A proposal advancing in the Legislature would establish a statewide New Jersey Film Trail featuring filming locations, historical markers, interactive maps, and travel itineraries designed to showcase the state’s role in film and television.
A bill moving through the New Jersey Legislature would create an official Film Trail highlighting locations across the state where popular movies, television shows, and other entertainment productions were filmed.
Assembly Bill A4883 was reported favorably by the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee and would direct the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State to establish and maintain the statewide attraction.
State would identify authentic filming locations
New Jersey has served as the backdrop for some of Hollywood’s most recognizable productions, many of which continue to attract fans years after filming wrapped. The Sopranos featured locations including Holsten’s in Bloomfield, where the series concluded with its iconic diner scene, Satin Dolls in Lodi, which portrayed the Bada Bing strip club, and the Soprano family home in West Caldwell. Other well-known productions filmed throughout the state include Joker, which used locations in Newark and Jersey City, Mean Girls at Montclair High School, The Godfather in Jersey City and Paterson, Friday the 13th at the No-Be-Bo-Sco Scout Reservation in Blairstown, The Dark Knight Rises in downtown Newark, A Beautiful Mind at Princeton University, and Kevin Smith’s Clerks at the Quick Stop Groceries in Leonardo.
If the legislation becomes law, many of those filming locations could become part of the official New Jersey Film Trail, provided they meet the state’s selection criteria. According to the committee statement, the trail would feature official markers, an interactive online map, photographs, historical information about productions filmed at each location, and suggested travel itineraries highlighting nearby restaurants, lodging, attractions, and entertainment destinations.
Under the bill, the Division of Travel and Tourism would work with the Motion Picture and Television Development Commission within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to identify and select filming locations for inclusion on the trail.
The agencies would design and install official filming markers at qualifying state-owned locations. Each marker would identify the production filmed there, performers who appeared at the location, and when filming occurred.
The legislation also permits the division to coordinate with owners of commercial private property to install markers, but private residences would be excluded from the program.
Public could recommend locations
The bill directs the Division of Travel and Tourism to create an online submission form allowing members of the public and private organizations to recommend filming locations for consideration.
Before any site is added to the trail, the Motion Picture and Television Development Commission would be responsible for verifying that filming took place at the location.
The legislation also specifies that public funds may not be used to produce, purchase, or install filming markers on private property. Instead, the division could accept gifts, grants, or other private financial assistance to pay for those costs.
Interactive map and travel itineraries included
In addition to physical markers, the bill calls for a dedicated website featuring a searchable database and interactive map of filming locations throughout New Jersey.
According to the committee statement, the website would include photographs, descriptions of productions filmed at each location, driving directions, public transit information where applicable, and details about tours if they are available.
The proposal also directs the division to publish suggested vacation itineraries highlighting nearby restaurants, lodging, attractions, and entertainment venues located near sites on the Film Trail.
If enacted, the program would become one of the state’s newest tourism initiatives aimed at showcasing New Jersey’s long history as a filming destination.
Key Points
• Assembly Bill A4883 would establish an official New Jersey Film Trail highlighting movie and television filming locations across the state.
• The Division of Travel and Tourism and the Motion Picture and Television Development Commission would verify filming locations and install historical markers.
• The proposal includes an interactive website, public submissions for new locations, and travel itineraries featuring nearby attractions, restaurants, and lodging.
