Self-Guided Audio Tour

New York's Cinema — Ghostbusters, Avengers, Madagascar, Spider-Man, and More

Self-guided audio tour · New York

Duration

1h 5min

Distance

30 km

Stops

Accessibility

Accessible

Best time

Morning, Afternoon, Sunset

Languages

English, Español, Italiano, Português

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New York City is the world's largest outdoor movie set, and this tour will take you through every scene. We'll visit Katz's Deli, complete with the exact table from "When Harry Met Sally." Then, the REAL Ghostbusters firehouse, still in operation today. You'll see the Flatiron Building, transformed into Spider-Man's Daily Bugle. We'll explore Grand Central, where the Avengers and Men in Black battled alien invasions. In Central Park, imagine the lions from Madagascar escaping the zoo. We'll see the NY Public Library, famously destroyed in "The Day After Tomorrow." At Rockefeller Center, picture Tom Hanks dancing in "Big." And DUMBO, with its iconic skyline featured in countless movie posters. Each spot, with the film that made it famous.

What you'll see and hear

The stops on this route, in order — with audio previews where available.

Stanton Substation
FDNY Ladder 8
FDNY Ladder 8. This firehouse was organized on October 16, 1865. It moved to its current location in 1905. The building itself was constructed in 1903. It's famous worldwide as the headquarters for the Ghostbusters. It has also appeared in the movies Hitch and an episode of Seinfeld. It was almost closed in 2011 but was saved by a public campaign.
Audio preview
Comedy Cellar
Comedy Cellar. This famous comedy club opened its doors in 1982. It was founded by Bill Grundfest and Manny Dworman. Many famous comedians got their start here. They include Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle, and Amy Schumer. The club is known for its intimate setting. It's a place where comedians test new material. Sometimes, big stars drop in for surprise sets. This has happened with comedians like Eddie Murphy.
Audio preview
Flatiron District
The Flatiron District is a neighborhood named after its most famous building, the Flatiron Building. This iconic structure was completed in 1902. It was designed by architect Daniel Burnham. The building's unique triangular shape comes from its location where Fifth Avenue and Broadway meet. It was originally called the Fuller Building. The area around it quickly became known as the Flatiron District. Before the building, this spot was farmland. Later, it held hotels and apartment buildings. The building's design was so unusual that some people thought it would collapse! It's now a beloved symbol of the city.
Audio preview
Empire State Building
Empire State Building. Construction began on March 17, 1930. It officially opened on May 1, 1931. The building was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates. It was the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years. It has been featured in over 250 films. The spire was originally designed as a mooring mast for airships, but no airship ever docked there.
Audio preview
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is a truly iconic landmark. It first opened its doors in 1871 as Grand Central Depot. It was later rebuilt and renamed Grand Central Station. The current Grand Central Terminal we see today officially opened on February 2, 1913. This magnificent structure was designed by the architectural firms Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore. A fascinating detail is that the famous celestial mural on the Main Concourse ceiling is actually painted upside down, showing the constellations from a divine perspective.
Audio preview
Gertrude Stein
Gertrude Stein Gallery. This gallery was founded in 1963 by Gertrude Stein. It was located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The gallery became a hub for artists working outside the mainstream. It was a strong supporter of the NO!art movement. The gallery closed its doors in 2026. A surprising fact is that Gertrude Stein was the first American woman to have a public statue erected in her honor in New York City.
Audio preview
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-famous holiday icon. The very first tree was put up by construction workers in 1931 during the Great Depression. It was a humble 20-foot balsam fir decorated with simple items like paper garlands and tin cans. The first official tree lighting ceremony happened in 1933 with a 50-foot tree and 700 lights. Over the years, the tree has grown in size and spectacle, becoming a symbol of hope and holiday cheer. In 1998, one tree even traveled to Rockefeller Center by being flown in on the world's second-largest transport plane at the time.
Audio preview
PlayStation Theater
PlayStation Theater was a live events venue in New York City. It opened in September 2005. The venue was designed by architect David Rockwell. It was originally built as the Loews Astor Plaza movie theater, which opened in 1974. The space was converted into a live-event venue by the Anschutz Entertainment Group. The theater closed on December 31, 2019. It later reopened as Palladium Times Square. The venue featured an 85-foot-long LED screen, one of the largest marquees on Broadway. This massive screen could display live footage from the stage or anywhere else in the theater.
Audio preview
California Sea Lion
California Sea Lions are a fascinating sight here in New York! While they are native to the Pacific coast, some have found their way to our shores. The New York Aquarium has been a hub for these amazing animals, with a successful breeding program. Their first pup was born in 2010, and they've had many more since, including one born on Memorial Day in 2021! These sea lions are not just for show; they play a vital role in educating visitors about ocean conservation. Did you know that the U.S. Navy even trains California sea lions to detect underwater mines?
Audio preview
Navy Walk Tablet
Audio preview
Brooklyn Bridge Viewpoint