If you’re interested in visiting some of the most notable filming locations used in the Spider-man films, this self-guided tour will reveal some of the best examples in New York City.
We’ll also cover some paid tours which include stops at several locations where Spider-man was filmed.
- Spider-man Filming Locations Tour
- Guided Superhero Film Location Tours
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tour
- New York Superhero Tour
- Ghostbusters Firehouse
Spider-man NYC Filming Locations Tour
Have you ever wondered “where does Spider-man live?” or perhaps even “where was Spider-man filmed?”
Well, the answer in many cases is New York City!
This has always been the home of Peter Parker, and all of the movies feature at least a few shots that were filmed on location in Manhattan.
This self-guided Spider-man film locations tour will cover several of the most prominent landmarks where Spidey was once caught on camera – just don’t tell J. Jonah Jameson!
The full tour includes 20 stops and will take you from the Upper West Side of Manhattan to Battery Park.
So, we recommend using public transportation or perhaps getting a bike rental to get around the city faster and easier.
Low Memorial Library
Located at Columbia University, this library might not be immediately familiar to everyone.
However, fans of the original Spider-man starring Tobey Maguire will recognize it as the filming location of the genetics laboratory where Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider.
The interiors of this scene were shot in Los Angeles, but the exterior establishing shots were done right here at the Low Memorial Library.
FUN FACT: Columbia University was also a filming location for Ghostbusters.
Central Park
Many beloved movies were shot in Central Park, including The Avengers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Spidey fans will recognize the Bow Bridge at the center of this historic park as one of the filming locations used in Spider-man 3.
This is the spot where Mary Jane breaks up with Peter Parker.
Visitors might also recognize it from films such as Maid in Manhattan and Kramer vs. Kramer.
TIP: Consider taking a free Central Park walking tour or perhaps using a Central Park bike rental to get around the area.
Roosevelt Island Aerial Tram
Located right alongside the Queensboro Bridge, both attractions were used as filming locations for a pivotal scene in the original Spider-Man movie.
This is where Green Goblin held passengers of the tram hostage, forcing the webslinger to choose between saving them or Mary Jane.
While you can ride the tram across the water, it is not necessary for this tour, as our next stop is actually in Midtown Manhattan.
That said, you will find a filming location from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Roosevelt Island!
Tudor City Place
Although this building might not be immediately recognizable to fans, it’s actually the site of Norman Osborn’s rooftop mansion in the original Spider-Man movie.
As with the Low Memorial Library, this building was only used for exterior and establishing shots, while the interiors of the mansion were shot in Los Angeles.
FUN FACT: Did you know that Katherine Hepburn once lived in Tudor City Place?
Chrysler Building
Since it’s widely considered one of the most historic landmarks in NYC, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that the Chrysler Building has been used as a filming location in many movies.
Fans of the original Spider-man movie will recognize this as the site where Peter Parker spent some time decompressing after the death of both his Uncle Ben and the robber who shot him.
Visitors might also recognize the spire atop this building as the location where Thor used Mjolnir to call down a large bolt of lightning in The Avengers.
Grand Central Terminal
As with other well-known historic landmarks in New York, this train station has been the filming location for several movies – more than 50, in fact!
Marvel fans will recognize this location from the opening scene of Spider-man: Homecoming, where Adrian Toomes leads his crew in cleaning up the alien artifacts from the Battle of New York in The Avengers.
Speaking of which, this is also the site of an amazing battle sequence in The Avengers when Thor and The Hulk work together to bring down a massive alien creature who just so happens to crash right into Grand Central Terminal.
The New York Public Library
If you’re familiar with the origins of Spider-man, this filming location is an absolute must-visit, as it's the location where Uncle Ben imparts his most sage advice: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
As with most filming locations, this was an exterior shot and there was no interior filming done at this library.
You can find the exact spot at the corner of 42nd St. and 5th St.
FUN FACT: sharp-eyed visitors might also recognize this location from the movie Ghostbusters!
Times Square
Much like Grand Central Terminal, this is one of the most photographed and filmed locations in the entire city.
Times Square has actually been used in hundreds, if not thousands of movies throughout the history of film.
Spidey fans will recognize it as the site of a major battle between Spider-man and Green Goblin in the original film.
This is also where the webslinger fought Electro in Amazing Spider-Man 2.
FUN FACT: This location was also used in both Captain America and Superman 2.
Empire State Building
This is another wildly popular landmark in New York City, and it has been the shooting location of several films over the past century, including classics like the original King Kong.
