What all the iconic locations in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' are like in real life

Monica HumphriesNov 24, 2020, 02:39 IST

Some elements of the movie look much different nearly 30 years later.20th Century Fox/Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

I've lived in New York City for over two years, and during that time I've stopped at many of the destinations featured in "Home Alone 2."
While the movie was released in 1992, many of the scenes look similar to New York City today.
Some locations, though, have closed or never existed in the first place.
Here's a look at how the movie holds up to today's reality.
There are some spoilers in this post.

Early every Christmas, I make a cup of hot cocoa and watch one of the "Home Alone" movies.

"Home Alone." 20th Century Fox

"Home Alone 2: Lost In New York" has become a favorite now that I live in the city where the film was shot.

McCallister escapes the bad guys. 20th Century Fox

Over the course of my two years in New York City, I've enjoyed reliving scenes and touring some of the real-life locations from the film.

A trip to Times Square. Monica Humphries/Insider

The opening plot involves McCallister landing in an unfamiliar airport, which turns out to be LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York.

McCallister arrives at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. 20th Century Fox

Let's just say I haven't seen views like that from any airport around New York City.

LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

McCallister then catches a taxi and heads into Manhattan on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.

Kevin McCallister rides a taxi across the bridge. 20th Century Fox

The Queensboro Bridge similarly marks the start or end of any adventure for me as a New Yorker, and it looks like not much has changed.

Cyclists wearing masks ride on the Queensboro Bridge as the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States on May 13, 2020. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Once he makes it into Manhattan, McCallister goes on a grand tour. A couple of quick shots feature him geographically spread across the city. The first destination is Radio City Music Hall.

McCallister at Radio City Music Hall. 20th Century Fox

Once he makes it into Manhattan, McCallister goes on a grand tour. A couple of quick shots feature him geographically spread across the city. The first destination is Radio City Music Hall.

While the exterior of the music hall hasn't changed much from the film, it is missing the hordes of people that usually swarm the destination.

Radio City Music Hall last December. Monica Humphries/Insider

Viewers also spot McCallister in front of Empire Diner, a class, all-American establishment.

McCallister crosses paths with Santa in front of Empire Diner. 20th Century Fox

Today, the diner has a fresh look with a new mural called, "Mount Rushmore of Art."

A picture of Empire Diner after the mural was painted. Tom G./Yelp

After passing the diner, McCallister heads to Chinatown, where he stops at Quong Yuen Shing & Co. Unfortunately, the store closed in 2003.

McCallister leaving Quong Yuen Shing & Co. in "Home Alone 2." 20th Century Fox

Next up, McCallister treks to the bottom of Manhattan and looks through coin-operated binoculars at the Statue of Liberty.

McCallister in The Battery. 20th Century Fox

I have some bad news: the binoculars are no longer there, though The Battery is still the best place in Manhattan to spot Lady Liberty.

No binoculars in sight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Somehow McCallister manages to make his way to the top of one of the Twin Towers.

McCallister at the top of one of the Twin Towers. 20th Century Fox

While you can't head to the same observation deck, the One World Observatory offers a similar birds-eye view of the city.

A month before the One World Observatory temporarily closed due to COVID-19. pio3/Shutterstock

Next up we spot McCallister at the Fulton Fish Market. He just barely misses some familiar faces we haven't seen yet, Harry and Marv.

McCallister at the Fulton Fish Market. 20th Century Fox

Visitors won't find the Fulton Fish Market at the same location anymore. In 2005, the fish market moved to Hunt's Point in the Bronx.

The New Fulton Fish Market. Jim B./Yelp

After walking through the fish market, McCallister makes his way to Central Park. There he sees The Plaza Hotel and has a run-in with the Pigeon Lady.

The Plaza Hotel. 20th Century Fox

While I can't say if the hotel is NYC's most exciting from its exterior, I can say I've admired it from the same location McCallister did in this scene.

A view of the Plaza Hotel. fotog/Getty Images

As McCallister flees from the Pigeon Lady, he runs past a statue of Argentine general José de San Martín, which points him in the direction of the hotel.

The statue from the film. 20th Century Fox

The statue is still up today and can be spotted in Central Park South.

The statue can be spotted in Central Park South. Ira L. Black/Corbis/Getty Images/Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket/Getty Images

McCallister finally makes it inside, where he even has the guts to stage a fake hotel reservation.

McCallister runs into now-President Donald Trump in the movie. 20th Century Fox

While I haven't personally stayed in The Plaza Hotel, present-day images from the inside depict the same luxury that's created in the film.

The Plaza Hotel decorated for Christmas last year. Benno Schwinghammer/picture alliance/Getty Images

While McCallister is enjoying the hotel's pool, Marv is ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park.

Marv and Harry at Wollman Rink. 20th Century Fox

The ice skating rink really hasn't changed since the 1990s.

The Wollman Rink last winter. Monica Humphries/Insider/RBL/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images

McCallister is ready to explore the city again, but this time he hires a limousine to take him to Duncan's Toy Chest.

Duncan's Toy Chest. 20th Century Fox

Duncan's Toy Chest doesn't exist in real life, but it is based on the real toy store, FAO Schwarz.

