Famous Filming Locations in New York City

Last Updated on 16th September 2025

This guide to the most famous filming locations in New York City contains affiliate links and mentions of collaborative work with Central Park Attractions. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own, please see my disclaimer for more.

New York City is arguably one of the most famous movie backdrops in the world; it’s such an incredible place that the city itself is often referred to as a main character all on its own!

With that in mind, I wanted to put together a guide all about some of the most famous movies filmed in New York City, as well as famous TV shows that have used NYC as its main filming location.

From renowned TV shows such as Sex and the City and Gossip Girl to beloved Christmas movies such as Home Alone 2 and Elf, there are so many famous TV and movie sites in NYC and in my ultimate guide below, you’ll discover some of the very best New York iconic locations from hit movies and TV shows.

*Please note that this guide to the famous movie spots in New York City is not completely exhaustive! I have tried to include as many famous film and TV locations in NYC as possible, in locations such as Manhattan and Brooklyn, as that is where a vast majority of my audience of first-time visitors to NYC will be staying/exploring.*

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Famous filming locations in New York City map

As you can see from the map of famous filming locations in New York City above, I have chosen to include New York film sets that are primarily in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Of course, there have also been many films and TV shows filmed in the other NYC boroughs (including Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island), but for the purpose of this guide, I have only included movie locations in NYC that I think tourists will easily be able to visit during their trip, which is why it’s mainly focused on Manhattan and Brooklyn!

Download the complete New York movie locations map here!

Manhattan filming locations in New York City

Below you can find all the famous Manhattan movie locations in New York City, from the world-famous Central Park to the iconic Empire State Building to the famous restaurants that served as backdrops in movies such as When Harry Met Sally and Serendipity, plus many more!

Central Park

Central Park is one of the most famous places in New York from TV shows and movies, as it’s been featured in the likes of Gossip Girl, Home Alone 2, Sex and the City, Enchanted, Serendipity, Friends with Benefits, Ghostbusters, When Harry Met Sally, and so much more!

There are so many iconic movie locations in Central Park, including the festive favourite, Wollman Rink, the uber-romantic Bow Bridge (where I got engaged in January 2025!), Bethesda Terrace, and many more famous spots!

While you could easily spend an entire day exploring this remarkable park, if you only have a couple of hours to dedicate to it as part of your New York itinerary, I would highly recommend taking a TV and Movie tour with Central Park Attractions, in order to see as many famous film and TV locations in Central Park as possible!

Central Park Attractions will take you on a 90-minute exploration of some of Central Park’s most famous movie locations, including Bethesda Terrace, Tavern on the Green, Bow Bridge, The Lake, and many more!

Movies & TV shows filmed in Central Park:

• Bethesda Terrace – Gossip Girl, Friends with Benefits, Sex and the City (& many more!).
• Wollman Rink – Home Alone 2, Serendipity.
• Bow Bridge – Spider-Man 3, Enchanted, Manhattan.
• Central Park Boathouse – Sex and the City, 27 Dresses, Enchanted, When Harry Met Sally.
• The Mall & Literary Walk – Enchanted, Friends with Benefits, Stuart Little 2, Maid in Manhattan, (& many more!).
• Tavern on the Green – Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Ghostbusters.
• Conservatory Water – Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Stuart Little.

(Remember this list is not exhaustive, so these are just a few of the iconic Central Park filming locations in New York City!).

The Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel is one of New York’s most prestigious hotels, and it’s also been featured in numerous movies over the years, most notably in Home Alone 2; Lost in New York when the child protagonist, Kevin McAllister, checks in all by himself after getting separated from his family at the airport (you all know the story!).

The historic hotel also features heavily in one of my favourite chick flicks, Bride Wars, when Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway’s characters fight to host their dream weddings at The Plaza. However, interestingly, most scenes set at The Plaza in this movie were actually filmed at their sister property in Boston, not actually at the New York hotel!

Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center is one of my favourite places on Earth, especially during the holiday season thanks to its emblematic Christmas Tree which I truly believe is one of the most magical sights you’ll ever see!

This beloved festive landmark is most notably famous for featuring in hit Christmas movies such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Elf, and it also played a part in Marvel’s Hawkeye, Friends with Benefits, John Wick 2, and more.

Times Square

If you’ve watched just about any TV show or movie set/filmed in New York City, chances are, you’ll have seen Times Square make an appearance, even if just for a second, as it’s one of the most iconic locations in the whole city.

Friends with Benefits, Taxi Driver, Captain America, New Year’s Eve, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, just to name a few, have all shot scenes at this famed NY location.

Grand Central Terminal

Not only is Grand Central Terminal one of the most famous train stations in the world, it’s also one of the most esteemed filming locations in New York City.

