Hello Upper East Siders!
Today I’m taking you on a special journey through the streets of Manhattan to revisit some of the most iconic locations from a show that defined an era for so many of us – Gossip Girl. Can you believe it’s been almost 20 years since we first heard Kristen Bell’s voice narrating the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite? Time flies, but some cultural touchstones remain eternally relevant, and Gossip Girl is definitely one of them.
My friend Barbie and I decided to channel our inner Blair and Serena for a day and tour the most memorable filming locations from the series. Both of us are huge NYC and Gossip Girl enthusiasts, so this adventure was long overdue. We dressed in our best Upper East Side-inspired outfits (blazers and hair accessories included, though we skipped the skirts because honestly, New York weather is unpredictable and it was freezing!).
Whether you’re planning a trip to NYC and want to include these spots in your itinerary, or you’re just looking to indulge in some early 2000s nostalgia, I’ve got you covered with all the details from our Gossip Girl adventure.
Stop #1: Grand Central Terminal – Where It All Began
Our tour naturally began where the series itself did – Grand Central Terminal. This magnificent train station in Midtown Manhattan (around 42nd Street) is where we first saw Serena van der Woodsen return to the city in the pilot episode. Remember that iconic moment when Dan Humphrey spots her? Pure television magic.
Grand Central is truly one of those places that instantly reminds you that you’re in New York City. With its soaring celestial ceiling, grand staircases, and constant bustling energy, it’s no wonder it’s been featured in countless films and TV shows throughout history. It’s a place where stories begin, end, and intertwine – just like they did for our favorite Upper East Siders.
As we walked through the Main Concourse, I couldn’t help but feel transported back to 2007, imagining the buzz when Gossip Girl blasted the news of Serena’s return. The architecture is just as breathtaking in person as it appears on screen, and if you visit, take some time to simply people-watch and absorb the unique energy of this historic landmark.
Fun fact: Grand Central was almost demolished in the 1970s before being saved by preservationists (including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis). Thank goodness they succeeded, or we wouldn’t have had this perfect backdrop for Serena’s dramatic return!
Stop #2: The New York Palace Hotel – Home of the Bass Family
Our second stop took us to the legendary New York Palace Hotel (now known as Lotte New York Palace). This luxurious establishment served as the residence of Chuck Bass and temporarily housed the van der Woodsen family when the series began.
Located directly across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Palace is every bit as opulent as it appeared on screen. The exterior facade and courtyard are instantly recognizable from numerous scenes throughout the series – from Blair and Serena’s heart-to-heart conversations to Chuck’s scheming at the bar.
What started as a simple photo opportunity turned into an unexpected highlight of our day. As we were about to leave, a wonderful hotel employee named Maurice recognized our Gossip Girl-inspired outfits and offered us an impromptu behind-the-scenes tour! Maurice had actually worked at the hotel during the show’s filming and shared fascinating insider details about specific scenes and where they were shot.
He showed us the bar where Serena and Chuck had their encounters, the kitchen from the «grilled cheese gate» scene, and even pointed out exactly where Nate’s dad was caught buying drugs. He took us to see the ballroom where the infamous «Wild Brunch» was filmed and knew precisely where each character stood during pivotal moments. Maurice’s enthusiasm and kindness made this stop absolutely unforgettable – if you visit the Palace, definitely ask for him!
The Palace perfectly embodies the luxury and excess that defined the Gossip Girl universe. While staying there might be a splurge (unless you’ve got Bass Industries money), the lobby and courtyard are accessible to visitors and absolutely worth checking out.
Stop #3: The Met Steps – Where The Queen Bees Reigned
«You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl.»
No Gossip Girl tour would be complete without visiting the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, better known to fans simply as «The Met Steps.» This location might be the most recognizable from the entire series – it’s where Blair, Serena, and their minions gathered for lunch, plotting their next moves in the social chess game of the Upper East Side.
While Blair and her crew typically enjoyed yogurt on these steps, we opted for something more substantial given the chilly weather. Sitting there, looking out over Fifth Avenue, it was easy to imagine why the creators chose this spot as social headquarters for Manhattan’s elite teens. The steps offer the perfect vantage point to see and be seen.
