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May 14 2009

Fact Sheet: Photo Spots

Philadelphia’s Best Vantage Points

Wide-angle Panoramas With Skyline In Background:

  • South Street Bridge: Skyline view from west, over the Schuylkill River. As of April 2008, parts of the bridge are under construction and access could be tricky.
  • Penn Tower Hotel (roof, 22 stories high): Close to Schuylkill River, skyline view from west. 33rd Street & Civic Center Boulevard, (215) 898-0405 (Request official permission well in advance of shoot.)
  • University of Pennsylvania High Rise Residences (roof or glass-walled penthouse lounges, 26 stories high): East-facing view overlooking the center of University of Pennsylvania campus with sight lines through to Center City; unobscured view from roof. 39th Street & Locust Walk, (215) 898-8610 (Both Penn Tower and High Rise Residences need official permission well in advance.)
  • Belmont Plateau: Skyline view from 10 minutes west of Center City. Take Schuylkill Expressway west to Montgomery Avenue and turn right onto Belmont Avenue. This shot only works during clear weather.
  • Adventure Aquarium: Skyline view from east, including Benjamin Franklin Bridge. 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ, (856) 365-3300
  • Kelly Drive: 1/10 of a mile from the Philadelphia Museum of Art; Boathouse Row also in background.
  • West River Drive: View of Boathouse Row, Fairmount Water Works and Philadelphia Museum of Art.
  • Top of the Tower (51 stories inside): Dramatic view from inside and balcony access for 360-degree view. 1717 Arch Street, (215) 567-5289
  • Pennsylvania Convention Center (3rd floor view): Good indoor stand-up location. Liberty Place skyscrapers visible through glass wall. 1101 Arch Street, (215) 418-4754

Benjamin Franklin Parkway Vistas:

  • Swann Fountain at Logan Circle: Long lens standup with City Hall background in one direction, Philadelphia Museum of Art in the other. Benjamin Franklin Parkway between Race & Vine Streets
  • Embassy Suites (roof): Long lens standup with City Hall background in one direction, Philadelphia Museum of Art in the other. (215) 561-1776
  • Four Seasons Hotel: Views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Museum of Art and City Hall. 18th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 963-2746
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps and Rocky Statue: Parthenon-like façade of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the site of Rocky’s famous run; long lens compression down Parkway. 26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. As of April 2008, the façade is under renovation. Best shot is toward downtown.
  • The Franklin: 180-degree balcony view of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Parkway museums and City Hall. 22nd Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 448-1176
  • Love Statue: Famous Robert Indiana sculpture. 15th Street & John F. Kennedy Boulevard (1/10 of a mile west of City Hall). Need a city permit to photograph within Love Park. Permit required from the Fairmount Park Special Events Office. (215) 685-0060

Stand Up Locations: Only In Philadelphia:

  • National Constitution Center: Upper level with Independence Mall in the background. 525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6600
  • Liberty Bell: Iconic Bell as seen against the backdrop of Independence Hall. Permit required. 6th Street between Market & Chestnut Streets, (215) 597-8787
  • Ben Franklin: Pose on a bronze bench with Ben Franklin. University of Pennsylvania, 37th Street & Locust Walk
  • Rittenhouse Square: Historic, fashionable square filled with lunchers, amblers, chess players, musicians, etc. 18th & Walnut Streets
  • Mural Art: Some 2,800 outdoor murals to choose from. Favorites include 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 on public walls. Most notable work is The Skin of the Bride covering three sides of the Painted Bride Art Center. 230 Vine Street, (215) 925-9914
  • Friendship Gate: Colorful, ornate, four-story symbolic gateway to Chinatown. 10th & Arch Streets
  • 30th Street Station: Monumental 1930s railroad station; dramatic interior; fully illuminated at night; vista looking down John F. Kennedy Boulevard with lighted Schuylkill River Bridges and Market Street bridge with eagle sculpture and station behind. 30th & Market Streets
  • Mummers Museum: Home of Philadelphia’s art deco, orange exterior, even wilder inside. 2nd & Washington Streets, (215) 336-3050
  • Italian Market: Colorful outdoor market on 9th Street between Christian and Washington Streets.
  • Reading Terminal Market: Filled with all sorts of vendors, many of which are Amish; located right next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 922-2317

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to Hear Philly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

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Tagged: Outdoors

Attached Media

Philadelphia Skyline

Philadelphia Skyline

Philadelphia’s impressive skyline reflected on the Schuylkill River displays the city’s urban life and its outdoor treasures. The newest addition to the skyline, the Comcast Center on the left boasts the distinctions of tallest building between New York and Chicago and the country’s tallest “green” building....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Skylines

Philadelphia Skyline

Philadelphia Skyline

An evening view of Philadelphia’s impressive skyline next to the Schuylkill River displays how the city mixes its urban life and its outdoor treasures....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Skylines

Philadelphia Skyline

Philadelphia Skyline

A dramatic evening sky view of Philadelphia highlights the contrast of new and old living side by side. In the center of the shot stands the bronze statue of the city’s founder, William Penn, sitting on top of the 511-foot City Hall Tower with its lighted clock. To the right,...

