Central Park has appeared in over 350 movies, and you can see the most famous filming locations in a single pedicab ride. A Classic Tour ($55/person, 1 hour) covers 12+ movie spots including Gapstow Bridge from Home Alone 2, Bethesda Fountain from Elf and John Wick: Chapter 3, and Bow Bridge from Spider-Man 3. A Grand Tour ($95/person, 2 hours) hits every location on this list -- all 15+ spots -- with photo stops at each one. Pedicabs depart from Central Park South (59th St & 6th Ave) daily, and your driver narrates the exact scenes filmed at each landmark. No other Central Park movie locations tour covers this much ground without requiring you to walk 6+ miles on your own.
The 12 Most Famous Central Park Movie Filming Locations
Every major Central Park movie scene was filmed at one of 12 landmarks clustered along a route pedicabs travel daily. Here they are, ordered south-to-north -- the same direction your pedicab driver will take you.
1. Gapstow Bridge -- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Kevin McCallister crosses this stone bridge while exploring Central Park alone on Christmas Eve. The bridge sits at the southeast corner of the park, arching over The Pond with the Plaza Hotel framed perfectly behind it. This is the first stop on most pedicab tours because it is directly adjacent to the 59th Street meeting point. The bridge also appears in Autumn in New York and The Way We Were.
2. Wollman Rink -- Serendipity (2001) and Love Story (1970)
Two minutes north of Gapstow Bridge, Wollman Rink is where Jonathan and Sara skate together in Serendipity before exchanging phone numbers that fate keeps tearing apart. In Love Story, Oliver and Jenny skate here in one of the most iconic romantic scenes in film history. The rink operates from October through April and has been a filming location for over a dozen movies. In summer, it converts to an amusement park.
3. Central Park Zoo -- Madagascar (2005) and Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)
Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, and the rest of the Madagascar crew "lived" at this zoo before their escape to the wild. Jim Carrey's penguins in Mr. Popper's Penguins also call this place home. The real Central Park Zoo is compact -- about 6.5 acres -- but its location at the south end of the park makes it a natural early stop on any pedicab route. You will pass the entrance and the iconic sea lion pool.
4. The Mall and Literary Walk -- Enchanted (2007) and When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Giselle's "That's How You Know" musical number was filmed on The Mall -- the long, elm-lined promenade that stretches from 66th to 72nd Street. The Literary Walk at its southern end, with bronze statues of Shakespeare, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott, provides the backdrop. Harry and Sally also walk this path during their autumn conversations. The 150-year-old American elm canopy here is one of the largest surviving stands in North America.
5. Bethesda Fountain and Terrace -- Elf (2003), John Wick: Chapter 3 (2019), and Enchanted (2007)
Bethesda Fountain is the single most filmed location in Central Park. Buddy the Elf meets his father here in Elf. John Wick's brutal fight scene before reaching the Continental unfolds on this terrace. Giselle and Robert share their first real moment at the fountain in Enchanted. The Angel of the Waters statue on top of the fountain was the first major public artwork in New York City commissioned from a woman -- sculptor Emma Stebbins, in 1868. The terrace arcade below has Minton tile ceilings and natural acoustics that amplify street musicians without electricity.
6. Bow Bridge -- Spider-Man 3 (2007) and It Takes Two (1995)
Bow Bridge is the most photographed bridge in Central Park and one of the most filmed locations in all of New York City. Peter Parker and Mary Jane walk across it in Spider-Man 3. The Olsen twins cross it in It Takes Two. The cast-iron bridge spans 60 feet across The Lake and was designed by Calvert Vaux in 1862. Over 1,000 couples propose here every year. Your pedicab driver will stop here for photos -- it is the best vantage point on the tour. Read more about this spot in our guide to romantic things to do in Central Park.
7. The Boathouse and The Lake -- 27 Dresses (2008) and When in Rome (2010)
The Loeb Boathouse sits on the north shore of The Lake and has appeared in dozens of films. Katherine Heigl's 27 Dresses features the Boathouse as a wedding reception venue. Kristen Bell rows across The Lake in When in Rome. Rowboat rentals are available April through November for $20/hour if you want to recreate the scene yourself.
8. Strawberry Fields -- Across the Universe (2007)
The black-and-white "Imagine" mosaic honoring John Lennon is at the center of Strawberry Fields, directly across from the Dakota building where Lennon lived. Across the Universe, the Beatles-inspired musical, features this memorial prominently. Musicians often play Lennon songs here, especially at dusk. The 2.5-acre garden was designed by Bruce Kelly and donated by Yoko Ono.
9. Conservatory Water (Model Boat Pond) -- Stuart Little (1999)
Stuart Little races his model sailboat against the villainous Snowbell in this elegant pond at the east side of the park near 74th Street. The pond has hosted model boat races since 1954, and on weekends you can still see remote-controlled sailboats gliding across the water. The bronze Alice in Wonderland statue at the north end of the pond -- where kids climb on the Mad Hatter's hat -- has appeared in Home Alone 2 and dozens of other films.
