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This Is What New York City Looked Like 30 Years Ago In "Home Alone 2" Vs. Now In 2022

30 years ago he was just Macaulay Culkin... Now he's Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin! What a world.

Tori Honoré
by Tori Honoré

BuzzFeed Staff

Are you ready to feel old? It's been 30 years since Home Alone 2: Lost In New York was first released!

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+ / Via giphy.com

That's right, three entire decades have passed since everyone's favourite mischievous 10-year-old got left behind at Christmas again, but this time with The Big Apple as a backdrop.  

We all know that Home Alone 2 is iconic! It featured loads of landmarks throughout New York City that have obviously changed in the last 30 years — and I just so happened to have been invited to tour all of the major ones recently (in a limo fit for a Kevin)!

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

So let's go through the differences between nine of New York City's most-known and loved landmarks 30 years ago and now:

20th Century Fox / Disney/ Disney+

And a big thanks to Disney+ for inviting me on this amazing tour!

1. Here's The Statue of Liberty in the 1990s:

P A Thompson / Getty Images, Ti1993 / Getty Images

Debuting in 1886, Lady Liberty was a youthful 106 years old back during the filming of Home Alone 2. Made out of copper, it actually took around 10 years for sculptors, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel), to complete the statue. Over the decades, she's oxidised from a brown to the instantly recognisable green that just about everyone knows her to be.

Here's how the statue was featured in Home Alone 2 in 1992:

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

For a brief moment, you get to see Kevin looking across the water at The Statue of Liberty through binoculars in Battery Park. Interestingly enough, those binoculars have actually been removed from the park since this was filmed. Now, the way to view Lady Liberty is by ferry to the island she resides, and obviously up close once you're there.

And here's The Statue of Liberty in 2022:

Tori Honore / BuzzFeed

While doing touristy things around Manhattan, I got to visit the great green beauty. You would never guess from its brief cameo in Home Alone 2 just how many people are lined up to see Lady Liberty! And correct me if I'm wrong, but at 136 years old now, does The Statue Of Liberty seem ~less~ green to anyone else?

2. The Queensboro Bridge in the 1990s:

Ullstein Bild / ullstein bild via Getty Images

Also known as the 59th Street Bridge, at the time of filming the movie, the Queensboro Bridge had been around for 83 years! It's been a faithful connection between Long Island City, Queens and Manhattan Island since 1909. It's as strong as steel because... well, it is steel!

How the bridge was featured in Home Alone 2:

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

In the film, you see Kevin on the bridge for a moment just taking in the views from one New York borough to another! And as Manhattan gets closer in view, just about every Big Apple lover's excitement grows as well.

The Queensboro Bridge in 2022 (Now the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge):

Ucg / UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In 2011, the bridge was renamed slightly, to honour former New York City mayor, Ed Koch. The 1,135.2m long bridge sees around 145,000 vehicles crossing it every single day, not including the estimated 5,000 bicyclists and 1,900 walking pedestrians that are also travelling via the bridge.  

3. Radio City Music Hall in the 1990s:

New York Daily News Archive / Getty Images

Named after the building's first tenant, the Radio Corporation of America, and headed by the Rockefellers — this building was completed in 1932 and declared a city landmark in 1978. The venue was built to provide high-brow entertainment to everyday people, and its very first variety show on December 27, 1932, solidified it as luxe. I mean it's the largest indoor theatre in the world after all.

How the building was featured in Home Alone 2:

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

Although the building was only featured behind Kevin while he took pictures of other things, its neon lights are just too recognisable to miss. Maybe nobody told the 10-year-old to respect the 60-year-old (at the time) musical landmark. 

Radio City Music Hall in 2022:

Tori Honore / BuzzFeed

The Radio Corporation of America is now known today as NBC Radio City Studios. Much like in the film, most people simply walked past the bright signage and inviting Christmassy exterior because they're used to it — but I always find a little time to look at ~the pretty lights~. Plus, The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes is almost 100 years old, and that's definitely something to stop and stare at!

4. Empire Diner in the 1990s:

Barry Winiker / Getty Images

Originally opening its doors as a Manhattan diner in 1976, this artist's hub in the Chelsea neighbourhood hasn't claimed legitimate landmark status yet — but it's definitely seen as a New York Landmark. 

How the diner was featured in Home Alone 2:

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

The film gives us just another glimpse moment with the restaurant, as Kevin is more interested in the Santa on stilts outside the establishment than the actual diner. Honestly, I would be too; except I know better than to just accept fliers from random people in Manhattan!

Empire Diner in 2022

Tori Honore / BuzzFeed

Today, the iconic diner is still standing despite closing during its original 35 years of business in 2010, reopening in 2014 and closing again in 2015, and then reopening again under new management in 2017. The diner has definitely seen a lot, but one thing is certain, and that's that it's absolutely more important to try their food than it is to take fliers from people outside of the building!

5. Gapstow Bridge in Central Park in the 1990s:

Ernst Haas / Getty Images

Constructed in 1895, this 23.1 m long arch bridge resides in the south corner of Central Park. The bridge is almost camouflaged by the vines covering it, but it's always offered great views of the duck families that live in the pond or the Grand Army Plaza buildings, depending on where you're standing. 

How the bridge was featured in Home Alone 2:

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

By the Gapstow Bridge is where we see Kevin initially get frightened by the unnamed "Pigeon Lady" and later befriend her. The film shows pretty good views of the bridge and the buildings in the distance, making it instantly identifiable.

