Where was What's Eating Gilbert Grape filmed?

The film begins on a remote rural road, where Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) is vigilantly watching over his mentally challenged brother, Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio). The scene unfolds as Arnie chases after a procession of Airstream trailers, halting only when one of them experiences a breakdown.

The scene perfectly captures the characters' emotions, highlighting the relationship between Gilbert and Arnie and how much they care for each other. It also reflects a sense of freedom, as Arnie chases after the trailers with a childlike enthusiasm, despite his disability.

A private home at 20117 Melber Lane, Manor, TX 78653 provided the setting for the scene. You can still visit the address today, however, construction has been taking place across the street since 2019, which may have changed some features near the place.

To get to the location, take the 290 Toll from Austin towards Manor and then turn onto Gregg Manor Rd. Follow this road until you reach Fuchs Grove Rd and Cameron Rd, which will bring you to your destination.

The film is set in Endora, Iowa, a fictitious locale, with frequent visuals of the town's main street. Gilbert is employed at Lamson's Grocery, often accompanied by Arnie, and he dines at the Ramp Cafe with his buddies Tucker Van Dyke (John C. Reilly) and Bobby McBurney (Crispin Glover).

However, the arrival of a new chain supermarket poses a threat to not only Lamson's Grocery but also other small-scale businesses in Endora. The supermarket carries a wide range of products, making many local stores obsolete.

The grocery store, where Gilbert works was filmed at Manor Grocery, 102 W Parsons St, Manor, TX 78653, USA. This location has been preserved and still remains one of the last original small-town grocery stores left in Texas.

Mansion Grocery provides an insight into what a small town in Iowa looked like during that era. Friendly people at the store are always happy to talk about when the What’s Eating Gilbert Grape production team was in town, so be sure to stop by for a visit!

The location where this scene was filmed is at Manor Grocery located at 102 W Parsons Street, Manor, TX 78653. It’s easy to get to this location simply by following the 290 Toll from Austin.

Gilbert shoulders the responsibility of mending their ramshackle farmhouse and caring for Arnie, who, if not supervised closely, tends to ascend the town's water tower much like Spider-Man. In a memorable scene later in the movie, Arnie returns to the water tower he's persistently tried to scale, and this time, he triumphantly reaches the top, leading to his arrest.

This scene was shot at 103 S Caldwell St, Manor, TX 78653. The area is rural and secluded, making it perfect for a small-town setting. The water tower is still located in Manor and fans are welcome to visit the site.

To recreate the water tower scene in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, drive to Austin first and then head south on Highway 290 until you reach Manor City limits.

When Arnie gets arrested, Bonnie (Darlene Cates) is compelled to go to the police station to demand his release. Her appearance is mocked because she hasn't left the house in seven years. When the family leaves the courthouse, the townspeople create a very emotional and cinematic scene by making a spectacle of them.

The exterior scene was filmed at the Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart, Texas. In addition to What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, it has also been featured in various TV shows and films, including Waiting for Guffman, The Leftovers, and The Faculty. Visitors can access the site and admire the impressive exterior of the courthouse.

The Caldwell County Courthouse is located at 110 S Main St #201, Lockhart, TX 78644. To reach the destination, you have two options: take I-35 S and TX-130 S from Austin, or alternatively, take the 1516 bus from EastSide Bus Plaza BAY D stop to Lockhart HEB bus stop.

The scene at Becky's (Juliette Lewis) campsite is a heartwarming and poignant moment. Gilbert returns to his hometown to find Arnie befriending a girl named Becky. They venture to a nearby pond where Arnie overcomes his fear of water.

Gilbert watches from afar as Amy (Laura Harrington) and Ellen (Mary Kate Schellhardt) come to take Arnie back home. Then, Gilbert approached Becky, and they discuss his own frustration and the fact that his father has passed away.

This memorable moment between Gilbert and Becky marks a turning point in the film, where he learns to accept his father's death and find solace in the companionship of others. This scene was filmed at Schmidt Loop in Manor, Texas.

The filming site has since been redeveloped and houses occupy the lot, so unfortunately, visitors won't get the same view as seen on screen. However, the pond remains intact and can still be visited today.

You can reach Schmidt Loop by taking Highway 290 East out of Austin until it ends at 973.

The moment when Gilbert comes back home to ask for forgiveness from Arnie on his eighteenth birthday is crucial. It's a touching moment between two brothers who are finding it tough to deal with their mother's (Darlene Cates) health problems and growing weight.

The home, which appears to be on the outskirts of Endora, captures the isolation and loneliness that so many families experience when dealing with difficult circumstances. Later, we see a scene where Bonnie goes to her bedroom for the first time in years, after Arnie's eighteenth birthday and meets Becky. Regrettably, she passes away in her bed that same evening.

The filming location for the exterior scenes of the house was a storm-damaged building located on Hodde Lane in Pflugerville, Texas. Although the house is no longer standing, fans can still visit this site and enjoy its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

If you're coming from downtown Austin, take either the 290 Toll or Interstate-35 to reach this destination. Once in Pflugerville, continue on Weiss Ln until you hit Hodde Ln, which is where Gilbert's family home is located.