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Exploring the Big Apple: Must-See Movie Locations in New York City for Film Buffs and Travel Enthusiasts

Here are some funny, entertaining, and future travel-inspiration movies filmed in New York that after watching, you might like to visit the locations in the Big Apple. With a mixture of movies set across New York, there is something for everyone including a festive movie or two, as well as two very popular sitcoms.


Lady Liberty, and New York Skyline
Sailing Past Lady Liberty, New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography

Exploring the Big Apple: Must-See Movie Locations in New York City for Film Buffs and Travel Enthusiasts


When Harry Met Sally (1989)


Filming for When Harry Met Sally was filmed at the Boat House Restaurant, Central Park, The Washington Square Arch at Washington Square Park, Giants Stadium, and of course, that famous orgasm scene was filmed in Katz's Delicatessen.


Outside of Katz's Delicatessen.
Katz's Delicatessen, New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography

Friends (1994 - 2004)


The sitcom Friends was filmed at various sites across New York City with the main Friends apartment exterior at 90 Bedford Street, Greenwich Village, the Bloomingdales flagship department store where Rachel got her big break, The Lucille Lortel Theatre where Joey performed, Madison Square Gardens where the gang went to sports games, and at Washington Square Park, The Plaza and American Museum of Natural History.


Outside Madison Square Garden entrance.
Madison Square Garden, New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography

Sex and The City (1998 - 2004)


Sex and The City is based around four smart and dynamic New York, based women Carrie a columnist (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda a lawyer (Cynthia Nixon), Samantha who has her own public relations firm (Kim Cattrall) and Charlotte an, art dealer (Kristin Davis) despite their differences and ever-changing sex lives stick together through the ups and downs.


You can visit Jefferson Market Garden, Magnolia Bakery, and Carrie's apartment in Greenwich Village, the New York Public Library where the first wedding between Carrie and Mr Big was filmed, Columbus Circle, The Loeb Boathouse - Central Park, and The Plaza Hotel.


Did you know you can see all the above and more on the NYC: Sex and The City Sites Bus Tour?



Exterior of The Magnolia Bakery
The Magnolia Bakery, New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography

Ghostbusters (1984)


Ghostbusters the movie was filmed at some of New York's most iconic locations including Central Park, New York Public Library, Columbus Circle (Puff The Marshmallow Man), and the incredible exterior of the fire station - Hook & Ladder Company #8: 14 North Moore Street, Manhattan. The building of Hook & Ladder 8 was built in 1903, located in the suburb of Tribeca gaining international recognition for representing the heroes of the FDNY (Fire Department New York) during the City's darkest times. It is a short distance from the 9/11 Museum.


The red brick and stone building with large arched red door of the exterior Hook & Ladder 8.
Hook & Ladder 8, New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography

Maid in Manhattan (2002)


Maid in Manhattan starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fennes, Natasha Richardson & Stanley Tucci is said to be loosely based on the 1959 true story of Steven Clark Rockefeller, son of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and married Anne-Marie Rasmussen, a maid who had worked at his family's Manhattan hotel. The pink gown that Jennifer Lopez wears to the fund-raising dinner is a vintage gown from the 1950s.


Filmed at New York's Roosevelt Hotel and the historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (scheduled to re-open in spring 2025. Until then, you can see the restored Waldorf Astoria Lobby Clock at the New York Historical Society Museum & Libary, Central Park West). Filming also took place in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx on E 175 Street between the Grand Concourse and Jerome Avenue.



The Waldorf Astoria Lobby clock decorated for Christmas
Waldorf Astoria Lobby Clock (1893), New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography


Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)


Home Home 2 Christmas comedy starring Macaulay Culkin was filmed The Plaza Hotel, World Trade Center, Central Park, Battery Park, Rockafeller Centre, and the Empire State Building were all used as filming locations.


While visiting you might like to stay at The Plaza Hotel and take the "Home Alone 2" Package that includes a limousine ride around the city to visit filming locations.



Close-up of Rockafeller Plaza gold coloured statue.
Rockafeller Plaza, New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)


The beloved holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street tells the story of a department store Santa who claims to be the real Kris Kringle and his journey to prove it in court. The original Miracle on 34th Street (1947) you can see the real Macy's department store and the actual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade that was filmed in 1946!

The filming locations used in the 1994 remake include Times Square (Broadway, 7th Avenue, West 42nd and 47th Streets), Rockefeller Center, 5th Avenue (between 49th and 50th Streets), and Central Park West.


Macy's teddy bear in a Christmas Tree.
Macy's At Christmas ©M D Harding Travel Photography

Serendipity (2001)


The American comedy - Serendipity stars John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale as Jonathan and Sara, who meet by chance one Christmas in New York, as they both try to buy the last pair of black cashmere gloves in Bloomingdale's. They return to their lives but destiny has other plans.


Filming scenes include the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Serendipity 3, Bloomingdale's, Pulitzer Fountain, and Wollmen Ice Skating Rink (Central Park).


Exterior of Waldorf Astoria and looking along Park Avenue.
Christmas At The Waldorf Astoria, New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography

New Years Eve (2011)


Follow several People from different walks of life, that find their lives intertwined as they face multiple challenges, when they embark on a quest to find happiness on New Year's Eve. All-Star packed, with Halle Berry, Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Hilary Swank, and many more.


The filming is said to have taken place between November 2010 and April 2011 across the-all New York film, including Brooklyn Bridge, Radio City Music Hall, Queens Museum of Art, Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, New York Harbour, and the only movie to be filmed during the Ball drop at Times Square!



Radio City Music Hall illuminated with large roof top Christmas tree.
Christmas at the Radio City Music Hall, New York ©M D Harding Travel Photography

I hope you have enjoyed reading and feeling inspired to watch these fun movies, as well as visiting these iconic New York filming locations.


Until next time ...happy travels, Michelle x

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