Best Video Vantage Points and Stand Up Locations

Center City Philadelphia is compact, just two miles from river to river, and very photogenic. It is a walkable city of neighborhoods, rich in ethnic diversity, architectural styles and outdoor art.

Wide Angle Panoramas with Skyline in Background

Philadelphia Skyline View From East

Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

• South Street Bridge
  : Skyline view from West, over the Schuylkill River.
• Belmont Plateau
  : Skyline view from 10 minutes west of center city; take Schuylkill Expressway West to Montgomery Avenue and turn right onto Belmont Avenue.
• NJ State Aquarium
  : in Camden: Skyline view from East, including Benjamin Franklin Bridge;1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ.
• Kelly Drive
  : Boathouse Row and Philadelphia Museum of Art in background; Kelly Drive, 1/10 of a mile from the Philadelphia Museum of Art
• West River Drive
  : View of Boathouse Row, Fairmount Water Works and Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway Vistas

Swann Fountain at Logan Circle Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Swann Fountain at Logan Circle : Long lens standup has City Hall background in one direction, Philadelphia Museum of Art Museum in the other; Benjamin Franklin Parkway between Race and Vine Streets. Art Museum Steps : Parthenon-like façade of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the site of Rocky’s famous run; long lens compression down Parkway; 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. LOVE statue : The Robert Indiana sculpture that’s now the logo for the PLACE THAT LOVES YOU BACK; 15th Street and JFK Boulevard (1/10 of a mile west of City Hall).

Stand Up Locations: Only in Philadelphia

"Frank Sinatra" Mural

Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

• Liberty Bell
  : Original bell rung only once in 1776, but resounds even today; Market Street between 5th & 6th Streets at the Liberty Bell Pavilion; visible at night through glass.
• Ben Franklin
  : Sit on a bronze bench with Ben’s arm around you; 37th Street and Locust Walk at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Rittenhouse Square
  : Historic, fashionable square filled with lunchers, amblers, chess players, musicians, etc.; 18th and Walnut Streets.
• Rocky Statue At Comcast-Spectacor’s First Union Spectrum
  : an homage to Sylvester Stallone’s famous Philadelphian; 3601 South Broad Street.
  
• Mural Art
  : 1,900 outdoor murals grace Philadelphia’s walls. Favorites include the giant, elaborate "Common Threads" at Broad and Spring Garden Streets, "Dr. J." at 1234 Ridge Street and "Frank Sinatra" at the northeast corner of Broad and Wharton Streets.
• Isaiah Zagar mosaic
  : Colorful glass and mirror mosaics set into public walls. Most notable work is "The Skin of the Bride" covering three sides of the Painted Bride Art Center; 230 Vine Street.
• Friendship Gate
  : Colorful, ornate, 4-story symbolic gateway to Chinatown; 10th and Arch Streets.
• 30th Street Station
  : Monumental 1930s railroad station; dramatic interior; fully illuminated at night; exterior shots include vista looking down JFK boulevard with lit Schuylkill River Bridges; Market Street bridge with eagle sculpture and Station behind; 30th and Market Streets.
• Mummer’s Museum
  : Home of Philadelphia’s 100-year old Art deco, orange exterior, even wilder inside; 2nd and Washington Streets.
• Produce! Fish! Spices! Meat!
  : Philadelphia markets are as picturesque as they are busy. Catch the local flavor at the outdoor Italian Market on 9th Street between Christian and Washington Streets, or at the Reading Terminal Market, right next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.