Fans of the hit TV show Gossip Girl will remember the iconic scene when leading lady Serena van der Woodsen arrives back into the city after being away at boarding school, and Marvel fanatics will recall it as the spot where The Avengers have an epic battle in the 2012 movie. Of course, almost all of these scenes are carried out using a green screen, but it’s still pretty cool to see this impressive station in real life!

Movies such as Spider-Man: Far From Home, Madagascar (via clever animation!), Men in Black, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind were also filmed at Grand Central Terminal.

Empire State Building

Seeing the emblematic Empire State Building is something that will likely be on everyone’s New York itinerary, even if you don’t plan to go up to its observation deck.

If you do plan to head to the 86th or 102nd floor observation deck levels, you’ll instantly recognise the viewing platform from scenes in Gossip Girl where Chuck and Blair are supposed to meet at the top of the Empire State Building.

Sleepless in Seattle (which was actually filmed in a replica set of the famous building at the Sand Point Naval Base), Elf (where Buddy the Elf goes to meet his father who works inside the ESB), and King Kong (with the help of some special effects) also use the Empire State Building as a key backdrop, amongst many other movies.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is world-famous in its own right for being one of the best art museums in the world, but it’s also played its fair share of roles in New York-based movies and TV shows, most notably in Gossip Girl as the infamous “Met Steps” where Blair, Serena, and the girls from Constance meet and hang out every day.

The Met was also featured in Ocean’s Eight, I Am Legend, and Hitch, amongst others.

The New York Public Library

From the exterior alone, the New York Public Library flagship on Fifth Avenue is one of the most beautiful buildings in New York City, and it’s also been featured in some of the top hit movies and TV shows that were filmed in New York City.

The first Sex and the City movie used the NYPL as the venue for Carrie and Big’s wedding (that they didn’t actually go through with!), and Spider-Man, Fast and the Furious 8, Ghostbusters, 13 Going on 30, and The Day After Tomorrow also shot scenes inside/outside the library.

Strand Bookstore

Housing more than 2.5 million books, Strand is one of my favourite bookstores in the entire world, never mind in New York City, and it’s also the main filming location from one of my favourite festive series; Dash & Lily. The whole premise of this series is based around leaving cute remarks inside a notebook that the protagonists leave in hidden places for each other to find around the city, and I just love how much Strand is featured throughout the show.

Sex and the City, Remember Me, and Julie & Julia have also all had notable scenes filmed at this prestigious NY bookstore.

Tiffany & Co. 5th Avenue

I’ve been obsessed with Tiffany’s ever since I was a little girl, so when I got engaged in Central Park and presented with a ring from Tiffany’s, it’s safe to say it was truly the happiest and most unexpected moment of my life.

If you too are a fan of Tiffany & Co., you’ll be delighted to hear that you can venture inside the flagship store of the world-famous jewellers and step in the footsteps of characters such as Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Bryant Park

Bryant Park is a must-visit on any Christmas trip to New York City, especially if you want to soak up the festive atmosphere while walking in the footsteps of the characters of some of the city’s most notable film accolades.

Many scenes from Something from Tiffany’s were filmed inside Bryant Park as this is where the protagonist has her very own bakery stall. Sex and the City also uses Bryant Park as its backdrop in numerous scenes, as does Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Younger.

Greenwich Village/West Village

Home to famous sights such as Washington Square Park/Arch, Bleecker Street, and some of the most esteemed restaurants in the city, Greenwich Village and the West Village are amongst some of Manhattan’s most notable neighbourhoods.

You’ll find the famous exterior of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment on 66 Perry Street, and while (sadly!) not one scene of the hit TV series Friends was filmed in New York City, the exterior shot of Monica’s apartment was indeed filmed in the city, at the intersection of Bedford Street and Grove Street to be exact!

Men in Black, 13 Going on 30, and When Harry Met Sally also have notable scenes in Greenwich Village.

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is a great addition to any New York itinerary, particularly if you’re visiting with kids, and especially if your family is a fan of the hilarious Night at the Museum movie franchise.

The movie itself is based upon the protagonist taking a job as a nighttime security guard at the museum, and then chaos soon ensues when he realises that everything inside the museum comes to life at night! Seeing the American Museum of Natural History in person makes the movie feel even more real, so it’s definitely worth a visit, especially with young kids!

Katz’s Delicatessen

When Harry Met Sally is one of the classic rom-coms of the 80s/early 90s and its romantic setting in New York City makes the whole thing even more enjoyable.

While there are many famous filming locations featured in When Harry Met Sally throughout the city, including Central Park and Greenwich Village, no location is as renowned as the iconic scene inside Katz’s Delicatessen!

Katz’s has been a culinary institution in New York City since 1888, renowned for its substantial pastrami sandwiches and unique ordering system, but it rose to fame even further when Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal filmed that hilarious scene right in the heart of the diner.

Macy’s

Macy’s is another New York establishment that is particularly incredible during the holiday season when the entire department store adorns its exterior with festive window displays.

