The New York of the Christmas Movies
The Rockefeller Center tree and locations from “Home Alone 2” and “Elf”.
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Few cities look as much like a Christmas movie as New York, because so many of them were filmed here. The walk starts at Macy's on Herald Square, the department store from “Miracle on 34th Street”, and passes the Empire State Building from “Elf” on the way to the tree above the ice rink at Rockefeller Center. It continues past St Patrick's Cathedral and the Fifth Avenue windows to The Plaza, the hotel where Kevin checks in in “Home Alone 2”. It ends at Gapstow Bridge in Central Park, which also appears in the film.
The stops
- 1
Herald Square
Macy's faces the square. “Miracle on 34th Street” from 1947 was filmed in the store and during the Thanksgiving parade.
- 2
Empire State Building
In “Elf”, Buddy's father has his office here.
- Tip
Bryant Park
A winter village with holiday stalls and a free ice rink.
- 3
Rockefeller Center
The city's famous tree above the ice rink. Kevin finds his mother again here in “Home Alone 2”, and Buddy goes skating here in “Elf”.
- Tip
Radio City Music Hall
The Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes has been staged here since 1933.
- 4
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
The neo-Gothic cathedral opposite the tree. Saks Fifth Avenue has Christmas windows and a light show across the street.
- 5
The Plaza
The hotel where Kevin checks in in “Home Alone 2”. Bergdorf Goodman's Christmas windows are right next door.
- 6
Gapstow Bridge
The stone bridge over the Pond in Central Park, with skyscrapers behind. It appears in “Home Alone 2”.
About the trip
- Where
- New York
- Getting around
- On foot
- Time
- 2 h 41 min
- Distance
- 3.4 km
- Stops
- 6
- Season
- November–January
- Themes
- History, Family
Practical
- Start
- Herald Square, by the 34 St–Herald Sq subway station.
- Finish
- Gapstow Bridge in Central Park, by the 5 Av/59 St subway station.
- Toilets
- Customer toilets in Macy's, public toilets in Bryant Park, and at Wollman Rink in Central Park.
- Accessibility
- A flat, step-free route. In December it is very crowded around the tree, especially in the evenings and at weekends, so go early or late.