Summary

A family visits the Ghostbusters headquarters in New York City, reminiscing about the movie and sharing their excitement with others.

Abstract

In December 2023, a family embarks on a trip to New York City, eager to experience the Christmas season and revisit the city they fell in love with during a previous summer visit. Amidst the cold weather, they find joy in the city's diverse attractions, but nothing compares to the thrill of discovering the Ghostbusters headquarters. The sight of the iconic firehouse building evokes a childlike giddiness in the parents, who enthusiastically hum the movie's theme song and take photos, much to the confusion of their children. They are not alone in their excitement; a crowd gathers, sharing in the nostalgia and joy, even dancing to the theme song. The experience is a highlight of their trip, allowing them to step into a cherished piece of their childhood and create new memories with their children, who they plan to introduce to the Ghostbusters films.

Opinions

The parents are filled with nostalgia and excitement upon seeing the Ghostbusters headquarters, considering it a significant and joyful experience.
The children, unfamiliar with the Ghostbusters franchise, find their parents' behavior unusual but are slated to be introduced to the movies soon.
The parents believe that the new Ghostbusters movies will allow their children to form their own connections with the franchise, just as they did in their childhood.
The family appreciates the shared enthusiasm of the crowd that gathers, validating their own excitement and creating a communal atmosphere of nostalgia and celebration.
The father, in particular, is so immersed in the moment that he playfully asks to be let into the Ghostbusters headquarters, showing a deep desire to engage with the fantasy world of the movies.

Bustin’ Makes Us Feel Good: Visiting the Ghostbusters Headquarters

The lines between fantasy and reality had blurred as I stared with quiet awe at the firehouse in front of me.

I was standing in front of the Ghostbusters headquarters.

A smile slowly crept across my face, and even though both my wife and I were 40, we were as giddy as children. For just a moment, I was in the movie.

The Ghostbusters were real. It was all real.

It was December 2023 and we were on a family trip to New York City. We wanted to experience “Christmastime in the city,” just like in the song “Silver Bells.” And since visiting the historic metropolis for the very first time a year before, we had fallen in love with it and vowed to come back soon.

Our last trip was in the summer of 2022, and it was hot. This time, it was cold, but the sights and experiences were worth it.

There are so many things to do in a place like New York. You can see Broadway plays, major landmarks, historic buildings, amazing museums of history and art. It’s funny how seeing something so small as a building from a movie you watched when you were a kid can bring you so much joy.

We stood at the corner across the street and promptly began taking photos. As we did so, we began enthusiastically humming the Ghostbusters theme song to ourselves. We were just so excited.

Both our kids looked at us strangely. They hadn’t yet been initiated.

“Why are you so excited?” they asked.

“Oh, it’s just a famous building from a movie we watched as kids. You’ve seen Ghostbusters, haven’t you?”

“No…”

“You haven’t? I thought you had! Oh, well…we will be watching it soon.”

Immediately, I have flashbacks to my childhood. Ghostbusters II is in the theaters and I’m at a Dairy Queen getting my Ghostbusters-themed dessert. Vanilla ice cream covered in sugary, green Slimer-goop.

Those were the days.

But with the long-awaited arrival of new Ghostbusters movies (two in the hatch and another on the way), I know my kids will be able to have their own memories with the legendary heroes.

I had expected us to be the only people taking pictures, but it wasn’t long before a crowd had gathered and we were all taking turns posing in front of the building.

Someone turned on the theme song on their phone and began dancing. They were as joyful as we were. I’m glad we weren’t the only ones!

It’s such a simple thing, something you could just look at, check off your list, and then leave. But we spent quite a bit of time just gazing at the building and soaking up the moment.

It’s not every day you get to go to the Ghostbusters headquarters. Not every day you get to step inside a childhood movie and feel like your fantasy is real.

Before we left, I ran up to the red fire-engine doors and touched them.

“Let me in! I want to be a Ghostbuster!” I shouted, laughing.

My kids were bewildered and probably a little embarrassed.

But everyone else understood.