Take Your Own Free Famous Movie Places Tour of 10 New York City Films

You don't have to book a tour to see many of New York City's famous movie places. Those of us who love New York understand cinema's ongoing love affair with America's greatest city. New York City has played a key role in famous movies, old and new. Here are 10 films with New York locations you can find. All you need is a map and a good eye to tour New York City yourself and discover famous movie spots from your favorite films, like "Sex and the City", "Ghostbusters", "Ghost", or "Enchanted" and others. Love movies? Love NYC? Read on.

Locations for Movie 1: "Sex and the City The Movie"

"Sex and the City" wouldn't be "Sex and the City" without it's fifth lady, New York. The series made many previously obscure businesses hugely successful (like Magnolia Bakery on the corner of Bleecker and West 11th street if you ever feel like having one of Miranda's cupcakes). Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall, "Sex and The City The Movie" also shot around beloved New York locations like Carrie's famous apartment exterior stoop at 66 Perry Street. (The apartment interior is a set). "Sex and the City" also shot at the Hotel Giraffe at 365 Park Ave where its piano suite area was transformed into Mr. Big's apartment. In New York's meat packing district, Diane von Furstenberg boutique at 874 Washington St. made an appearance. Big and Carrie's wedding almost takes place at the New York Public Library at 455 5th avenue. If you want to see the restaurant where Charlotte accidentally crosses paths with Mr. Big, check out Lumi Italian restaurant which is located near 70th at 963 Lexington Ave. Or, stop by Buddakanat at 75 Ninth Ave, to see where Carrie and Big's engagement party was filmed.

Locations for Movie 2: "On The Town"

"New York, New York, it's a wonderful town!" Who can forget the energetic number in "On the Town" starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munchin, directed by Stanley Donen? In the 1949 iconic movie, these Hollywood heartthrobs run through Washington Square Park, fly past Grant's Tomb, and hop in one of central park's horse drawn carriages. Then, they coast down Central Park Drive on bikes, sprint down Cedar Hill and end their brilliant New York tour at Rockefeller Center. Tour these locations during Fleet Week in NY and this movie classic will really come alive.

Locations for Movie 3: "You've Got Mail"

"You've Got Mail" starring Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly, and Tom Hanks as Joe Fox, also has many famous movie places filmed in New York on the upper west side. Directed by Nora Ephron and made in 1998, "You've Got Mail" used the exterior of Maya Schaper Cheese & Antiques as Kathleen's little bookshop. Located at 106 West 69th Street, the shop only bares a small resemblance to the movie bookstore but it is in fact where Ephron filmed. Serving highly rated hot dogs, Grey's Papaya, where Joe and Kathleen ate lunch towards the end of the movie, is located between 71st and 72nd at 2090 Broadway. When the two stars finally unite at the movie's finale, they meet in Riverside Park at the 91st Street Garden. Look for the park sign where the two share their romantic kiss between 90th and 91st.

Locations for Movie 4: "Ghost"

Directed by Jerry Zucker, "Ghost" was one of America's most beloved movies. With Patrick Swayze's death, we remember the legacy of his life and films. "Ghost", made in 1990, was set in New York, although only parts were filmed here. The famous subway scenes where Patrick Swayze meets subway ghost, Vincent Schiavelli, was shot on an unused platform under 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal. The platform has since been altered with the reconstruction of the 7 subway line. You can still walk in Oda May's (Whoopi Goldberg) footsteps on the north side of Wall Street at the corner of Nassau Street in front of Federal Hall National Memorial. This was the spot where Sam persuaded a horrified Oda May to give away the four million dollar check to the nun.

Locations for Movie 5: "Enchanted"

The cartoon 2008 fairytale that transforms into a modern day New York City reality, "Enchanted", was directed by Kevin Lima and stars Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. When princess Giselle thinks she sees a castle only to learn it is a casino billboard, she is standing at northwest corner of North Moore and West Broadway. In the upper levels of the 800 foot tall ornate Woolworth Tower at 233 Broadway, "Enchanted" shot some of the movie's most engaging scenes when Giselle feels she has finally reached a real castle.

Locations for Movie 6: "Ghostbusters"

Directed by Ivan Reitman, the smash 1984 hit movie "Ghostbusters" owes a huge debt of thanks to the working fire station 'Hook and Ladder 8'. Located at North Moore and Varick St, you can see the famous red building. A Ghostbusters sign still hangs on the inside wall of the firehouse, left of the main door. This real fire station served as the headquarters in both Ghostbusters movies. Another NYC location, Butler Library in Columbia University, at 535 West 114th street, was where the Ghostbusters library movie scene was filmed.

Locations for Movie 7: "Music and Lyrics"

The 2007 movie entitled "Music and Lyrics" teamed up High Grant and Drew Barrymore. Marc Lawrence directed. Most of the movie was shot on 72nd street, which was the background for Grant's apartment. Another location used in the movie to shoot the restaurant scene was La Fenice, the NYC restaurant at 69th and Broadway.

Locations for Movie 8: "Saturday Night Fever"

"Saturday Night Fever", which thrilled audiences in 1977, is an American classic. It immortalized John Travolta forever. Directed by John Badem, "Saturday Night Fever" captured the longing heart of its hero walking across the Brooklyn Bridge looking at that beautiful Manhattan skyline. The Brooklyn Bridge has played many great roles in films including key roles in "Sex and the City" and Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues".

Locations for Movie 9: "When Harry Met Sally"

"When Harry Met Sally", the 1989 cult classic starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, directed by Rob Reiner, shot one of film's most famous scenes in a local New York restaurant. Meg Ryan spontaneously fakes an orgasm for the entire deli to hear in Katz's Delicatessen. which is located on 205 East Houston Street. (Johnny Depp also played a scene there from "Donnie Brasco".)

Locations for Movie 10: "Wall Street"

In Oliver Stone's 1987 hit movie "Wall Street", Stone was the first director given permission to actually film the trading floor at the NYC Stock Exchange. Another location where the movie filmed was Tavern on the Green, situated at Central Park and West 67th. Charlie Sheen marches in the NYC restaurant after being hit by costar Michael Douglas in Central Park.

Those are 10 of New York's best films and famous movie scene spots to help get you exploring NYC and experiencing the big apple's famous films first hand. If you'd like more information, check out the "Made in NY: Walking Tours of Film and Television Locations in New York City." from New York City's Mayor Office about downtown that you can download from there or on iTunes for free. The free podcasts mention some of these sites and many more downtown movie film spots that will guide you around New York City and its great cinematic history.

Source List:

"Mayor's Office "Made in New York: Walking Tours of Film and Television Locations in New York City" NYC

Kittie Bean Yancy "The Fifth Star of 'Sex': New York" USA Today

Melissa Maguire "New York: Sex and the City Movie Locations" Travel Nine MSN

"New York City Subway in Popular Culture" Wikipedia

Lindsay "You've Got Filming Locations" I Am Not A Stalker