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In the early aughts, director Peter Jackson adapted J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy epic, “The Lord of the Rings,” into an acclaimed film series. The high-fantasy saga followed Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring’s quest to destroy the One Ring. In the mid-2010s, “The Hobbit” film series took viewers back to before the events of the first trilogy, showing how the One Ring came into the possession of Bilbo Baggins.
Now, fans can once again return to Middle-earth with the highly-anticipated premiere of “The Rings of Power.” Released on Sept. 2, 2022, on Amazon Prime, it takes place during the Second Age of Middle-Earth, thousands of years before “The Hobbit.” The series shows viewers how the Rings of Power and the Dark Lord Sauron came about, among other plotlines.
One of the best parts of seeing Tolkien’s work brought to life on the silver screen (and now at-home TV) is the locations and settings. The films and TV show have been famously filmed in New Zealand, set against the country’s stunning natural landscapes. If you can’t hop on a plane to New Zealand to visit the “Lord of the Rings” locations in person, these cities around the U.S. feel like places right out of Middle-Earth.
For this list, we used some locations from the original films and others from the new series. We chose these cities based on their appearance or resemblance to their Middle-earth counterparts. Mild spoilers ahead.
Misty Mountains, Rocky Mountains. Potato, po-tah-to. If one would like to live in a place that feels like the enchanted, Elven refuge of Rivendell, look no further than Aspen. Depictions of Rivendell show towering mountains, lush forests and a thriving yet peaceful city dwarfed by the majesty of nature. Aspen is similarly a mere speck against the giant Colorado Rockies. While waterfalls flow through the Elven city, you’ll need to head into the surrounding valleys and peaks to find them in Aspen, though.
Both are sanctuaries from the outside world, places to rest and be at one with nature. In addition to their abundant outdoorsy pursuits, you’ll also find abundant dining, gracious hosts and robust arts and crafts scenes, as well.
2. Missoula, MT, is the Shire and Hobbiton
One of the most beloved places in Middle-Earth is the bucolic green hills and cozy hillside homes of the Shire. As we all know, it’s the home of the Hobbits. With mountains on the horizon, it’s a place of peace and prosperity where families live happily. The Hobbit residents spend time outdoors enjoying their unspoiled natural surroundings. Its real-world counterpart is definitely Missoula.
Surrounded by rolling green hills with a mountainous backdrop, Missoula bears a striking resemblance to the Shire. The city itself is also dotted with trees and lush greenery. Locals love Missoula for its laidback, relaxed quality of life, which Hobbits also prized. But it’s also a very outdoorsy, vibrant town with great dining and higher education. One doesn’t need to look far to find a lovely hike, walk or activity. It also has a very close-knit community. Sounds very Shire-like to us.
“The Rings of Power” introduces viewers to the Southlands. This idyllic region features green hills, plains and forests set against snowcapped mountains. This realm of Men calls to mind the mountainous landscapes around the rugged, outdoorsy town of Jackson Hole. The wooden barns and historic settler buildings of the area also have a similar look to the Southland villages.
But, those who have read Tolkien’s books know that the Southlands will one day become Mordor. Yep, the dark, lifeless plain and evil lands of Lord Sauron in the original films. The series will likely show how this comes to pass. But Jackson Hole could one day share a similar fate thanks to the nearby Yellowstone Caldera supervolcano.
If you haven’t read “The Silmarillion,” Eregion will likely be new to you. During “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” the cities of Eregion were ancient ruins. But, in the “Rings of Power,” Eregion is a prosperous, thriving Elven kingdom. A sweeping aerial shot in the second episode shows a forested city full of grand towers, nestled against a body of water. Immense, green mountains surround the city. This brings to mind Anchorage’s scenic location.
Not only that, but Eregion is close to the Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm and the Mines of Moria. The show hints that Eregion will be the location of the mighty forge that created the “Rings of Power.” Building such a forge requires the crude natural resources, craftsmanship and extractive skills of the Dwarf kingdom. Alaska is also a place of extreme natural beauty, mined for its natural resources.
It may lack the dramatic mountain backing of Minas Tirith. But the gleaming white and grey towers and spires of the City that Never Sleeps mimic the grandeur and colossal scale of Gondor’s capital city. From the multi-tiered building levels to the crowing spire of the Empire State Building, these two great cities look very similar. But, they’re also alike in terms of their importance in their respective realms.
As Gondor was the main realm of Men in Middle-earth, so is New York City, one of modern man’s great centers of living. It’s here that business, art, culture, politics and key historical events all converge, as in Minas Tirith.
Who can forget the enchanting, moss-laden Fangorn Forest? It was here that Merry and Pippin first encountered the Ents in “The Twin Towers?” Located at the base of the southeastern Misty Mountains, this deep, dark woodland is the last remnant of a sweeping forest dating from the First Age of Middle-earth.
With its lush, dense city parks like Forest Park and Washington Park, Portland captures that same, magical feeling. Portland is often hailed as one of the greenest cities in the U.S. Along with its many parks, Portland’s eccentric and fantastical districts boast their own urban forest. So, even if you’re not hiking in Forest Park, you still feel surrounded by nature. Not only that, but Portland locals love the great outdoors. It’s common to spend most of your time outside, and locals also respect nature. The city’s famously weird atmosphere also dovetails with LOTR’s fantasy genre.
And, with Bigfoot said to roam the forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest, who’s to say there isn’t an Ent or two out there, as well?
With its stately trees, undulating forested mountains and tranquil aura, the Blue Ridge Mountains of the southeastern United States feel similar to Lothlórien. This realm of sky-scraping trees and mystical cities is the fairest of all the Elven realms. Anyone who explores the Blue Ridge Mountains can’t deny its majesty and beauty.
For many reasons, the mountain city of Asheville in the heart of North Carolina‘s Blue Ridge Mountains feels like it would fit right into place in Lothlórien. Its historic and stately architecture, like the Biltmore Estate, and wealth of architectural styles from Gothic to Beaux Arts reflect the elegant dwellings of the Elves. Asheville is renowned for its arts scene and makers culture, and the Elves of LOTR are master craftsmen, as well. Finally, the beautiful outdoors in and outside the city feel like the timeless forests of Tolkien’s fantasy realm.
Why watch Middle Earth when you could live in it?
It’s all well and good to watch the films and TV shows or read the books and imagine yourself living in Middle-Earth. But, in these “Lord of the Rings” cities and regions, it’s like you’re actually there. So, why not go on an adventure and try living in a new city that feels like something out of a fantasy world?
Source: rent.com