The Foley House Inn
The Foley House Inn
Savannah
A historic inn of 19 rooms at 14 West Hull Street, which Visit Savannah lists among the places around Chippewa Square (pictured: Oglethorpe in the square). Stairs only, no lift.
Check roomsSavannah · Beaufort · the long road west
Forrest Gump
Filmed from August 1993 · released 1994
He crossed America, but the film barely left one corner of South Carolina. Beaufort County played Alabama, Vietnam and the Mississippi.
Bull Street, Savannah
Follow the feather.
The film’s first view of Savannah, as the feather drifts down, is Madison Square, with St John’s Episcopal Church and the Scottish Rite building behind it.
The feather then passes the steeple of the Independent Presbyterian Church and lands at Forrest’s feet on the north side of Chippewa Square.
Where this comes from
The bus door opens on the wrong side.
Traffic around the square was reversed so the bus doors would open towards the bench, and Tom Hanks recorded all of his narration sitting on it.
Forrest’s bus-bench scenes were shot over three days in Chippewa Square. The scenes were filmed on the north side of the square, with the statue of James Oglethorpe behind; the bench was brought in for filming.
A public square, open all day. Stand by the Chippewa Square sign on the north side, with Oglethorpe at your back.
Where this comes from
- 1 · Madison Square
Madison Square, Savannah, 2021. JeffersonLH · CC BY-SA 4.0 - 2 · past the steeple
The Independent Presbyterian Church on Bull Street, Savannah, 2024. Gsink · CC0 - 3 · his feet
The north side of Chippewa Square, Savannah, 2017: the square’s sign stands about where the bench did. Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0
A bench in three places
Which bench?
The bench stood on the northern edge of the square, about where the Chippewa Square sign is now; there is no bench there today. Three benches have a claim to be his. Sit on each and hear who says what.
about 10 ft
The Paramount lot
about 10 ft
The Savannah History Museum
about 7 ft
Nobody knows
Three benches, one film. Pick one.
The old station
The museum is in the former Central of Georgia Railway passenger depot. Explore Georgia says the museum is home to Forrest Gump’s bench, and to one of Johnny Mercer’s Oscars.
Open daily 9am–4pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Adults $12, children 3–12 $8.
Where this comes from
On the lot
Sets for the film were built at Paramount and at the Ambassador Hotel.
Where this comes from
Coastal Heritage Society
The Savannah History Museum
Savannah · Daily 9am–4pm · adults $12, children 3–12 $8
The old Central of Georgia passenger depot, where Explore Georgia says Forrest Gump’s bench is on show.
Plan a visit
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
Los Angeles · From $71 · book online
The working lot where sets for the film were built. Tours from two hours, daily.
See the tours507 Carteret Street, Beaufort
A box of chocolates.
Visit Beaufort says the box of chocolates was provided by The Chocolate Tree.
The shop at 507 Carteret Street, opened by Pat Green in 1980, provided chocolates to the Paramount crew during filming. It closed on 30 May 2025; in June 2026 Tim and Deanna Green said they planned to reopen it this autumn, with the same recipes.
Where this comes from
0 of 7 tried.
Beaufort County
Alabama, Mississippi and Vietnam, all within an hour
Colleton, with Beaufort and Hampton, is one of the three South Carolina counties where the film was made. Paramount had over 400 people on its payroll and was one of the largest private employers in Beaufort County at the time.
Where this comes from
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Beaufort film location tours
The Lowcountry
Live marketplace results for Beaufort tours, by carriage, boat or on foot. Check which ones cover the film.
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Hunting Island, South Carolina
Vietnam.
Forrest runs under fire here.Forrest runs under fire in Vietnam in scenes filmed partly on Hunting Island and partly on Fripp Island; the wounded soldiers were dropped near the Hunting Island lagoon.
The park has five miles of beach and a saltwater lagoon.
Where this comes from
Climb it
Its lighthouse, built in 1859 and rebuilt in 1875, is the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina, with 167 steps to the top.
0 of 167 steps
At the foot of the tower.Open 6am–6pm daily, to 9pm in daylight saving time. Adults $8, children 6–15 $4; 167 steps up the lighthouse.
South Carolina State Parks
Climb Hunting Island Lighthouse
The Lowcountry · Park 6am–6pm · adults $8, children 6–15 $4
The only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina, 167 steps up, above the island that played Vietnam.
