12 Places in NYC we were "Spotted" by Gossip Girl
GOSSIP GIRL FILMING LOCATIONS IN NYC
By: V. Rhodes
Gossip Girl (2007-2012), television series, Warner Bros Television.
Hey Upper Eastsiders…
New York is practically it’s own character in the beloved cult-classic teen drama Gossip Girl (2007-2012). We schemed with Blair Waldorf, we idolized Serena van der Woodson, we melted for Nate Archibald, and we loved to hate Chuck Bass.
Gossip Girl showcases all the best parts of New York City, and no matter how many times we rewatch the show we always find somewhere new to love. So put on those headbands! Let’s take a journey from 5th Ave all the way to DUMBO!
#1
Grand Central
GRAND CENTRAL
E 41st St, New York, NY 10168
S01 E01
One of the most iconic scenes from GG is when Serena comes back from boarding school and is spotted at Grand Central Terminal. It is so iconic in fact, that most episodes open with Izzy saying “Someone saw Serena get off the train at Grand Central”. In this episode you can also see Dan and Jenny reunited with father, Rufus, after spending time with their mother in Hudson.
In addition to it’s GG fame, it is also a fantastic bit of architecture built in 1913. It has been featured in other films like, North by Northwest (1959), Friends with Benefits (2012), Avengers (2012), and Men in Black II (2002) just to name a few.
#2
the campbell apartment
the campbell apartment
15 Vanderbilt Avenue (between 42nd Street and 43rd Street), New York, NY 10017
S01 E01 & S05 E24
When you’re at Grand Central head outside for a drink at the Campbell Bar, it might look familiar to you! A common flashback in the show is of the infamous Sheppard wedding where Serena and Nate hook up for the first time. And it’s right here, on this bar! You can even see the balcony that Chuck stands on when he catches them cheating. The drinks are pricey, but fantastic. They return in season 5 for the Shepherd's divorce party, it’s crazy the way no one stays together these days. Note: The staff is really picky about no flash or bright phone lights inside, so try and be sneaky with the pics.
#3
the MET STEPS
THE MET STEPS
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
S01-S06
Aside from Grand Central, the MET is probably the most iconic building in the Gossip Girl world. Grab yourself a yogurt and settle in to be the Queen B of Constance Billard. Aside from the coolest place to eat lunch, you might remember a scene in S05 E19, where Dan takes Blair, dressed as a princess, to reign over her subjects of NYC. If you want to see Gossip Girl come to life, look up Blake Lively's MET Gala outfit. The MET was featured in a number of classics like Ocean’s 8 (2018), Hitch (2005), Maid in Manhattan (2002) and Night at the Museum (2006).
#4
the palace hotel
the palace hotel
455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
S01-S06
This is where Serena and her family live for the first couple of seasons. They film so many scenes through the show here, and when visiting I could tell why. There’s so much open space! Like SO much open space! Perfect for a full camera crew to set up. The Palace is really easy to pick out on screen because of the large, decorative entrance gates and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the background. From season 1, one of the most memorable scenes is when Dan picks up Serena for their first date. Honestly, if I lived here all dates would be staying in and ordering room service.
#5
the empire hotel
the empire hotel
44 W 63rd St., New York, NY 10023
S03-S06
The most scandalous place on the Upper West Side is easily the Empire Hotel. The site of Chuck’s scandalous exploits. When we went the outside was getting refurbished, but we walked through the inside and felt the Chunk and Blair energy! The Empire has a fantastic rooftop bar you can go to and they even have a drink named after the show! You might also recognize the lobby bar from Sex in the City 2 (2021), when Carrie catches Big hitting on Penelope Cruz.
#6
the humphrey loft
the humphrey loft
455 Water Street, Apartment #6, DUMBO, Brooklyn. (Best view is down Washington Street.)
S01-S06
First of all, Lonely Boy is not poor! Maybe in 2007 before DUMBO was gentrified, but in 2020 the Humphrey Loft goes for over $1 mill. You can find this unit right at the end of a super iconic street in Brooklyn. Make sure you get there early! With the emergence of social media, everyone comes here to take wedding photos and prom pics. We saw even two people get engaged! You can walk across the Brooklyn bridge and you’ll be right in DUMBO. While you’re there make sure you check out the TimeOut market for some great eats, and One Girl Cookies for coffee and goodies!
