There are a few surefire ways to celebrate the arrival of October: indulging in pumpkin-flavored everything, prepper-style stockpiling candy the entire month (with no intention of handing any out to trick-or-treaters), and binging on scary movies.
Since you live in the best city on earth, it’s as easy as the first kids killed in a horror movie to visit some real-life locations used in the making of epic horror flicks.
Whether you’re into suspense, slasher, splatter—or whatever your gory cup of tea oozes with—why not watch some sick shit and take someone you love for a romantic stroll around town to see some famous (or infamous) scary-movie filming locales.
Here are our pics for scary movie-themed dates in NYC:
1. Black Swan
Lincoln Center (10 Lincoln Center Plaza)
Whether you liked (or saw) Darren Aronofsky’s latest oddball creation with J. Law playing the tortured wife of Javier Bardem’s character (Is there a sign-up sheet for that gig—asking for a friend?), you may like his ballet thriller featuring a feathery Natalie Portman.
If you’d like to visit Lincoln Center for your own dance-themed date, New York City Ballet has performances throughout the month.
The exterior of Lincoln Center—shown in the movie—also makes a nice backdrop for a moonlit-walk, in case your date doesn't have the willpower to disengage from social media for the length of an entire ballet.
2. Ghostbusters
Firehouse, Hook & Ladder Company 8 (14 North Moore Street)
“Do you believe in UFOs, astral projections, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster, and the theory of Atlantis?” If so, head to Firehouse, Hook & Ladder Company 8, otherwise known as Ghostbusters headquarters.
Mug for the camera in front of the LEGO-set famous firehouse, then go to Walker's Bar across the street. This class-act Tribeca dining and drinking establishment has great food, paper table covers you can color on, and Stella on tap.
You might not find Slimer or Dr. Venkman, there, but the bar usually bustles with policemen and some of the city’s finest bartenders. So, who you gonna call to join you for dinner? (If it happens to be Bill Murray, we'd be willing to wingman Stay Puft for the invite.)
3. I Am Legend
Temple of Dendur (The Met – 1,000 Fifth Avenue)
In Francis Lawrence’s take on Richard Matheson's 1954 novel, Will Smith’s character appears to have a post-apocalyptic Manhattan all to himself (and his dog), so there are countless NYC filming locations you could scout out from I Am Legend.
He goes corn picking in Central Park and deer hunting on Park Avenue, but our pick for a date is his personal fishin’ hole in the Met.
Built around 15 B.C. to honor Egyptian Goddess Isis, the Temple of Dendur is a present-day exhibit that features a reflecting pool holding future possibilities of carp fishing—should you find yourself the last human being on earth.
4. American Psycho
Smith & Wollensky’s (797 Third Avenue)
If you want to get your pretention on Patrick Bateman-style after watching Mary Harron’s take on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, head to one of the city’s best steakhouses, Smith & Wollensky’s.
The see-and-be-seen restaurant earns rave reviews for its impeccable service and USDA Prime dry-aged steaks. You could order your steak bloody in keeping with the overall theme of the movie, or you could order it like Bateman does, medium-rare without hash browns.
Whatever your choice, put on a suit and bring your business cards so your date can admire “that subtle coloring, the tasteful thickness.” (But, maybe don't take them to the ATM if there are any stray cats around.)
5. Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
Times Square
That’s right, our last pick is the one place sure to cause a shudder when whispered in any New Yorker’s ear.
Though it’s much safer and less sleazy than its former ‘89 self when Jason headed there for the eighth installment of the Friday the 13th series, it can still be a cringe-worthy destination.
In all seriousness, Times Square is pretty amazing when it’s not crammed with tourists. Try hitting up the area in the morning, before the city wakes up. You may not get the chchch ahahah chills like you would at nighttime, but you might just revive your appreciation for the place.