Where was Adventureland filmed?

In the summer of 1987, James Brennan, a fresh graduate with a degree in comparative literature from Oberlin College, is excited about his plans to travel around Europe and then attend Columbia University for a journalism graduate program. However, his aspirations take a hit when his parents (Wendie Malick and Jack Gilpin) inform him they cannot provide financial support.

As he discovers his parents won't be able to help him financially, his dreams of summer travels and graduate school are shattered. The pain of this realization is palpable as he quickly sorts through the little money he has saved up to pay for his flight ticket and tuition, resigning himself to the fact that he will need to take a job at the local amusement park instead.

The scene occurs at the Brennans’ house, which was shot at 403 Edwood Ct in Pittsburgh, PA. The home is located in the outer boroughs of Pittsburgh, close to the city center. The two-story house was built in 1960 and features classic Americana design details. Please note that the site is privately owned, so you will be able to view only the location's exterior.

If you want to visit this location, the easiest way to get there is by car. This house is a roughly 10-mile drive north from the Pittsburgh city center.

In this scene, James meets Emily "Em" Lewin after she saves him from a potentially dangerous confrontation with an angry customer. The iconic atmosphere of Adventureland is further emphasized by the old-fashioned rides, classic carnival games, and games of chance that are all so familiar to those who grew up frequenting amusement parks like this.

This scene was shot at Kennywood Park, located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, around 10 miles from Pittsburgh. It's a family-favorite amusement park that has been open since 1899 and combines traditional thrills such as roller coasters with newer attractions like bumper cars and arcades. In addition to these activities, Kennywood also hosts several live events throughout the year, including live entertainment shows and fireworks displays during the summer months.

If you'd like to visit Kennywood Park yourself to experience the location where this iconic scene was filmed, you can easily do so by car or public transport. The park is located at 4800 Kennywood Boulevard in West Mifflin, which can be accessed directly off PA-837 S or Route 376 if traveling by car.

James and Em meet at a bar for drinks. Em is surprised to learn that James is still a virgin, and then Connell arrives. The scene occurs at Stardust Lounge, a local bar in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

The Stardust Lounge can be found at 950 Brodhead Road in Coraopolis, across the Ohio River northwest of Pittsburgh. This bar still functions today and offers a wide range of drinks with special theme nights hosted weekly — Sundays are karaoke nights!

If you're in downtown Pittsburgh and wish to visit Stardust Lounge, simply head west on I-376 towards Carnot-Moon. After crossing the Ohio River, merge onto Route 376. The bar is easy to locate, with ample parking available directly outside.

Connell shows up at the bar, prompting Em to want to depart. They head to the river near a bridge, where James shares a kiss with her. The nearby Allegheny River adds an extra layer of beauty and significance to the scene, highlighting the importance of this relationship between two young people searching for their identity amid an uncertain future. The location has also become iconic for movie fans, bringing back memories of that special moment when James finally professed his feelings for Em.

The first romantic encounter between the characters takes place under the southern end of Pittsburgh’s 16th Street Bridge in a parking lot. This bridge, replacing the Mechanics Street Bridge that was built in 1838 under Pennsylvania state's directive, is an iconic sight in Pittsburgh. Fans can effortlessly visit this bridge and the exact location where the lead characters shared their inaugural kiss.

To get to this location, you can take any bus or train heading towards Mount Washington Avenue from downtown Pittsburgh or drive there yourself. It is approximately two miles away from downtown and should take around five minutes by car.

The scene at Jodi B’s Restaurant is pivotal for the love triangle between Connell, Em, and James. Lisa P. (Margarita Levieva) has invited James out on a secret date, and James tries to keep it as low-key as possible so that their coworkers don’t find out about it. As fate would have it, Frigo (Matt Bush), James’s friend and coworker at Adventureland, ends up witnessing their date. The restaurant where the scene occurs is dimly lit and has brick walls covered with vintage posters and art pieces. It has an old-fashioned feel that perfectly captures the nostalgic vibes of Adventureland.

The restaurant Velvet Touch is actually Jodi B’s Restaurant, located at 2600 Ardmore Boulevard in Forest Hills, a suburb to the east of Pittsburgh. Jodi B's Restaurant is a welcoming spot in Pittsburgh that offers tasty homemade food at great value. On sunny days, patrons can enjoy their meals in the restaurant's outdoor seating area.

If you want to visit Jodi B’s Restaurant for yourself, you can easily get there by car or public transport. From downtown Pittsburgh take I-376 East towards Monroeville, with the journey taking approximately 15-20 minutes.

In New York City, James is found waiting outside Em's apartment. She is taken aback to see him and hesitates to engage in conversation, believing she has spoiled everything between them. James reassures her that his perception of her differs from how she views herself. He sees the courageous girl who saved him from a potential stabbing, who stood up for Joel, who introduced him to mind-altering cookies, and who never apologized for being herself.

Moved by his words, Em invites James into her apartment. Once inside, James changes out of his damp clothes and notices that she still has an Adventureland shirt. As the film concludes, they share a kiss and start to undress, hinting that James is likely about to lose his virginity to Em.

This scene was filmed at Ludlow Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan. The street has changed over the years since then, but it retains some remnants of its former self; plenty of signs and character shops along the street will take you back to 2009 when the movie was filmed. To get to this location, you can take either subway or bus to Essex Street Station. From there, it is just a five-minute walk down Ludlow Street to reach where the iconic scene was filmed.