When it comes to pop culture, we’re all fans of something. Whether you find yourself caught up in the magic of “Harry Potter,” can’t get enough of the ever-growing “Star Wars” franchise or are still mourning the final season of “Stranger Things,” sometimes our connections to fictional lands are so strong, we wish we could abandon our responsibilities and hop inside. Beyond the screen, books and video games are equally engrossing, comprising immersive worlds with complex characters and storylines, some of which are so good that, by the time we reach the end, we’re left craving more.
From casual consumers to full-fledged devotees, it’s safe to say popular creative works garner their fair share of fans. And where the masses go, a correlating travel trend is sure to follow. The industry is currently seeing this with the rise of “fandom travel,” travel inspired by movies, television series, books, video games and more. But don’t take our word for it; Travel Agent Central reported on a Data Axle survey that found nearly three-quarters of Gen Z and Millennials are interested in visiting destinations made famous by TV, movies or viral content. Similarly, Allianz Partners USA reported one in three Americans planned to travel for a major pop culture event like a fan convention, film premier or viral festival in 2025.
The fandom travel niche falls in line with prevailing industry trends advisors have been witnessing for a while now, including the uptick in demand for experiential, event and cultural tourism. Where fandom travel differs, however, is its unique link to jetsetters’ identities as it breathes life into their favorite franchises, connects them with like-minded individuals and, in some instances, even helps them tap into a greater sense of purpose.
“These guests are not simply visiting a destination,” said global travel ecosystem HBX Group in an article outlining 2026 travel trends. “They are participating in a moment, a community, or a shared identity. That shared sense of belonging is what drives a willingness to travel long distances, accept premium pricing, and plan trips around fixed dates.”
Diving further into the “why” behind fandom travel’s success, HBX Group says there are three main factors contributing to its popularity: 1) Inspiration sparked by content viewed on social media and streaming services; 2) A greater focus on building itineraries aligned with travelers’ personal identity; and 3) A pivot toward group-based, social trips as more people crave shared experiences.
To help travel advisors add a little extra whimsy to their clients’ upcoming trips, we’ve rounded up a variety of hotels, tours and events where fandoms and pop culture are at the heart of the experience.
Stream-Worthy Stays
Home Alone Room, Graduate by Hilton Evanston
Fans of Christmastime classic “Home Alone” won’t want to miss their chance to stay in Graduate by Hilton Evanston’s Home Alone Room, a near-identical replica of the McCallister house primary bedroom. Outfitted with no shortage of holiday charm — available to book all year round — guests who spend the night will enjoy special perks like a cheese pizza for two, access to Kevin’s favorite late-night snacks, a retro TV complete with a “Home Alone” VHS tape and a Polaroid camera to document all the fun.
Lost in Space, The Anniversary Inn
As a hotspot for NASA missions, Logan, Utah’s Anniversary Inn is paying homage to its interstellar roots with Lost in Space, the property’s elaborate space-themed suite. An out of this world experience, guests who dare step foot into this Final Frontier will be met with a galactic paintjob, planetary lighting and a separate silver spaceship bathroom, all of which can be enjoyed from the suite’s indoor jet tub paired with complimentary chilled cider.
Stranger Things Suite, Graduate by Hilton Bloomington
The spookiest living room in Hawkins comes to life inside Graduate by Hilton Bloomington’s Stranger Things Suite. Just as it was depicted in season one of “Stranger Things,” guests will find the Byers’ retro brown couch is the perfect place to cozy up before attempting to make contact with “The Upside Down” through Joyce’s makeshift Ouija board, glitchy strings of Christmas lights and all. There’s no shortage of wood paneling and floral wallpaper, and the themed room even offers access to a replica of the Wheelers’ basement next door, a spot where travelers can try their hand at old-school board games, communicate through walkie-talkies and don Will’s signature purple wizard cloak before kicking off their very own game of Dungeons and Dragons.
