Throughout The Godfather trilogy viewers were captivated by the transformation of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) from timid outsider to ruthless, mafia boss. We couldn’t look away as this New York crime family struggled to protect their empire and loved ones from violence. At one time the highest grossing film ever made, The Godfather won three Academy Awards and is ranked by the American Film Institute as the second greatest film in American cinematic history. Filmed on location in New York, The Godfather is a time portal to the turbulent, fast growing Big Apple of the 1940s. Take any of our TV & movie tours to see the NYC you witnessed in the Godfather Trilogy.
The Godfather filming locations
Hotel Edison inside what is now Edison’s Coffee Shop is where Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) meets up with Luca Brasi (Lenny Montana) for a chat, but decides strangling him is a better way to get his point across.
New York County Courthouse, probably best known from Law and Order, was the location for one of the most famous montages in The Godfather. Michael is being donned the Godfather of his niece while his handymen are carrying out the assassination of another Boss on these steps of the Courthouse, thus symbolizing how far Michael has slid.
Radio City Music Hall has been entertaining audiences since it opened in 1932. Michael and Kay (Diane Keaton) had just seen a Rita Hayworth performance when they notice horrible news right outside at a newsstand: Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) had been shot in Little Italy.
The Godfather II filming locations
St. Patrick Cathedral is nestled on Fifth Avenue across from Rockefeller Center, home to the birthplace of TV, but when Michael stops by to consult a Priest there’s much more to discuss then the Rockettes.
The Godfather III filming locations
956 5th Avenue and East 77th Street is where the Corleone’s stayed during their time in New York City. It’s a fantastic and very expensive Upper East Side location, so its safe to say business was booming for the family.
Alexander Hamilton Custom House was completed in 1907 and has incredible historical significance for the city of New York and the Corleone family. This is where the Immobiliare takeover meeting happens and tensions boil over.
Locations not featured on our tours but worth checking out:
Little Italy was the perfect setting for many pivotal scenes because of its old world charms and reputation for crime during the 40s and 50s. If you’re in the neighborhood check out Mott Street where Don Corleone was shot. Or take a walk down Elizabeth Street where Joey Zasa (Joe Mantegna) was gunned down during the Italian-American festival. After exploring, grab a bite on the world famous Mulberry Street and enjoy New York’s most authentic and delicious Italian cuisine.
Check out the East Village where De Niro’s “Little Italy, 1917” scenes were filmed between Avenues A and B on Sixth Street. While you’re in the area, head over to Greenwich Village where one of many shoot-outs took place. Or take the ferry to Ellis Island to see where Vito Andolini became Vito Corleone.
* In an effort to stay current, we are constantly updating our tours with new locations and cannot guarantee the presence of locations mentioned on our site. If you have a particular interest in locations from a specific TV show or movie, please let your tour guide know and we will do our best to accommodate your request.