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In the wake of the popular television series “Breaking Bad,” it’s difficult to even mention the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico without thinking of the show. Albuquerque plays a central role in the series and there’s a vast array of filming locations scattered all across the city. Here, we’ll take a look at those, as well as a some props and even a pop-up set.

First, we begin with one of the more notorious film locations; the Walter White house. Beyond the notoriety of the house within the show itself, the real home has it’s own reputation, due to the sometimes adversarial owner. While most of the time it’s fine to visit properties once seen in films or TV shows, on occasion, property owners of these locations are not receptive to visitors. While that’s not exactly the case with the Walter White house, the owner could be considered particular to the acceptable ways in which visitors approach her home. This is not without reason, however, as some past guests have abused their visiting privileges, by doing things like trespassing into their back yard, while others have even gone as far as throwing pizza on her roof, in a distasteful attempt to parody a famous scene from the show. The pizzas in particular escalated to the point where series creator Vince Gilligan himself had to publicly denounce these acts and tell fans to stop doing it. That’s not to mention the sheer volume of guests that visit the house, which was said to be dozens per day at the height of the show’s popularity. So while there’s seemingly no harm in looking at a house, it is nevertheless understandable if the property owner has developed a low tolerance for intrusive visitors. Since the show ended, the owners have made a habit of opening their garage up each day and sitting in front of the house, from dawn to dusk. It isn’t often you’ll visit the property in the daytime where the owners won’t be perched out front. They also installed cameras around the house, posted a “no trespassing” sign and erected a steel gate at the front door, in an effort to curb the repeated trespassing issues. While the owner of the house can be friendly, she has also had some verbal altercations with visitors, if she feels they are being intrusive. All of this, however, is not to say visitation is discouraged. The owner has stated she does not mind fans of the show stopping by and taking photos, as long as they remain on the opposite side of the street and do not disturb them. While one can make a valid argument that it’s perfectly legal to walk right up to the curb in front of the house and take a photo, doing so will likely provoke the ire of the homeowners, so please respect their wishes if you intend on visiting the property and you’re unlikely to encounter any issues.

LOCATION: 3828 Piermont Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

Jesse Pinkman’s house requires a bit less discretion when visiting, as we are unaware of any animosity between the owners and fans of the show.

LOCATION: 322 16th St. SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104

Agent Hank Schrader’s house is located in this cul de sac.

LOCATION: 4901 Cumbre Del Sur Ct. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

Next we take a look at the infamous “Los Pollos Hermanos,” the restaurant owned by criminal mastermind Gus Fring. Here we have photos from both the real location (a restaurant named “Twisters”), as well as a pop-up replica of the restaurant, which was used to promote “Better Call Saul.” First, lets look at the actual location in Albuquerque, called “Twisters.” There are a few of these restaurants in the area, so be sure if you plan to visit, you go to the one on Isleta Blvd, in order to see the location used in the show. The location also resurfaces in “Better Call Saul.”

LOCATION: 4257 Isleta Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105

The counter inside at the real location, which features a small “Los Pollos Hermanos” sign. You can also sit and eat at the table Walter White sat in, if it isn’t already occupied by another customer.

This is a “Los Pollos Hermanos” logo painted inside the real Twisters location, on the wall beside the entrance door. This was added by the “Breaking Bad” production and the restaurant allowed it to remain up. They are very welcoming to fans of the show.

Now we move on to what is a pop-up replica of “Los Pollos Hermanos,” which was built on an open parking lot space in Los Angeles for just a few short days, in promotion of “Better Call Saul.” These are not photos of the real restaurant and the pop-up has long since been dismantled.

A “Los Pollos Hermanos” restaurant sign built for the pop-up.

Visitors to the pop-up were given a complimentary order of french fries and a cup of water, both bearing the “Los Pollos Hermanos” name.

A mock application form was also given out to visitors of the pop-up.

Back in Albuquerque and to the real show locations, here is a look at the office of Saul Goodman.

LOCATION: 9800 Montgomery Blvd., Albuquerque, NM 87111

A few businesses have come and gone from the location since the show aired, but the current restaurant actually has their front door made up to look like Saul’s office.

The Whites’ car wash.

LOCATION: 9516 Snow Heights Cir. NE, Albuquerque NM, 87112

Tuco’s headquarters, which is left in bad shape after a visit from Walter. The real building is actually a coffee shop.

LOCATION: 906 Park Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102

This is Walt and Jesse’s RV from the show, which can be seen as part of the Sony Pictures Studio Tour in Culver City, California. The show had 2 identical RVs for filming, one of which actually was destroyed on the show. This is the only remaining RV from the production.

Walter White’s vehicle from the show is also on display at the Sony Pictures Studio Tour.

Next up are some props from the show, also seen on the Sony Pictures Studio Tour. Included are Gail’s lab notes, Walt’s missing person flier, the stuffed animal that falls into Walt’s pool and much more.

