The Most Iconic TV & Movie Locations in New York City

Sometimes called “the capital of the world” and boasting of a population of over 20 million people, New York City is the most populated city in the United States. 

Rich in culture, tourism, dining, arts, fashion and technology, and exquisite architectural pieces, it is no wonder why it is also the most photographed city in the world.

Being a hub of entertainment and visibility, the city has been used to film a lot of iconic scenes in different movies and series. 

We will run through some of them in this article.

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

The Metropolitan Museum of Art –MET– is the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, and was founded in 1870 to bring art and art education to the American people. 

It consists of works of art from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, paintings, and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art.

It is also home to great collections of musical instruments like Kemanche – the oldest Iranian instrument and the oldest grand piano on earth – as well as the Francesca violin which are both Italian made. It contains costumes, and accessories, as well as antique weapons and armor from around the world. 

It featured in the popular, star-studded Ocean’s 8 and the teenage American drama, Gossip girl.

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

The New York Public Library also called NYPL, has nearly 53 million items and 92 locations. The New York Public Library is the second-largest public library in the United States and the fourth largest in the world.

It is a private, non-governmental, non-profit corporation operating with both private and public financing. The library’s central building, also known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is located at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. 

The New York City Public Library was featured in movies such as Ghostbusters, Sex and the City, and The Day After Tomorrow, to mention a few.

The library has two entrances but its main entrance is at East 41st Street. Upon entry into the building, the first things that will be encountered are the two stone lions to the left and right. They are a trademark of the NYPL and have become its mascot in a sense. They used to be named Leo Astor and Leo Lenox, after two of the gentlemen who helped establish the library in 1911.

ROCKEFELLER CENTER

The Rockefeller Center is an art decoration complex composed of 19 buildings located in the heart of Manhattan. It is one of the first public areas in NYC to include art throughout its design. Rockefeller Center abounds with carvings, inscriptions, and gilded sculptures representing science, industry, and the human spirit.

The construction of Rockefeller Center started in 1931, and the first buildings opened in 1933. The complex is famous for its expansive underground concourse, its ice-skating rink, and also its annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

The Rockefeller Center has featured in many Christmas-themed movies such as Annie, Elf, and The New Year’s Eve.

TIMES SQUARE

The Times Square, formerly known as the Longacre Square, is sometimes referred to as “the crossroads of the world”, “the center of the universe, “the heart of the great white Way” and “the heart of the world”. 

It is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment center, and neighborhood in midtown Manhattan in New York City.

The Times Square is one of the world’s busiest pedestrian areas, it is also the hub of the Broadway Theatre District and a major center of the world’s entertainment industry.

It featured some popular blockbusters like Captain America: The First Avenger  and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.