Photos show what the iconic locations in 'Elf' look life in real life

Joey HaddenNov 28, 2020, 18:54 IST

Some New York City hot spots in "Elf" look the same in real life, while others are stripped of holiday decor.New Line Cinema; Joey Hadden/Insider

I've lived in New York City for over a year, and I've been to many of the spots where the movie "Elf" was filmed.
Most of the locations shown in the 2003 film look the same today, like the Empire State Building and Central Park.
Gimbels, where Buddy (the elf the movie is about) works, used to be a real department store in NYC, but it closed in the '80s; the Textile Building was used as the exterior of Gimbels in the movie instead.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for the movie "Elf."

Every December, my brother and I watch "Elf" together. Then, we spend the whole year referencing its many hilarious bits to one another whenever they are relevant.

Now that I live in New York City, where my favorite holiday movie was filmed, I've passed through many of the film's iconic locations from Rockefeller Center to Central Park.

But while you can visit some of the sites from the movie, I've found that they don't all look like they do in the film.

"Elf" is my all-time favorite Christmas movie.

Buddy is a human who grows up among elves in Santa's Workshop. New Line Cinema

I live in New York City, and I've been to the film's many iconic locations.

Visiting my favorite places in New York City looks a little different in 2020. Joey Hadden/Insider

Iconic spots and unforgettable moments in the film were shot in the middle of Manhattan, from the Flatiron Building to Central Park.

Six locations in NYC where "Elf" scenes were filmed. Google Maps

When Buddy gets to New York, he finds his father at the Empire State Building.

Inside the lobby of the Empire State Building in "Elf." New Line Cinema

The real-life lobby is pretty much identical, except there aren't always Christmas trees inside.

The Empire State lobby is pictured in 2004, a year after the film's release. Michel Porro/Getty Images

Just a couple blocks away from the Empire State Building is the building that was used as the exterior of Gimbels.

Gimbels is where Buddy meets Jovie. New Line Cinema

In real life, the Textile Building is stripped of the Gimbels logo and holiday decor.

The Textile Building is on 5th Avenue. Joey Hadden/Insider

It takes about seven minutes to walk from the Textile Building to the subway entrance where Buddy ate stale globs of gum he picked from beneath the railing.

Buddy eats used gum off of a subway entrance railing. New Line Cinema

In real life, it's the uptown and Queens entrance to the East 23rd Street subway station next to Broadway, and it looks just like it does in the film, minus the gum. Yes, I checked.

The subway entrance is near the Flatiron building. Joey Hadden/Insider

In real life, it's the uptown and Queens entrance to the East 23rd Street subway station next to Broadway, and it looks just like it does in the film, minus the gum. Yes, I checked.

About three miles north of the subway entrance, you'll find the building where Buddy's family lives: 55 Central Park West.

55 Central Park West has an Art Deco style. New Line Cinema

Unlike Gimbels, this building looks just like it does in the film in real life.

As its name suggests, the apartment building is across the street from Central Park. Joey Hadden/Insider

Central Park is across the street from the apartment building. The park is massive, but the bridge featured in the scene of the snowball fight is very close by.

Michael and Buddy prepare for a snowball fight in Central Park. New Line Cinema

Aside from the snow, this area looks the same as it does in the film.

The Pine Bank Bridge as seen in November 2020. Joey Hadden/Insider

A couple miles south of Central Park West, Rockefeller Center's skating rink is where Buddy and his love interest Jovie kiss for the first time.

Buddy and Jovie just before they share a kiss on the rink. New Line Cinema

The scene looked similar in 2019 around Christmastime, but the rink appeared less crowded in the movie.

The rink at Rockefeller Center was crowded in December 2019. Joey Hadden/Insider

Aside from the crowds and CGI additions, all the iconic locations from the 2003 film hold up in modern-day New York City.

I visited Central Park in early 2020. Joey Hadden/Insider

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Photos show what the iconic locations in 'Elf' look life in real life

"Elf" is my all-time favorite Christmas movie.

I live in New York City, and I've been to the film's many iconic locations.

Iconic spots and unforgettable moments in the film were shot in the middle of Manhattan, from the Flatiron Building to Central Park.

When Buddy gets to New York, he finds his father at the Empire State Building.

The real-life lobby is pretty much identical, except there aren't always Christmas trees inside.

Just a couple blocks away from the Empire State Building is the building that was used as the exterior of Gimbels.

In real life, the Textile Building is stripped of the Gimbels logo and holiday decor.

It takes about seven minutes to walk from the Textile Building to the subway entrance where Buddy ate stale globs of gum he picked from beneath the railing.

In real life, it's the uptown and Queens entrance to the East 23rd Street subway station next to Broadway, and it looks just like it does in the film, minus the gum. Yes, I checked.

About three miles north of the subway entrance, you'll find the building where Buddy's family lives: 55 Central Park West.

Unlike Gimbels, this building looks just like it does in the film in real life.

Central Park is across the street from the apartment building. The park is massive, but the bridge featured in the scene of the snowball fight is very close by.

Aside from the snow, this area looks the same as it does in the film.

A couple miles south of Central Park West, Rockefeller Center's skating rink is where Buddy and his love interest Jovie kiss for the first time.

The scene looked similar in 2019 around Christmastime, but the rink appeared less crowded in the movie.

Aside from the crowds and CGI additions, all the iconic locations from the 2003 film hold up in modern-day New York City.