Park hours
South Carolina State Parks
Camp on Hunting Island
The Lowcountry
Sleep where Vietnam was filmed: 102 standard campsites with 50-amp service, 25 rustic tent sites and one cabin near the lighthouse. Two-night minimum.
Book a siteEvery place his story was filmed, in order
Run his life.
Start on the bench and run from one real place to the next, in the order of his story. The miles are straight lines between the places, as the crow flies.
0miles run0 of 8 legs run.
Bull Street at McDonough Street, Savannah
Chippewa Square
Forrest’s bus-bench scenes were shot over three days in Chippewa Square.
A public square, open all day. Stand by the Chippewa Square sign on the north side, with Oglethorpe at your back.
Where this comes from
Mile marker 13, US 163
Done running.
Forrest had been running for three years, two months, 14 days and 16 hours when he reached this hill and said he was done.
Forrest Gump Point is at mile marker 13 on US 163, looking towards Monument Valley. The view is of the Mittens, buttes about 1,000 feet tall; sunrise lights them, and the sun sets behind them.
Where this comes from
Before you stop
There will likely be a dozen cars at the pullout by the sign; take photos from the shoulder, never the middle of the road.
The running scenes were shot in Arizona, Montana, Vermont, Maine, North Carolina and Monument Valley.
The crew bought just over 6,000 pounds of shrimp; copies of two September 1993 receipts hang in the market at 1948 Sea Island Parkway.
Where this comes from
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Savannah Forrest Gump and film tours
Savannah
Live marketplace results for walking and trolley tours that take in Chippewa Square. Check each itinerary.
Live marketplace results · itineraries change
Compare toursWhere it is now
13 places you can visit, from Savannah to US 163. The Gump house near Yemassee was a set and was torn down: it is named, not mapped.
Pins mark public places; private homes are named but not pinned.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A public square, open all day. Stand by the Chippewa Square sign on the north side, with Oglethorpe at your back.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A public square two blocks south of Chippewa Square on Bull Street; walk north to follow the feather.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: building · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. Open daily 9am–4pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Adults $12, children 3–12 $8.
The north side of Chippewa Square, Savannah, 2017: the square’s sign stands about where the bench did. Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0 Bull Street at McDonough Street, Savannah
Chippewa Square
Forrest’s bus-bench scenes were shot over three days in Chippewa Square.
A public square, open all day. Stand by the Chippewa Square sign on the north side, with Oglethorpe at your back.
Where this comes from
Madison Square, Savannah, 2021. JeffersonLH · CC BY-SA 4.0 Bull Street at Charlton Street, Savannah
Madison Square
The film’s first view of Savannah, as the feather drifts down, is Madison Square, with St John’s Episcopal Church and the Scottish Rite building behind it.
A public square two blocks south of Chippewa Square on Bull Street; walk north to follow the feather.
Where this comes from
The Savannah History Museum in the old Central of Georgia passenger station, 2025. Myotus · CC BY 4.0 303 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah
The Savannah History Museum
The museum is in the former Central of Georgia Railway passenger depot.
Open daily 9am–4pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Adults $12, children 3–12 $8.
Where this comes from
Stay
Sleep near the bench, or on the island.
A small historic inn in Savannah’s historic district, and the campground on Hunting Island.
The Foley House Inn
The Foley House Inn
Savannah
A historic inn of 19 rooms at 14 West Hull Street, which Visit Savannah lists among the places around Chippewa Square (pictured: Oglethorpe in the square). Stairs only, no lift.
Check roomsSouth Carolina State Parks
Camp on Hunting Island
The Lowcountry
Sleep where Vietnam was filmed: 102 standard campsites with 50-amp service, 25 rustic tent sites and one cabin near the lighthouse. Two-night minimum.
Book a siteGo there
The museum, the lighthouse, the lot.
The bench at the Savannah History Museum, the lighthouse above Vietnam, Paramount’s studio tour and marketplace tours of Savannah and Beaufort.
Coastal Heritage Society
The Savannah History Museum
Savannah · Daily 9am–4pm · adults $12, children 3–12 $8
The old Central of Georgia passenger depot, where Explore Georgia says Forrest Gump’s bench is on show.
