Where Was Good Will Hunting Filmed?

The Short Answer

Good Will Hunting was filmed mainly on location in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, including the Public Garden bench scene, L Street Tavern, and South Boston streets. Many interiors, such as dorm and bar scenes, were shot in Toronto, Ontario, to reduce production costs. Filming ran from April to June 1997.

The 1997 drama is so closely tied to Boston that many viewers assume every frame was shot there. In truth, the production split its work between Massachusetts and Ontario. exteriors that define the film's sense of place were captured around Boston and Cambridge, while a surprising share of interior scenes happened in Toronto.

That split matters for travelers. The locations worth visiting in person are overwhelmingly in the Boston area, and most are free to see on foot. The Public Garden bench, the tavern where Will and his friends drank, and the South Boston streets he called home all sit within a few miles of one another.

Every Location At A Glance

Location	Where	What was filmed	Access
Boston Public Garden	Boston, United States	Bench scene where Sean delivers monologue to Will	Free to see
L Street Tavern (Woody's)	Boston, United States	Local bar hangout for Will and friends	Free to see
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) McLaurin Building	Cambridge, United States	Will as janitor at MIT exteriors	Free to see
Bunker Hill Community College	Boston, United States	Sean Maguire's college and counseling scenes	Free to see
South Boston District Municipal Court	Boston, United States	Court scene after fight	Free to see
University of Toronto	Toronto, Canada	Dorm scenes and other interiors	Free to see
Central Technical School	Toronto, Canada	Various interior scenes	Outside only
1 Bow Street (former Bow & Arrow Pub area)	Cambridge, United States	Will meets Skylar; 'How do you like them apples?' scene nearby	Free to see
Will's house (190 W 6th St)	Boston, United States	Will's South Boston home exteriors	Outside only
Sean's house (approx 265 E St)	Boston, United States	Sean's home exteriors	Outside only
Massachusetts Turnpike	Boston area, United States	Final driving scene to Stanford	Free to see

Filming Locations Map

11 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Location By Location

This is where Sean delivers his monologue to Will from a park bench, one of the most quoted scenes in the film. The bench itself carries no plaque or marking, which makes finding it part of the fun. Follow the lakeside path north from the western end of the bridge; fan reports point to the third bench. The garden is open around the clock and remains a popular photo stop for film fans.

The tavern served as the local hangout for Will and his friends. It still operates today and displays a sign reading 'Home of Good Will Hunting'. Ownership has changed over the years, but the Irish pub character survives. Visitors can walk in, order a drink, and sit inside a set piece that doubles as a working neighborhood bar in South Boston.

The exteriors here establish Will's job as a janitor at MIT. The Cambridge campus is open to the public, though most visitors will only be able to see the outside of buildings. It is an easy add-on to any Boston filming location walk, and the surrounding Kendall Square area offers plenty of places to eat afterward.

This college stood in for Sean Maguire's workplace and provided the settings for his counseling sessions with Will. The campus is accessible to visitors, though it helps to check the events calendar before arriving. It sits in Charlestown, a short trip from downtown Boston, and pairs well with other nearby sightseeing in the neighborhood.

The courthouse appears in the scene following Will's fight, when his legal troubles land him before a judge. It remains an active courthouse, and visitors may enter to observe proceedings. Anyone planning a stop should expect standard security screening and behave as they would in any working court. Photographing inside courtrooms is generally not permitted.

Dorm scenes and other interior moments were filmed on this campus, part of the production's cost-saving shift to Canada. The university offers campus tours, though some buildings are restricted to students and staff. Film fans visiting Toronto can still appreciate the exteriors and the role the campus played in standing in for American academic spaces.

This school hosted various interior scenes during the Toronto shoot. Unlike the public campuses elsewhere on this list, access is exterior only, and the grounds are viewable from the street. It sits close to the University of Toronto, so travelers tracing the Canadian side of the production can visit both in a single outing without much effort.

