ALL THE GOSSIP GIRL LOCATIONS IN NEW YORK
WRITTEN BY AN UPPER EAST SIDER
Hey, Upper East Siders are you ready to step into the world of Manhattans elite? When I wander the city, I can almost see the cast of Gossip Girl going about their fabulous lives. So, I’ve put together this list of all the Gossip Girl locations in New York that you can actually visit!
One of the things I love the most about Gossip Girl (apart from the fashion) is how much it features New York City. Gossip Girl was filmed in New York. Unlike most series that are set in New York but actually filmed in LA.
I am lucky enough to call the Upper East Side my home and have been through the whole Gossip Girl series to bring you the biggest location list there is!
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GOSSIP GIRL LOCATIONS – BUILDINGS
Grand Central Terminal – 89 East 42nd Street
The place where the Gossip Girl story began! “Someone saw Serena getting off the train at Grand Central”. I don’t think I need to say any more here!
The Campbell Apartment – 15 Vanderbilt Ave
While you’re at Grand Central. Head downstairs to The Campbell Apartment (Now just called “The Campbell”). This is where the scandalous scene with Serena and Nate at the Shepherd wedding was shot.
The Met Steps – 1000 Fifth Avenue
Quite possibly the most famous of all the Gossip Girl locations! This location was used a lot throughout the series. I’m lucky enough to live a short walk from here and every time I pass, girls are posing for Gossip Girl-inspired photos.
St. James’ Church – 865 Madison Avenue
The church where Blair and Louis get married. Yes, the iconic location where Blair Becomes a princess. This was also the venue for the wedding of Tripp and Maureen Van de Built. The royal wedding reception is then held at the St. Regis Hotel (2 East 55th Street).
Empire State Building – 20 W 34th Street
A must-see for anyone on a trip to New York. Also, the perfect proposal spot. Or at least Chuck thought it would be.
Museum of the City of New York – 1220 5th Avenue
While Constance Billard is a fictional school, the building it was filmed in is real and is also known as The Museum of the City of New York. This is one of my favourite NYC buildings.
The Smyth Hotel – 85 West Broadway
Featured as the hotel where Damien Dalgaard stays when he’s in the city.
Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum – 2 East 91st Street
The small garden of this museum was the filming location for the beautiful wedding of Lily van der Woodsen and Bart Bass. You can see the garden through the railing without going into the museum.
Pulitzer Fountain – 764 Central Park South
I’ve walked past this fountain so many times and never realised it was a Gossip Girl Location until recently. I’m sure you’ll remember this famous scene.
The fountain is right in front of the Plaza Hotel which is one of the most beautiful in the city!
Sotheby’s Auction House – 1334 York Avenue
Where the elite go to bid for their fine art.
St. George Theatre – 35 Hyatt Street
This extremely glamorous building is actually located on Staten Island and is used for the Opera scenes. It is a real theatre and you can watch a show there! The Lincoln Centre is in Manhattan and is another theatre location.
Bleeker Street Subway
This is where Nate teaches Blair “how to ride the subway”. Yes, the elite are not exempt from Manhattan traffic! Bleeker Street is also home to Magnolia Bakery, which was made famous by being featured in the original Sex and the City.
GOSSIP GIRL LOCATIONS – THE CAST HOMES
The Empire Hotel – 44 West 63rd Street
Purchased by Chuck in season 3 episode 3. He also lived there! This hotel was also used as a filming location for Sex and the City 2.
The Lotte New York Palace Hotel – 455 Madison Avenue
At the start of the series, The Van der Woodsen’s are living at the Palace Hotel while their apartment is being renovated. Both the exterior and the interior of the Palace are used a lot in the early episodes of Gossip Girl.
In Season 2, the VDW’s move back you their luxury penthouse which is filmed at The Milan Condominiums at 300 East 55th Street — which isn’t technically in the Upper East Side!
