A Single Picture Of Every Stop Along New York City’s Longest Subway Line
Last week, in the midst of packing for a pretty big move, I decided to take a break and do […]
Five Amazing Locations That Prove Why Staten Island Is New York’s Most Versatile Borough For Filming
There’s a saying when it comes to location scouting in New York City: if you can’t find it anywhere, try
A 19th Century Stable Hidden in the Heart of Midtown Manhattan
Some time ago, I was walking down West 55th Street in midtown when I happened to notice a peculiar building
This Mysterious Building on West 31st Is The Last Remnant Of Old Penn Station
This past week, I was heading to a show at Madison Square Garden when I happened to notice a building
The Best Construction Fence Ever In New York City
For the past week, I’ve been scouting dozens of construction sites around Brooklyn and Queens, which means I’ve been running
This Is What The Top Of New York Looks Like
In case you’ve ever wondered what the top of New York looks like, here it is! Last weekend, some friends
A 1920s Hotel Lobby Hidden In An Upper West Side Apartment Building
Some time ago, I was scouting Upper West Side lobbies when I came to the apartment building at 253 W
A Peek Inside The World’s Largest Armory
There is nothing more seemingly antithetical to New York than its armories. In a city where every building strains toward
Drying Your Clothes The Old (Old!) Fashioned Way on the Upper West Side
This past weekend, I was scouting one of those gargantuan pre-war beauties along Riverside Drive. While in the basement, I
Visiting A Bit Of The Continental USA You Can Only Get To By Going Through Canada
This past weekend, my wife and I headed up north to visit her family, who live way (way!) upstate. As
The Strange Little Building Next To The Empire State Building
Last week, I was scouting around midtown when I happened to notice the building at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue…
The Sightseer’s Guide to Being Stuck in Traffic on I-87
Over the past week, I’ve been taking I-87 North to scout in Rockland County… …which means I’ve spent about an
The Ramones Guide To New York City
Walk down East 2nd Street off of Bowery, and you’ll pass by Albert’s Garden, a small community garden midway up
They Don’t Build ‘Em Like They Used To: A Public School Art Deco Gem in Valley Stream
A while back, I was driving around southern Long Island when I happened to pass by Valley Stream High School.
Scouting The Gates of Hell: A Visit To The Abandoned Glenwood Power Plant
For years, I’ve been interested in scouting the Gates of Hell. Which, oddly enough, happens to be in Yonkers. Located
Where To Find The Best Water on the Planet (Hint: Brooklyn)
Hi folks – really exciting announcement today. Over the years, I’ve been approached by numerous NYC-based start-ups looking for a
Why Director Randall Miller’s Statement on Sarah Jones’ Death Is Absolutely Grotesque
Last February, camera assistant Sarah Jones was tragically hit by a train and killed while working on the set of
The Filming Locations of The Naked City – Part 3: The Upper West Side and Upper East Side
This week, Scouting NY is taking a frame-by-frame, then-and-now look at The Naked City. Shot on location in 1948, The
The Filming Locations of The Naked City – Part 2: Times Square, Chelsea, Soho and Wall Street
This week, Scouting NY is taking a frame-by-frame, then-and-now look at The Naked City. Shot on location in 1948, The
The Filming Locations of The Naked City – Part 1: The Lower East Side & Williamsburg Bridge
The Naked City, a 1948 film noir from producer Mark Hellinger, was filmed in New York City at a time
The Angels by the Brooklyn Bridge
One of my favorite things to stumble across are bits of architectural ornamentation that are nearly invisible from the street.
Why You Should Never, Ever Go To New York City’s Hudson University
When you first enter Hudson University’s idyllic campus, you’d never know you’re in one of the deadliest and most dangerous
Scars In Limestone: Finding Traces of the 1920 Wall Street Bombing
As I was scouting around Wall Street this past weekend, I noticed a number of tourists taking pictures of the
Can You Identify These Mystery New York City Locations?
Hey folks – For a week now, I’ve been working on my latest then-and-now movie locations installment, and this handful
There’s A Private Island Home Off The Coast of New York City
A few months ago, I had to charter a boat to take scout pictures of Davids Island, located in Long
The Top 25 Bad Smells That Remind You You’re In New York City
This past December, as I was driving over the Triboro Bridge toward Brooklyn, I was suddenly hit with that old
New York City’s Prettiest Subway Station Is In The Bronx
One of the things I love most about New York City’s prettiest subway station is the way it unexpectedly appears
There’s A 200-Year-Old Haunted Well In This Soho Clothing Store
Last month, COS (H&M’s sister brand) opened a store at 129 Spring Street in Soho, and it’s definitely worth checking
Is This The Most Beautiful Elevator In New York?
A few days ago, I was in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment building waiting to speak with the doorman
Scouting The Ruins of Jay Gould’s Indoor Pool
Whenever I go up to scout Lyndhurst Castle, railroad tycoon Jay Gould’s former estate on the Hudson River… …I’ve always
The NYC Filming Locations of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (The Good One)
Before you cast a disparaging eye on the movie I’ve chosen for this week’s then-and-now look, I’d like to tell
Can You Help Scout Find This Chinatown Brothel?
