largely built on set, but exterior shots anchor the adventure in Gotham’s oldest corners.
Fans: stroll by Trinity and imagine cinematic tunnels beneath your feet – just don’t dig. And if you want a museum-ship cameo, the Intrepid/USS museum area is a neat NYC cameo to check off your list.
🗝️ National Treasure Series Filming Locations
Curious about the National Treasure series filming locations? The Disney+ continuation filmed primarily in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and later moved production to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
🎬 Baton Rouge: Soundstages & Stand-ins
The Disney+ series National Treasure: Edge of History leaned heavily on Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for its “Washington-esque” historic vibe, city landmarks, the USS KIDD, the Old Governor’s Mansion, and studio capacity.
Louisiana’s capital has become a booming filming hub thanks to tax incentives, and it doubles for a variety of U.S. locations. From interior “archives” to streets disguised as other cities, Baton Rouge brought production flexibility while keeping the treasure hunt rolling.
The thrilling finale of National Treasure: Edge of History was largely filmed at Baton Rouge’s Celtic Media Centre, with an 1812-era fort set dressed as Incan/Mayan ruins and enhanced by heavy visual effects.
🌄 Santa Fe: Desert Adventure Backdrop
Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, added some Southwestern flair to the series’ treasure map. Known for its adobe architecture, art scene, and wide-open desert vistas, it gave the production authentic terrain for chase sequences and hidden-clue moments.
The city has long been a favorite filming spot for adventure and Western projects, blending old-world Spanish colonial charm with rugged landscapes, providing outdoor backdrops for sweeping, adventurous shots that added grandeur to the conclusion.
Fun trivia: while the Gates films often looked East Coast, the series expanded west, literally chasing secrets across America’s varied backdrops. Santa Fe proves history – and maybe treasure – can hide in the desert just as easily as the city.
🎸 Graceland: National Treasure Series “Graceland Gambit”
When Jess and her crew hit Memphis in National Treasure: Edge of History, their treasure hunt takes them to none other than Graceland, Elvis Presley’s iconic mansion. The episode “Graceland Gambit” riffs on Elvis’ legendary legacy, with the King’s home serving as both a backdrop and a clue-packed detour.
While it’s unlikely the production was allowed to film extensively inside the real Graceland (Disney magic thrives on replicas), fans will love spotting nods to Elvis’ eccentric style and rock ’n’ roll history.
It’s a cheeky crossover – America’s Founding Fathers meet America’s King of Rock.
Final treasure tip: Want to play fan tour guide? Start in DC and Philly (easy public access), then swing west if you’re feeling cinematic. If you’re after exact shooting rocks and lakes, bring hiking boots and respect park rules – no unsanctioned excavation, please (and also because the only buried thing you’ll probably find is bad Yelp reviews).
Disclaimer: National Treasure, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, and National Treasure: Edge of History are copyrighted properties owned by The Walt Disney Company and its affiliates. This fan-created article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. All trademarks, logos, and images related to National Treasure are the property of their respective copyright holders.
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