Summary
With a city as cinematic as New York, it’s little wonder that its awe-inspiring cityscapes have been the backdrop for countless films. In fact, many first-time visitors to NYC feel as if they already know the city, simply based on the movies they’ve seen it depicted in. However, there’s nothing quite like experiencing the real thing, and cinephiles will appreciate these 5 NYC film tours that seamlessly merge the film fantasy with on-the-ground reality.
On Location Tours dominates the market in NYC film tours, offering a diverse array of high-quality movie- and film-themed bus and walking tours. Each tour is led by licensed guides who are often local actors and actresses. These adventures include stops for unforgettable photo opportunities and showcase clips from the featured films and TV shows. Here are 5 of their premier NYC film tours designed to guide you through the most filmed city in the world:
1. NYC TV & Movie Bus Tour
This tour is On Location Tours’ classic and most popular outing. Guests board a coach bus for a guided 2.5- to 3-hour journey covering over 40 TV and film locations throughout Manhattan. Highlighted locations include iconic spots from beloved TV shows such as Friends and Seinfeld, as well as movies like Spider-Man, Birdman, and When Harry Met Sally.
2. When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour
The newest offering from On Location Tours, launched in fall 2015, this 2-hour bus tour explores over 40 film and TV locations in Uptown Manhattan, including neighborhoods such as the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side. Guests will visit locations like Monk’s Diner from Seinfeld and the café from You’ve Got Mail, among other famous sites.
3. Central Park TV & Movie Site Walking Tour
Known as New York City’s most famous film backdrop, Central Park has been featured in hundreds of films. This walking tour covers more than 30 film and TV locations in just two hours, including iconic spots such as the band shell from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Bethesda Terrace from Elf.
4. TCM Classic Film Bus Tour
In partnership with Turner Classic Movies (TCM), this 3-hour bus tour focuses on legendary film locations associated with the TCM brand. Throughout the journey, guests will witness movie sites from classics like King Kong and Superman.
5. Holiday Lights & Movie Sites Bus Tour
This seasonal 2.5-hour tour runs between the Thanksgiving and New Year’s holidays, showcasing various locations from Christmas-themed films shot in NYC. Encounters with sites featured in classics such as Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone 2 are highlights of this festive tour.
