1Long Island City · Skyline viewnearby
Gantry Plaza State Park
In the movie: The wrong-plane moment. Kevin spots the Manhattan skyline out the airport window and realizes he is not in Florida. That view was really filmed from a building on Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, a few blocks inland.
This waterfront park is the public, free version of that view: the whole Midtown skyline straight across the East River, with the old gantries as your foreground.
Pro tip: Come at sunset, then ride the 7 train one stop into Manhattan to start the trail like Kevin did.
State park listing shows the park open daily, 8am–10pm.
Free.
Address, sources & location
4-09 47th Road, Long Island City, Queens NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
2Midtown · Landmarkon screen
Radio City Music Hall
In the movie: First stop of Kevin’s sightseeing spree. He hops out of the cab outside Radio City and starts snapping photos of Midtown.
The marquee is the photo. Inside, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes runs all season.
Pro tip: The neon looks best after dark. You do not need show tickets for the marquee shot.
Christmas Spectacular: November 4, 2026–January 4, 2027 (per the Rockettes).
Free to see the outside. Show tickets are paid.
Address, sources & location
1260 Sixth Avenue, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
3Chelsea · Dineron screen
Empire Diner
In the movie: Kevin runs into a Santa on stilts outside this chrome diner during his tour of the city.
It is still a working diner, so grab a booth for pancakes or a burger. The landmark art deco car is the star.
Pro tip: Pair it with a High Line walk. The 23rd Street access stairs are a short stroll away.
The diner lists daily hours of 9am–11pm. Check before you go.
Pay as you go.
Address, sources & location
210 Tenth Avenue, New York NY
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
4Chinatown · Streetnearby
32 Mott Street, Chinatown
In the movie: Kevin buys a stash of fireworks at a Chinatown shop on Mott Street. They come in handy later.
The historic general store that stood here is long gone, but Mott Street is still one of the best food walks in the city.
Pro tip: Skip the fireworks (they are illegal in NYC) and get dumplings or dim sum nearby instead.
Street is open any time. Shops keep their own hours.
Free to wander. Food is pay as you go.
Address, sources & location
32 Mott Street, New York NY
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
5Seaport · Waterfronton screen
South Street Seaport
In the movie: Kevin wanders the old fish-market streets around Beekman Street on his downtown day.
Cobblestones, tall ships and Pier 17. The Seaport goes big on holiday decor and seasonal events.
Pro tip: Walk to the end of Pier 17 for a Brooklyn Bridge view, then cut over to the World Trade Center on foot.
Open-air district. Shops and events keep their own hours.
Free to walk around.
Address, sources & location
Fulton Street & South Street, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
6Financial District · Observation decknearby
One World Observatory
In the movie: Kevin rides to the top of the World Trade Center for the view. The Twin Towers were destroyed on September 11, 2001.
One World Observatory, on top of One World Trade Center, is today’s sky-high stop. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is next door.
Pro tip: Give yourself time at the memorial pools before or after. Clear days beat cloudy ones for the view.
Observatory lists daily hours, which change seasonally.
Paid tickets. The memorial plaza is free.
Address, sources & location
117 West Street, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗
Location evidence ↗
7Battery Park · Parkon screen
The Battery
In the movie: Kevin peers at the Statue of Liberty through coin-operated binoculars at the tip of Manhattan.
The harborfront park has been redone since 1992, but the Statue of Liberty view is exactly as advertised.
Pro tip: Ferries to the statue leave from here. Book through Statue City Cruises, the official operator, and skip the street sellers.
Open-air park.
Free. Ferry tickets are paid.
Address, sources & location
Battery Place & State Street, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗
Location evidence ↗
8Midtown · Subwayon screen
57th Street Station (F)
In the movie: The Sticky Bandits come up out of the subway at this Sixth Avenue entrance, freshly escaped and back in business.
A quick photo stop on your way to the park. It is two blocks from Central Park South.
Pro tip: Recreate the scene, then keep walking north to the Pond.
Station is in service. Check the MTA for changes.
Free to see. Subway fare to ride.
Address, sources & location
Sixth Avenue & West 57th Street, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
9Central Park · Parkon screen
Gapstow Bridge & The Pond
In the movie: Where Kevin first meets the Pigeon Lady, and where he comes back on Christmas Day with a turtle dove ornament.
The stone bridge with Midtown towers stacked behind it is the most recreated frame of the movie. It is right inside the park’s southeast corner.
Pro tip: Go early in the morning for an empty bridge. Bring a friend for the turtle dove photo.
Park is open 6am–1am.
Free.
Address, sources & location
Central Park, near East 62nd Street, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗
Location evidence ↗
10Midtown · Hotelon screen
The Plaza Hotel
In the movie: Kevin checks in with his dad’s credit card, outsmarts the concierge and orders room service like a legend. The lobby and the Fifth Avenue facade are the real thing.
This is the last Christmas to stay here for a while: the hotel plans to close in January 2027 for at least four years of facade work. Its Home Alone package adds a limo tour, a cheese pizza and a 16-scoop sundae.
Pro tip: The number Kevin rattles off, 212-759-3000, is still the hotel’s real phone number. The lobby seen in the movie is now mostly a private residents’ entrance.
The hotel says it will close in January 2027 for at least four years. Holiday nights are close to sold out.
Package rates vary by room. Book directly with the hotel at least 3 days out.
