Discover Where in New York was Gossip Girl Filmed (Written by an Upper East Sider)
Hey, Upper East Siders, are you ready to step into the world of Manhattan’s elite? If you’ve ever wondered where Gossip Girl was filmed, you’re in the right place. Prepare to step into the fabulous world of Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen with this ultimate guide to Gossip Girl filming locations in NYC.
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! From the Met steps and the Empire Hotel to dreamy townhouses, I have rounded up every real-life location you can actually visit. Whether you’re planning a Gossip Girl tour or just love the show’s aesthetic, this list has you covered. You know you love it… XOXO.
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Where was Gossip Girl Filmed?
Most of the iconic Gossip Girl series was filmed in New York City, specifically, the Upper East Side. One of the things I love the most about Gossip Girl (apart from the fashion) is how much it features New York City. If you’re wondering where in New York Gossip Girl was filmed or which area cast members, such as the iconic Blair Waldorf, lived in, this is the post for you. Below, I will reveal all.
The majority of Gossip Girl was filmed in NYC, unlike most series that are set in New York but actually filmed in LA.
Manhattan’s Most Iconic Gossip Girl Filming Locations
Here, I’ll share the most iconic Gossip Girl locations in New York. These will be must-visit stops on any Gossip Girl tour.
Grand Central Terminal – 89 East 42nd Street
We all know the iconic Gossip Girl Grand Central Terminal scene. This is the place where the Gossip Girl story began, with the quote, “Someone saw Serena getting off the train at Grand Central”. The opening scene of Gossip Girl was filmed in Grand Central, and these photos have been recreated by many fans since!
The Met Steps – 1000 Fifth Avenue
The Met Steps used in Gossip Girl are quite possibly the most famous Gossip Girl location in NYC. You’ll find the Steps of the Met located outside The Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side. This filming location was used a lot throughout the series and is certanally one of the most iconic Gossip Girl spots in NYC.
I’m lucky enough to live a short walk from here and every time I pass, girls are posing for Gossip Girl-inspired photos.
ICONIC GOSSIP GIRL FILMING LOCATIONS: THE STAIRCASE AT GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL | THE STEPS OF THE MET
Museum of the City of New York – 1220 5th Avenue
While Constance Billard is a fictional school, the beautiful location where the Gossip Girl school is filmed is a real NYC location. Constance Billard School’s real name is actually The Museum of the City of New York.
This beautiful museum is transformed into the Gossip Girl school location for filming throughout the Gossip Girl series. This building was used for all the exterior shots of Constance Billard St Jude’s school. Located in the Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue, the Upper East Side, overlooking Central Park.
Nightingale-Bamford School is said to be an inspiration for Constance Billard. You’ll find that at 20 E 92nd Street. The Spence School is also referenced in the show as one of Constance’s inspirations. This is another real Manhattan Private school, located on 22 E 91st St, New York.
THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK AKA. THE GOSSIP GIRL SCHOOL
The Lotte New York Palace Hotel – 455 Madison Avenue
Wondering what hotel Serena lived in on Gossip Girl? The iconic “Serena Van Der Woodsen hotel in New York” is really the luxurious Lotte New York Palace Hotel. A few New York hotels are used throughout The Gossip Girl series, but the most iconic shots have to be the The Lotte New York Palace Gossip Girl scenes.
This hotel, often referred to as The Palace for short, was used multiple times as a Gossip Girl filming location as the Van Der Woodsen residence in the early seasons. If you’re looking for a hotel where Gossip Girl is filmed, this glamorous spot is a must-visit.
The grand courtyard features in some of the show’s most memorable scenes, including Dan trying to sneak in a Christmas tree for Serena’s Christmas gift. Insider tip: The Lotte New York Palace goes all out with their Christmas decorations. If you visit in December, this New York location should be at the top of your bucket list!
Central Park – The Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
Central Park was often used as a Gossip Girl shooting location. I will talk about other Gossip Girl Central Park locations below, but this section is about the most iconic ones.
Of course, one of the most iconic Central Park Gossip Girl locations is Bethesda Terrace, where many pivotal scenes were filmed. You initially see it featured in the Serena & Blair makeup in Season 1, Episode 3. Fun Fact: The bench in this scene is not really there; it was added for the shoot!
You see it again in season 6, episode 10 (the Gossip Girl Finale) used as the exact place for Blair and Chuck’s wedding location. Fans were ecstatic to see the couple finally tie the knot under the beautiful Bethesda Terrace, making it not just an iconic filming spot but also the unforgettable Central Park Blair and Chuck wedding scene.