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Skylines

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

From the Schuylkill River, the Philadelphia Museum of Art rises majestically at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Constructed of Minnesota Dolomite and completed in 1928, the museum covers 10 acres and houses more than 300,000 works spanning 2,000 years....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Architecture, Arts & Culture, Icons, Museums & Attractions

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which extends to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, glitters with special snowflake lights during the holiday season....

Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: Holidays, Icons, Museums & Attractions, Winter

Kelly Drive

Kelly Drive

Philadelphia’s Kelly Drive, which runs along the east side of the Schuylkill River from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Lincoln Drive above East Falls, is a prime attraction for cyclists, joggers, rollerbladers and walkers. The drive is named to honor the late John B. Kelly, a leading member of...

Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: Outdoors

Fairmount Water Works

Fairmount Water Works

A multi-million dollar restoration has returned the Fairmount Water Works to its 1860s Greek Revival splendor. The facility, which overlooks the Schuylkill River, houses an interpretive center and an upscale restaurant. Ironically, its neighbor is the ultra-modern Cira Centre....

Credit: Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

Tags: Architecture, Museums & Attractions

Schuylkill River Fishing

Schuylkill River Fishing

A fisherman casts his rod in the Schuylkill River near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Water Works Restaurant and Lounge....

Credit: Photo by R. Nowitz for GPTMC

Tags: Icons, Outdoors, Summer

Swann Memorial Fountain

Swann Memorial Fountain

On hot summer days, Philadelphia’s Swann Memorial Fountain, also known as “The Fountain of Three Rivers,” serves as a favorite oasis for city residents and visitors alike. The fountain’s three main figures, sculpted by Alexander Stirling Calder, represent the city’s major waterways: the Delaware, Schuylkill and Wissahickon Rivers....

Credit: Photo by T. O'Keefe for GPTMC

Tags: Parks & Gardens, Public Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Teenagers at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art mimic the triumphant “Rocky” climb from the 1976 Oscar-winning movie. The museum crowns “Museum Row” on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway....

Credit: Photo by T. Leonardi for GPTMC

Tags: Family-friendly, Icons, Museums & Attractions

Love Statue

Love Statue

Arguably the most popular sculpture in Philadelphia, Love by artist Robert Indiana, debuted in John F. Kennedy Plaza during the 1976 bicentennial celebration. Philadelphians were incensed when it was removed and returned to the artist. In response, F. Eugene Dixon, former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team, bought the...

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Icons, Parks & Gardens, Public Art

Liberty Bell Center

Liberty Bell Center

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center provides a fitting setting for the icon of freedom, and for the first time allows visitors to view exhibits focusing on the Bell’s origins and its modern day role as an international icon of freedom....

Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: Historic Philadelphia, History, Icons, Museums & Attractions

Mural Arts Tour

Mural Arts Tour

The Mural Arts Program’s two-hour trolley tours are an informative and entertaining way to see some of the city’s 2,800 murals, more than any other city in the world....

Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: Arts & Culture, Public Art, Tours & Transportation

Isaiah Zagar Mural

Isaiah Zagar Mural

Philadelphia artist Isaiah Zagar uses ceramic tile, mirrors and found objects to create colorful and unusual mosaic murals....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Public Art

Chinatown

Chinatown

Philadelphia’s Chinese Friendship Gate, straddling 10th Street just north of Arch Street, is 40 feet tall and is the first authentic gate ever constructed by Chinese artisans outside of China. The gate is located in Chinatown, the residential and commercial hub of the city’s Asian community....

Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: Multicultural, Neighborhoods & Towns

30th Street Station

30th Street Station

30th Street Station in Philadelphia is the United States’ largest and second most active railway station. Located on Market Street, the station is on the National Register of Historic Places....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Tours & Transportation

30th Street Station

30th Street Station

30th Street Station in Philadelphia is the United States’ existing and second most active railway station. Located on Market Street, the station is on the National Register of Historic Places. ...

Credit: Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

Tags: Tours & Transportation

Italian Market

Italian Market

Philadelphia’s Italian Market, on 9th Street between Washington and Christian, offers an international array of meats, cheeses, spices and produce, as well as small cafes and family-run restaurants....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Cafes & Markets

Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market

Just steps from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Reading Terminal Market offers fresh produce, meat, poultry and baked goods—all in one place. Shopping at the market, which is the nation’s oldest continuously opened farmers market, has been a tradition for locals and visitors since 1892. Many of the Market’s 80...

Credit: Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

Tags: Cafes & Markets, Dining & Restaurants