Address, sources & location
768 Fifth Avenue, New York NY
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗ · Source 4 ↗ · Source 5 ↗
Location evidence ↗
11Central Park · Ice rinkon screen
Wollman Rink
In the movie: Harry and Marv skate laps here while plotting to rob the toy store, with Marv lifting earmuffs and scarves along the way.
Lace up with the skyline behind the trees. It is one of the most cinematic rinks in the city.
Pro tip: Book a timed ticket online. Weekday daytime sessions are cheaper and calmer than holiday weekends.
Season runs October 28, 2026–March 16, 2027 (per the rink).
Admission varies by day type. Skate rental extra.
Address, sources & location
Central Park, near East 62nd Street, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗
Location evidence ↗
12Midtown · Toy storebonus
FAO Schwarz
In the movie: Duncan’s Toy Chest is the movie’s fictional toy store, and it was actually filmed in Chicago. FAO Schwarz is the New York toy palace it was modeled on.
Dance on the giant floor piano, say hi to the toy soldiers at the door and leave with something for the stocking.
Pro tip: Go on a weekday morning. Holiday weekends mean lines out the door.
Store lists hours of 10am–8pm Monday to Thursday and 10am–9pm Friday to Sunday. Holiday hours can change.
Free to browse.
Address, sources & location
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York NY
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗
Location evidence ↗
13Midtown · Windowson screen
Bergdorf Goodman & Grand Army Plaza
In the movie: Kevin buys a bag of beads from a street vendor outside Bergdorf’s and spills them across the sidewalk at Grand Army Plaza. The Bandits go down hard.
Bergdorf’s holiday windows are some of the most elaborate in the city, right across from the Plaza.
Pro tip: Do the windows and the Plaza in one go. They are across the street from each other.
The 2026 window reveal date has not been announced. The windows usually debut around late November.
Free to look.
Address, sources & location
754 Fifth Avenue, New York NY
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
14Central Park · Park entranceon screen
Scholars’ Gate (Fifth Avenue & 60th Street)
In the movie: The Bandits march Kevin up to this corner. A woman Marv annoyed earlier knocks them both down, and Kevin bolts into the park.
A quick stop between the Plaza and the Pond. The sidewalk book kiosks are still a giveaway.
Pro tip: Walk in through this gate to reach Gapstow Bridge in about five minutes.
Park is open 6am–1am.
Free.
Address, sources & location
Fifth Avenue & East 60th Street, New York NY
Pinned at the intersection; follow posted park entrances.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
15Central Park · Parkon screen
Bethesda Terrace
In the movie: Kevin dashes across Bethesda Terrace on his run through the park.
The tiled arcade and grand staircase are still Central Park’s most dramatic spot.
Pro tip: Bethesda Fountain is turned off for restoration, but the terrace and arcade are open. Listen for buskers under the arcade.
The Central Park Conservancy says the fountain is off for about a year of restoration. The terrace stays open.
Free.
Address, sources & location
Mid-Park at 72nd Street, Central Park, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗
Location evidence ↗
16Midtown · Concert hallnearby
Carnegie Hall
In the movie: The Pigeon Lady sneaks Kevin into Carnegie Hall, and they listen to a Christmas concert from above the stage. The outside is the real Carnegie Hall. The inside was filmed at Chicago’s Symphony Center.
Catch a holiday concert in the real hall or take a guided tour.
Pro tip: Check the holiday calendar early. Christmas concerts sell out.
Concert and tour schedules vary. Check Carnegie Hall before you go.
Free to see the outside. Tickets and tours are paid.
Address, sources & location
881 Seventh Avenue, New York NY
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
17Upper West Side · Streeton screen
West 95th Street at Central Park West
In the movie: The big chase. Kevin lures the Bandits around this corner toward Uncle Rob’s booby-trapped townhouse and calls the cops from a payphone here. The house itself was a Hollywood backlot set.
Stand at the corner, find the matching rowhouses and replay the chase in your head.
Pro tip: This is a residential block. Keep it quick and quiet, and do not climb any stoops.
Public sidewalk. Visit in daylight.
Free.
Address, sources & location
West 95th Street & Central Park West, New York NY
Pinned at the intersection; this is a public sidewalk on a residential block.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗
Location evidence ↗
18Midtown · Christmas treeon screen
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
In the movie: The ending. Kevin makes a wish at the giant tree, and his mom finds him there. Bring tissues.
The 2026 tree is a 76-foot Norway spruce, lit with more than 50,000 lights and the Swarovski star. Take the photo from the plaza or from the rink below.
Pro tip: Go late at night or early on a weekday morning to have room to breathe. Lighting night is the most crowded night of the year.
Tree lighting: Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 7–10pm. On view into early to mid-January 2027.
Free to see the tree.
Address, sources & location
45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York NY
Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗ · Source 4 ↗
Location evidence ↗
19Greenwich Village · Pizzabonus
Joe’s Pizza (Carmine Street)
In the movie: Kevin eats a whole cheese pizza in the back of a limo. Talk of the Town pizza is made up, but the craving is real.
A classic Greenwich Village slice shop since 1975. Order a plain cheese slice and eat it standing up.
Pro tip: There is no limo. Fold the slice in half and walk to Washington Square Park instead.
Check the shop’s current hours.
Pay as you go.
Address, sources & location
7 Carmine Street, New York NY
Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.
Source 1 ↗
Location evidence ↗