A worker standing outside of FAO Schwarz in October. Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

McCallister runs into Harry and Marv at the store and quickly darts into Central Park for his getaway.

McCallister stows away in a carriage to escape. 20th Century Fox

Central Park pops up in a few places throughout the movie, and, personally, I think it looks exactly the same.

Central Park is still one of my favorite New York City destinations. Monica Humphries/Insider

No movie set in New York would be complete without a stop at Time Square.

Times Square in "Home Alone 2." 20th Century Fox

The movie depicts Times Square as being fairly spacious and empty, which for the first time in decades, is realistic.

Times Square earlier this month. Noam Galai/Getty Images

One of the final scenes in the city features McCallister admiring the giant Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza.

McCallister in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. 20th Century Fox

Rockefeller Plaza wouldn't be that empty during most holiday seasons, but I felt just as awe-inspired as McCallister did looking up at the giant tree when I visited in 2018.

Rockefeller Plaza in 2018. Monica Humphries/Insider

Rockefeller Plaza wouldn't be that empty during most holiday seasons, but I felt just as awe-inspired as McCallister did looking up at the giant tree when I visited in 2018.

There are plenty of places I cherish in "Home Alone 2," and I'm happy to report that, minus a few closed stores and crowd-less attractions, the movie's depiction of New York City still rings true today.

The Brooklyn Bridge. Monica Humphries/Insider

There are plenty of places I cherish in "Home Alone 2," and I'm happy to report that, minus a few closed stores and crowd-less attractions, the movie's depiction of New York City still rings true today.

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What all the iconic locations in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' are like in real life

Early every Christmas, I make a cup of hot cocoa and watch one of the "Home Alone" movies.

"Home Alone 2: Lost In New York" has become a favorite now that I live in the city where the film was shot.

Over the course of my two years in New York City, I've enjoyed reliving scenes and touring some of the real-life locations from the film.

The opening plot involves McCallister landing in an unfamiliar airport, which turns out to be LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York.

Let's just say I haven't seen views like that from any airport around New York City.

McCallister then catches a taxi and heads into Manhattan on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.

The Queensboro Bridge similarly marks the start or end of any adventure for me as a New Yorker, and it looks like not much has changed.

Once he makes it into Manhattan, McCallister goes on a grand tour. A couple of quick shots feature him geographically spread across the city. The first destination is Radio City Music Hall.

While the exterior of the music hall hasn't changed much from the film, it is missing the hordes of people that usually swarm the destination.

Viewers also spot McCallister in front of Empire Diner, a class, all-American establishment.

Today, the diner has a fresh look with a new mural called, "Mount Rushmore of Art."

After passing the diner, McCallister heads to Chinatown, where he stops at Quong Yuen Shing & Co. Unfortunately, the store closed in 2003.

Next up, McCallister treks to the bottom of Manhattan and looks through coin-operated binoculars at the Statue of Liberty.

I have some bad news: the binoculars are no longer there, though The Battery is still the best place in Manhattan to spot Lady Liberty.

Somehow McCallister manages to make his way to the top of one of the Twin Towers.

While you can't head to the same observation deck, the One World Observatory offers a similar birds-eye view of the city.

Next up we spot McCallister at the Fulton Fish Market. He just barely misses some familiar faces we haven't seen yet, Harry and Marv.

Visitors won't find the Fulton Fish Market at the same location anymore. In 2005, the fish market moved to Hunt's Point in the Bronx.

After walking through the fish market, McCallister makes his way to Central Park. There he sees The Plaza Hotel and has a run-in with the Pigeon Lady.

While I can't say if the hotel is NYC's most exciting from its exterior, I can say I've admired it from the same location McCallister did in this scene.

As McCallister flees from the Pigeon Lady, he runs past a statue of Argentine general José de San Martín, which points him in the direction of the hotel.

The statue is still up today and can be spotted in Central Park South.

McCallister finally makes it inside, where he even has the guts to stage a fake hotel reservation.

While I haven't personally stayed in The Plaza Hotel, present-day images from the inside depict the same luxury that's created in the film.

While McCallister is enjoying the hotel's pool, Marv is ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park.

The ice skating rink really hasn't changed since the 1990s.

McCallister is ready to explore the city again, but this time he hires a limousine to take him to Duncan's Toy Chest.

Duncan's Toy Chest doesn't exist in real life, but it is based on the real toy store, FAO Schwarz.

McCallister runs into Harry and Marv at the store and quickly darts into Central Park for his getaway.

Central Park pops up in a few places throughout the movie, and, personally, I think it looks exactly the same.

No movie set in New York would be complete without a stop at Time Square.

The movie depicts Times Square as being fairly spacious and empty, which for the first time in decades, is realistic.

One of the final scenes in the city features McCallister admiring the giant Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza.

Rockefeller Plaza wouldn't be that empty during most holiday seasons, but I felt just as awe-inspired as McCallister did looking up at the giant tree when I visited in 2018.

There are plenty of places I cherish in "Home Alone 2," and I'm happy to report that, minus a few closed stores and crowd-less attractions, the movie's depiction of New York City still rings true today.