This iconic New York landmark is a must-see stop on any tour of Gossip Girl Central Park locations, offering beautiful views and a touch of glamour.
THE BETHSEDA TERRACE & FOUNTAIN | BLAIR AND CHUCK’S WEDDING IN GOSSIP GIRL
Where do the Gossip Girl Characters Live?
You might be wondering, where do the Gossip Girl characters live? All the Gossip Girl characters have real New York City addresses, and those locations have actually been used to film the Gossip Girl series, or at least the exteriors have.
Where does Blair live in Gossip Girl? – 1136 5th Avenue
Of course, we all want to know the address of Blair Waldorf’s NYC penthouse. So, if you’re wondering, where did Blair Waldorf live? That’s one secret I’m gonna tell!
While a lot of the interior of the Waldorf Apartment is made up of production sets, Blair’s Gossip Girl house is located at 1136 5th Avenue. This is also the building used for the exterior shots of her penthouse in the series.
This Gossip Girl filming location can be found in Carnegie Hill, the most prestigious area of the Upper East Side, overlooking Central Park. Conveniently located between the Met and Constance School, it’s very believable that Blair would have lived here.
Where did Serena Van der Woodsen live in NYC? – 300 East 55th Street
I already mentioned the iconic Lotte Palace New York hotel, which is the hotel Serena lived in at the start of the Gossip Girl series. For the Van der Woodsen’s this location was a temporary address while their main home was being renovated. Serena van der Woodsen’s apartment is located at the Milan Condominium.
In Season 2, Serena and her family move back to their luxury penthouse, which is filmed at The Milan Condominiums at 300 East 55th Street — which is technically just outside the Upper East Side!
Do Blair and Serena Live in the Same Building?
Another question I see asked often is: Do Blair and Serena live in that same building? The Answer: Not initially, but in Season 4, episode 3, Blair has the guest bedroom in the Waldorf Penthouse redecorated for Serena to move in, and the girls move in together. Their families didn’t live in the same building.
Where does Chuck Bass live in Gossip Girl?
The Plaza Hotel – 768 5th Avenue
It is not 100% clear where Chuck Bass lives at the start of the Gossip Girl series, although it is through the hotel where Chuck Bass lives in New York is The Plaza, which is owned by his father, Bart Bass. The Plaza is one of NYC’s most luxurious hotels so it would be very fitting for a billionaire!
The Empire Hotel – 44 West 63rd Street
In season 3 episode 3, Chuck purchases the Empire Hotel on the Upper West Side. He also lived there, and it has now become known as the iconic Chuck Bass Hotel in New York!
This hotel was also used as a filming location for Sex and the City 2.
Where did Dan Humphrey Live? – 455 Water Street, Brooklyn
Unlike the rest of the characters, the Humphreys are not Upper East Siders. So, where is the Humphrey Loft in Gossip Girl? Although initially it was thought that Dan Humphrey lived in Williamsburg, the building used as the exterior for the Dan Humphrey’s loft location is in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Dan Humphreys’ official address is 455 Water Street, Brooklyn, where he lives with his Dad, Rufus and sister, Jenny. This apartment building, is located in a prime area of DUMBO and has stunning views of the Empire State Building through the Manhattan Bridge, maybe the Humphreys weren’t as poor as they made out!
Where did Nate Archibald Live? – 4 East 74th Street
Ever dreamed of living in a New York townhouse? That dream was a reality for Gossip Girl’s Nate Archibald and his family. The Archibald townhouse is a real location that you can find at 4 East 74th Street. Unfortunately, it has been under scaffolding for the past two years. It looks like the renovations are almost complete!
DAN HUMPHREY’S APARTMENT | THE ARCHIBALD TOWNHOUSE
Other Upper East Side Gossip Girl Locations to Visit
St. James’ Church – 865 Madison Avenue
This is 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).
Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum – 2 East 91st Street
The small garden of this museum was the location of the filming of the beautiful wedding of Lily van der Woodsen and Bart Bass. You can see the garden through the railing without going into the museum. Sometimes it is open and free for the public to enter.
ST JAMES’ CHURCH | THE GARDEN AT THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM
Madison Avenue – Shopping
Madison Avenue is a road 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 by name.
Sotheby’s Auction House – 1334 York Avenue
Southerby’s was featured multiple times in the Gossip Girl series. It is where Manhattan’s elite go to bid for their fine art.
