Have A Revolutionary Travel Experience At These ‘Young Washington’ Filming Locations

If you’re an avid history buff, you were probably immediately drawn to the theater when Angel Studios’ “Young Washington” first hit the box office on June 13. The film, which centers on the founding father’s early life and tribulations before becoming the first president, offers a unique look into a world nearly 300 years in the past. To capture the scenes of George Washington’s early life and travels, “Young Washington” units were stationed in both Ireland and Virginia. Though it may sound a bit silly to place production units outside of the country for this period piece, it was necessary to capture the pre-industrial state of the U.S.A. circa 1743.

Whether you’re a “Young Washington” super-fan or just a person deeply intrigued by history, you can book a trip to these two scenic locales to walk in Washington’s very footsteps. We’ll outline a few key filming locations in each nation, and offer up some recommendations for hotels, restaurants and must-see tourist destinations along the way. Just be sure to keep an eye out for any Redcoats, and keep a few single-dollar bills in your pocket to encourage some trademark Washington bravery.

Ireland Was The Main ‘Young Washington’ Filming Location

Key Scenes: As Screen Daily reports, a large portion of “Young Washington” was shot in and around the Irish countryside. Unfortunately, we don’t have much information on the exact location where production took place. This is because most of the footage shot in Ireland was shot in the wilderness, against a backdrop of trees, creeks and rolling green hills.

Best Time to Visit: If you’re looking to explore Dublin and the surrounding wilderness for yourself, your best bet will be to show up during the shoulder seasons. May and September are generally regarded as the best months to visit, since you’ll be treated to mild weather, long daylight hours and plenty of outdoor activities. The mid-summer months often see raised prices at hotels and heavier crowds, while the winters can be quite rainy and humid.

Transportation Options: If you’re looking to stay close to the city of Dublin, you should have no trouble relying on public transportation to explore most of the city’s inviting hotspots. Of course, those looking to explore all the “Young Washington” filming locations spread across the country will need to rely on alternate transportation, including rideshares, rental cars or carefully planned bus routes.

Thanks to a post on the Baltinglass and District Discussion forum on Facebook, we can confirm that some portions of “Young Washington” were shot along the shores of Blessington Lake and in the microWild nature preserve. Locals from Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains spotted production units as they prepared to shoot footage, resulting in some mesmerizing behind-the-scenes images leaking across social media.

Another pivotal scene in the film was captured using a 50-foot plunge pool, constructed on a soundstage outside of Dublin. This pool stands in for an icy river in the movie, where Washington was thrown from a raft and nearly drowned. To make the pool appear larger for the big screen, director Jon Erwin utilized a mix of practical props and generative AI.

Things to Do: Whether you’re investigating the backdrops from “Young Washington” or just looking to enjoy everything Ireland has to offer, you’ll quickly find that Dublin is one of the most beautiful vacation spots in the known world. When you first arrive, you’ll want to get your bearings with a quick tour, so be sure to check out packages for a sightseeing cruise, walking tour or guided exploration of the Cliffs of Moher and Wild Atlantic Way. From there, be sure to get checked in at your hotel and open up your itinerary for a visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Guinness Storehouse or take in a Belvedere Irish Night Show.

Where to Eat: After a long day of chasing down “Young Washington” production sites, you may find that you want to sit down for a nice, upscale meal. If you’re looking for a fancy experience, be sure to snag a reservation at one of Dublin’s finest steakhouses, including Ryleigh’s, FIRE Steakhouse and Bar or Layla’s Rooftop Restaurant. Lemon Jelly Cafe is another highly recommended eatery for those in need of a casual bite with some exceptional ambiance. Dublin is also known for its variety of delightful hole-in-the-wall pubs, where you can grab a pint of Guinness, catch the local game and commiserate in a shared hatred for the British aristocracy.

Where to Stay: If you’re looking to truly make the most of your time in Ireland, you’ll want to book a hotel that sits right in Dublin, where you can be a part of the action from sunup to sundown. Some of the more expensive stays in the city include rooms in The Spencer Hotel, Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin or Anantara The Marker. Those looking to save on cash can also look for cheaper rates at chain hotels, bed-and-breakfast operations and hostels.

Washington’s Home State, Virginia, Also Appears On-Screen

Key Scenes: Though many of the lush wilderness scenes were captured along the gorgeous green views of Ireland, much of “Young Washington” was shot in the president’s actual home state of Virginia. There are currently no shot-by-shot guides for the production, so it’s impossible to lay out every individual scene, but eagle-eyed viewers from the DMV can surely identify some of their state’s finest backdrops.

Best Time to Visit: Like many distinguished locales in the American south, Virginia is known to be exceptionally hot and humid during the summer months. As a result, the best time to visit is often during the early spring or late fall. Months like April and October will offer the most pleasant weather, allowing you to take part in plenty of outdoor excursions and open air adventures.

Transportation Options: If you do decide to stay in Richmond, you’ll find that the key tourist attractions in the city are covered by free local city buses. Though this is very helpful for exploring River City, it won’t do much to get you up close and personal with “Young Washington” filming locations in Mount Vernon and Petersburg. To really squeeze the most out of your time, you should consider renting a vehicle or chartering a private driver. With your transportation secured, you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time unearthing some of the fascinating history on full display across the state of Virginia.

Production for the film reportedly took place in areas including Petersburg, Williamsburg and Mount Vernon, where the real-life Washington is buried. A trip through these three points will take roughly four hours by car (traffic permitting), so it may be best to set up shop in Richmond and venture out on day trips as needed.

Things to Do: Once you make it to Virginia, you’ll want to take in some of the historic sights and sounds with a walking tour, Segway tour or a trip across town on a historic trolley. Once you’ve got your bearings, be sure to explore some of the finer things in the Richmond region, such as the Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Virginia Capitol Building and the Science Museum of Virginia. Throughout your travels, you should find little difficulty encountering historical markers and places where the real-life Washington frequented during his lifetime.

Where to Eat: Some of the best restaurants in the Richmond area include the Fall Line Kitchen & Bar, Mama J’s Kitchen and The Tobacco Company Restaurant. While you’re in town, be sure to stop at any number of small hometown diners or convenience stores to indulge in some regional cuisine you can’t get anywhere else. Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and boiled peanuts are Virginia staples, so you can’t go wrong when you see them on a menu somewhere.

Where to Stay: Luckily, hotels in the Richmond area aren’t considered to be especially pricey, especially when compared to other major metro areas in the region like Washington D.C. Hotels such as the Omni Richmond Hotel, The Commonwealth and The Berkeley Richmond will provide upscale accommodation so that you can sleep in style. Of course, budget options are available in the city as well, with chains like the Holiday Inn Express, Hilton and the Country Inn & Suites spread out across the greater Richmond area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who plays George Washington in “Young Washington”?

George Washington is portrayed in the film by British actor William Franklyn-Miller. The rising star may not yet be a household name, though he has been working in front of the camera since he was a small child, modeling for numerous fashion brands and working in smaller television productions. “Young Washington” serves as Franklyn-Miller’s first leading film role.

Is “Young Washington” historically accurate?

Though “Young Washington” tells the true story of George Washington’s early life, the film does take many liberties with its source material. Tales of the actual president were condensed, morphed and reshaped to fit a compelling narrative that works within a simple three-act structure. If you’re looking to get an exact play-by-play of Washington’s life, there are many books and documentaries on the subject. Even still, the movie does a passable job of showcasing the man, the myth, and the intense military experiences he endured before taking office as POTUS.