I Visited All The Home Alone 2 Filming Locations In NYC (Addresses & Photos!)

In the very bleak, very dark, very cold winter months of January and February, I find myself holding on for longer and longer to the holiday season. I take down my tree and decorations– I’m not insane– but in smaller, more covert ways, I am trying to keep the cheery holiday spirit alive a bit longer. 

I live in New York, a city known for its overall depressing vibes in January, February, and March. Of all the seasons, winter is my least favorite.

One of my coping mechanisms is to watch movies that take place in New York in wintertime to convince myself that I still live in the greatest city despite the freezing temps and total darkness.

Perhaps the most iconic NYC film of all time is the holiday classic, Home Alone 2. Even weeks after the holidays, I find myself turning towards this movie. 

Where was Home Alone filmed in New York?

When people think of the Home Alone movie locations, they’re typically thinking of the first movie– Winnetka Village Hall where Kevin, played by a young Macaulay Culkin, lives. Plus where the church in the first Home Alone, Trinity United Methodist Church, where he listens to the choir, O’Hare International Airport where Kevin loses his family in a crowd, and Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park where the interiors of the church was filmed are all located there. 

These beautiful spots are sadly over in North Shore Illinois, NOT in New York. And don’t go looking in New York for the Home Alone house location– that’s in Chicago too! But in case you’re venturing that way, here’s where you need to go. Many of whic you can reach via the metra commuter line with stops at the Hubbard Woods metra station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center. 

• Home Alone House: 671 Lincoln Avenue (but the Indoor house scenes where filed in an abandoned school at New Trier Township!) 
• Hubbard Woods Pharmacy (where he goes shopping for a tooth brush:  One stop north of Winnetka on the corner of Gage Street and Green Bay Road. 
• Grace Episcopal Church: 924 Lake Street
• Trinity United Methodist Church: 1024 West Lake Avenue
• O Hare International Airport: 10000 W Balmore Ave

While the Chicago spots are pretty unreachable here in NYC, there are a ton of recognizable spots Kevin stops by that are well worth your visit the next time you’re in New York!

An easier question would be where didn’t they shoot this movie. Most of the plot takes place in Manhattan, but this movie is up, down, and all around Manhattan.

12 Home Alone 2 Film Locations You Can Visit IRL In NYC

Whether this is your first week in New York, or you’ve been going for years, this list of spots is a great way to experience the city, as Kevin demonstrated first hand. My favorite thing about the city is that no matter how many times you’ve been, each time you visit is just a bit different.

1. World Trade Center 

This is one of those moments in the movie that makes your chest tighten. In one of the opening scenes as Kevin is parading around New York, there is a zoom out to the World Trade Center, featuring the Twin Towers.

Directed by John Hughes in 1992, this movie predates 9/11. Still, the World Trade Center is one of the most important stops you can make. There’s an iconic shot of Kevin walking through a crowd of people between the two buildings, and as somber as it is, this is a spot you should visit.

People all over the world come right to this spot to mourn, remember, and learn more. There is a gorgeous memoriam in place of the Twin Towers where Kevin walked, and I definitely you see it.

2. Plaza Hotel

Ahhhh, The Plaza Hotel. Whether it’s Eloise or Kevin, little kids with a penchant for trouble have been careening around The Plaza for what feels like forever. 

The Plaza is known as one of the nicest luxury hotels in NYC. Located right beside Central Park on the Upper East Side, you have perfect access to the Park, great shopping, the Guggenheim, and all of the East Side. 

Even if you decide not to stay here, I definitely suggest you go get a photo. Most of the movie takes place in the hotel, so you need to pay it a visit! 

4. Pepsi Cola Sign

This time of year is best for viewing the Pepsi Cola sign. Located in Queens, you can see it from across the East River on the bike path. This is one of the most recognizable views of NYC. 

I love the East River, especially now that the bike/walking path has been renovated. This should be a quick photo op on your way up or down the East Side!

5. Queensboro Bridge

In one of the first scenes of the movie, we see Kevin speeding from LaGuardia to Manhattan over the Queensboro Bridge. The Queensboro Bridge is walk-able, and is my absolute favorite spot to get the Manhattan skyline view.

If you are planning to head to Queens during your visit (which you should– Queens rocks), then  consider walking. It’s a fantastic view. Even if you drive over it, you’ll still get the full Kevin McCallister experience.