Marvel fans will be more familiar with this structure as the site of a mid-air battle with Green Goblin in the original Spider-Man.
This historic building can also be seen in other MCU movies, including Avengers: Infinity War and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
We also have a post explaining ways to save money on tickets to the Empire State Building.
Madison Square Park
This is one of the lesser-known filming locations on our tour because the scene that was shot here is perhaps a bit less memorable than others in the Spider-Man movie series.
Sharp-eyed fans will recognize this park as the spot where Peter Parker saves a group of children in Spider-Man 2.
You might also recognize this location from films such as Space Jam and The Other Guys.
Learn about the park on our self-guided tour.
The Flatiron Building
Although the building might seem unimportant at first glance, this is actually the location that was used for exterior shots of the Daily Bugle, which is where Peter Parker worked for J. Jonah Jameson.
The interior shots were filmed elsewhere, but fans of the Spider-man series know just how important the newspaper was to the webslinger’s story.
You can learn more about this landmark in our post covering the Flatiron Building.
Union Square
Just a few blocks south of Madison Square Park, this relatively small public square was also used as a filming location for a notable scene in the MCU.
You might recognize this attraction as the site where Peter and Gwen Stacy went on a date in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
If you decide to partake in this self-guided tour during winter, you might stumble upon the annual Union Square Holiday Market.
This is also where you’ll find the Union Square Greenmarket, which is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday all year round.
Check out our self-guided tour of the Union Square and Gramercy Park areas.
Joe’s Pizza
It’s Pizza Time! After traveling across Manhattan, you’ll probably be ready to grab a slice or two.
As you may have guessed, this is the location where Peter Parker worked as a pizza delivery person in the film Spider-Man 2.
If you go inside, you can even see pictures of Tobey Maguire on set during filming at this restaurant.
This is widely regarded as one of the best pizzerias in the city, so do yourself a favor and get some ‘za while you’re here!
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
This isn’t exactly as notable of a filming location as the Empire State Building.
However, it’s actually the location where Peter Parker dined with Gwen’s family in the movie Spider-Man 2.
As with Joe’s Pizza, this is another excellent place to stop and grab a bite to eat. Nom Wah is widely considered one of the better Dim Sum spots in Chinatown.
If you’re interested, we actually have a Chinatown food tour in the area!
FUN FACT: This restaurant is located on Doyers Street, which was also the filming location of Justin Timberlake’s Take Back The Night music video.
Brooklyn Bridge
This historic landmark is another location often used as a filming location by many filmmakers, and it has played an important role in more than one superhero film.
Spidey fans will recognize this as the site where Peter professed his love for Gwen Stacy by using his webbing to spell out “I LOVE YOU” across the bridge in Amazing Spider-Man 2.
If you’re also interested in DC movies, it’s worth noting that this is one of the two bridges that were demolished in The Dark Knight Rises.
Needless to say, the actual structure is fine, and this was just an example of movie magic.
TIP: While you can walk across the Brooklyn Bridge right now and head to the next two stops, these are some of the less important filming locations on our tour, and you might just want to save time and head straight to the National Museum of the American Indian instead.
Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park
Located in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, this park is also a filming location from Amazing Spider-man 2 where Peter and his friend Harry decide to skip stones while catching up with one another.
When you get here, you’ll understand exactly why it was chosen for exterior shots.
There are amazing views of Manhattan from this waterfront park, and it’s a great place to see the Brooklyn Bridge as well!
Power Plant at John Street & Pearl Street
This is actually the site of the final battle in Amazing Spider-Man 2, where Electro throws down with Spidey.
From the outside, it might not be immediately recognizable, but we assure you this is where that scene was shot!
If you don’t feel like walking or taking public transport all the way over to this location, you can also enjoy views of the power plant from Brooklyn Bridge.
National Museum of the American Indian
As you’re heading south to our final stop, consider a short break in front of this museum.
Believe it or not, this location was used for exterior shots in Amazing Spider-man, where you can see the famed webslinger stopping some criminals just outside of this building.
It’s not the most important Spider-man filming location on the tour.
However, it’s worth visiting simply because it’s on the way to Battery Park, where you will find the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
We have a guide to the museum.
Staten Island Ferry
We assure you, that the only reason this is the last stop on our tour is because of where it is located.
Fans of Spider-Man: Homecoming will remember when Spidey did his best to keep the ferry intact after an attack.
While you don’t have to hop on the ferry to see it from Battery Park, it’s absolutely free to ride the Staten Island Ferry, so we don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t.
After all, this ferry is actually one of the best ways to see the Statue of Liberty for free!