This festiveness is what inspired the 1947 movie, Miracle on 34th Street, to film many of its scenes at Macy’s and the infamous annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade scenes featured in the film were actually shot during the real-life parade in 1946!

Serendipity 3

Serendipity is a cult-classic early noughties rom-com starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. This utterly cheesy, but oh-so-sweet romantic comedy features scenes in many of New York City’s iconic hotspots, including Wollman Rink and Bloomingdale’s.

However, it’s the world-famous Serendipity 3 restaurant that features most prominently in the film as it’s where the two main characters share the infamous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate!

To be perfectly candid, I was not overly impressed with the Serendipity 3 restaurant when I visited as it’s become way too gimmicky and seemingly aimed more towards young children and Instagrammers, but it is indeed one of the most famous filming locations in NYC, so it’s worthy of a visit if you’re a fan of the movie.

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side of Manhattan is home to numerous famous NYC filming locations, including Tom’s Restaurant on Broadway and West 112th Street as this was the exterior shot used as Monk’s in Seinfeld.

Gray’s Papaya, one of my favourite cheap places to eat in NYC, has also been featured in several movies, most notably in Die Hard with a Vengeance when Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson’s characters are talking on the payphone just over the road from the esteemed hot dog restaurant!

Further north on the Upper West Side, on West 114th and above, you’ll find Columbia University which has also been used as a location in many films, including Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Ghostbusters.

Bonus famous movie locations in New York City

• Radio City Music Hall – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
• Lotte New York Palace Hotel – Gossip Girl
• Flatiron Building – Spider-Man franchise
• FDNY Ladder 8 – Ghostbusters
• Empire Hotel – Gossip Girl
• FAO Schwarz – Big
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island – X-Men
• Museum of the City of New York – Gossip Girl
• Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange – Wolf of Wall Street

Brooklyn filming locations in New York City

While there aren’t quite as many Brooklyn movie filming locations featured in this guide as there are Manhattan locations, I’ve still compiled a list of some of the top movie spots in Brooklyn, New York below.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in NYC, so it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the most iconic filming locations in New York City.

Some notable series and movies that have included the Brooklyn Bridge in their scenes include Sex and the City (when Miranda reconnects with Steve on the bridge itself), Enchanted, I Am Legend, John Wick: Chapter 2, Fantastic Four, Deep Impact, Godzilla, and many, many more!

DUMBO

The neighbourhood of DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is one of the most photographed areas in NYC thanks to its iconic shot of the Empire State Building peeking through the archway underneath the Manhattan Bridge.

This iconic area of DUMBO is also famous for being the exterior shot of the Humphrey’s apartment block in Gossip Girl, and it’s also been featured in What Happens in Vegas, John Wick: Chapter 2, That Awkward Moment, 27 Dresses, and so many more!

New York City Police Department – 78th Precinct

While the hit TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine might be synonymous with Brooklyn and New York City as a whole, unfortunately none of the show was actually filmed in NYC, instead, it was filmed in studios in California.

However, the exterior shot of the 99th Precinct was indeed shot in Brooklyn itself, but at the 78th New York City Police Precinct, and not the 99th Precinct as the show suggests!

The 78th Precinct is just over the road from the Barclays Center, so if you happen to be watching a Brooklyn Nets basketball game while you’re in the city, and you’re a fan of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, you could always head over and check out the precinct from the outside.

Famous movies filmed in NYC – summary

Below, you can find all the movies that have famous filming locations in New York City, including the likes of Home Alone 2, John Wick, When Harry Met Sally, Serendipity, and so many more!

Famous TV shows filmed in New York – summary

Below, I’ve put together all the TV shows that were actually filmed in New York City. I haven’t included the likes of Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Seinfeld, as while some exterior shots were filmed in NYC, none of the actual show was filmed in the city!

How to find what is being filmed in NYC

If you spend long enough in New York City, chances are, you’ll come across a TV show or movie filming set in and around the city. We saw the film crew pictured just above while walking through Gramercy Park and they were just set up in the middle of the street. While we didn’t actually see anyone famous (unfortunately!), it was pretty cool to see live action filming in the heart of the city!

For the most accurate current NYC filming locations, I would suggest checking out websites such as On Location Tours and NYC.Gov and Instagram accounts such as Now Filming In NYC as they usually have pretty accurate and reliable information for famous filming locations in New York City today and for upcoming shows and movies scheduled to shoot in the city.

Conclusion – New York City filming locations

I really hope you found this guide to the most famous New York filming locations useful and I hope it’s inspired you to visit a few extra places during your trip to NYC so you can see where some of the most iconic TV shows and movies were filmed!

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• How To Plan Your New York Itinerary With Google Maps

Pin for later – famous film locations in New York

Do you have any more New York film locations to add to this guide? Let me know in the comments or in my New York Facebook Group!