Discover 10 Iconic Movie Locations in Central Park

The Plaza Hotel’s first significant appearance in a movie was for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 classic North By Northwest. Since then, The Plaza has been featured in many films, including Plaza Suite, The Way We Were, The Great Gatsby, Barefoot in the Park, Funny Girl, Cotton Club, Almost Famous, Brewster’s Millions, Crocodile Dundee I and II, and Home Alone II: Lost In New-York.

Central Park Carousel

Since 1871, a carousel has operated at this location in Central Park. The current Central Park Carousel replaced the original that was destroyed in a fire in 1950. Built in 1908, the current carousel was originally on Coney Island and is famous for having the largest hand-carved horses of any carousel. Rides on the Central Park Carousel are $3. The Central Park Carousel was featured in such movies as Up The Sandbox, I’m Not Rappaport, The Spanish Prisoner, and The Producers.

The Central Park Carousel Details

Location: Mid-Park at 65th Street

Sheep Meadow

This 15-acre area of Central Park was originally intended for military drills but instead was used for grazing sheep until 1934. Sheep Meadow was where famous scenes from It Could Happen to You, Fisher King, Wall Street, and Manchurian Candidate were shot. The animated film Ants was also supposed to take place in Sheep Meadow.

Sheep Meadow Details

Location: West Side from 66th to 69th Streets

The Mall and Literary Walk

One of Central Park’s few formal elements, the 40-foot-wide Mall is flanked by quadruple rows of American Elm trees. The Mall can be seen in scenes from Big Daddy, Kramer vs. Kramer, and Maid in Manhattan.

The Mall and Literary Walk Details

Location: Mid-Park from 66th to 72nd Streets

Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park

Since 1905, the Naumburg Bandshell has been hosting free orchestral concerts in Central Park. Scenes at Naumburg Bandshell were featured in Hair, I’m Not Rappaport, Breakfast at Tiffanys, and Mighty Aphrodite.

Naumburg Bandshell Details

Location: Mid-Park from 66th to 72nd Streets
More: Naumburg Orchestral Concert Schedule

Bow Bridge

This handsome cast iron bridge is one of Central Park’s most famous and romantic landmarks. The Bow Bridge was used in scenes from Autumn in New York, Keeping The Faith, and Uptown Girls.

Bow Bridge Details

Location: Mid-Park at 74th Street west of Bethesda Terrace

Tavern on the Green

Once the sheepfold for the sheep, Tavern on the Green became a restaurant in the 1930s. Since then, the Tavern on the Green has become a famous New York institution and served over half a million patrons a year. After closing due to financial challenges, the restaurant was revived and re-opened under new ownership. Tavern on the Green is also famous for its appearances in films such as Wall Street, Ghostbusters, Made, and The Out of Towners.

Tavern On The Green Details

Location: 67th Street and Central Park West
Website: http://tavernonthegreen.com/

Ghostbusters Apartment Building

The famous “Spook Central” apartment building used in Ghostbusters is located at 55 Central Park West. In addition to adding the signature gargoyles to the building, art directors for the film created a model that enabled the inclusion of shots making the building appear far taller than it is in real life.

Ghostbusters Apartment Building Details

Location: 55 Central Park West

Angel Fountain at Bethesda Terrace

The only sculpture commissioned in the original design of Central Park, the Angel of the Waters Fountain is also one of the most photographed fountains in the world. You may remember this fountain for its appearances in Angels in America, Ransom, and Stewart Little II.

Bethesda Terrace Details

Location: Mid-Park at 72nd Street

Bethesda Terrace Stairs

The two sets of stairs at Bethesda Terrace afford visitors great views of the Lake, the fountain, and the Ramble in the distance. They have also served as the sets in films such as It Should Happen to You, Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, and Out of Towners.

Bethesda Terrace Details

Location: Mid-Park at 72nd Street