Humphrey Loft – 455 Water Street, Brooklyn
The Humphrey loft was in Dumbo, Brooklyn. 455 Water Street to be exact. If you venture across the East River you can see it there. With stunning views of the Empire State Building through the Manhattan Bridge, maybe the Humphreys weren’t as poor as they made out!
The Archibald Townhouse – 4 East 74th Street
Ever dreamed of living in a New York townhouse? The Archibald townhouse is a real location that you can find at number 4 East 74th Street. Unfortunately, it has been under scaffolding for the past two years. It looks like the renovations are almost complete!
The Waldorf Penthouse – 1136 5th Avenue
While a lot of the interior of the Waldorf Apartment is made up of production sets, you’ll find the building used for the exterior shots here. Located right at the top of the Upper East Side.
GOSSIP GIRL LOCATIONS – PARKS AND GARDENS
Central Park – Bethesda Terrace
Central Park was used a lot for filming throughout the Gossip Girl series. From Nate and his dad jogging through the park to Serena and Dan strolling The Mall. However, the most iconic location has to be the Bethesda Terrace. Initially used for the S & B makeup in Season 1, Episode 3. Then again, iconically for Chuck and Blair’s wedding in season 6, episode 10.
Other Central Park Locations
Conservatory Water – where Jenny and Damien do their first drug deal using the toy sailboats.
The Wollman Rink where Blair goes ice skating with her father and Roman (this one is only set up around Christmas time!)
The Pond a beautiful little area where Blair goes to feed the ducks.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The breathtaking location of Rufus and Lily’s almost wedding. I highly recommend visiting here in cherry blossom season.
GOSSIP GIRL LOCATIONS – UNIVERSITIES
NYU – the New York University – West 4th Street
After Blair’s scheming causes her to get rejected from Yale, she ends up at NYU. Dan, Vanessa and Georgina are also all students there.
Columbia – 116th and Broadway
Nate and Serena attend Columbia University. Later, so does Blair.
Parsons School of Design – 66 5th Avenue
Jenny interviews for Parsons but doesn’t get in due to Blair’s sabotage. She ends up at Central St. Martins in London.
GOSSIP GIRL LOCATIONS – SHOPS
Blair mentions the 3 B’s: Barneys, Bendals and Bergdorfs. Unfortunately, the first two are no longer in business but you can still visit Bergdorfs on 5th Avenue. (“The lesser, Bloomingdales” is also still in business and located on 59th and Lexington Avenue.)
Madison Avenue
Located on the Upper East Side and full of luxury stores. the Gossip Girl cast is seen shopping here on many occasions. Missoni, Vera Wang and Ralph Lauren are a few that are mentioned.
Fifth Avenue
Along with Bergdorf, you’ll also find Harry Winston and Tiffany & Co. here. These stores are specifically used in the show but you’ll also find a lot of other designer brands that the cast definitely would have shopped at here.
MOOD – 225 West 37th Street (3rd floor)
MOOD Fabric Store is mentioned early in the show by Jenny when she is making her own clothes. It is talked about again by Blair when she is designing her fashion collection.
GOSSIP GIRL – LOCATIONS BARS, CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
There are SO many bars, cafes and restaurants featured in Gossip Girl. Below, I’ve listed all the places you see the cast eating, or are mentioned by name. Dining at some of these will come with a hefty check at the end!
- Butter
- Oneoak
- The Campbell
- Ladurée
- Bisou
- Sarabeth’s
- Sant Ambroeus
- The Boathouse, Central Park
- Gramercy Tavern (Blair’s favourite restaurant – where dinner will cost you $168 each and an extra $125 if you’d like wine!)
- Pinkberry (frozen yoghurt)
- Serendipity
- Dylans Candy Bar
- Via Quadronno
- The Russian Tea Room
- Jean-Georges
- Kellari Taverna
- Babbo
- Veselka
- The Mansion
- The Oak Room
Thank you for reading my guide to all the Gossip Girl Locations in New York!
Don’t have time to visit all of these? Read my guide on just the most iconic ones here.
OR CLICK HERE TO READ ALL MY OTHER NYC GUIDES
Happy Travelling,
