Set-Jetting Through NYC: Brooklyn’s Best Filming Locations
Jetsetting? That’s so last century. Today, travelers are set-jetting: visiting seminal filming locations from favorite television shows and movies to walk the path of favorite characters (and snap iconic pictures, of course). Perhaps no other metropolis is so frequently featured as a film or TV character in its own right as New York City.
Brooklyn, with its historic brownstones, cobblestone streets, bridges, and waterfront parks, has long served as a cinematic playground—from rom-com meet-cutes to high-stakes action sequences—making it a must-visit for film and TV enthusiasts. Some locations are instantly recognizable, like the Brooklyn Bridge or the bustling streets of DUMBO. Others are a little trickier to spot, thanks to the borough’s ever-changing streetscapes, which is why we’ve done the research for you.
Below, find the coolest filming locations throughout Brooklyn, starting just steps away from Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts. Drop in and get ready for your close-up.
Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Blockbusters
Of Brooklyn’s historic monuments, bustling streets, and cultural cache, perhaps no location is as celebrated across film genres as the Brooklyn Bridge. The towering structure has served as a cinematic backdrop in films including Sophie’s Choice (1982) and C’mon C’mon (2021); a battleground for superheroes and action stars in Spider-Man 2 (2004); Fantastic Four (2005); and I Am Legend¹ (2007); a hotbed of pursuit in Godzilla (1998); and a site for rom-com meet cutes, such as in Sex and the City: The Movie (2008).
Meanwhile, in neighboring DUMBO (an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), a penthouse within the Olympia DUMBO building, located at 60 Front Street, is featured in Spike Lee’s newest joint, From Lowest to Highest (2025). The neighborhood streets are seen in the opening sequence of Jurassic World Rebirth (2025). Check out 135 Plymouth Street, a stone’s throw from the Manhattan Bridge, where scenes from John Wick 2 (2017), The Dark Tower (2017), and Broken City¹ (2013) were filmed.
Got a hot date? Do like Eddie Murphy and Shari Headley while filming Coming to America (1988)—or Paulie ‘Walnuts’ Gualtieri in season four, episode seven of The Sopranos—and grab a table at the swanky River Cafe, located just under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Downtown Brooklyn on the Big Screen
Just a 15-minute walk from The Tillary Hotel is Brooklyn’s oldest public building, Brooklyn Borough Hall, which has made several notable appearances on TV, including The Americans, The Carrie Diaries, Boardwalk Empire, Blue Bloods², and Billions³. Its interior also doubled as a Chase Bank in the film Catch Me If You Can (2002).
A visit to the imposing, Greek revival-style building may even land you near a live set: Dick Wolf Productions, the company responsible for hit shows like Law & Order and FBI, used the location to depict a protest scene in a recent shoot.⁴
A few blocks from Brooklyn Borough Hall is the New York Transit Museum, where fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Mazel can see the types of vintage subway cars that Midge boards in the show.
Boerum Hill & Cobble Hill Cameos
Neighborhoods between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges offer another glimpse of New York City film and TV history, one that shows everything from drool-worthy real estate, cool-kid coffeehouses, and slices of working-class America. Start your journey just a block away from NU Hotel Brooklyn, where you’ll find Mile End Delicatessen, a Montreal-style deli that dishes out a variety of poutines, and where scenes from an episode of Billions were shot.
A short, 10-minute walk from NU Hotel is Cobble Hill Park, which served as a location for the show Madam Secretary⁵ and a stand-in for Boston in the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler comedy Baby Mama (2008). On the way, check out 172 Pacific Street, the gorgeous carriage house featured in Eat, Pray, Love (2010) and later purchased by musician Norah Jones⁶. Eagle-eyed fans of The Intern (2015) and the TV show The Affair will also notice filming locations in the neighborhood⁷.
Coney Island & South Brooklyn Scenes
Looking for the famed Ray’s Coffee from Girls? It’s actually a Clinton Hill spot for wood-fired pizzas called Speedy Romeo⁸. Those looking to recreate the iconic opening scene of Saturday Night Fever (1977) can head down to 1951 86th Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bensonhurst and strut like Travolta westward toward 1969 86th Street, where Lenny’s Pizza (featured in the film) stood until 2023.
The film Anora (2024) didn’t just win five Academy Awards this year; it put Brighton Beach on the cinematic map for a new generation. A short distance from Bensonhurst in South Brooklyn, the neighborhood is home to several of the film’s shooting locations, including Tatiana Restaurant NYC and the nearly 100-year-old William’s Candy Shop in Coney Island.
While in Coney Island, take a stroll down its famous boardwalk, captured in films including The Wiz (1978), The Warriors (1979), Beaches (1988), Requiem for a Dream⁹ (2025), and shows such as Boardwalk Empire, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Girls, and Mr. Robot. The fun zone is also home to the original location of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, the site of a yearly televised hot dog eating contest (found at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues).
Hotels in the Heart of the Action
The Tillary Hotel
Calling The Tillary Hotel home during your visit makes visiting these iconic filming locations a no-brainer. The property itself hosts incredible views of favorite landmarks and iconic Brooklyn brownstones (get the best vantage point from the rooftop Garden Bar). What’s more, guests of the hotel can score three complimentary tickets to the New York Transit Museum, along with complimentary cocktails, appetizers, pastries, and bike rentals — all of which make exploring Brooklyn an easy and economical endeavor.
NU Hotel
Drawing inspiration from Brooklyn’s thriving creative scene, NU Hotel Brooklyn doesn’t just offer a central location for set-jetting in the borough; it provides an art-filled way to immerse yourself in local cool. Rooms capture the essence of an artist’s loft, with design touches including murals hand-painted by local artists and hammocks hung inside, while the lobby-level, open concept kitchen and lounge feels right out of film and TV’s most enviable urban apartments. Pro Tip: Don’t miss the expansive continental breakfast served in this space daily; it’s a great way to fuel up for the day and meet other guests.
After exploring Brooklyn’s iconic streets, bridges, and boardwalks, unwind at one of our Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts, perfectly located to recharge between adventures. Want more cinematic magic? Check out our guide to Manhattan filming locations to see where your favorite movies and shows came to life.
¹https://dumbo.nyc/silverscreen/
³https://yourbrooklynguide.com/filming-locations-in-brooklyn/
⁵https://cobblehill.nyc/madam-secretary-filming-in-cobble-hill-park/
⁷https://cobblehill.nyc/cobble-hill-on-the-big-screen/
⁸https://onlocationtours.com/blog/top-20-filming-locations-from-hbos-girls/
⁹https://asliceofbrooklyn.com/10-famous-movies-filmed-in-coney-island-brooklyn/