4 Iconic Christmas Movie Landmarks You Can Actually Visit
In December, three things are certain. One: having chocolate from an Advent calendar for breakfast is totally acceptable. Two: Mariah Carey will make a radio comeback. Three: Christmas movies are the only movies.
If, like us, you’re completely Christmas-flick obsessed, why not relive your favourite festive big-screen moments IRL? Here’s where you can find them.
Elf
Set in New York City, the greatest Christmas film in existence (don’t @ me) takes advantage its incredible setting, showcasing some of the city’s greatest attractions, like the Empire State Building, where Buddy’s dad works.
Where: Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York
But the film’s most memorable scene takes place at the Rockefeller Center, where Buddy the Elf sees the biggest Christmas tree he’s ever seen. You can check it out, too: The huge Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is erected in November or early December every year, and stays on display until January.
Where: Rockefeller Centre, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
Love Actually
Another Christmas classic, Love Actually shows nine intertwined stories about one emotion that connects us all: love. Get those tissues ready.
The iconic London-based film begins and ends at Heathrow Airport, somewhere you’ve no doubt flown into if you’ve ever visited London.
Where: Heathrow Airport, Longford
One of the film’s most memorable moments is set in Selfridges, a high-end department store on Oxford Street, London. Here, Alan Rickman’s character attempts to buy a gift he shouldn’t be buying, but is held up by some intense gift wrapping by Mr Bean’s Rowan Atkinson’s Rufus.
Where: Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, Marylebone, London
The Holiday
The Holiday follows the stories of two women who swap homes for the holidays after a couple of nasty break-ups. Cameron Diaz’s character swaps her luxe Los Angeles mansion for Kate Winslet’s character’s humble English cottage.
The quaint cottage isn’t actually real — it’s a set built for the movie. But the town where these scenes are set is real, as is the quaint pub where sparks fly between Diaz’s and Jude Law’s characters.
Where: White Horse Pub, Shere Lane, Shere
Home Alone
It’s not a Christmas movie marathon without ’90s hit Home Alone. In the first film, the home they leave Macaulay Culkin’s character alone in is in Illinois in the United States. You can drive by and check it out yourself — just bear in mind that it’s occupied by private residents, so it’s best to look, not touch.
Where: 671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, Illinois
The sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, is — you guessed it — set in New York. During Kevin McCallister’s stay he visits Rockefeller Center, and books himself a swanky suite at the iconic Plaza Hotel.
Where: Plaza Hotel, 768 5th Avenue, New York.
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by visiting all these locations before the new year.
(Lead image: New Line Cinemas)
