New York City Attractions: "I Saw it in a Movie"

It was the summer of 1995, and my friends and I were set to fly out of the country for a college trip to South America. It was a first plane ride for many of us, a first international adventure for most of us. But what were we most excited about? The stamp in our passports. And not for the grown-up, ambitious reasons you would imagine, such as how good it might look on a resume. It was because in the romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping, Sandra Bullock's character had told us we should desire a stamp in our passports. It meant something to her, it meant something to the film, and it therefore meant something to us.

Movies inspire us. To live better, to find love, to choose friends over ambition, to laugh at ourselves, and above all - to get out there and experience life. Here are some places you may have seen in some of my favorite New York films. Are they really there? Can I see them? What will it cost? And is the entire tourist population of New York going to be there as well? These are just some of the questions to which I wanted to find the answers - and did.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

A classic New York city film, Breakfast at Tiffany's stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a young woman hoping to get out of New York City what most people go there for - adventure, happiness, and success.

1. Tiffany & Co. is the high-class jewelry store that sets the scene for Holly's child-like belief that, "Nothing bad could happen to you there."

Is it real? Most people know the answer to this is, yes. The little blue boxes that contain Tiffany's jewelry are practically an American icon. The store is located at 727 Fifth Avenue. You can't actually eat breakfast there - except in the way that Holly does of course - outside on the sidewalk, looking in.

Should I go? At least to window shop! As shown in the movie, there are very few items in the price range of most souvenier shoppers. But, by all means take your fiance. Then you can hope to reenact the scene in Tiffany & Co. from Sweet Home Alabama. In this movie, Patrick Dempsey's character can afford a bit more than the engraving on a ring from a box of Cracker Jacks. After proposing to Reese Witherspoon's character, Dempsey gallantly offers, "Pick one." Let's all have a collective sigh and, ah - where can I get one of those?

Serendipity

2. Trump Wollman Ice Rink in Central Park where John Cusack's character manages a few more borrowed hours with Kate Beckinsale's Sara.

Is it real? You know it. Unfortunately you can no longer skate there year-round as in the past when it was transformed into a rink for rollerskating through the summer months. Currently the rink holds a miniature amusement park, Victorian Gardens, through the months of April to October.

Should I go? Central Park is a must-see New York City landmark no matter who you are, including the rink. The admission is reasonable, but of course, prepare for crowds.

3. Serendipity, Not just the name of the film, but also a restaurant that serves "the ultimate mixed drink" - chocolate, ice cream, and coffee.

Is it real? Serendipity 3 is both a "general store" with sweets and gifts and an up-scale ice cream parlour, famous for its wonderfully large desserts. It is located at 225 E. 60th St., not far from Bloomingdales where the couple in the movie first meet.

Should I go? Go before lunch on a weekday or make a reservation - but either way, prepare to share the experience with a crowd of romantic comedy fans - and probably their spouses, children, grandmothers, and closest BFFs. Serendipity is also featured in one of my favorite New York City romantic comedies:

One Fine Day

Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney woo me in less than 24 hours in this film also set in New York City. In one scene, Michelle Pfeiffer's character shares three large Serendipity desserts with the two children in the film.

4. Circle Line Tours plays a huge roll in the plot of the film as Pfeiffer's character's son misses his field trip on one of Circle Line's touring boats and ends up adding to the chaos of this very dramatic day.

Is it real? The Circle Line travels the Hudson River in 75-minute to 2-hour tours past some of New York's favorite landmarks, including Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Should I go? You can even take a 2-hour sunset tour on the Circle Line. The view of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty is close-up, and who wouldn't want to be on a large boat on the Hudson and East Rivers, especially in the middle of a sticky New York City summer?

When Harry Met Sally

As we all know, Harry bumped into Sally at several memorable sites in New York. Nora Ephron is famous for tucking her favorite NY places into her films.

5. The Met Of course it's real, and of course you should go. Located at 1000 Fifth Avenue, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a national landmark and unequaled collection of the best and brightest art and cultural pieces in the history of the world. Admission is on the basis of a suggested donation. Any donation at all will grant you access to the exhibits. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday as well as on Met Holiday Mondays. Consider the Museum Highlights Tour - or better yet, come back for a second day.

6. Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore This small bookshop serves as yet another happenstance meeting for Harry and Sally.

Is it real? Trick question. It used to be, but was eventually closed down largely owing to the building of a nearby Barnes and Noble. Disgruntled Nora sought her revenge in another film in which she glorifies the terrible tale of a fictional big bad chain store huffing and puffing its way directly over small, delightfully independent book shops everywhere. For book shopping, see one of the 60-plus Barnes and Noble stores within a 50 mile radius. For more Nora Ephron ideas, see below.

You've Got Mail

To soothe your feelings over the loss of Shakespeare and Co., try one of these quiet New York City settings as featured in the reluctant romance between Tom Hanks's character and Meg Ryan's in You've Got Mail.

7. Cafe Lalo is the setting for the couple's first face to face meeting . . . sort of. It's the first time Joe Fox realizes that Kathleen Kelly is his internet romance. Kathleen remains heartbrokenly unaware.

Is it real? Completely, and located at 201 West 83rd between Broadway and Amsterdam.

Should I go? Soothing jazz and classical music, brunch of freshly-made breads, muffins, and croissants, and evening fare including drinks, cheese platters, and desserts. Why wouldn't you go? Just the refuge you need from the big bad chain stores selling books like 10-gallon cans of olive oil. (Give Joe Fox a break, though, he "was eloquent!")

8. 91st Street Garden The scene of their beautiful finale. "I hoped it would be you," and please tell me it's real!

Is it real? One of the only privately maintained gardens in Riverside Park. You'll find it, quite obviously, on 91st by the Hudson river.

Should I go? Is this question still necessary? It won't be the largest garden or most memorable part of Riverside Park, nor in any way your favorite attraction in New York City, but come on. It's the finale, and it's delightful.

Kathleen and Joe also enjoy a hot dog from our next attraction delightfully featured in:

Fools Rush In

When Chandler, I mean, Matthew Perry's character, tries to convince his new Las Vegas bride that New York is wonderful, he describes his favorite New York City hot dog - and apparently all of America's, as according to the sign outside, "Nobody, but nobody, serves a better frankfurter."

9. Gray's Papaya I have always proudly declared that I could eat a hot dog while someone stood nearby describing how it had been made. I no longer say it proudly, but I have always wanted to try a Gray's Papaya ever since Perry's character in Fools Rush In suggested it and a brief visit there by the characters in You've Got Mail officially sealed my desire.

Is it real? See direct quote from its sign above. It's real and it's cheap. I've heard the hot dogs are two for a dollar and smothered in goodness, but Wikipedia tells me the price has inflated a bit. A dollar-twenty-five isn't too bad either though considering the price of a whopper these days. There are three locations, including one at 72nd and Broadway.

Should I go? Are you kidding? I hear the owner likes to share his political beliefs on signs in and around the restaurant, and I have of course heard the description of hot dog making more times than I care to remember; but frankly, the first time I try one of these babies, I will know that I have lived.

Big

Not strictly a romantic comedy in my mind, the Tom Hanks movie by this title is really only on the list because I felt it was time for some big, impressive, plain old fun.

10. F.A.O. Schwarz The giant toy store featured in the film and the setting for the scene with the giant floor piano on which Hanks and costar Robert Loggia play chopsticks with their feet.

Is it real? Two stories of toys, toys, toys, located on 767 Fifth Avenue.

Should I go? Three words. Giant floor piano. And, yes, the rest of the New York City tourists will be there.

If you try to visit all of these sites in anywhere near this order in anywhere close to one day, I don't want your hate mail later. But what are the odds that you love all the same movies and places I do anyway? The point is, writers and directors put these places in the movies because they mean something to them, and they are often worth discovering for yourself. Having a travel agent design a group trip for you could help you organize the places you want to visit. Central Park actually has its own Movie Walking Tour with over 40 locations, including some of the sites in this list.

However you do it, as I say in my profile, and as I think the movies would agree: Life is beautiful. Get out there and live it.