Landmark Sights from Movies in New York City

You saw it on the big screen in the movie theatre and promised yourself that if you ever visited New York, you would go there yourself and see it with your own eyes. But who wants to pay for yet another tour when you could just as well go there yourself to see these famous New York sights? Well, here it is. A list of 5 places in New York that you saw in the movies that you just have to visit the next time you're in the Big Apple.

1. Empire State Building - Sleepless in Seattle, An Affair to Remember, King Kong.
Okay, so this is a top New York tourist destination anyway, but if you love these movies, it has extra meaning for you. Who can forget that scene at the end of Sleepless in Seattle when Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks met and just knew that it was magic? Or where Cary Grant waited for hours for the love of his life, Deborah Kerr? Located at 350 5^th Avenue, just below the intersection of 34^th Street and 5^th Avenue, this is a sight not to be missed, if only for the panoramic views of the awe-inspiring New York City landscape. Nearby subways: N, R, Q, W at 34^th St. Herald Square.

Empire State Building: Official Internet Site -http://www.esbnyc.com/tourism/index.cfm?CFID=28021607&CFTOKEN=96775981

2. New York Public Library - Ghostbusters, Sex and the City.
If you're old enough to remember, the NY Public Library was the scene of one of the earliest ghost sightings in the movie Ghostbusters. In more recent memory, it was the scene of the wedding that almost was between Carrie and Mr. Big in the Sex and the City movie. The library is located between 41^st and 42^nd Streets on 5^th Avenue. And after you see the library, be sure to visit Bryant Park right behind it for a nice break and maybe a sandwich or coffee. If you're there on Friday mornings, maybe you can catch the concerts sponsored by Good Morning America. Nearby subways: B, D, F, V at 42^nd - 5 Av Bryant Park.

NYPL Humanities and Social Sciences Library - http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/

3. Tiffany & Co. - Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sweet Home Alabama.
The iconic Audrey Hepburn enjoyed a coffee and croissant while staring at its windows. Reese Witherspoon had her own private shopping session to pick the engagement ring of her heart's desire when Patrick Dempsey popped the question. Yes, that little blue box sets hearts aflutter with the promise of eternal love (and diamonds!). Located at 57^th Street and 5^th Avenue just a stone's throw away from Central Park, the Plaza and a whole street of luxury stores, pick up a croissant and coffee on the way and stop by to dream of one day receiving your own little blue box. Nearby subways: F at 57^th Street/6^th Avenue or N, R, W at 5^th Ave/59^th St.

4. Katz's Deli - When Harry Met Sally - Who can forget the classic scene when Sally demonstrates, um, the delicacies of male-female relations in between bites of potato salad? If you visit this institution on the Lower East Side, you can see the booth where they sat for that scene in this classic New York movie. There's even a sign hanging from the ceiling pointing out exactly where they sat. And even if this sight doesn't do it for you, go there for some of the best examples of Jewish delicatessen fare, like their pastrami on rye. But be warned, this is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared for sandwiches too large to even fit in your mouth, but that's what doggie bags are for anyway, right? Located at 205 East Houston St. Nearest subways: F, V at 2^nd Ave/Lower East Side.

5. FAO Schwartz - Big. Come on, you can admit it. When you saw Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia in the movie Big on that giant keyboard jumping around and playing Chopsticks, a part of you wanted to do it too. Well, the big keyboard isn't there anymore, but the toy fantasyland known as FAO Schwartz is still there. No matter what your age, you can't help but feel like a kid again when you're surrounded by every toy of your heart's desire. Just be careful if you're taking your kids along - they could end up wanting everything they see in the store. Located at 767 Fifth Avenue (corner of 58^th St. and 5^th Ave). Nearby subways: F at 57^th Street/6^th Avenue or N, R, W at 5^th Ave/59^th St.

Well, there it is. Yes, I know there are many other memorable scenes and sights from movies in and about New York, but gimme a break. It's a big city, and I'm just one person. These are all places that are memorable not just in the movies, but are good places to visit and enjoy, even if you didn't see them in the movies. But just in case these didn't do it for you, here are a few other places that are so obvious they shouldn't need to be mentioned, but I'll do it anyway.

Times Square - Starts at 42^nd and 7^th Ave/Broadway and goes up for a couple of blocks. Go there especially at night when all the lights are on. It's a pretty amazing sight to behold. Nearest subways: 1, 2, 3, N, R, Q, W, 7 at 42^nd Street/Times Square.

Central Park - Look at any map of New York City and you can't help but see this big green spot in the middle. That's it. But if you want to take a carriage ride, the horses are primarily along the southern edge of the park along 59^th Street/Central Park South between 5^th Avenue and Central Park West/Columbus Ave. If you're looking for the reservoir where you always see the jogging scenes in movies and television, it's higher up between 86^th Street and 96^th Street. The main entrance is at 90^th Street and 5^th Ave.

Source: Central Park Reservoir - CentralPark.com (http://www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/reservoir.htm)

Rockefeller Center - In the winter, home of the famous ice skating rink and Christmas tree. During the summer, it's still a nice place to visit, if only to take pictures and go window shopping. Or, go early enough and try to catch the Today show while it's being taped. Located between 49^th and 50^th Streets between 5^th and 6^th Avenue. Nearest subways: B, D, F, V at 47 - 50 St/Rockefeller Center.