Last, but not least, we leave you with a couple of Bryan Cranston’s costumes from the show. First up, this Heisenberg outfit can be found on display on the Sony Pictures Studio Tour.

Another of Walter’s outfits can be found on display at Planet Hollywood in Florida.

LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Related articles: Better Call Saul

While the film is set in Maine, tucked away in the fields of Mansfield, Ohio, the Ohio State Reformatory hosted the production of the “The Shawshank Redemption” in 1993, after it had permanently closed from active prison use three years prior. Originally built between 1886 to 1910, the facility was built in three architectural styles; Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne. In the wake of a class action suit by the prisoners, which cited overcrowding and inhumane conditions, the prison was shut down in 1990, with a replacement prison built directly behind it, which is still active today.

After the enduring success of “The Shawshank Redemption,” The Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society began work to restore the facility to its original state, as well as recreate many of the film’s sets. They offer daily tours from April to September and weekend-only tours during the remaining seasons. The restorations are funded through donations and tour fees. The building housed a great deal of horrors, which can be felt as you explore the facility. Over 200 people are said to have died inside the prison walls. During Halloween season, the Preservation Society offers haunted tours in lieu of the film tours and a number of ghost-themed television shows have filmed at the location. Yet outside, the place feels quiet and serene. Other films to have shot at the prison include “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Air Force One” and “Tango & Cash.”

LOCATION: 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905

The front of the prison. During tour hours, music from the film score plays over loud speakers.

The back of the prison is the yard where Red and Andy would meet.

The parole room, where Red keeps returning for his hearings. The table and chair props are not the originals, however, if I recall correctly.

This is where the inmates first line up to face the warden.

This is the warden’s office, where Andy locks the door and plays the music. The actor playing the captain really did break the window to the door in the scene, which is still missing today.

The warden’s office, where his fate is met.

This is where the production cut a hole in the wall, for the warden’s safe.

The showers seen in the movie were the prison’s real showers.

The hole Andy makes in the pipeline. This is the actual prop from the film.

This is a wide shot of the pipeline prop that Andy crawls through. Might ruin a little movie magic for you.

While similar looking, this is the prop used for the hole in the wall, behind the Rita Hayworth poster.

Brooks’ apartment. It was actually another room inside the prison.

This is unfortunately a replica. The real ceiling beam was, at one time, located in this room, but it was stolen. The Preservation Society recreated it.

Autographs from the film’s actors.

Autographed poster.

The cover from the crate prop, holding the library books that Andy had so frequently requested.

There’s really so much more to see inside the prison tour, such as the world’s tallest prison cell block. These were not the cell blocks seen in the film, however. The production opted to rent out a nearby warehouse and build their own set for the cell block, likely due to the unsanitary conditions of the real cell block. You are warned not to touch anything in this area, for risk of needing a tetanus shot. Since the rest of the features of the tour do not directly relate to the film, we will leave you with just one image of the many other, highly interesting things the tour has to offer.

Late in the film, Red has been released from prison and travels to Buxton to keep a promise he made to Andy. The spot where he’s dropped off was actually filmed in Worthington Township.

LOCATION: Snyder Rd / Hagerman Rd, Worthington Township, OH 44813

Pretty much all of the filming locations are conveniently marked with these signs, noting their film history.

The rock wall and tree from the end of the film could be found in the town of Lucas. The tree was hit by lightening in July 2011, which split it in two, with only half remaining standing. Eventually insects ate up much of the remaining portion and it fell over completely due to high winds by July 2016. Today, nothing is remaining at the location, as the rock wall and tree stump have all been removed. The area, which is now an agricultural field, is visible from the road, but the land itself is on private property. For a time, a section of the fallen tree was on display at the Ohio State Reformatory, but eventually it was removed, with portions of the wood being used to make souvenirs. This shot, which shows the tree and rock wall fully in tact, was taken in April 2011 and kindly shared with us by Come See With Me. They made a very comprehensive video about “The Shawshank Redemption” filming locations, which includes footage and more information about the tree, available here.

LOCATION: Near intersection of Bromfield Rd / Pleasant Valley Rd, Lucas, OH 44843 (GPS coordinates: 40°39’14.4″N, 82°23’30.3″W, now demolished)

Red takes a bus to leave town to Zihuatanejo, passing this barn on his way out.

LOCATION: Near the intersection of OH-95 / Butler Newville Rd, Worthington Township, OH 44813

Last, but not least, we leave you with one of Red’s prison shirts, which can be seen on display at Planet Hollywood in Florida.

LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

If you find yourself in Ohio, we highly encourage you to take the prison tour, as it remains one of our all-time favorite film locations.

To see our “The Shawshank Redemption” location page, click here.

Related articles: The Green Mile (1999), The Mist (2007)

Film Oblivion

Movie and TV locations, points of interest.

Breaking Bad

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)