This spot near Harvard Square is where Will meets Skylar, and the famous 'How do you like them apples?' moment unfolds nearby. The pub itself has closed, but the surrounding area remains lively and easy to explore on foot. Harvard Square's shops and eateries make this one of the more pleasant stops for visitors combining film locations with general sightseeing.

The exterior of Will's South Boston home appears in several scenes. It is a private residence, so viewing from the street is the only option, and visitors should respect the occupants' privacy. Like many South Boston locations from the film, the house has since been converted into upscale rentals, a sign of how much the neighborhood has changed since 1997.

Sean Maguire's home exteriors were shot here in South Boston, a short distance from Will's house. As with the other homes on this list, it is privately occupied and should only be viewed from the sidewalk. Its proximity to other filming sites makes it a convenient stop on a self-guided walking route through the neighborhood.

The highway features in the final driving scene, when Will heads off toward a new life in California. The specific overpass near Lee and Stockbridge has been identified in fan reports, though pinpointing the exact stretch of road is difficult. Casual visitors will likely be satisfied simply knowing the closing moments were shot along this route west of Boston.

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

The story takes place in and around Boston, and the film honors that setting with genuine Massachusetts exteriors, from the Public Garden to the streets of South Boston. However, the production moved a significant share of its work to Toronto, where dorm scenes, bar interiors, and other indoor moments were filmed to keep costs down. Viewers who look closely may notice the blend, but the Boston locations dominate the film's visual identity. Dunster House at Harvard also appears, serving as the exterior of Skylar's dorm.

Tours That Visit These Locations

Two walking tours cover Boston's movie history and pass through areas connected to the film. Both are affordable options led by guides who share filming stories as they go.

Popular Movie Mile Walk

Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour

At $45 with a 4.6 rating across 131 reviews, this take on the Movie Mile route draws bigger crowds and carries a longer review history for reassurance.

4.6 out of 5 · 131 reviews

From$45Check availability

Small-Group Movie Walk

Boston: Movie Mile Walking Tour

This smaller option runs $43 and holds a strong 4.8 rating from 45 reviews, appealing to travelers who prefer a tighter group while exploring Boston's film sites.

4.8 out of 5 · 45 reviews

From$43Check availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Find The Actual Bench From The Film?

Yes. The bench in the Boston Public Garden has no plaque or marking, but it is popular with fans. Follow the lakeside path north from the western end of the bridge and look for the third bench.

Is L Street Tavern Still Open?

It is. The tavern operates today and displays a 'Home of Good Will Hunting' sign. Ownership has changed, but the Irish pub atmosphere remains, and visitors can stop in for a drink.

Why Were Some Scenes Filmed In Toronto?

The production shot dorm scenes, bar interiors, and other indoor moments in Toronto to manage costs. exteriors that establish the Boston setting were filmed on location in Massachusetts.

Can You Visit Will's House In South Boston?

Only from the street. The house at 190 W 6th St is a private residence, as is Sean's house nearby on E Street. Both should be viewed respectfully from the sidewalk.

When Did Filming Take Place?

Filming ran from April to June 1997, ahead of the film's release that same year.

Is A Tour The Best Way To See These Locations?

The Boston sites cluster within a walkable area, so a self-guided route works well. Movie-themed walking tours offer added context and stories for around $43 to $45 per person.

Boston and Cambridge hold nearly every location a Good Will Hunting fan would want to see, and most cost nothing to visit. Start at the Public Garden bench, work through South Boston's tavern and houses, and finish near Harvard Square. For those who want a guide's stories along the way, the city's movie walking tours cover the ground efficiently at a modest price.

Sources

The Short Answer

Every Location At A Glance

Filming Locations Map

Location By Location

Boston Public Garden

L Street Tavern (Woody's)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) McLaurin Building

Bunker Hill Community College

South Boston District Municipal Court

University of Toronto

Central Technical School

1 Bow Street (former Bow & Arrow Pub area)

Will's house (190 W 6th St)

Sean's house (approx 265 E St)

Massachusetts Turnpike

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

Tours That Visit These Locations

Popular Movie Mile Walk

Small-Group Movie Walk

Frequently Asked Questions

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