Hunger Games boosts tourism in North Carolina

This weekend's box office success for thriller The Hunger Games is set to deliver a significant boost for North Carolina's tourism industry.

This weekend's box office success for thriller The Hunger Games is set to deliver a significant boost for North Carolina's tourism industry.

Directors used the state's dramatic natural scenery and myriad towns and villages to full effect in the film, which was entirely shot there.

Here, a look at some of the top places to see in the state:

Hildebran
The abandoned Henry River Mill Village starred in the film as District 12, Katniss Everdeen's home. Sadly, it's private property, but you can get a good look from the outside.

Craggy Pinnacle Trail
This walk allows a glimpse of the North Fork Reservoir, the location used for the Cornucopia scenes in the film.

DuPont State Recreational Forest
Adored by outdoors types, this location was where Peeta camouflaged himself and is the home of Katniss's pond.

Pisgah National Forest
The Coleman Boundary area was where pre-Games scenes of Gale and Katniss were shot.

Shelby
This town was used by the Reaping and Hob sections of the movie -- some of the buildings might look familiar, as the crew rented private warehouse spaces to use as the set.

Charlotte
This city was used as the Capitol in many shots, with filming taking place at the Knight Theater and Charlotte Convention Center.

Hotels
Charlotte, North Carolina's state capital, hosted crew and stars at the Ritz-Carlton and the Dunhill Hotel.

Eating
The actors joined locals in Charlotte's lively NoDa neighbourhood, while Woody Harrelson sampled the fare at Amelie's French Bakery -- apparently playing chess with the regulars.

HT Image