#7
the archibald townhouse
the archibald townhouse
4 E 74th Street, New York, NY 10021
S01-S06
Sadly this one was also under construction when we went by. But you’ll find this gem right off of 5th Avenue. It is a beautiful townhouse built in 1898, that screams Upper East Side elegance. You can even see the front steps where Nate hooks up with Diana in season 5. But let's be real, we all still ship Nate and Serena and they could have lived a happy life here together. This swanky townhouse has some high-profile, real-life residences like Michael Jackson.
#8
pulitzer fountain
pulitzer fountain
764 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019
S01 E04
When Blair and Serena steal dresses from Elenor’s fashion shoot, where do they go? The Plaza of course! This fantastic Art Deco fountain is steps away from one of the most famous hotels in NYC. Bring your matching outfits and your low-res cameras circa 2007, get ready for a photoshoot!
#9
Museum of the City of New York
Museum of the City of New York
1220 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029
S01-S06
As far as fictional schools we wanted to go to, Constance Billard School for Girl is in the top 3. (Along with Hogwarts and PCA of course.) Although the main shoots were done in front of the Museum of the City of New York, the production team actually used four filming locations for Constance. So if you get there and think something feels a bit off, that’s why. The season 1 exterior stairs were actually filmed at a Russian Orthodox Church named Synod of Bishops, the exterior shots in season 2 are filmed at Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn. Unfortunately the recognizable interior courtyard was filmed at Silvercup Studios. In S01 E14, Jenny memorably dumps yogurt on Blair’s hair. That was filmed on these front steps, so watch out as you go past!
#10
The WALDORF PENTHOUSE
The WALDORF PENTHOUSE
1136 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
S01-S06
You can find the Queen B herself ordering around Dorota at this Upper East Side apartment. This 15-story building was built in 1925, it has a full time white-gloved doorman and elevator operator. Just the way Blair would want it!
Although the actual unit wasn’t filmed on location, the exterior shots are all this 5th Avenue building. In S01 E07, Nate and the Captain have a fight out front leading to the Captains arrest. Later, in S02 E14, Blair received an invitation from the elite Colony Club. The envelope has the actual address for the apartment building use for filming! Love!
FUN FACT: Meg Ryan and Denis Quaid once owned a seven-bedroom unit in this building, which sold for a cool $6.5 mill in 2002 after their divorce. Get me that Parent Trap money!
# 11
Cooper-Hewit design MUseum
Cooper-Hewit design MUseum
2 E 91st St, New York, NY, 10128
S01E18
If there’s something they know how to do right on the Upper East Side, it’s weddings. Especially 5-time married Lily Van der Woodson! Her 4th wedding to the hotel tycoon, Bart Bass, is hosted in the gardens of the Cooper-Hewitt. If you don’t remember the wedding, you surely remember the high-neck yellow and black maid of honour dress that Serena wears! It’s - interesting, to say the least.
#12
Bethesda Terrace & Fountain
Bethesda Terrace & Fountain
72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021
S06 E10
*SPOILER* Blair and Chuck get married!! No list would be complete without mentioning Blair’s iconic blue Elie Saab wedding dress! Blair and Chuck finally get their fairy tale ending during the series finale (Took them long enough!) This is probably the most memorable of all the GG scenes that were filmed in Central Park. Everything from the boys running down the steps of the Bethesda Terrace to the Bethesda Fountain background to the cops party crashing - this wedding was perfect. And it's actually super accessible!
Hot Tip: Get there early! We went mid afternoon and there were about 100 people all watching a jazz performance under the terrace. Although the jazz was fab, it wasn’t exactly the Blair Woldorf vibe we were looking for. If you’re a Keanu fan, then you probably remember the final scene filmed here in John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017).
Bonus:
While you're here, take a walk around the area, there’s a couple of other filming locations at this Fountain!
S01 E03
Serena is sitting on a bench under the Bethesda Terrace reading when Blair finds her. S is wearing a fantastic hat that I still envy a half a decade later! Blair reads the letter that she didn’t send Serena while she was away at boarding school, and of course the rain gives the whole scene that extra level of dramatics that we are definitely here for.
S06 E06
When Dan and Serena escape from the paparazzi on a green vespa, they come here. Not exactly the most discreet location to hide, Lonely Boy!
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Image Credit:
All Gossip Girl images were screen-grabbed directly from Netflix. All rights reserved to the CW Network and Netflix.
5. The Empire Hotel: The Empire Hotel
10. Penthouse: CityReality