Sometimes when we find ourselves so enveloped in a TV show or book, we often imagine what it would be like to be a resident of the fictional hometown or city. Not only do we want to live in the town, but we’d obviously want to check out the local hot spots and maybe meet up with one of the fictional characters we wish could be our BFF. Here are four cities/towns we’ve put on our imaginary travel bucket list and one we’d move to in a heartbeat (We’re looking at you, Stars Hollow!).
City: Gotham City, [State Redacted]
Origin: DC Universe
Take New York and Chicago, throw them in a blender with about a gallon of chaos and you have Gotham. As vast as it is mysterious, as beautiful as it is corrupt, this city isn’t necessarily the safest place around, but it does have its merits. No one would ever call Gotham boring. It is also the birthplace of Batman, which has to count for something.
City: Castle Rock, Maine
Origin: The Mind Of Stephen King
While the famed horror author’s books seem to be unrelated, many of them exist within the same world. Need proof? Check out Castle Rock. King has managed to set a number of novels in this fictional small town, including Needful Things, Cujo and the novella The Body, which served as the source material for the hit film Stand By Me. Quaint and quiet, Castle Rock is an excellent place to settle down and raise a family — although, as we know, it has its ups and downs. Occasionally, the place suffers from dog attacks and obsessive behavior, but for the most part it’s a nice little place. Sort of. Maybe.
Best to visit first as you might not want to stay here.
City: Pawnee, Indiana
Origin: Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Pawnee might not be a real place in Indiana, but we sure wish it was. With beautiful parks and soda servings the size of small children, this is definitely a unique place. Stop by JJ’s Diner for some great waffles, then swing by city hall to take a look at some of the city’s most beautiful and most horrifying murals. Plan your trip around the Harvest Festival for some killer rides and an epic corn maze, then swing by the Snakehole Lounge, a nightclub that had its signature beverage recently confiscated by the FDA. If you’re looking for something more basic, there are a number of bars with karaoke and live performances. If you’re lucky, you might just see the local rock band, Mouse Rat, play a few songs.
For some more family-friendly fun check out the snow globe museum, which has quite an impressive collection, or take in an art show.
Just beware of the raccoons in Pawnee. They are known to attack at will.
City: Stars Hollow, Connecticut
Origin: Gilmore Girls (The WB)
In terms of small-town America, there’s no better place to call home. As quirky as it is endearing, Stars Hollow is the sort of place that makes everywhere else just seem boring. Want a bite to eat? Get some burgers at Luke’s Diner or clams at Al’s Pancake World. Looking for some attractions? There’s the Founder’s Day Celebration, the Winter Carnival, the Festival of Living Art, and outdoor movie screenings.
Then, of course, there are the locals, who run such establishments as Miss Patty’s Dance Studio or Mrs. Kim over at Kim Antiques. This town is sweet, intimate and always surprising.
It may not be a small town we have in real life, but it’s definitely the small town we deserve.
Do you agree with our Top 5 list? Think we’re missing a city that you love from Fiction… let us know in the comment section below.
