The 'Gossip Girl' Lover's Guide to New York
Hey, Upper East Siders. Are you hoping to be the next Queen B? Well, we’re sorry to say that there will only be one Blair Waldorf, but if you visit these choice locations across the city (check out the map here), you just might run into her majesty with her royal court following closely behind. Tread lightly; you don’t want to get in the middle of any drama. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
xoxo. Gossip Girl.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka The Met Steps)
Spotted on the Met steps: Blair and her minions grabbing a quick lunch while crafting plans to rebuff some sad upstart. It seems like just yesterday we were watching S & B face off for the first time after Serena’s mysterious disappearance.
Vera Wang Bride
Spotted: Blair trying on her wedding dress and nuptial-attire goddess Vera Wang herself making an appearance. Even though this fitting at Vera Wang’s boutique was for the ill-fated Prince Louis wedding, we can look past that and focus on the fashionable creations for the world’s literal royalty.
The Archibald Townhouse
Just across 5th Avenue from Central Park is the wonderfully Neoclassical townhouse used for exterior shots of the Archibald home. The interior was used for filming, as well, but we don’t recommend peering in the windows. This is still private property, after all.
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain (aka Where Blair & Chuck Were Married)
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain’s beautiful location makes it a favorite location for TV and film: Sex and the City, Home Alone 2, the list goes on. It’s no wonder that Blair and Chuck’s picturesque spur-of-the-moment wedding happened in front of this incredible backdrop.
The Empire Hotel
Back when Chuck was just a mogul-in-the-making, the Empire Hotel was his first purchase. The Lobby Bar was a favorite hangout spot for the main quintet, and you can still order “the Chuck Bass” from whoever is manning the bar. Don’t hope to stumble into Mr. Bass’s suite “on accident,” as that penthouse only exists on a studio lot.
Bergdorf Goodman
Let’s be honest: Gossip Girl plotlines always played a supporting role to the fashion. Like Prince Harry to Prince William. Kourtney to Kim. Everything to Pizza. Who’s that spotted outside Bergdorf’s? It’s S and B holding shopping bags–aka doing what they do best.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central is where everything started. Our Mystery Girl Serena’s arrival from a year at boarding school sent ripples far and wide. It’s a good thing she rekindled things with Blair, otherwise WWII would have looked like child’s play.
Henri Bendel
Bad news, wannabes. Blair and Serena might have spent all their non-school hours shopping for clothes in Henri Bendel, but as of 2009, the company no longer sells apparel. You should have joined the “it” crowd when you could. Guess you’ll just have to make do with a bag.
Lotte New York Palace
Who’s that we spy in the courtyard? Lonely Boy pining after Serena. The New York Palace was the home of the van der Woodsens during the seasons-long remodel of their penthouse apartment. The Palace isn’t shabby, but, judging from their move in season 2, the remodel was well worth the wait.
The Plaza Hotel
Step aside, Macaulay Culkin. Little kids aren’t allowed in the Oak Bar. You might remember this setting from the season 2 finale when Serena thought she could threaten me into meeting her face-to-face. But the joke was on her when I let her little possy know that I’d be following them to college. Hope you learned your lesson. xoxo
The Museum of the City of New York (aka Constance Billard School for Girls)
While there were actually four different filming locations for Constance Billard, the one you probably know most is the exterior of the Museum of the City of New York. Maybe you and your travel partner can make better conversation on these steps than Little J’s constant complaining about how she isn’t part of the “in” crowd.
The Humphrey Loft
Last on our list is the humble Humphrey Loft all the way across the river in Brooklyn. Standing outside, you can almost imagine Jenny working hard to please Queen B. Here’s an inside tip, Little J: The faster you rise, the harder you fall. Hope that Hello Kitty sleeping bag doubles as a parachute.