Must-See Gossip Girl Locations in Midtown & Central Park
The Campbell Apartment – 15 Vanderbilt Ave (Inside Grand Central Terminal)
Located back where it all started in Grand Central Station. 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. It’s also a great place for a drink!
Fifth Avenue – Shopping
Of course, the Gossip Girl characters are often shopping for clothes and accessories. Blair mentions the 3 B’s: Barneys, Bendalls and Bergdorfs. Unfortunately, the first two are no longer in business, but you can still visit Bergdorf’s on 5th Avenue. (“The lesser, Bloomingdale’s” is also still in business and located on 59th and Lexington Avenue, which is the Upper East Side.)
Along with Bergdorf, you’ll also find Harry Winston (where Chuck purchases Blair’s engagement ring from) 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.
SHOPS FEATURED IN GOSSIP GIRL: RALPH LAUREN, MADDISON AVENUE | DIOR AND HARRY WINSTON FIFTH AVENUE
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 the famous scene where Blair and Serena steal Eleanor Waldorf’s clothes and do their own photo shoot.
While the fountain itself is not that pretty, it is right in front of the Plaza Hotel, which is one of the most beautiful in the city!
Empire State Building – 20 W 34th Street
A must-see for anyone on a trip to New York, so of course, the Empire State Building had to feature in Gossip Girl. It’s, the perfect proposal spot. Or at least Chuck thought it would be. Does Blair make it to the Empire State Building in time? You’ll have to watch to find out!
VIEW FROM THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING | THE PULITZER FOUNTAIN
Bleecker Street Subway Station
This is where Nate attempts to teach Blair “how to ride the subway”. Yes, the elite may have their own drivers, but they 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.
Other Central Park Locations
We already talked about the iconic Bethesda Terrace and Fountain being used as the filming location for Chuck and Blair’s Wedding, but Central Park appears many more times as a Gossip Girl filming location. I shall share them below:
- The Pond is a beautiful little area where Blair goes to feed the ducks. Located at the south end of Central Park, it is more likely that Blair would have fed the ducks at Harlem Meer, which is closer to her apartment, but the Meer doesn’t have views of the Plaza!
- Conservatory Water – where Jenny and Damien do their first drug deal using the toy sailboats. These little toy boats are really used on this pond and are available to hire in the summer.
- The Wollman Rink, you’ll know this Gossip Girl spot from the iconic scene where Blair goes ice skating with her father and trips up Roman. (This location is only set up around Christmas time!)
- Nate and his dad often jogged through the park.
- Serena and Dan are seen strolling through the Central Park Mall, which leads to the Bethesda Terrace.
Parsons School of Design – 66 5th Avenue
Parsons is a prestigious fashion school in NYC., Marc Jacobs studied there. Jenny interviews for Parsons but doesn’t get in as Blair sabotages her interview. She ends up at Central St. Martins in London instead.
Gossip Girl Locations in Brooklyn & Beyond
The Smyth Hotel – 85 West Broadway
This Upper West Side Hotel is featured in Gossip Girl as the hotel where Damien Dalgaard stays when he’s in the city. He is heard talking on the phone, saying “I’m staying at the Smyth”.
St. George Theatre – 35 Hyatt Street
This extremely glamorous building is actually located on Staten Island and is used to film the Opera scenes in Gossip Girl. It is a real theatre and you can watch a show there! The Lincoln Centre is in Manhattan and is another theatre location.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The breathtaking Brooklyn Botanic Garden was used as the filming location for Rufus and Lily’s almost-wedding. I highly recommend visiting here in the cherry blossom season.
The New York University (NYU) – West 4th Street
After Blair’s scheming causes her to get rejected from Yale, she ends up at NYU, located in Lower Manhattan. Dan, Vanessa and Georgina are also students there. NYU is used a lot in the later episodes of Gossip Girl.
Columbia – 116th and Broadway
While some of the cast are at NYU, Nate and Serena attend Columbia University, located on the Upper West Side. Later, in the series, Blair transfers to join them there.
MOOD Fabric Shop- 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. This is a real fabric store you can visit!
Gossip Girl Restaurants in NYC
There are SO many bars, cafes and restaurants mentioned 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.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
PERFECT FOUR DAYS IN NEW YORK ITINERARY
HOW TO GET AROUND NYC LIKE A LOCAL
WHICH NEW YORK SKYSCRAPER SHOULD YOU VISIT?
Happy Travelling,
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