Lost in New York: Embarking on a Journey Along the Route from a Beloved Movie

Taking a stroll through the streets of New York is always a great idea for those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a bustling metropolis and feel its mood. Especially if you embark on the journey in winter. In the evening, when the city is enveloped in twilight, it magically lights up with a magical glow and attracts mesmerized tourists.

During winter, the city is filled with a special enchantment: everything shimmers, sparkles and glimmers. And the famous Broadway is illuminated so brightly that the residents and guests of the city have even nicknamed it the “Great White Way.”

Winter in New York has often played the role of the “main character” in many familiar movies, one of which is the famous film “Home Alone.” So why not venture into this metropolis and take a walk through the places where Kevin’s funny adventures took place? The famous Plaza Hotel, Central Park, the ice rink and the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center are places that always await those who are ready for real adventures.

The Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel is a five-star hotel and one of the oldest and most recognizable hotels in New York. It is located in the heart of the city, just a stone’s throw away from Central Park. Opened in October 1905, the hotel has gathered many interesting facts over the years. For example, in 1908, an unusual guest checked into the hotel. Hungarian Princess Elisabeth Vilma Lwoff-Parlagi wanted to stay at the hotel with her pets, which included dogs, cats, an owl, a guinea pig, two alligators and a small bear. By the way, the hotel gladly agreed to accommodate the guest and her unusual friends. The princess rented a total of 14 rooms and lived there for five years.

Today, fans of the movie about Kevin getting lost in the city can stay in a room called “Live like Kevin.” Here everything is provided for a complete immersion into the atmosphere of the film: a room that replicates the one from the movie exactly and a giant ice cream that will be brought to you by a butler. Additionally, you can book a limousine tour following Kevin’s route, including a visit to the Empire State Building and ice skating at Wollman Rink.

Gapstow Bridge

The bridge on which the main character of the movie met a woman with pigeons is located in the southeastern part of Central Park. From this bridge one can enjoy one of the best views of New York. It is the most recognizable bridge not only in New York but in the whole of America. It attracts a huge number of guests and tourists and is a popular place for proposals and wedding celebrations.

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

This famous fountain is located on the shore of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the largest lake in Central Park. It is here that Kevin, lost in New York, escaped from criminals and hid in a horse-drawn carriage.

Bethesda Fountain gets its name from the Jerusalem pool. The female figure with wings at the top of the fountain makes the water pure and healing, just like in the biblical story. This comparison didn’t come about by chance. During the years when the Croton Aqueduct existed, the fountain was supplied with its fresh water and the sculptor Emma Stebbins decided to draw a parallel between the healing water from the pool and the water from the largest aqueduct in New York.

There are also two famous terraces located here, from which there is a breathtaking view of the square with the fountain, the lake and Belvedere Castle.

Wollman Rink in Central Park

Wollman Rink is one of the most famous ice rinks in the world and the largest ice rink in Central Park. It was here that criminals were skating, planning to rob Duncan’s toy store. The opening of Wollman Rink marked a new chapter in the development of ice sports in the city, as it was no longer dependent on the weather conditions. From the very beginning, this rink, which offered a view of Manhattan, became popular, and within the first year of operation over 300,000 skaters took to its ice.

Carnegie Hall

It’s hard to believe, but the lady with doves hid from people under the roof of the famous Carnegie Hall.

Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious concert venues in the world. From its stage the world first heard dozens of famous works. And at the opening of Carnegie Hall, which took place in 1891, it was conducted by the New York Symphony Orchestra under the baton of P.I. Tchaikovsky.

Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is the most famous holiday tree in the world. It was first decorated in 1931 next to the office center named after one of the Rockefellers. Every year the lighting ceremony of the tree’s lights symbolizes the beginning of preparations for Christmas and New Year. And it was near this tree that the touching meeting between Kevin and his mother took place. The tree is adorned with 30,000 LEDs and a three-meter star, and it truly serves as the center of attraction for residents and guests of the city.

If your trip to America is not limited to New York, be sure to visit the McCallister House in Chicago. It is one of the most interesting attractions in the city where all the events of the famous movie took place.

The house was built in the 1920s. It belonged to several owners until one day a director of the famous film knocked on its door with an offer to rent the house for filming. This is what brought the house unprecedented fame. Tourists cannot enter the house, but anyone is welcome to take a walk nearby and admire its magnificence!

New York is a city that never sleeps and is always ready to welcome visitors. Visiting here during the Christmas holidays, or simply in winter, is a great opportunity! Few people will remain indifferent to such splendor. And if you manage to make a wish at the main tree at Rockefeller Center, be sure it will come true!

Tips for trip preparation

It is believed that coming to New York for 2-3 days is not worth it. It is worth staying there for at least a week – that way you have the opportunity to better get to know the city and feel its spirit. The most important thing is to know all the main nuances before the trip:

New York is rightfully considered one of the most expensive cities in the world. Hundreds of billions dollars circulate there and the largest financial institutions are located, including the Federal Reserve Bank and the New York Stock Exchange. Therefore, it is better to carefully plan your budget in advance and anticipate all possible unforeseen expenses.
In New York you will have to do a lot of walking, so it is worth thinking about comfortable shoes and clothing.
The weather in New York often changes throughout the day, so it is better to check the forecast in advance and dress accordingly.
There are small information kiosks near almost every attraction in New York, where you can take a city map, a Central Park map or find out the route of a tourist bus completely free of charge. You can also book a city tour there.
If you plan to stay in New York for more than 4 days, it is better to purchase an unlimited subway card. It will help you save significantly on trips and make them faster and more convenient.

Travel Planning

New York City is one of those cities that is on the list of almost every traveler. It’s a metropolis that combines countless restaurants, museums, shopping centers, boutiques and hotels. It’s unlikely that you will be able to see all of New York City, even if you live there for a whole year. But it’s definitely worth going there for a few days to get an idea of the city and its people, as well as to see the main attractions.

Getting from Dubai to New York City is not difficult: regular Emirates flights will easily take you to the capital of skyscrapers. But if you want to see the city in its winter charm, it’s better to book your flight now.

The situation with hotels is even simpler – there are more than enough of them in New York City. But if you want to stay in the area of the main attractions of the city or live in rooms from famous movies, it’s better to make a reservation in advance.

And, of course, it’s already time to apply for a US visa. In the winter months the demand for visa increases and at some point visa centers can be overloaded. To avoid waiting for a visa for too long, it’s worth submitting an application in advance.

Making a wish at the Rockfeller Center Christmas Tree is still possible: the specialists at The Visa Services will help you with a quick visa application process and take care of all the unnecessary hassle.

And your main task is to plan an exciting itinerary and anticipate the most unforgettable trip this winter!