Libraries are full of city guides about New York, which always had a love story with the cinema. It is not only the most vibrant and captivating city worldwide, but also the most loved one by film makers and playwright. The city is itself a huge open-air film set, the ideal one for stories, dreams and magic encounters. Thanks to the countless movies filmed here, every single corner of the city is now part of our imaginary. Even if you are visiting the city for the first time, you will feel like you have been there before as you have lived it vicariously through many films, which made famous spots and traditions familiar to you.
From Times Square to Central Park, from the sparkling Broadway to the mean streets of Bronx and Little Italy, from Wall Street to the Empire State Building: a never-ending discovery of movies set here, which got inspired by this lively and surprising city and its unrivalled atmosphere. At the same time, restaurants, bars and hotels’ popularity grew intertwined with films’ successes. Roaming around, you will be reminded of cult scenes set in its streets and parks.
Tiffany, with the unforgettable initial scene featuring Audrey Hepburn – Holly Golightly – at sunrise, stopping by Tiffany’s shop windows fully dressed in Givenchy in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). You can’t go to New York and walk along the Fifth Avenue without stopping here. Tiffany is a proper institution: five floors of glittering jewels, diamonds, shiny silver, ceramics and smaller gift ideas. A place where, as Holly Golightly used to say, “nothing bad can happen to you”. 727 Fifth Ave, www.tiffany.com
Serendipity 3: a must-visit for delicious sundae, banana split, chocolate fudge and the world’s biggest ice cream cup. You can see why we recommend it for an afternoon snack. It is shown in the namesake romantic movie with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack and in One Fine Day with George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer. 225 East 60th St., www.serendipity3.com
Café Lalo: fun and cosy café in the Upper East Side, where Meg Ryan waits for Tom Hanks in You’ve got mail (1998). Besides being delicious, it has a romantic, lively and intimate ambience. We recommend it for breakfast, an afternoon tea or a quiet break. 210 East 83rd St., www.cafelalo.com
Katz’s Delicatessen: an American gastronomy legend since 1888 in the Lower East Side. It is one of the city’s historic and cultural heritages. Here you can indulge in tasty corned beef, pastrami and brisket in a fascinating, vintage and energetic atmosphere. When Harry met Sally’s unforgettable scene of Sally faking an orgasm at the table (convincing the lady at the near table to order the same dish) has been filmed here! 05 East Houston St., corner of Ludlow St., www.katzdelicatessen.com
New York Public Library: a majestic neoclassic building with two marble lions at the entrance, known for its breath-taking Rose Reading Room, which is almost two-blocks-long. This is where Audrey Hepburn goes in the above-mentioned Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s the world’s biggest library to borrow books from and it has been filmed several times in movies such as Ghostbusters, The Thomas Crown Affair and Spider Man. This is also the setting of Carrie’s missed wedding in Sex and the City. Just behind the Public Library, framed by Midtown’s skyscrapers, is Bryan Park, a peaceful green oasis in the heart of the city with Wi-Fi connection, outdoor tables and a pleasant buzz around happy hour time. Fifth Ave @ 42nd St., www.nypl.org
Empire State Building: one of New York’s most renown symbols with a panoramic roof open to the public. A part from being the protagonist of King Kong (1933), it is also the key location of the love story between Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in An Affair To Remember (1957) and between Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle (1993). 350 Fifth Ave., www.esbnyc.com
Oyster Bar: in its huge dining rooms, George Clooney has lunch with its daughter in One Fine Day (1996). This is a proper institution, opened in 1913 inside the stunning Grand Central Station. At Oyster Bar, you will find fresh fish, seafood soups and Blue Point pureed soups. Inside Grand Central Station, Lower Concourse, 42nd St, www.oysterbarny.com.
The Plaza Hotel: in the heart of New York and overlooking Central Park, the Plaza Hotel is the protagonist of New York’s easy living and the iconic symbol of luxury hospitality for more than a century. It was actually 1907 when Henry J. Hardenbergh inaugurated this architectural masterpiece on the Grand Army Plaza, from which the name ‘Plaza’ was taken. This is one of the most popular hotels seen on the big screen, from Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest to Plaza Suite with Walter Matthau, The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow and Bride Wars with Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway. Fifth Ave.@ Central Park South, www.theplazany.com
Washington Square Park: in the heart of Greenwich Village and framed by a triumphant arch in honour of George Washington. The park hosts the unforgettable movie finale of Barefoot In The Park (1967) with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. This is the optimal place to relax, watch street artists, listen to music outdoor (mainly improvised performances) and meet NYU students due to the proximity to the university. www.washingtonsquarepark.org
In Manhattan (1978), Isaac Davis (Woody Allen) and Mary Wilikie’s (Diane Keaton) night stroll ends up in the memorable and evocative black-and-white scene of the two sitting and talking on a bench, waiting for the sunrise. We are at the end of 58th St., underneath Queensboro Bridge, overlooking East River. It is ideal for a non-touristic and extremely romantic stroll, following the steps of the masterpiece by Woody Allen, New York’s quintessential film-maker and playwright.
