Our Top New York Film Locations To Visit

New York and its iconic landmarks have been used as a backdrop for many films. There are some you can visit and combine with a top educational and cultural school visit. Here are our top places to visit and the films they starred in! Is one of your favourite films mentioned?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is located on Fifth Avenue at the edge of Central Park and has been used as a backdrop for the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. The Met is reputed to be the largest art museum in the United States and its permanent collections house over 2 million artworks.

Grand Central Station, located at 89 East 42nd Street, is a stunning piece of architecture as well as being used for many films such as North by Northwest, One Fine Day, I Am Legend and Men in Black. Its Beaux-Arts design incorporates many works of art and you will surely recognise the famous clock in the main concourse used as a meeting point in real-life as in films and be delighted by the opulent chandeliers.

The New York Public Library, a Schwarzman Building, is located at 476 Fifth Avenue and noticeable by its iconic lion statues outside and amazing grand lobby which was used for Ghostbusters.  Constructed in a Beaux-Arts style and opened in 1911, the building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. It has been used as a location for many other films including The Thomas Crown Affair, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Day After Tomorrow, Spider-Man and Sex and the City: The Movie.

The Plaza Hotel, located at 768 Fifth Avenue is a stunning 5-star hotel with views over Central Park. The hotel is featured most famously by Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The main entrance faces the Grand Army Plaza, which commemorates the Union Army in the Civil War. The hotel was also a location for North By Northwest, Crocodile Dundee, The Great Gatsby and Bride Wars.

One of New York’s most iconic buildings, the Art Deco Empire State Building skyscaper has been used for the original 1930s King Kong as well as many romantic films such as Sleepless in Seattle. You can make your way up to the 86th floor where the observatory platform provides 360-degree panoramic views of the city that never sleeps within a glass enclosed pavilion.

Coney Island with its beaches and boardwalk provide a different perspective and escapism from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. The area has been used for Brooklyn, Beaches and Annie Hall. There are plenty of amusement parks to entertain as well as an Aquarium.

Located at Central Park West and 79th Street is The American Museum of Natural History where the Night at the Museum was filmed and the largest natural history museum in the world. There are 45 permanent exhibition halls and a planetarium and contains over 33 million specimen’s, so plenty to keep you entertained!

Central Park has appeared into too many films to mention, some included Enchanted, Maid in Manthattan and Wall Street. The iconic Bethesda Terrace and Fountain will be one of the most recognised area which was used for Elf, One Fine Day, When Harry Met Sally and The Producers; the Bow Bridge will be recognised for Glee and Uptown Girls.

With its dazzling bright billboards and product advertisement, Times Square has been used for many films including Captain America: the First Avenger. It is a busy and bustling commercial and entertainment center and will keep you memorised with its electric atmosphere.

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an amazing venue for culture and the set for Ocean’s 8, The Thomas Crown Affair, Hitch, When Harry Met Sally, Maid in Manhattan and The Nanny Diaries. Regarded as one of the largest and influential museums of modern art, the collections include works of architecture, design, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture as well as film and electronic media.

The Rockefeller Center is where Saturday Night Fever was filmed inside the NBC studios, and outside was used for Elf and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Whilst you are there you can take in 360-degree views from the Top of the Rock Observation Center located on the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Not to be missed is the free ride on the Staten Island Ferry which was also the venue for one of the biggest scenes in Spider-Man:Homecoming. On the ferry ride you will experience impressive panoramas of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

For a magical finish Macy’s, at 151 West 34th Street, is where Santa was based for the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street. Macys is one of the world’s largest department stores and covers almost an entire New York City block.

Inspired? Our selection of college and school trips to New York are suitable for many subjects including Art & Design, Business & Economics, Performing Arts & Drama, Film & Media Studies, History & Politics as well as a general Cultural & Enrichment tour.

Give us a call and start your journey to New York with European Study Tours today.