As Seen on TV: Iconic movie locations in New York City

Drone flying amidst skyscrapers under a blue sky. Buildings have varied colors and designs.

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Film Buffs and TV Lovers planning a tour of Manhattan’s movie locations


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New York City has starred in more films and TV shows than almost any other place on Earth. From beloved sitcom apartments to thrilling fight scenes and romantic meet-cutes, the city’s neighborhoods are filled with real-life locations you’ve seen on screen for decades. Whether you’re a movie buff or looking to explore NYC through a new lens (pun intended), this guide will take you through the top filming spots across Manhattan.

Street view of colorful brick row houses in Boston, Massachusetts, with parked cars and trees.

Greenwich Village


A haven for artists, writers, and dreamers, Greenwich Village has become an essential part of film’s artistic legacy. With tree-lined streets, classic brownstone architecture, and bohemian charm, Greenwich is truly cinematic.

Shows and Movies:


  • Friends (1994)
  • Sex and the City (1998)
  • Annie Hall (1977)
  • When Harry Met Sally (1989)
  • You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Famous Locations:


  • Washington Square Park: Home to the fountain seen in the Friends opening sequence and to the towering Washington Square Arch, which appears throughout You’ve Got Mail.
  • 90 Bedford St: Come see one of the most recognizable facades in TV history: the exterior of the Friends apartment building.
  • 66 Perry St: The scene of much brooding, this is the stoop of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from Sex and the City. You can look, but please remember to be respectful of the current owners and residents of this building.
  • Magnolia Bakery: A bakery made famous by their cupcakes, cakes, and banana puddings (my personal favorite). Magnolia Bakery has been featured in various shows and movies like Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada 
  • Barney Greengrass: This celebrated deli has appeared in You’ve Got Mail, Sex and the City, Law & Order, and Deconstructing Harry.
Street view with buildings, cars, and a bus under a blue sky with clouds.

Upper West Side


Classic, picturesque, and full of pre-war architecture, the Upper West Side has long been the cinematic home of New Yorkers with big dreams and bigger personalities. Here are some iconic movie moments from the west side of Central Park.

Shows and Movies:



  • West Side Story (1961), (2021)
  • Seinfeld (1989)
  • How I Met Your Mother (2005)
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
  • Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
  • Night at the Museum (2006)


Famous Locations:


  • Lincoln Center: Featured in Moonstruck, Ghostbusters, and numerous dance films, this world-famous arts complex is pure movie magic.
  • Zabar’s: A staple of the Upper West Side, this deli appeared in You’ve Got Mail and the movie Manhattan.
  • Tavern on the Green: This iconic restaurant has been seen in Ghostbusters and Wall Street.
  • The Dakota: Not only is this luxury apartment building the location of the thriller Rosemary’s Baby, it has also been the home of many stars like Judy Garland, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Lauren Bacall, and many more!
  • The Museum of Natural History: This museum has been in too many shows and movies to list, but none have featured the location more than Night at the Museum. 
Stone townhouses with ornate entryways and wrought-iron details, lined up on a city sidewalk.

Upper East Side


If your favorite movies are about the glamour, luxury, and elegance of the New York elite, they’re set on the Upper East Side. From gilded age mansions to designer shops, the East Side of New York is the epitome of decadence. Here are some of the most iconic films and locations of the East Side.

TV Shows and Movies:


  • Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
  • Gossip Girl (2007)
  • The Nanny (1993)
  • Succession (2018)
  • Mad Men (2007)
  • Cruel Intentions (1999)
  • The Great Gatsby (1949), (1974), (2013)


Famous Locations:


  • Queensboro Bridge: One of New York’s many iconic bridges, Queensboro has featured in Manhattan, Gatsby (all adaptations).
  • Lexington Avenue: The apartment building of Holly Golightly and Paul Varjack from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
  • Museum Mile:  This world-renowned stretch of museums, including The Met, appears in Gossip Girl, When Harry Met Sally, and Maid in Manhattan.
  • Fifth Avenue: From Tiffany & Co. to Gilded Age mansions, this iconic street appears in Cruel Intentions, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Succession, and more.
  • Madison Avenue: The“Mad” in “Mad Men”, this street houses several iconic film locations, like The Westbury Hotel, the Flatiron Building, and Madison Square Garden.
Nighttime street scene in Little Italy, New York City, with neon

Little Italy


With its unique character and atmosphere, Little Italy has served as Hollywood’s go-to neighborhood for mob dramas and gritty New York stories. From the iconic sign to the many delicious restaurants and bars, here are some of the best scenes of Little Italy.

