5 Best Places For Film Buffs In New York
"Spiderman," "Working Girl," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "Rosemary's Baby," "King Kong," "Sex and the City": from rom-coms to sci-fi thrillers, New York City has been home to many iconic movie sets. Although we're no Hollywood, NYC provides many opportunities for the avid film buff to entertain himself through museums, themed restaurants, trivia nights or even walking tours. Below is your guide to the best activities throughout the city.
More: Best Movie Theaters In NYC | NYC's Fall Film Festival Guide | Best Places To Geek Out In NYC
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave
Astoria, NY 11106
(718) 784-0077
www.movingimage.us
Film screenings, family movie nights, memorabilia and video classes are all available at this Queens-based museum, dedicated to all things movies. The museum boasts dozens of film screenings every year, education programs, changing exhibitions and one of the world's largest collections of movie-related archives and artifacts. It is well worth the trip and makes for a great spot for families.
Planet Hollywood Restaurant
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
(212) 333-7827
www.planethollywoodintl.com
Right in the center of Times Square, this restaurant can get pretty crowded with tourists at any time of the day or night. It's definitely worth stopping by for dinner or drinks at least once if only to take in the incredible amount of movie memorabilia that hangs from the walls and ceilings and lines every available wall. The hand prints of movie stars line the staircase, a larger-than-life sized Rocky makes for great photos and movie costumes stand on display behind diners.
"Made In NY" Walking Tour
Locations Vary
Offered by The Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting
(212) 489-6710
www.nyc.gov
This series of podcasts is free and obtainable with the simple click of a button. Wander through Tribeca, home to the annual Tribeca Film Festival, and see the "Ghostbusters" firehouse. Stop by City Hall and Battery Park where many films have been created. See locations from classics like "Kramer vs. Kramer," "Annie Hall" and "Mo Better Blues."
Ziegfeld Theatre
141 W 54th St
New York, NY 10019
(212) 307-1862
www.clearviewcinemas.com
This space holds over 1,100 seats and features chandeliers, red carpets and gold trim. While the theatre is often used for special functions, the single screen occasionally opens its doors to the public for popular films throughout the year.
New York Film Academy
100 E 17th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 674-4300
www.nyfa.edu
While there are many film schools in New York, the NYFA boasts famous students in all areas of film production. From individuals connected to Steven Spielberg, Susan Sarandon, Robert Downey Jr. and Diana Ross to Pixar president Arthur Cohn and HBO producer Sheila Nevins, the NYFA has a long list of accomplished alumni. The academy offers many programs of different lengths, and students can begin making their own films within the first week of classes.
