Godfather Movie Locations New York Tour with Private Guide

Discover the timeless allure of Radio City Music Hall, located at 1260 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan. This iconic venue, renowned for its red-and-blue neon signage and Art Deco architecture, has graced numerous films, including classics like Annie, Rosemary’s Baby, and Rocky III. Despite playing a minor role in The Godfather, Radio City Music Hall stands out with its unchanged appearance since the 1970s and even the 1940s, the era in which the movie is set. In a memorable scene, Michael and Kay Corleone exit the music hall after attending a screening of The Bells of St. Mary’s, a delightful musical comedy-drama from 1945 starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Immerse yourself in the movie's authentic atmosphere as you explore this historic New York City gem.

Explore the timeless elegance of the St. Regis Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, a mere half-mile northeast of Radio City Music Hall. This 18-story Beaux-Arts masterpiece, erected by business magnate John Jacob Astor IV, stands as one of the city's earliest skyscrapers, offering luxurious accommodations since its grand opening in 1904. The St. Regis plays a prominent role in The Godfather, with various scenes capturing its opulence. Witness Michael and Kay's arrival for an overnight stay in an exterior shot, experience the on-site barbershop where hitman Willie Cicci undergoes a quick shave before embarking on a manhunt, and brace yourself for a suspenseful murder in an elevator—a stark contrast to the movie's symbolic christening scene.

In the riveting narrative of The Godfather, this locale serves as the backdrop for pivotal business meetings, including the fateful encounter where Don Vito Corleone rebuffs Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo's proposal and becomes the target of a ruthless assassination orchestrated by hitmen from the Tattaglia family, unfolding across the street at the fruit stand located at 137 Mott Street. Today, this enduring fruit stand echoes the bygone era, preserving the essence of Little Italy and Chinatown's intertwined history. Witness the city's transformation while tracing the cinematic footsteps that forever etched this location into the annals of movie history.

Step into the historical tapestry of Brooklyn Heights as you discover the storied Hotel St. George, an architectural gem built in 1885 by Captain William Turnbridge. This ten-story landmark once reigned as the city's largest hotel, boasting over 2,600 guest rooms, 17 ballrooms, and a cutting-edge saltwater swimming pool. Immerse yourself in the legacy of "The Godfather" as you traverse the corridors that witnessed a pivotal meeting at the hotel bar between Luca Brasi, Vito Corleone's indomitable enforcer, and Sollozzo—a clandestine encounter that culminated in Brasi's tragic demise.

Venture into the heart of Nolita, where the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral stands. Nestled at 264 Mulberry Street, this Gothic-Revival cathedral, erected between 1809 and 1815, beckons you into its sacred halls. While its Midtown counterpart may bask in the tourist limelight, this hidden gem in Lower Manhattan unfolds the pages of the Archdiocese of New York's legacy. Transport yourself to the epoch of The Godfather as you behold the grandeur of the Basilica's towering stained-glass windows and majestic stone pillars. It was within these hallowed walls that the christening of Michael and Kay's firstborn, Anthony, unfolded.

Journey into the solemn embrace of Calvary Cemetery, a 365-acre expanse that stretches across the landscapes of Maspeth and Woodside in Queens. As you tread the grounds of this sacred burial site, you'll immerse yourself in a narrative that transcends fiction—a narrative interwoven with the final chapters of illustrious lives, including performers, politicians, and real-life figures from organized crime, such as Vito Bonventre and Stefano Ferrigno. This cemetery, with its nearly 175-year history, bears witness to over 1.75 million internments, creating a tapestry of memories that unfold with each step. Spoiler alert: Recall one of the movie's most poignant scenes, as a procession of vehicles pays homage during Don Corleone's funeral.