Various Options, The Roxbury Hotel
“The Wizard of Oz,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “Austin Powers,” “The Flintstones,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “The Partridge Family,” “Bewitched” and even Farrah Fawcett’s hair — travelers will find festive rooms and suites inspired by them all at The Roxbury Hotel, a quirky property nestled along the foothills of New York State’s scenic Catskill Mountains. Dubbed “the most magical hotel stay in the world” by Travel + Leisure, according to the property’s website, The Roxbury Hotel dates to the 1960s and is a must-visit for anyone daydreaming of a fantastical vintage road trip.
Thematic Tours
Studio Tours, Various Locations
Nothing brings movies and television series to life like visiting the places they were filmed. With various studio tours to choose from at places like Paramount Pictures Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, California is the ultimate destination for media buffs. Home to some of the most iconic titles to grace primetime TV, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour allows guests to explore sets seen on beloved shows like “Friends,” “Gilmore Girls” and “The Big Bang Theory,” as well as recreate some movie magic with “Harry Potter,” “Fantastic Beasts” and “DC Universe” experiences. Over at Universal Studios Hollywood, studio tour participants can walk through the original Jupiter’s Claim set from modern horror film “NOPE,” have a personal encounter with “Jaws,” witness a larger-than-life brawl between a 35-foot-tall T-Rex and King Kong and more. Finally, at Paramount Pictures Studios, travelers can choose between three different tour package options, offering them an inside look at iconic filming locations and a chance to encounter the industry talent, producers and crew currently filming at Paramount, a working movie studio.
Game of Thrones Tours, Various Locations
A title so famous for its impact on travel a term was coined for it, the “Game of Thrones Effect” is real, and the mega-popular HBO series by the same name has inspired millions of people to visit countries like Croatia, Dubrovnik, Iceland and Ireland since the show first aired in 2011. Capitalizing on the fantasy phenomena’s continued success is Game of Thrones Tours, a Belfast-based company specializing in tours that take travelers to the scenic spots they’ve dreamt about visiting after seeing them on TV. Best of all, some tour guides previously worked for or were extras on the show, and many tours include elaborate custom-clad photo ops for travelers hoping to recreate their favorite scenes in style.
Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour
If you’ve ever wished you could take a bite out of Carmy, Sydney or Richie’s creations while watching “The Bear,” Chicago Food & City Tours’ “Yes Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Tour” is the perfect foodie adventure for you. With stops at chef-driven fine dining eateries, the Italian beef shop that sparked inspiration for “The Original Beef of Chicagoland” and a scrumptious finale at Margie’s Candies for a generous hot fudge sundae, participants will leave this mouthwatering food tour with a new appreciation for this culinary capital in the Midwest. Of course, guides share entertaining anecdotes and stories about “The Bear” along the way, leaving fans of the Netflix series full and satisfied.
Epic Events
BookCon, New York City
A major NYC event designed with page-turners in mind, BookCon welcomed 25,000 fans in 2026 and has plans to continue growing as we approach 2027. From romance and fantasy to horror and beyond, with 260+ exhibitors, readers love browsing BookCon’s various stalls, meeting fellow bookworms, listening in on inspirational panels, chatting with authors and purchasing bookish merchandise designed to help them show off their love for their front-running titles.
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, Chicago
Each spring, The Windy City welcomes thousands of eager attendees to the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), an annual event dedicated to anything and everything pop culture. From comic books and video games to anime, TV shows, movies, wrestling and more, this fantastically nerdy gathering promises attendees “good and geeky times” as they show off elaborate cosplays, have opportunities to sit in on interactive panels, browse fandom-inspired artwork and wares, score autographs and photo-ops with notable stars and much more.
Anime Expo, Los Angeles
Dating back to 1991, Los Angeles’ Anime Expo is the largest and one of the longest-running anime fan conventions in the United States. Held every summer around the Fourth of July, this event celebrates Japanese pop culture — think entertainment, music, street style and video games — by bringing together hundreds of thousands of fans and industry from Japan, the U.S. and beyond. Cosplay — a hobby and form of performance art where participants create and wear costumes and accessories modeled after fictional characters — is huge at this gathering, allowing attendees to channel their creative energy into some seriously impressive displays of fashion and ingenuity.
Originally appeared in the Fall 2026 issue of The Compass magazine
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