In The Heights In Real Life: Washington Heights Locations

In the Heights is a heartfelt tribute to the Washington Heights neighborhood in New York City, and several real-life locations were used for filming the adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In the Heights opened on Broadway in 2008 and earned four Tony Awards that year, including Best Musical. Now, under the direction of Jon M. Chu and based on the book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, In the Heights has released in theaters and is available for streaming on HBO Max after pandemic-related delays.

It makes sense that Miranda, the creative mastermind behind the phenomenon that is Hamilton, would take an authentic approach to developing his earlier musical for the big screen. Miranda found inspiration for In the Heights after growing up in the nearby Inwood neighborhood, and he wanted to shine a light on the vibrant Latinx community and its people. Enter the narrative of Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos), a bodega owner who grapples with his community ties and the desire to move back to the Dominican Republic and live out his dreams. Such is the case for other characters like Nina (Leslie Grace) and Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), who reside in the neighborhood along with Usnavi, his best friend Benny (Corey Hawkins), and the community matriarch “Abuela” Claudia (Olga Merediz). Highlighting the struggles of gentrification and immigration, In the Heights ultimately serves as a celebration of community and the pursuit of dreams.

Just like the story’s setting, In the Heights had its filming locations right there in Washington Heights in New York City. The area is located in the uppermost part of Manhattan, sharing borders with Inwood to the north and Harlem just south. It’s typically considered to span from 155th Street up to 192nd Street. Filming for the movie began in Washington Heights on June 3, 2019, appropriate timing for the story that takes place during the city’s sweltering summertime. While most of the interiors were filmed indoors on a sound stage, the street scenes and most of the exteriors were shot outside around the neighborhood. Here are the notable spots where In the Heights came to life.

The Bodega (175th Street & Audubon Avenue)

Usnavi’s bodega – or small owner-operated convenience store – is key to his story and to the community, and In the Heights‘ production designer Nelson Coates knew the team had to nail the location (via Condé Nast Traveler). After plenty of research and scouting, they ended up at the outside of a convenience store at the corner of 175th Street and Audubon Avenue. While Santo Domingo Grocery Inc. inhabits the real-life address, the team changed the name and the outward appearance for Usnavi’s business. The musical numbers “In the Heights” and “Finale” take place right around that intersection. The salon that Daniela (Daphne Rubin-Vega) owns is also located near the bodega, and the familiar George Washington Bridge is often visible in the background.

Highbridge Pool

The scene with the hit song “96,000” is one of the film’s most dazzling musical numbers thanks to the location. At Highbridge Park off Amsterdam Avenue and 173rd Street on the east side of the neighborhood is a pool facility with two massive pools big enough for Olympic events. One of them serves as the spot where the characters in the film go to beat the heat and reflect on what they could do with $96,000 from a winning lottery ticket. But In the Heights choreographer Christopher Scott revealed that the pool was almost abandoned for the number because of its enormous size, according to Decider. However, Chu insisted that they figure out a way to make it work, and after two days of synchronized swimming with 500 extras, the scene became irreplaceable.

191st Street Subway Station

The colorful graffitied walls within New York City’s deepest subway stop are the backdrop for Abuela Claudia’s emotional goodbye song. What made the scene even more special is that actress Olga Merediz also played the role of Abuela Claudia as part of In the Heights‘ original Broadway cast. During “Paciencia y Fe,” she reflects on her life as she passes through train cars and walks through the long tunnel that connects the St. Nicholas Avenue entrance to another entrance on Broadway. The artwork within the tunnel was part of a city-commissioned project, and although the crew had to work around some copyright issues with the art, they were able to pull off the heartbreaking musical number.

J. Hood Wright Park

Nina and Benny reminisce on their childhood memories and their latent romantic feelings during the song “When You’re Home,” which was filmed at J. Hood Wright Park on the west side of Washington Heights. Located between West 173rd and 176th streets and between Fort Washington and Haven Avenue, this public park offers a great view of the George Washington Bridge. Nina and Benny walk around the basketball courts and over to the platform that views the bridge. In addition, the park includes ball fields, a playground, a cave within a natural rock formation, a recreation center, and a dog walk. Some alleyways near the north end of the park off 176th and Haven were used for the “Carnaval del Barrio” musical number when Daniela seeks to cheer up the neighborhood during the heat and the blackout.

Floridita Bar & Restaurant

When Nina and her dad, Kevin Rosario (Jimmy Smits) meet at a restaurant to catch up, they’re eating at Floridita Bar & Restaurant. As filming took place in Washington Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the producers wanted to give back to the community and dine at local restaurants both on and off-screen (via New York Post). The restaurant that made it into the film offers a fusion of food from the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Although there is a location in Washington Heights, it’s worth pointing out that the scene actually took place at the one that’s located in Inwood on 10th Avenue. Coates had also explained that the Inwood location was preferred because Vanessa sings about an elevated train in her song “It Won’t Be Long Now,” which is right by the Inwood location and doesn’t actually pass through Washington Heights. Clearly, the painstaking effort to find unique and authentic locations for In the Heights contributed to its celebration of a beautiful community.

About The Author

Kayleigh Fongers
(59 Articles Published)

Kayleigh Fongers is a features writer for Screen Rant, covering movies and TV shows. She’s a communications coordinator for a nonprofit organization by day and a freelance writer by night. In addition to Screen Rant, Kayleigh has contributed to Religion News Service, The Banner, and Grand Rapids Magazine. She holds a BA in Writing from Calvin University and also writes for an alumni blog. When she’s not behind a screen, she’s probably listening to Harry Styles, obsessing over a sunset on Lake Michigan, or buying more books than she’ll ever read.

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