There is something genuinely memorable about visiting the New York film locations where the characters from your favourite movies once stood.
Visiting real locations used as sets brings a different level of connection to a story, especially when you recognise the exact corners, buildings or views that made those scenes so iconic. It is the kind of experience that stays with you, whether you are a child seeing a beloved Christmas film come to life or an adult who has watched those films for decades.
New York City is the ideal place for anyone who enjoys spotting familiar settings from cinema. The city has appeared in more films than almost anywhere else, helped by its mix of neighbourhoods, distinctive skyline and instantly recognisable architecture. It works for almost every type of story, which is why directors have used it for everything from light-hearted comedies to action films, superhero blockbusters, thrillers and horror classics.
With thousands of films featuring at least a few scenes shot in the city, it would be impossible to track down every single location, but there are several places that truly stand out and should form part of any film-themed itinerary.
Below you will find a selection of eight unmissable filming locations in New York.
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Rockefeller Center
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is a Christmas staple for many families. Part of its charm lies not only in Kevin McCallister’s mischievous adventures but also in the way it showcases New York during the festive season.
The film features streets lit up for Christmas and includes a full scene at Rockefeller Center, complete with a clear shot of the famous Christmas tree, which is usually more than 25 metres tall. It is one of the most recognisable film moments linked to winter in the city.
Ghostbusters Firehouse
At 14 North Moore Street you will find the firehouse used as the headquarters of the Ghostbusters. The building has existed since 1903 and still functions as the active fire station for Hook and Ladder Company 8 in Tribeca.
Despite this, fans from all over the world visit it because of its connection to the film series. It is easy to identify thanks to its red door, which stands out even though many surrounding industrial buildings have been transformed into residential and commercial spaces.
The firehouse first appeared on screen in the original 1984 Ghostbusters film and returned in later reboots, including the 2016 version. Although its interior is not open to visitors, fans often appreciate knowing that the rooms seen in the film were built as sets. In reality, stepping through the red door would not take you into anything resembling the Ghostbusters’ on-screen workspace.
Inside the real firehouse there is said to be a lit sign featuring the Ghostbusters logo, another nod to its place in film history.
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel Control Building
Another film that left a strong mark on cinema in the late 1990s is Men in Black. In the story, the secret headquarters of the agents is located inside the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel Control Building, officially called the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel Ventilation Building.
This is where Will Smith’s character enters the lift that takes him into his new role as Agent J. Although the interior was recreated on set, the exterior remains a recognisable point of reference for fans.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty has appeared in countless films, but one of its most memorable moments comes from the first X-Men film released in 2000. Fans of the series will remember the climactic fight that takes place inside the statue’s head, complete with dramatic twists.
The statue also plays a striking part in The Day After Tomorrow, one of the most discussed disaster films of the early 2000s, where its torch is shown being frozen by an intense storm.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is one of the landmarks most frequently used in cinema. Its destruction in Independence Day became a defining image of 1990s disaster films.
Still, the most famous moment linked to the skyscraper is undoubtedly King Kong’s climb to the top while swatting at attacking planes. This scene first appeared in the 1933 classic and returned in Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake, reaffirming its place in film history.
Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan
New York has often inspired writers and filmmakers who have created fictional cities modelled partly on it. This connection is strong in superhero films, where cities such as Gotham and Metropolis draw heavily from New York’s architecture and atmosphere. It is no surprise that several scenes in the Marvel universe were filmed there.
Grand Central Terminal was a key location during the early shoot of The Avengers. Its scale makes it ideal for scenes that require large spaces, and it remains one of the biggest railway stations in the United States.
The building is noted for its neoclassical exterior, echoing motifs from ancient Greek architecture, and for the decorated ceiling in the Main Concourse, which is one of the features that often captures visitors’ attention.
Wall Street
Wall Street is one of the most internationally recognised areas of New York. Its global financial importance is well known, but the district is also defined by its historic architecture. It appears in many films, although The Wolf of Wall Street is arguably the one most familiar to recent audiences. Unlike some filming locations, this area can be explored freely, and during opening hours you can even enter the New York Stock Exchange building.
If you want to experience something closer to the atmosphere portrayed in the film, it is best to visit during the working week. Weekends feel far quieter and give the district a different character, which contrasts with the intensity presented on screen.
Katz’s Delicatessen
One of the most memorable moments in modern film comedy comes from When Harry Met Sally. The scene in which Sally, played by Meg Ryan, convincingly pretends to have an orgasm in the middle of a restaurant is an unforgettable part of film culture.
That scene was shot inside Katz’s Delicatessen, a real establishment located on East Houston Street, which is still in business today. It is a great spot to stop for food while exploring the Lower East Side and to see the place where the scene was brought to life.
Final thoughts on New York film locations
Have you noted down the ones you want to see during your study holiday with Astrolabio in New York? If you need help planning the rest of your trip, we can support you with that too!