So I know this an unusual request, but I’m wondering if anyone can help me track down a Chinatown brothel.
Is This The Weirdest Car In New York City?
OK, so that time machine I spotted in the Bronx was definitely one of the weirdest cars I’ve ever come
Enjoy A Post-Thanksgiving Meal At The Polish Tea Room Before It Disappears Forever
Last year, I wrote about one of my favorite Times Square eateries, the Cafe Edison, affectionately known to longtime patrons
How To Erase A 75-Year-Old Drug Store From Existence
Got some bad news. Last year I wrote about Mishkin’s, a classic New York City drug store at 145th Street
Rattlesnakes and Buffalo on the Upper West Side: A Southwestern Art Deco Masterpiece
Last week, I was taking pictures of the bridge over 96th Street on Riverside Drive… …when a detail caught my
Queens House Attempts To Be Made Of Every Type of Building Material Known To Man
I noticed the side of this house while scouting a neighborhood in Queens and was quite impressed. I see shingles,
A Mental Asylum Cemetery Hidden In The Woods
On Call Hollow Road, in the Pomona/Stony Point area about 25 miles north of the city, there is a trail
An Abandoned Outhouse Less Than 20 Miles From NYC
This week, I’ve been scouting for abandoned houses in the woods, and happened to come across this beauty about 20
Happy Halloween, New York City (EC Comics Style)
I figured today was the perfect day to post one of my all-time favorite EC Comics covers from the 1950s,
Century-Old Steampunk Hiding In A Hospital Basement
Last week, I was scouting a hospital basement for interesting spaces when I happened to notice something lurking in one
The Most Famous Sitcom Residences In New York City
Did you know Lucy and Desi lived on the Upper East Side? I had no idea, but apparently, their apartment
Retracing Ichabod Crane’s Journey Through Sleepy Hollow
Last week, I was heading home from a day of scouting in Westchester when I found myself passing through Sleepy
Visit The Abandoned Ellis Island Hospital While You Can!
One of my all-time, hands-down, most favorite places to explore in New York City is the abandoned hospital complex on
The Largest Pizzeria In The United States Is In A 19th Century Times Square Church
When you first come to Eighth Avenue between 43rd & 44th, it appears to be nothing more than a strip
Tour The Incredible Valencia Movie Palace This Saturday!!
Just received word that the Tabernacle of Prayer church will be offering a rare tour of the unbelievable Valencia movie
How To Cover Up A 100-Year-Old Brooklyn Landmark
I’ve been spending some time in downtown Brooklyn recently, and as I was walking down Fulton Street last week, I
A 19th Century Ghost Town In Brooklyn
Last week, I was scouting downtown Brooklyn for apartments when I happened to turn onto Duffield Street and come across
Is Duane Reade New York’s Most Expensive Drugstore?
It’s time to have a little talk about Duane Reade. For the longest time, something has been nagging me about
What Will Happen To Times Sq’s Historic Embassy Theater?
Last year, I wrote a post encouraging everyone to visit the Times Square Visitor Center, regardless of whether you were
In Search of Manhattan’s Last Remaining Skybridges
Last week, I was driving down West 24th Street when I noticed something… They’re tearing down the West 24th Street
Will This 200-Year-Old Farmhouse Be Torn Down For Condos?
I’ll never forget the day I first spotted the 19th century West Village farmhouse that shouldn’t exist. I was driving
The Fanciest Mouse Hole In New York City
I was walking up Wythe Ave in Williamsburg last week when something caught my eye… Wait for it… Getting closer…
The Hidden Courtyard At The Plaza Hotel
A few months ago, I was scouting some apartments in the Plaza Hotel when my guide asked if I wanted
So This Is The Largest Boulder On Long Island
Yesterday, I was driving along Shelter Rock Road in Long Island on my way back to the city… And as
How To Visit New York’s Nuclear Lake (Yes, This Exists)
A few weeks ago, I was using Google Maps to search for lakes north of the city. Most seemed to
The White Castle Regional Office Looks Like A White Castle
In case you’ve ever wondered what the regional office of White Castle looks like… …it looks like a White Castle.
The Giant Tetris Game On Third Avenue
Last week, I was walking up Third Avenue near 22nd Street when I noticed something I don’t think I’ve ever
Inside the Paramount Theatre, Shuttered For Over 25 Years
Whenever I drive down Bay Street in Staten Island… …I always wonder about the boarded-up movie theater between Union and
There’s A Gold-Dispensing ATM on West 57th Street
A few days ago, I was scouting for office space around West 57th Street when I happened to walk by
Your Summer Roadtrip: Wine Tasting in the Hudson Valley
Looking to do a day trip out of the city this summer, but not sure where to go? I’m not
Searching For An Underground River in Morningside Heights
About a year ago, I got a letter from a reader about an underground river hidden somewhere in Morningside Heights:
The Mystery of the Hell’s Kitchen Ghost Sign
For the longest time, I’ve wondered about a mysterious ghost sign at the corner of 51st & Ninth Avenue in
101 Things To Love About NYC (in 1976)
While researching my recent article on Dead Horse Bay, I happened to come across a NY Times article on 101
Is Mad Max Driving A Limo In New York?
