Getaround at the movies: NYC holiday film scene locations
When we’re not stopping by our favorite New York pizza joint, we love getting around the Big Apple to see some famous film landmarks. With the holiday season in full swing, there’s no better time to get together with friends and family and Getaround to these scene locations from New York holiday movies like Elf, Home Alone 2, Miracle on 34th Street, and more. Whether you're a local or just visiting, seeing these spots in person will have you really feeling the holiday spirit.
Scroll to the bottom of the post to see each location pinned on our map.
Elf (2003)
One of the many joys of Elf is watching Buddy gawk at all the landmarks during his first time in the big city. Not only does his dad work in the Empire State Building, but Buddy snags a gig at the same iconic Macy’s (Gimbels, in the movie) from Miracle on 34th Street. This group of scene locations should top your list—just don’t go too over-the-top verifying the accuracy of the department store Santa.
- Empire State Building
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- Macy's Herald Square (Gimbels)
- 55 Central Park West (Walter Hobbs' apartment building)
- Queensboro Bridge
- Bethesda Terrace
- Subway station, East 23rd St and Broadway
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Not long ago, sequel pitches often boiled down to, “Well…what if they were in New York?” Indeed, Kevin McCallister managed to outwit the same pair of knucklehead thieves in and around several famous NYC backdrops.
- The Plaza Hotel
- Bethesda Fountain
- Carnegie Hall
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- Radio City Music Hall
- Queensboro Bridge
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Younger generations may be drawn to this Macy’s, the world's largest department store, for Elf reasons—but if you’re in tune with the classics, Edmund Gwenn’s performance is the real reason this location is worth the visit.
Serendipity (2001)
No better place to fall in love (or simply share a fateful dessert—the Frozen Hot Chocolate is highly recommended) around the holidays in New York City than the iconic Serendipity III restaurant.
Ghostbusters 2 (1989)
With dancing slime toasters and embarrassing children’s birthday party appearances, Ghostbusters 2 hardly seems like a holiday movie, but it’s important to remember the crescendo occurs on New Year’s Eve, when—spoiler alert—the collective good cheer of celebratory New Yorkers helps the Ghostbusters take down the bad guy, Vigo Von Homburg Deutschendorf.
- 4 N Moore St (Ghostbusters headquarters)
- Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse
- Columbia University
- National Museum of the American Indian (the fictional "Manhattan Museum of Art")
Scrooged (1988)
Another movie featuring Billy Murray co-starring alongside the paranormal, Scrooged prominently featured the intimidating and business-like Seagram Building, echoing the demeanor of the main character.
Header image via New Line Cinema
