Film Tourism
The Hidden Side of Washington, D.C.

Traveling and discovering new places is an adventure that is both exciting and enriching. Traveling as a film tourist adds another layer of fun to the experience, revealing a hidden side to seemingly banal sites.

By Patricia Schwenkert

For my internship at the Goethe-Institut Washington, I traveled to the U.S. capital for the first time. Contrary to Los Angeles or New York, Washington, D.C., does not necessarily come to mind when it comes to iconic film scenes. 

But there are famous filming locations here too! As I discovered the city, I visited some of these shooting locations and tried to recreate some notable scenes myself. 

National Treasure

Washington, D.C., not only holds a special meaning for the U.S. and world politics, but the city is also home to some of the most valuable treasures and documents in the United States — like the Declaration of Independence. 

In the film National Treasure, the protagonist Benjamin Gates, played by Nicolas Cage, searches for a legendary treasure. To find it, he follows secret clues, one of which is written on the back of the Declaration of Independence, of all places. Unable to access the precious document, Benjamin and his friends have no other option than to steal the Declaration of Independence from the National Archives. While Ben sneaks into the building unnoticed, his accomplice Riley waits in a van across the street from the U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue.  

Superheroes in Washington, D.C.

Of course, superheroes have to make an appearance on this list! Although the universes created by DC and Marvel are fundamentally separate, their heroes seem to share a common fondness for the National Mall. 

As early as 2014, Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, discovered the National Mall as the perfect place for his workout routine in the film Captain America: The Winter Soldier. That’s where he meets his good friend Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie. After a successful training session, the exhausted Sam settles under a tree near the Capitol. This tree is located at the intersection of Madison Drive and 3rd Street. From my own experience, I can confirm that this place definitely invites you to sit back and take a load off on the way from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial!  Three years later, Spider-Man also visited the U.S. capital. In Spider-Man: Homecoming, a criminal organization happens across extraterrestrial technology, which it uses to build new weapons. One of these weapons ends up in the hands of Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland, and his friend Ned during their school trip to Washington, D.C. An unsuspecting Ned and his classmates are in the elevator of the Washington Monument when the bomb in his backpack begins to detonate. Peter appears at the entrance of the monument just in time where his girlfriend MJ, played by Zendaya, informs him about the situation, and he saves the day as Spider-Man.  One of the most powerful heroines in the DC Universe also made an appearance in Washington, D.C. In Wonder Woman 1984, Diana, played by Gal Gadot, continues the fight for peace and justice. After a long separation, Diana and the love of her life Steve, played by Chris Pine, find their way back to each other. They relish their time together, dancing at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

The Exorcist

A true (horror) classic, The Exorcist was shot in the early 1970s in Georgetown, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. The film follows Regan, a 12-year-old girl who suddenly starts exhibiting very strange behavior. As it turns out, she is possessed by a demon that can only be exorcised with the help of two priests.
 
Regan’s childhood home lies at the intersection of 36th Street and Prospect Street NW in Georgetown. This is where the visitations with the priests take place in the film and, ultimately, where they perform the exorcism on Regan.
 
In order to save Regan from the demon, priest Damien Karras sacrifices himself, letting the creature possess him. With his last bit of strength, Damien throws himself out the window of the house, falling to his death down a steep stone staircase. This staircase, located in a narrow alley directly next to the aforementioned house, is known to this day as “The Exorcist Steps.” It is exceptionally steep — a tough climb, even for athletes. It’s hard to believe that some poor stuntman had to tumble down the stairs twice for the priest’s death scene. Washington, D.C., not only has the obvious attractions to offer tourists, but also many hidden, lesser-known spots. So, it is definitely worth paying attention to the little things — like an inconspicuous tree root — that invite you to linger for a moment.