Plan a visitSouth Carolina State Parks
Climb Hunting Island Lighthouse
The Lowcountry · Park 6am–6pm · adults $8, children 6–15 $4
The only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina, 167 steps up, above the island that played Vietnam.
Park hoursParamount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
Los Angeles · From $71 · book online
The working lot where sets for the film were built. Tours from two hours, daily.
See the toursViator · Ad / affiliate
Savannah Forrest Gump and film tours
Savannah
Live marketplace results for walking and trolley tours that take in Chippewa Square. Check each itinerary.
Live marketplace results · itineraries change
Compare toursViator · Ad / affiliate
Beaufort film location tours
The Lowcountry
Live marketplace results for Beaufort tours, by carriage, boat or on foot. Check which ones cover the film.
Live marketplace results · itineraries change
Compare toursWhat’s on
In Savannah this October.
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival, 24 to 31 October 2026.
Checking current event dates…
Take it home
The poster, the novel and the music.
An original 1994 one-sheet from our store, Winston Groom’s novel, the soundtrack and Alan Silvestri’s score.
Printed Originals · Our poster store
Forrest Gump (1994) — US one-sheet
An original 1994 US one-sheet, 27 x 40 in, stored rolled, in mint condition.
In stock
View poster
Bookshop.org UK · Ad / affiliate
Forrest Gump
Winston Groom
Winston Groom’s novel, which the film adapts.
Find the book
eBay · Ad / affiliate
Forrest Gump: The Soundtrack
Various artists · 2 x CD, Epic Soundtrax, 1994
The double-CD soundtrack album, first issued in the US in June 1994.
Live marketplace search · listings and condition change
Find a copy
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eBay · Ad / affiliate
Forrest Gump: Original Motion Picture Score
Alan Silvestri · CD, Epic Soundtrax, 1994
Alan Silvestri’s score, on CD from August 1994.
Live marketplace search · listings and condition change
Find a copyDates, prices, rooms and stock change: confirm with the provider before you travel or buy. A stay or tour is described as a filming location only where the card says so.
Back to the bench.
Where this comes from
Every place and moment behind this page, with sources.
14 of 14 places · 16 of 16 Moments
Chippewa Square
Bull Street at McDonough Street, Savannah
The bench
Forrest’s bus-bench scenes are shot over three days in Chippewa Square.
The wrong way round
Traffic around the square is reversed so the bus doors open towards the bench.
Madison Square
Bull Street at Charlton Street, Savannah
The feather
The feather drifts down over Madison Square, past a steeple, to Forrest’s feet.
The Savannah History Museum
303 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah
A bench for Savannah
A copy of the movie bench is unveiled in Savannah.
The Woods Memorial Bridge
Carteret Street, between downtown Beaufort and Lady’s Island
The press on the bridge
Forrest is interviewed by the press on a bridge dressed with a “Mississippi River” sign.
The Chocolate Tree
507 Carteret Street, Beaufort
The box of chocolates
The chocolates come from a Beaufort shop.
Hunting Island State Park
Hunting Island, at the end of Sea Island Parkway
Vietnam
Forrest runs under fire in Vietnam; the wounded are dropped near the lagoon.
Sea Island Parkway and the Gay Fish Company
1948 Sea Island Parkway, St Helena Island
Mississippi welcomes you
Forrest runs past a “Mississippi Welcomes You” sign on the road to Hunting Island.
Six thousand pounds
The crew buys just over 6,000 pounds of shrimp.
Varnville
Route 86, Hampton County
Greenbow, Alabama
Varnville stands in for Forrest’s home town of Greenbow, Alabama.
The Colleton Center, once Hampton Street Elementary
494 Hampton Street, Walterboro
The principal’s diagram
The principal uses a diagram to explain Forrest’s intelligence to his mother.
The Gump house set
By the Combahee River, near Yemassee
The house by the river
The Gump family home is built as a set beside the Combahee River, then torn down.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
National Mall, Washington, DC
Into the pool
Filmmakers are allowed to shoot in the Reflecting Pool for the first time.
The University of Southern California
University Park, Los Angeles
College
USC’s campus serves as the college settings for Forrest and Jenny.
Paramount Pictures
5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
On the lot
Sets for the film are built at Paramount.
Forrest Gump Point
Mile marker 13, US 163, San Juan County, Utah
Done running
After three years, two months, 14 days and 16 hours, Forrest stops running on US 163.