The Met Steps remain a popular photo spot for Gossip Girl fans almost two decades later. While we were there, several groups of friends were recreating their own Blair and Serena moments – further proof of the show’s enduring cultural impact.
Beyond its Gossip Girl significance, The Metropolitan Museum of Art itself is an absolute must-visit. It’s my favorite museum in the world, housing incredible collections spanning thousands of years of human creativity. If you visit, I recommend allocating at least 4-5 hours to explore (though you could honestly spend days here and not see everything). Pro tip: visit on Fridays or Saturdays when the museum stays open until 9pm, or arrive early on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
Stop #4: Constance Billard School for Girls – Education for the Elite
Our final destination took us uptown to what served as the exterior of Constance Billard School for Girls (and St. Jude’s School for Boys) in the series. In reality, this beautiful building is the Museum of the City of New York, located at 103rd/104th Street across from Central Park.
This location perfectly captured the essence of elite private education on the Upper East Side with its impressive brick facade, white columns, and elegant arches. When you see it in person, it’s easy to understand why the production team chose it – it truly looks like the kind of exclusive institution where Manhattan’s most privileged teens would receive their education.
What makes this location particularly interesting is that unlike our previous stops (which function in real life as they do in the show), this isn’t actually a school. Nevertheless, the museum’s exterior and courtyard featured prominently throughout the series, serving as the backdrop for numerous pivotal scenes of school drama, social hierarchy, and teenage scheming.
While you’re in the area, take some time to observe the actual private schools nearby. The executive producer of Gossip Girl conducted research for the show by studying the real-life students of Upper East Side schools (before social media made such observation easier). The «prep kids» of the Upper East Side aren’t just a television invention – they’re very much a real social phenomenon!
Why Gossip Girl Remains Relevant After All These Years
As Barbie and I concluded our tour, we found ourselves discussing why Gossip Girl had such a massive cultural impact when it premiered and why it continues to resonate with new generations today.
For one, Gossip Girl revolutionized teen drama by refusing to play it safe. The show embraced its scandalous nature so completely that its marketing campaign famously featured quotes from concerned parents and organizations with the tagline «The show your parents don’t want you to watch.» It never asked permission to push boundaries – it just did it.
The show also mastered character development in a way few teen dramas have achieved before or since. Each character had depth, backstory, and clear motivations. We knew Blair’s favorite films, Serena’s weaknesses, Chuck’s vulnerabilities. This richness made us genuinely care about these characters despite (or perhaps because of) their flaws.
Gossip Girl also served as a fashion and lifestyle magazine come to life. Designers clamored to have their pieces featured, celebrities made cameo appearances, and the show offered viewers a glimpse into a world of privilege and luxury most would never experience firsthand. It captured the power dynamics that come with extreme wealth and showed how money allows certain people to live by different rules.
Perhaps most importantly, the show arrived just as social media was in its infancy, making its exploration of anonymity, public scrutiny, and digital life eerily prescient. Before Instagram influencers and TikTok fame, Gossip Girl was examining how technology was changing social dynamics and personal privacy.
My niece, who’s only 14, is watching the series now and finds it just as captivating as I did at her age. That’s the mark of something truly special – when it transcends its era and continues to find new audiences years later.
Final Thoughts
Our Gossip Girl tour reminded me why I fell in love with the show in the first place – and with New York City itself. There’s something magical about walking the same streets as characters who meant so much to you, seeing the actual locations where fictional memories were made.
If you’re planning a trip to NYC and are a Gossip Girl fan, I highly recommend creating your own tour of these iconic locations. They’re all accessible by public transportation and offer a unique way to experience the city. I’ve included a Google Maps link below with all the locations marked for easy navigation.
And whenever life gets challenging, I still find myself asking: «What would Blair Waldorf do?» Because some characters never stop being relevant, and some shows never truly leave us.
Until next time… you know you love me.
XOXO, Flor.
P.S. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to see a Part 2 of our Gossip Girl tour! There are plenty more iconic locations we could visit.
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