The Smurfs Filming Locations Tour in New York with Private Guide

Join us on a tour that takes you to the very spot where the beloved blue characters first set foot in the city. Picture this: On a rock near the edge of the lake, at the corner of Fifth Ave. and Central Park South, the Smurfs are captivated by the stunning views of the city skyline. Clumsy Smurf, always the explorer, climbs up first and invites his friends to join him. While this iconic scene was shot in Central Park, other scenes set in the park were filmed in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Both parks, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and built just years apart, share a similar layout, including a lake and a boathouse. However, Prospect Park features a waterfall, a crucial element in the Smurfs' storyline, prompting the filmmakers to capture that particular scene in Prospect Park.(20 min)

Explore the vibrant and bustling Times Square, a place that left the Smurfs utterly amazed. Picture this: The Smurfs, having just arrived in Central Park, catch a ride atop a cab that takes them through the dazzling spectacle of Times Square. The towering skyscrapers adorned with brilliant advertisements and the kaleidoscope of lights leave the Smurfs in awe as they witness the bustling energy and the sea of people below. Be part of this enchanting experience as we follow the path of the Smurfs through the iconic Times Square. Revel in the excitement of the city that never sleeps, just as the Smurfs did when they first set eyes on this dazzling spectacle.(20 min)

Step into the glamour of Rockefeller Center, where stars like Tim Gunn and Sofia Vergara shot a scene. Join our tour as we unveil the rooftop of 620 Fifth Ave., the backdrop to a sensational launch party for a new line of cosmetics. The stunning views of Rockefeller Center provide a dazzling setting.(15 min)

Discover the enchantment of SoHo as the tour takes you behind the scenes of a movie transformation. Explore the magic woven into the streets of SoHo, where a book store underwent a captivating metamorphosis to become Wong’s Mystical Emporium. Stroll through the trendy streets of SoHo and unravel the secrets of this mystical location.(15 min)

Journey through the vibrant streets of the East Village, where the Smurfs took flight from the rooftop of the Winslows' residence. Join our tour as we explore the picturesque East Village exterior that served as the backdrop for this scene. According to the film's producer, Jordan Kerner, it was a beautiful street with great access to the building. The rooftop scene was a clever combination of locations. The actual rooftop of the Winslows' apartment was the ABC carpet store rooftop, providing a stunning uptown view. Venture into the heart of the East Village as we unravel the movie-making magic that brought this scene to life.(15 min)

FAO Schwarz, the beloved Fifth Ave. toy store that served as the battleground for a showdown between Gargamel and the Smurfs. Join our tour as we unveil the behind-the-scenes magic of this iconic location. Discover the challenges faced by filmmakers as they shot through the night, from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m., capturing the enchantment that FAO Schwarz exudes. The store, opening at 10 a.m., posed a logistical challenge as the crew had just one hour to clear out before the doors opened to the public. It closed at 8 p.m., allowing the team to move in their equipment and set the stage for the cinematic battle.(15 min)

Get to the heart of Central Park, where the majestic Belvedere Castle stands as Gargamel's ominous home base in the city. Join our tour as we explore the enchanting surroundings of this Victorian gem, located around 79th St. The castle stands atop Vista Rock, providing panoramic views of the surrounding park and city skyline. Built in 1869, the castle was designed in a whimsical, medieval-inspired style, featuring turrets and battlements that contribute to its fairytale-like appearance. As you stand before the Central Park castle, imagine Gargamel's first nocturnal encounter with Belvedere Castle, a scene that unfolds in the movie. While some exteriors are actual shots of the castle, others, due to restrictions imposed by the Central Park conservancy, were recreated on a two-thirds scale onstage at Kaufman.(20 min)