Last week, I was driving down Division Place in Greenpoint when I noticed something at the corner of Porter Avenue…
In Search Of The Highest Natural Points in New York City
One of my long-term life goals is to climb to the highest point in each state (only 48 left to
How To Visit A New England Fishing Village In The Bronx
There is a magic road in The Bronx. At first, it seems like just an ordinary road through the woodsy
The Last Two L-Shaped Streets in Manhattan
When driving in Manhattan, I love taking a random turn and finding myself on a curved street. While commonplace pretty
New York’s Dancing Traffic Cop
Last week, I was walking by 57th & 2nd Avenue when I noticed a bunch of people filming a traffic
The Weirdest Beach in New York City
The path to New York City’s weirdest beach is actually quite pleasant. After walking some distance along the quiet trail,
A Trip To Execution Rocks: New York’s Most Unusual B&B
Over the past week, I’ve been scouting for islands around New York City, easily one of the more fun scouting
The Predator on East 7th Street
A while ago, I was walking down East 7th Street in the East Village when I suddenly got the feeling
Scouting The Apocalypse: “Twelve Monkeys” Filming Locations, Then and Now
I happened to read that disease-themed movies like Outbreak and Contagion are soaring in streaming viewership, which, honestly, strikes me
Philly, You’ve Changed: The “Rocky” Filming Locations, 1976 and Today
Rocky is so damn big of a movie, its title doesn’t even fit in one frame. For THE film that
Philly, You’ve Changed: The Sixth Sense Filming Locations, Then and Now
In the past few weeks, we’ve had a non-stop surge of shitty surprises, to the point that it’s as though
Exploring the Secrets of the Astral Apartments
A year ago, I heard that plans were in the works to remake Rosemary’s Baby, and my reaction was exactly
The Incredible Secret of the Pool at the Hotel St. George
On Monday, I wrote an article about the Hotel St. George’s former pool and my attempts to find any hidden
Searching for the Lost Pool at the Hotel St. George
A few months ago, I was researching Brooklyn’s Hotel St. George for my article on The Godfather’s shooting locations… …and
The 5 Locations Low-Budget Films Should Avoid In New York
Every week, I receive numerous requests from no/low budget filmmakers in search of New York City locations for cheap. Some
Scouting Long Island’s Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant
Driving on Route-25a through East Shoreham, you’d never guess there was anything unusual about the gated road heading off toward
In Memory of Egon Spengler
As a child, Egon Spengler was my hero. It’s funny to think that in a decade populated by such brawny
The Weirdest Building In Midtown
Last week, I was trudging through a very slushy midtown when I happened to turn onto 47th Street… …and walk
The Last Five Stand-Alone Diners in Manhattan
Last week, I was walking around the Financial District when I found myself staring at the little diner on Pearl
Why Can’t All Elevator Lighting Fixtures Look This Nice?
I had to scout an office space in the Chrysler Building the other day. As I was riding the elevator,
A Visit To The Daily Planet
A few weeks ago, I was scouting office spaces during a particularly ugly snowstorm, and found myself heading to an
The New York Filming Locations of The Godfather, Then and Now
On March 29, 1971, The Godfather, considered by many to be one of the greatest films ever made, began principal
The Prettiest Building In Times Square Has Been Saved
Last year in September, I wrote an open letter to the new owners of the property at 1552 Broadway in
What’s Wrong With These Bronx Townhouses?
One of the worst kept secrets in New York is the phony townhouse at 58 Joralemon Street. Once an actual
A Very Unusual Marriage Proposal in Queens
For the past week, I’ve been searching meticulously through Google Maps satellite view for a particular style of rooftop, and
There’s Something Wrong With This Staten Island Church
Last weekend, I was scouting some locations on Staten Island, and the last on my list was this church at
Hogwarts In Manhattan: The 1,000 Gargoyles & Grotesques of City College
Last week, I took a trip up to 138th Street and Amsterdam to scout a location I’ve been meaning to
This Fish Factory Sign Looks Familiar…
OK, is it just me, or does this sign for Marshall’s Greenpoint Fish Factory… …look a hell of a lot
Dancing Dan’s Christmas
This is a very sweet little New York City Christmas crime story by Damon Runyon (best known for Guys and
NYC Holiday Shopping Suggestion: Fantasma Magic
This year’s holiday shopping suggestion is one of my favorite stores in New York, and I highly recommend a visit
There’s A Subway Car Inside This Manhattan Office
Last week, I was scouting some studio spaces in a Chelsea office building when I happened to notice a vacant
Scouting The Remains of Brooklyn’s Incredible Paramount Movie Theatre
In my travels through the city, I’ve driven down the northern end of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn roughly eight billion
Visiting The Apocalypse (in Queens)
A week ago, I was out taking pictures of Citi Field… …and for some reason, I found myself paying attention
A Very Creepy Owl Has Landed On Flushing Ave
The other day, I was driving down Flushing Avenue in East Williamsburg when I happened to look over at this