10. Belvedere Castle -- The Smurfs (2011) and One Fine Day (1996)
The Smurfs materialize in Central Park and end up at Belvedere Castle in the 2011 film. George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer navigate single-parent chaos with the castle as backdrop in One Fine Day. The miniature Gothic castle sits atop Vista Rock -- the second-highest natural point in the park -- and houses a weather station that has recorded NYC temperatures since 1919. The observation deck gives panoramic views of the Great Lawn and Turtle Pond below.
11. Sheep Meadow -- The Out-of-Towners (1999)
Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn spend a disastrous night on Sheep Meadow in the 1999 remake of The Out-of-Towners. This 15-acre lawn was actually used for grazing sheep until 1934. Today it is the park's most popular sunbathing spot, with capacity for tens of thousands of visitors on a summer day. The Grand Tour passes along the western edge with full views of the meadow and the skyline beyond.
12. Alice in Wonderland Statue -- Multiple Films
The bronze Alice statue north of Conservatory Water was designed by Jose de Creeft in 1959 and has been a filming backdrop for Enchanted, Home Alone 2, and countless TV shows. Children climb on Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the White Rabbit -- the sculpture was designed for exactly this purpose. It is one of the most interactive public artworks in New York City.
Which Tour Covers the Most Movie Locations?
The Classic Tour covers 12+ movie spots in 1 hour for $55/person. The Grand Tour covers all 15+ spots in 2 hours for $95/person. Here is what each tour includes:
| Tour | Duration | Price | Movie Spots | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Ride | 30 min | $35/person | 5-6 spots | Quick highlights |
| Classic Tour | 1 hour | $55/person | 12+ spots | Most popular choice |
| Grand Tour | 2 hours | $95/person | All 15+ spots | Complete experience |
| Sunset Special | 1.5 hours | $75/person | 10+ spots | Golden hour photography |
| Proposal Package | 1 hour | $125/person | 8+ spots | Private, romantic |
The Classic Tour is the most popular option for movie fans because it covers the densest cluster of filming locations -- from Gapstow Bridge to Belvedere Castle -- in a single hour. If you also want Sheep Meadow, The Pool, and the Conservatory Garden (which have appeared in several films), the Grand Tour is worth the upgrade.
For a broader look at all tour options, see our pedicab vs other tours comparison.
How to Get the Best Movie Location Photos
Arrive before 10 AM or after 4 PM for the best light and fewest crowds at each filming location. Morning rides give you empty landmarks and soft, even light. Late afternoon rides give you golden hour -- the same warm light that cinematographers choose for outdoor scenes.
Three specific tips:
- Bethesda Fountain: Shoot from the top of the stairs looking down for the same angle used in Elf. Your driver will position the pedicab at the overlook.
- Bow Bridge: Walk to the center of the bridge and face south for the skyline-over-lake shot from Spider-Man 3. North-facing gives you the Ramble forest backdrop.
- Gapstow Bridge: Stand on the south side to frame the Plaza Hotel through the arch -- the exact Home Alone 2 composition.
Your pedicab driver knows every angle. Ask them to point out the exact positions where cameras were set up -- they have studied these locations.
Why a Pedicab Is the Best Way to See Central Park Movie Locations
A pedicab covers 3-4 times more ground than walking in the same time, with a guide who narrates each filming location as you arrive. The 12 major movie spots span 2.5 miles from Gapstow Bridge to Belvedere Castle. Walking that route takes 50+ minutes of pure walking time -- not counting stops, photo breaks, or getting lost. A pedicab handles navigation, provides movie trivia at each stop, and lets you sit back between landmarks.
Horse carriages are limited to the southern third of the park and cannot reach Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, or Conservatory Water. Walking tours move at the pace of the slowest person and cover fewer stops. Bike rentals give you speed but no narration and no easy photo stops.
For a detailed comparison of all options, read our guide on the best way to see Central Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many movie locations can you see on a Central Park pedicab tour?
The Classic Tour (1 hour, $55/person) covers 12+ Central Park movie filming locations including Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Gapstow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, and the Central Park Zoo entrance. The Grand Tour (2 hours, $95/person) covers all 15+ locations on this list.
What movies were filmed at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park?
Bethesda Fountain has appeared in Elf (2003), John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum (2019), Enchanted (2007), and Angels in America (2003). It is the most filmed single location in Central Park. The Angel of the Waters statue and the terrace arcade are both recognizable from dozens of additional films and TV shows.
Can you stop for photos at the movie locations during a pedicab tour?
Yes. Every Grinlo pedicab tour includes photo stops at major landmarks. Your driver will pause at Bow Bridge, Bethesda Fountain, Gapstow Bridge, and other filming locations so you can take photos. On the Classic Tour and Grand Tour, you can request additional stops at any location along the route.
Where do Central Park pedicab tours start?
All Grinlo pedicab tours depart from Central Park South at 59th Street and 6th Avenue. This is a 5-minute walk from the N/R/W subway at 5th Avenue-59th Street or the F train at 57th Street. The meeting point is directly adjacent to Gapstow Bridge -- the first movie location on the route.
Is a Central Park movie locations tour good for kids?
Central Park movie location tours are excellent for kids ages 4 and up. Children recognize locations from Madagascar, The Smurfs, Stuart Little, Enchanted, and Home Alone 2. The pedicab ride itself is exciting for kids, and the 1-hour Classic Tour is the right length to keep them engaged without getting restless.