Home Alone 2: "Lost" in New York

VISIT THE top 8 Home alone filming locations on your next nyc trip

BY: V. Rhodes

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), motion picture, 20th Century Fox.

TOP 8 HOME ALONE FILMING LOCATIONS: New York Edition

Home Alone (1990) is a Christmas classic, especially for us kids born in the 80s & 90s. I would say the squeal, Home Alone: Lost in New York (1992), is equally as iconic. Kevin eating cheese pizza alone in a limo is a total mood. Unlike the first film, where the entire movie primary is set in one house, Kevin travels all over New York City! There are so many recognizable locations that we can visit!

“Don’t you know, a kid always wins against two idiots?”
— kevin mccallister, Home Alone 2 (1992)

AS SEEN ON SCREEN

PLOT: Not sure if I need to include a plot summary since this movie has become so ingrained in pop-culture, but here I go anyway. Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) accidentally gets separated from his family over the Christmas holidays, and ends up in New York City. He runs into the Wet Bandits (Harry, Joe Pesci, and Marv, Daniel Stern) from the first movie and hijinks ensue! 

#1

Queensboro Bridge

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Queensboro Bridge

Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, New York, NY 10044

When Kevin first arrives in NYC he’s driving in an iconic yellow cab. His head is out the window, taking in the epicness that is the Queensboro Bridge! Getting a photo like this would be incredibly hard unless you’re stuck in traffic. So maybe call a cab in rush hour and test your luck.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

#2

The PLAZA

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

The plaza hotel

5th Avenue at, Central Park S, New York, NY 10022

The Plaza is the most famous hotel in NYC and we get to see so many parts of it in this movie: the entry, lobby, pool, rooms, halls etc. As a kid, I remember my dream was to stay at a swanky hotel and order all the room service I could ever want! Kevin is a modern day Eloise! Thank you Kevin for living this dream for all of us. 

What is often remembered most from this movie is a cameo of a former US president. Insider interviewed director Chris Columbus, who explained that ‘[He] bullied his way into the movie’. At the time the former president owned the Plaza. He had created some stipulations for the productions to adhere to, one of which was letting him have a cameo. 

Since the filming of Home Alone 2, the ownership of the Plaza has changed a handful of times. And with that comes change to layout and function of the hotel. What was the main reception in the movie, is no longer accessible to the public. The Plaza acts as part hotel and part luxy private residence, and reception in the movie has now become exclusive to the private residence quarters. 

 

If you think it looks familiar, you might remember it from movies like Ocean's Eight (2018), Bride Wars (2009), and Sleepless in Seattle (1993).

#3

Carnegie Hall

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Carnegie Hall

881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Carnegie Hall is an astemed concert venue in midtown New York that was constructed between 1889-1891. It has had a long history of famous performances including the Rolling Stone, JAY-Z, Ella Fitzgerald and so many more. If there are any Judy Garland fans out there, you will also know that this is the venu for her Grammy winning live album: “Judy at Carnegie Hall.”

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

The most touching relationship of the film is between Kevin and the Pigeon Lady (Brenda Fricker). The two develop an emotional bond over being invisible to the world. She takes him to a secret attic of Carnegie Hall where they listen to a performance of “O Come Ye Faithful”.

#4

Gapstow Bridge

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Gapstow Bridge

Gapstow Bridge, Central Park (South East Corner), New York, NY 10019

Kevin is seen in the iconic Central Park quite a few times throughout this movie. It is by the Gapstow Bridge where Kevin keeps running into the Pigeon Lady, and where he melts our hearts by giving her the turtle dove ornament.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

#5

Bethesda Terrace

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Bethesda Terrace

72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021

When Kevin escapes from the Wet Bandits, he runs through Central Park and passes Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. Hot Tip, get there early! We went mid-afternoon and there were about 100 people all watching a jazz performance under the terrace. Which was beautiful, but also really hard to get some good pictures. 

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

You might recognize this fountain from movies and shows like John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), Gossip Girl (2007-2012), Enchanted (2007), and Avengers (2012), just to name a few.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

#6

Empire Diner

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Empire Diner

1240 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5R 2A7

Kevin gets a flyer from a Santa on stilts who is standing outside of Empire Diner. Although Kevin doesn’t go inside, you should!  

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

During the 2017 reno, the new owners have given the Empire Diner a modern feel while also maintaining its art deco roots. The interior is bright with contemporary industrial touches. Also, this is one of the last freestanding diners in all of NY, making it a part of the city’s history. If NYC is too far for you, there is a virtual tour on their website.

Photo Credit: Eater New York

Photo Credit: Eater New York

You won't be disappointed by the classic American inspired food. Don’t believe me? Check out their insta and then try to tell me that pasta doesn't look to die for!

#7

Radio City Music Hall

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Radio City Music Hall

1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020

When Kevin is sightseeing around New York, this is one of his stops. There is a shot of him taking pictures with his disposable camera. 

The Radio City Music hall is a beautiful art deco building, built in the early 1930s. I once did a Radio City Tour, which I highly recommend. You get to go backstage and see the whole venue for a lot cheaper than the cost of a concert ticket. If you go inside, make sure you use the bathrooms. They are giant swanky powder rooms that will make you feel like an old Hollywood star. 

#8

Rockefeller Centre Tree

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Rockefeller Centre Tree

45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

After Kevin thwarts Marv and Harry, he heads over to Rockefeller Plaza. He wishes on the Christmas tree that he can see his mom, and like movie magic, she arrives! When Kevin asks how she found him, Kate McCallister (Cathrine O'Hara), says to him, “Well, I know you and Christmas trees, and this was the biggest one around.”

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

One of my favourite winter activities in New York is ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza with the tree lighting the way. They have a skate rental booth beside the rink so even tourists can participate. 

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Love Home Alone? What your favourite christmas movie? Let us know in the comments!

 

WE KNOW YOU WANT MORE!

HOW DO YOU WANT TO FILMTRIP?

LIKE IT? PIN IT!

IMAGE CREDIT

All screencaps are used for non-commercial entertainment and education purposes. We are not endorsed, sponsored or affiliated with any movie studios. All copyrights, trademarks, and logos are owned by their respective owners. If you own the rights to any of the images and do not wish them to appear on the site, please contact us and they will promptly be removed.

REFEReNCES

New York City, MoviesV. RhodesHome Alone 2, NostalgiaComment