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Aug. 9 marks 40 years since the release of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, the Tim Burton–directed comedy starring Paul Reubens as a man searching for what he loves most: his bicycle. A two-part HBO documentary, Pee-wee as Himself, about Reubens, who died in 2023, debuted in May 2025. If you’re near one of these locations below, grab a bow tie and go pay homage to this Gen-X classic.
Pittsburgh
Pee-wee’s bicycle
A customized red-and-white Schwinn DX Cruiser was made for the movie. It can be seen at Bicycle Heaven in Pittsburgh.
Kristy Graver/Bicycle Heaven
Visitors to Bicycle Heaven (the “world’s largest bicycle museum and bike shop”), in the Chateau neighborhood, can see one of the 14 customized red-and-white Schwinn DX Cruisers made for the film.
Cabazon, California
Giant dinosaurs
A 65-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex is a roadside attraction in Cabazon, California.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
After Reubens died, this roadside attraction’s 65-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex, featured in the film, was temporarily repainted with a gray suit and red bow tie in his honor.
San Antonio
The Alamo
The Alamo in San Antonio is featured in the film. In the film, Pee-wee is told, “There’s no basement at the Alamo!”
Alamy
“There’s no basement at the Alamo!” a tour guide tells a disappointed Pee-wee in the film. While this is technically true, there is a basement next door, beneath the Alamo gift shop.
Santa Clarita, California
The biker bar
In a scene at the biker bar, Pee-wee performed the “Tequila” dance in white platform shoes.
Photofest
Have a burrito at Mi Tierra Mexican Food & Market, which is where the film’s biker bar scenes were shot — and where Pee-wee did the “Tequila” dance in his white platform shoes.
Volo, Illinois
Bike and clown
The Volo Museum houses many famous vehicles, including one of the Pee-wee bikes.
Volo Museum
The Volo Museum houses many famous vehicles, including one of the Pee-wee bikes, this one autographed by Reubens. (It sits next to a creepy clown similar to the one in the film.)
Burbank, California
Warner Bros. Studio
In the film, Pee-wee evaded security at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, California.
Getty Images
Tour the historic studio lot where Pee-wee finds his bike, evades security and encounters Godzilla, Santa Claus and the band Twisted Sister.
Hollywood, California
At 6562 Hollywood Blvd., you can see Pee-wee Herman’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (And yes, it says “Pee-wee Herman,” not “Paul Reubens.”) Walk a few more steps and you’ll find Burton, the director’s star.
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