6. Radio City Music Hall

There is no bad time for the Radio City Music Hall. Whether you’re here to see Santa Claus during the holiday season or visiting the box office for a surprise concert ticket, Radio City is always a good call.

Kevin takes his dad’s polaroid camera for a spin outside Radio City Music Hall, making sure to snap a pic of the iconic concert hall known for its grand design and showy concerts. 

Located nearby in Rockefeller Center Empire Diner, the spot of one of my favorite Home Alone 2 montage moments. This is where Kevin runs into the unusually tall and gangly Santa. It also happens to be a grand food center known for delicious burgers and sandwiches.

7. Battery Park

Unfortunately, the binoculars Kevin uses to take a look at the Statue of Liberty have since been removed. But! There’s no reason not to visit the park! 

Located all the way downtown in the FiDi, Battery Park has an amazon view of the Statue of Liberty that beats any episode of Friends, Seinfeld, or Gossip Girl

8. Central Park Wollman Rink 

Another great call back to the original movie’s Hubbard Woods Park and Hubbard Woods Pharmacy is when Kevin visits the Wollman Rink in Central Park. 

Rather than Kevin ice skating, we’ve got none other than the Sticky Bandits on ice in the second movie. Marv and Harry, Kevin’s two archnemeses, bumble about trying to come up with a scheme to make some quick money.

The rink is open all winter long. I would book as soon as possible, as it tends to fill up pretty quickly!

9. Duncan’s Toy Chest– AKA FAO Schwarz

As a kid, Duncan’s Toy Chest was up there with The Hundred Acre Woods and Willy Wonka’s factory in terms of fictional places I wanted to go. 

However, with Duncan’s Toy Chest, you can get pretty close to the real thing! It’s been long speculated that Duncan’s Toy Chest is based on the famous FAO Schwarz store in Manhattan. FAO Schwarz is a Hollywood fave, most notably in Tom Hanks’s Big with the giant piano (which you can actually see and play with in the store).

Honestly, it is better to go to FAO during the holiday season. My partner and I swung by to check it out at the beginning of December, and we had to wait in an hour-long line just to get in the store. This is a visit best saved for January or February! 

If you’re brave enough to visit during the holiday season, there is one massive perk– you have direct access to an amazing view of the Rockefeller Tree while you wait in line. 

10. Bethesda Fountain

Bethesda Fountain is one of the prettiest sections of Central Park. Located on the south end of the park, this is where the bandits first spot Kevin, and the chase begins. 

For me, I’ve always admired the people watching at Bethesda. It’s a great spot to sit and rest for a bit if the weather allows. Plus, beneath the fountains there are PUBLIC RESTROOMS! And they’re actually clean! If you live in New York, you know how insane that is. 

11. Carnegie Hall

In one of the most touching scenes of the movies, Kevin learns that the bird woman (she has no name) lives in the attic of Carnegie Hall. It’s a massively adorable moment, all playing out over the beautiful music of the orchestra below.

I myself have never been to a concert. It’s currently on my bucket list. If you are lucky enough to go, enjoy! Otherwise, still visit the exterior. It’s gorgeous. 

12. Uncle Rob’s Townhouse– 95th Between Columbus Ave and Central Park West

This is where it all goes down. The traps, the mischief, the violence that honestly probably-definitely would have killed Marv and Harry if this movie were real, it all goes down at the apartment of Kevin’s Uncle Rob. 

Just like people take pics outside of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment (“people” meaning me), many are known to post up here for a photo op. 

This townhouse is in a pretty prime location (congrats, Uncle Rob!), which makes it worth a visit. The Upper West Side is possibly my favorite Manhattan neighborhood. Definitely swing by Uncle Rob’s for the scene of the crime! 

All of the Home Alone movie filming locations in New York are worth your time regardless of whether or not it’s still the holiday season. New Yorkers tend to keep their lights up way longer than necessary (till February in some spots), so it may still feel like Christmas depending on how soon you visit. 

As always, my advice with anything having to do with NYC is to book soon and book often. You’d rather have more reservations than you need than not have anything to do. Luckily, while it’s just about impossible to get in places during December, things ease right around now.

Have the most magical time visiting New York, and remember to take tons of pictures! You’ll have the absolute best pictures of these iconic places while crowds are on the low side.