TV Shows and Movies:


  • The Godfather (1972)
  • Mean Streets (1973)
  • Serpico (1973)
  • Donnie Brasco (1997)
  • Little Italy (2018)

Famous Locations:



  • Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral: This beautiful building is used all throughout The Godfather Trilogy.
  • Elizabeth Street: Home to the Italian-American Street Festival and the setting of Joey Zasa’s assassination scene. 
  • Mulberry Street Bar: Located among many Italian restaurants, this bar is featured in movies and shows like Donnie Brasco and The Sopranos, often under different names.
City skyline at sunset with tall buildings and a few construction cranes.

Hell’s Kitchen


Once grim and industrial, Hell’s Kitchen has evolved into a vibrant neighborhood. While some decry gentrification, many filmmakers find that the area maintains the action-packed energy that they love. Here are some notable movies and landmarks.

TV Shows and Movies:


  • Hell’s Kitchen (1998)
  • Taxi Driver (1976)
  • Raging Bull (1980)
  • Maniac (1980)
  • Daredevil (2015)
  • Jessica Jones (2015)

Famous Locations:



  • Landmark Tavern: One of NYC’s oldest bars, the facade can be spotted on several large and small screens.
  • Matthews-Palmer Playground: A local park most famously featured in Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” in 1988.
  • The Actors Studio: This legendary acting school is featured in numerous documentaries, shows, and films. It’s also given rise to some of Hollywood’s most celebrated artists.
  • Restaurant Row: A stretch of 46th Street filled with theaters, eateries, and vibrant scenes.

Harlem


Although some areas have changed dramatically over the years, Harlem remains one of the city’s cultural powerhouses and a favorite filming location for stories rooted in music, identity, and social change. Here are just a few of Harlem’s highlights.

TV Shows and Movies:



  • Harlem Nights (1989)
  • King of New York (1990)
  • American Gangster (2007)
  • The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
  • August Rush (2007)
  • Kill Your Darlings (2013)
  • Annie (1982), (2014)


Famous Locations:


  • Apollo Theater: Apollo’s iconic stage and marquee have appeared in films, documentaries, and countless performances.
  • Sugar Hill Historic District: The rowhouses of this district serve as a colorful backdrop for films exploring Harlem’s cultural and musical legacy.
  • Convent Avenue Baptist Church: Featured in American Gangster.
  • 125th Street: A central artery of Harlem, frequently used for street scenes in modern and classic films.
  • Malcolm X Boulevard: Instantly recognizable in neighborhood-based dramas and biographical films.
Statue of George Washington in front of tall buildings on Wall Street, New York City, under a blue sky.

Financial District


Wall Street has become synonymous with corporate power, success, and (sometimes) greed. The Financial District represents the fast-paced heartbeat of American finance, making it a natural star of business dramas and thrillers.

TV Shows and Movies:


  • Wall Street (1987)
  • The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
  • American Psycho (2000)
  • Working Girl (1988)
  • The Big Short (2015)

Famous Locations:



  • National September 11 Memorial & Museum: While not a filming location itself, the original Twin Towers appeared in countless establishing shots and films before 2001. 
  • New York Stock Exchange: This building has become a pop-culture shorthand for Wall Street and the financial industry as a whole. The building is alluded to in movies like Wall Street, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Big Short
  • Charging Bull Statue: Located in Bowling Green, this symbol of Wall Street is often seen in films and TV news cutaways.
  • Federal Hall: A historic structure turned national memorial, used in period pieces and political dramas.
Statue of Liberty with arm raised, Brooklyn Bridge, and NYC skyline at sunset.

Manhattan Hot Spots


Some places are so iconic that nearly every New York-set movie or series passes through them. We’d be remiss if we didn’t touch a few of these must-see locations, including:


  • Central Park
  • Times Square
  • Empire State Building
  • Brooklyn Bridge
  • The Statue of Liberty


A brick building with a sign that says ' incentra village house ' on it.

Stay at Incentra Village House

If you’re looking for an authentic New York experience, stay at Incentra Village House in New York City. 


Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, our boutique hotel is close to all your favorite Manhattan filming locations (like Magnolia Baker!). With comfortable private suites and a blend of historic charm and modern comfort, our hotel captures the essence that is “New York.”


Come live your New York movie dreams when you book now!

About the Author


Bozhidar Bachvarov (aka “Boz”) is the manager of Incentra Village Guest House in historic West Village. As a city local and a frequent traveler, Boz knows how to give guests an authentic New York experience.