There are so many stories that take place in New York City that it's almost impossible to keep track of them all. Romcom couples finally sharing their first kiss in front of a brownstone, best friends spending their girls' night out at a trendy bar, families taking part in fancy Christmas parties at the Plaza. It's like being transported to the city without leaving your couch! One of our favorite TV shows of all time, Gossip Girl, is also set in the Big Apple, and it takes place all over the city in a way that makes you feel like you know your way around, even if you've never visited before.
If you want to check New York City off your bucket list, there are plenty of fun tourist activities *and* more relaxed residential areas to visit (we promise that not every area of the city feels as crowded as Times Square). Iconic locations like all of the museums, the Empire State Building, and Macy's on 34th Street might come to mind when you're planning a weekend in Manhattan, but there are loads of restaurants and locations with a Gossip Girl twist that you can visit too.
To get you in the mood for your big city vacation, get a jumpstart on binging your favorite season of Gossip Girl on HBO Max (Season 1 is our go-to) and keep scrolling to take a virtual tour of New York City.
Brit + Co's "Gossip Girl" Guide To New York City
Considering New York City is one of the biggest and most connected cities in the world, you will have no problem getting there — we've taken trains, planes, and cars into the city! Once you're actually there, there are plenty of taxis, Ubers, and subway lines to get you going in the right direction.
Where to Stay In New York City
If you're not familiar with New York City, let's break it down; it's actually a lot easier to understand that it seems. There are five different boroughs (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island), and then those boroughs contain a variety of neighborhoods (Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, and Greenwich Village are all neighborhoods in Manhattan). The locations are all so different from one another — you could stay somewhere different every night and feel like you were on a completely new trip.
There are a number of hotels in the city to stay in, and all kinds of of AirBnbs throughout NYC that will make you feel like a local. If you want to get a feel for the Upper East Side, where Blair and Serena live, try out this Beautiful Manhattan Apt with Private Garden!
To get views of the NYC skyline that every Gossip Girl fan deserves, check out this chic studio apartment near Hell's Kitchen. Not only is the space staged by an interior design studio in the city. There's also a marble so you can get your work done in style... all while you gaze out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
If you want a break from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, hop over to DUMBO (which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), which is where Rufus, Dan, and Jenny live in Brooklyn. We're obsessed with this condo that's right near the Brooklyn bridge. It's surrounded by a variety of restaurants, bars, and parks so you can grab a bite to eat before walking over the bridge.
What to Do In New York City
Every Gossip Girl fan who takes a trip to the city is going to want to see plenty of locations from the show, and we've got you covered! Even if the show changed the name of some of these locations, they still make for great picture opportunities.
To get a look at where Serena, Dan, and the rest of the self-proclaimed "non-judging Breakfast Club" went to school, stop at the Museum of the City of New York on 5th Avenue. Even though it's not actually a school, you can stop in to see some cultural and historical exhibits, like Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya's Raise Your Voice art installation and the Starlight hanging grid.
We couldn't talk about Gossip Girl without mentioning the Met steps. A large part of the show's screen time (and power struggles) take place on the iconic stairs outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Stop for a picture, or to eat your yogurt parfait à la Blair before you head inside to look at the art.
Head into Central Park to stop at Bethseda Fountain. Not only does it offer a beautiful view of the park, but it's also found in more than one Gossip Girl scene. In Season 1, Episode 3, it's where Serena and Blair reconcile, and in the series finale, Blair and Chuck get married in the nearby Bethseda Terrace, with the fountain in the background.
The Plaza is one of the most iconic hotels in the country, and in addition to seeing the fun shops and munching on tasty treats, you can stop by the Pulitzer Fountain outside, which is is where Blair and Serena take photos after stealing the dresses for one of Blair's mom's photoshoots in Season 1, Episode 4.
Whether you're taking a train to the city or want to peek inside to see what it's like, there's a good chance you'll stop inside Grand Central Terminal. Serena returns to the city in the pilot here, and not only is it a beautiful building, but walking around makes us feel a little bit mysterious.
Over the bridge in DUMBO, get a glimpse of Rufus, Dan, and Jenny's loft at 455 Water Street before you take a classic picture with the bridge in the background.
Where to Eat and Drink in New York City
No trip to New York City would be complete without some delicious food. In Season 1, Episode 2, Serena brings cappuccinos and croissants to Blair's apartment, and there are tons of places to get both in the city. Ceci Cela and Maman are also great options for grabbing a tasty bite.
Blair loves all things French, including madeleines and macarons, and loves to stop at Ladurée whenever she wants some. Over the bridge in Brooklyn, Rufus makes some of the best waffles around. If you're not able to make them yourself, stop at Wafles & Dinges in Herald Square to get your fill of waffles *and* a Manhattan food truck experience.
You have to grab brunch at least once on your trip. In addition to cappuccinos and croissants, Season 1, Episode 2 features tons of brunch inspiration, and while we wouldn't necessarily recommend getting into a fist fight like Dan does, we would recommend some fancy avocado toast. Some of our favorite spots for brunch in the city are Egg Shop on Elizabeth Street and Jacob's Pickles on Amsterdam Avenue.
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Featured photo via David Vives/Unsplash
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