WHEN HARRY MET SALLY FILMING LOCATIONS

“Can men and women ever just be friends?” This age old question was explored in the 1989 classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally staring Meg Ryan as Sally and Billy Crystal as Harry.  The two first meet when driving together from college in Chicago to New York City and do not make a good impression on one another – to say the least. Over the years they periodically bump into each other throughout New York at some classic NYC staples and landmarks. In the tradition of all great romantic comedies, after twelve years of many ups and downs, the friends finally realize they are perfect for one another. The When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour, our NYC TV & Movie Tour and our Central Park TV & Movie Sites Tour take various looks at the iconic locations where their love developed throughout the years.

Washington Square Park

Harry and Sally arrive in New York City and unload their lives outside the famous Washington Square Arch.
After a grueling car ride these two don’t stop to take in the sights, but opt to head their separate ways. Years later Harry walks past the arch at night pondering his life and realizing he may have real feelings for Sally. A true story arch – and our first stop on the NYC TV & Movie Tour!

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side’s charm makes this neighborhood a great feature in any romantic comedy. Both Café Luxembourg on 70th Street and The Plant Shed on 96th Street are featured on our When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour. Harry and Sally’s dates peel off together after a disastrous double date at Café Luxembourg. Over at The Plant Shed Harry and Sally buy a Christmas tree together one year, but for reasons you may know, the following Christmas Sally is alone dragging her Christmas tree home.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Often referred to as “The MET” this is perhaps the most famous location on Manhattan’s exclusive Upper East Side. Movies like Hitch and Maid in Manhattan, and TV shows such as Gossip Girl have all filmed on the world famous steps – but When Harry Met Sally takes us inside for our own little museum tour! Harry and Sally head to the museum as platonic friends and wander into the famed Egyptian Room.

Harry has more on his mind though. After a totally improvised scene by Billy Crystal that almost broke Meg Ryan out of character, Harry asks Sally on an official date. Realizing they were continuing Meg Ryan keeps in character and on-script, rejecting him, despite their playfully romantic scene and painfully obvious chemistry.

Central Park

Central Park, more importantly Bethesda Terrace is among the top filmed locations in the world, so naturally the fountain centerpiece has a cameo in When Harry Met Sally. Harry takes a run through the park, passing the fountain and Loeb Boathouse in the background. Sally is enjoying a girl’s lunch at the boathouse – oblivious to how close, yet far away they are.

Lower East Side

When Harry Met Sally is perhaps best known for the famous scene in Katz’s Delicatessen, where Sally demonstrates for Harry how easy it is for a woman to fake an orgasm without her partner knowing.  Sally determined to prove her point gives her best demonstration as Harry and the other deli customers stare at her in disbelief.  Then comes one of the most famous lines in cinema history, “I’ll have what she’s having,” delivered by director Rob Reiner’s real-life mother. This line was listed as number 33 on the American Film Institute’s “100 Years… 100 Movie Quotes” list. Katz’s Deli is not featured on our tours but definitely worth a trip.

Nora Ephron received an Oscar nomination and Writers’ Guild of America nomination for her screenplay.  She also won a British Academy Film Award for Best Original Screenplay and was nominated for Best Film.  When Harry Met Sally was also nominated for five Golden Globes, including Best Picture: Musical or Comedy, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay.

* 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.