DNC Guide: Philly Landmarks Seen In The Movies
While you're in town for the DNC, we suggest hitting up one of these classic Philly landmarks made famous by the movies. And if you call yourself a true movie buff we challenge you to visit them all. -- Chelsea Lacey-Mabe
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STEPS OF THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19130
There is an art to ascending the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You have to do it like Rocky did in the movie. Full sprint, followed by a few jumps and air punches when you've made it to the top. The landing is also a perfect place to snap a beautiful picture of the city. Afterwards, look for the Rocky statue at the bottom of the steps, off to the side for a photo-op with the "Italian Stallion."
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PHILADELPHIA CITY HALL
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Remember the 1993 movie "Philadelphia," starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington? It tells the story of Andrew Beckett, a corporate lawyer battling his former employer, the largest law firm in the city, for firing him because he has AIDS. The culmination of the movie takes place at Philadelphia City Hall, where Beckett's case against his former employer is tried. The outside of City Hall is a great place to explore. Don't miss Dilworth Park if you're looking for a bite to eat or a place to sit down to regroup before you set off for more sightseeing.
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INDEPENDENCE HALL
520 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Does Independence Hall sound familiar to you? It may if you saw the 2004 movie National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage. If you recall, there's a scene where his character Ben Gates' is looking for the next clue on his quest -- Ben Franklin's bifocals. Located in Old City, Independence Hall is a great place to learn a few history lessons about Philadelphia -- the birthplace of America. The film itself provides plenty of factoids about the City of Brotherly Love but nothing beats seeing it in person!
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BALLROOM AT THE BEN
834 Chestnut St #203
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Okay so maybe the Llanerch diner didn't tip you off but the Eagles jerseys worn by the characters in Silver Linings Playbook should tell you this film is set in the Philly area and filmed there too. The dance scene at the end of the movie takes places in The Ballroom at The Ben which is on the ninth floor of the Wanamaker building across from City Hall. It may be hard to get a peak up close but the organ inside the Macy's store on the ground floor of the building is another neat spot to check out.
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH
243 N Lawrence St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
I see dead people. Well at least that's what Haley Joel Osment said as Cole Sear in The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis as Dr. Malcom Crowe. As with most of M. Night Shyamalan's films, the 1999 movie is set in the Philadelphia area and one of the scenes takes place at the historic St. Augustine's Church which was founded in 1796. According to the church's website, it was the first permanent establishment of the Augustinian Order in the US and historical figures including President George Washington and Commodore John Barry contributed money to build the original building.
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FRANKLIN FIELD
235 S 33rd St
Philadelphia, PA
Franklin Field is home to the Penn Relays and is the football and lacrosse stadium for the University of Pennsylvania. It was featured in the 2006 movie Invincible starring Mark Wahlberg as Vince Papale who tries out for the Eagles when they hold open tryouts. The film, like many other movies on this list captures the true underdog spirit of Philly.
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EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY
2027 Fairmount Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19130
ESP's industrial yard was the backdrop for an abandoned refuge in a scene from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen but the landmark was famous long before the movie came out in 2009. Al Capone spent eight months there and his cell is one of the stops on the prison tour. Eastern State in Fairmount was also featured in the movie 12 Monkeys in 1995.