Gapstow Bridge in 2022:

Tori Honore / BuzzFeed

One of the lingering examples of traditional architecture in New York City, the bridge still stands proud, now as more part of a Central Park jogger's journey. I didn't get to see any "pigeon people" when I was walking through the park and past the Gapstow — but I did see many ducks that I took the time to offer a bit of bird seed!

6. Carnegie Hall in the 1990s:

James Leynse / Corbis via Getty Images

Since opening its doors in 1891, Carnegie Hall has stood as one of the most revered international musical venues in the world and home to many of the best artists globally. It originally took £906,211.90 (what would be £29,443,389.11 in 2022) to fund the construction of the building. 

How the venue was featured in Home Alone 2:

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

Carnegie Hall is where the "Pigeon Lady" takes Kevin as thank you for his kindness. We see a crawl space where the woman lives and see Kevin take in an orchestral performance from a spot by the stage lights (which I don't think is possible, but I've never been up there so I don't know).

Carnegie Hall in 2022:

M-kojot / Getty Images

Today, Carnegie Hall is still one of the most beloved and respected music halls in the world, presenting around 200 performances from the most talented musical artists every season across its three grand stages. I'm super jealous of Kevin McCallister for getting to see a performance for free here!

7. Wollman Rink in the 1990s:

Ernst Haas / Getty Images

Funded by donation and constructed in 1949, this ice rink has been a long-standing winter favourite of Central Park visitors for decades. In its very first year of operation alone, the ice rink garnered an impressive 300,000 skaters ready to enjoy in on the fun!  

How the rink was featured in Home Alone 2:

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

We see the recently escaped Wet Bandits, Marv and Harry, convene at the ice rink in the film. Naturally, we get to see Marv fumble on the ice, as he's the sillier one in this villainous duo, while Harry opts to avoid getting on the ice altogether and reads the paper instead. To be fair, I agree with Harry's approach.

Wollman Rink in 2022:

Tori Honore / BuzzFeed

The ice rink is still going strong! Following the example it's led since its beginnings, the rink garners a massive amount of people daily — so much so, I'm surprised people get on the ice at all. During my visit to the Central Park attraction, the line to skate seemed to span a mile and involved a 50-minute wait. The rink is definitely still as popular as ever.

8. The Plaza Hotel in the 1990s:

Fotog / Getty Images

This landmark 20-story luxe hotel is totally iconic. Constructed in 1905 and opened in 1907, the hotel gets its name from residing on the West Side of the Grand Army Plaza. The building has spent over 100 years being known for its variety of famous and diplomatic residents, lush social events, and its appearances in many films. 

How the hotel was featured in Home Alone 2:

Kevin ends up staying at this luxurious hotel; racking up quite the room service bill, might I add. The scenes featuring the hotel interior are actually some of the best glimpses into what the hotel looked like at the time, as photography and footage are not generally allowed given that a level of privacy obviously must be maintained.

The Plaza Hotel in 2022:

Tori Honore / BuzzFeed

Being able to stay a few nights here was an absolute dream! The interior now looks very different than it had 30 years ago, highlighting the major design changes in showcasing opulence over the last few decades. Although the colours red and green, and the use of wallpaper has been phased out for a "clean" mostly white look — everything is ~still~ gold trimmed. Like, please understand, MOST things at this hotel are gold... and it's a lot to take in (but in a good way).

9. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in the 1990s:

Evan Agostini / Getty Images

Spanning a construction timeline of 11 years, Rockefeller Center itself is 22 acres of stores, restaurants, offices, and studios that takes up 19 commercial buildings in total. At the centre of this incredibly iconic attraction, is the annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree. The tree lighting ceremony has been happening since 1931, where during the beginnings of construction of the entire centre the first tree was put up as a sign of pride and happiness during The Great Depression in America.

How the tree was featured in Home Alone 2:

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

Towards the end of the film, Kevin is seen making a Christmas wish by the lit Christmas tree before being serendipitously reunited with his mother. Even in the film, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree served its original purpose as a sign of hope, beauty, and pure Christmas magic!

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree in 2022:

Tori Honore / BuzzFeed

While the original tree was a 20 ft tall Balsam Fir, today the annual tree is a Norway Spruce that stands between 75 and 90 ft tall. It's still as beautiful and large as ever, and something that puts a huge smile on my face every year. The tree may change, but the happiness it brings sure doesn't! (And the lights are also mostly the same.)

It was amazing to tour NYC and not only learn about how these landmarks have been maintained over the decades but also just to see how beautiful they are! I'd definitely recommend getting "lost in New York" to anyone who has the chance! (Except please don't actually get lost! We have better technology than Kevin did 30 years ago!!)

20th Century Fox / Disney / Disney+

If you'd like to see more of my trip — I made a fun video on where I got to go! Where would you love to visit on a Home Alone 2 tour?

@buzzfeeduk

Where would you love to visit on this Home Alone tour of NYC?? 🏡🗽 Stream Home Alone 2: Lost In New York on Disney+ in the UK 🎄 #buzzfeeduk #homealone #homealone2 #newyork #newyorkcity #kevinmcallister #homealonemovie #fyp

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Stream Home Alone 2: Lost In New York now on Disney+ and celebrate it's 30th this holiday season!