The Blair Waldorf Guide to NYC
16 GOSSIP GIRL FILMING LOCATIONS in NYC
By: V. Rhodes
Gossip Girl (2007-2012), television series, Warner Bros Television.
how to Live like Blair Waldorf: NYC EDITION
Hey Upper Eastsiders… Don’t worry girls, we still fantasize about B’s wedding dress too. If you want to be the Queen of Constance, you need to act like it. From swanky clothes to delicious pastries, is there anywhere on 5th Ave that Blair wouldn’t be seen?
If there’s something you think is missing from this list, check out our other post for more GG goodies!
#1
the met steps
THE MET STEPS
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
S01-S06
This location of course made our overall GG list. But we had to mention it again because Blair and the MET types go hand in hand. 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.
#2
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co.
727 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
S01 E04
No list about Blair would be complete without mentioning Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). Blair’s old Hollywood flashbacks are iconic, and they deserve a list all on their own! But in honor of Blair’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed bridal shower, this location made the list!
#3
Ladurée
Ladurée
864 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
S03 E08 & S05 E12
Blair name drops these famous Parisian macarons quite often throughout the show. Although the original Ladurée dates back to 1862 in Paris, they now have locations all over the world including New York and Toronto. But of course, Blair would go to the fancy Madison Ave location! You can make a reservation and have a sit-down coffee and macaron. The inside is beautiful! High recommend! If you happen to be at the Plaza, there is also a smaller Ladurée location in the food hall, with a much smaller line.
Allergy Note: If you’re looking to try macaroons, be aware that they are made with almond flour. If you have a nut allergy like me, you’ll have to try and find a local bakery (like Whisked Gluten Free in Toronto) that creates a nut free version. As far as I know, all of the Ladurée macaroons are made in the traditional style with almond flour.
#4
Bergdorf Goodmans
Bergdorf Goodmans
754 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
S01-S06
Blair only shops at the three B’s: Barneys, Bendel’s and Bergdorf. Unfortunately, since the show went off air, Barneys and Bendel’s have both closed. But, you can still walk through this famous 5th Avenue department store. You might recognize Bergdorf from Sandra Bullock’s shoplifting scene in Ocean’s Eight (2018). It is also right beside the Plutzer Fountain at the Plaza Hotel, where Blair and Serena have their iconic photoshoot!
#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
Sarabeth’s
Sarabeth’s
40 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019
S01-S06
If you’re in NYC, hit up Sarabeth’s for brunch. Not only is it delicious, but it’s one of the most name-dropped restaurants of Serena’s and a personal favourite of Blair’s. Unlike a lot of other fantastic min 2000’s venues, this one is still thriving! You might recognize this restaurant from Sex and the City (1998-2004), it’s one that the gang frequents for brunch.
#7
the empire state building
the empire state building
20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001
S03 E22
Blair romanticizes the Empire State Building like all of us! Films like Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and An Affair to Remember (1957) shows the big romantic climax of the movie happens 1,200 ft off the ground. For all those Blair and Chuck stans, we know this season finale really broke your heart!
The Empire State building is one of the most popular tourist destinations in NYC. So when you go, be prepared for the crazy crowds. They don’t show that part in the movies.
#8
The Pond at Central Park
The Pond at Central Park
Central Park, East Side between 59th and 63rd
S02 E20 & S05 E07
Blair: Grab the bread. Not even Chuck’s media mind games could disrupt the calm I feel off feeding the ducks. Besides, you could use the exercise.
Dorota: I’m pregnant too, remember?
There are so many memorable GG scenes that take place in Central Park (even one more on this list), but feeding the ducks is one of our favourites. As Cyrus (Wallace Shawn) says, Blair dedicates herself to avian welfare and that she “would never let a duck go hungry”. So grab some bread, and of course Dorota, it’s duck feeding time!
In addition to all the duck feeding, this is where Nate comes to find Blair to win her back!
#9
Museum of the City of New York
Museum of the City of New York
1220 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029
S01-S06
You can’t have a day as the Queen B without visiting her kingdom! Although multiple filming locations were used for Constance Billard, this is the most recognizable. The 2021 GG reboot has already begun filming at this location. The entrance court yard 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
Harry Winston
HARRY WINSTON
701 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
S05 E06
Blair has a long standing relationship with Harry Winston. The diamonds of course, not the person. Even as early as season 1, Blair is putting pieces on hold at this uber expensive jewelry store for her birthday. Let's reflect on this for a hot second. At 17, Blair calls the most expensive jewelry store in NYC and puts a $35,000 diamond necklace on hold, so that her 17 year old boyfriend can go buy it for her. If your high school boyfriend didn’t buy you a gift equivalent to a down payment on a house, did he even love you? Oh Blair, one of the many reasons we love you.
Most importantly, this is where Chuck buys Blair her engagement ring. And even more importantly, this is where Chuck awkwardly brings back the ring and leaves it on the front steps. One of my favourite I-don't-think-this-is-supposed-to-be-funny-but-I’m-laughing-anyways scenes. Also, Harry Winston confirmed that this ring cost $59,000. The absolute wealth these characters have is incredible.
#12
VERA WANG
VERA WANG
991 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10075
S05 E11
After Blair’s accident, she goes back to planning her wedding to Louis. She takes Dan with her when she tries on her wedding dress at Vera Wang. This is a really fun episode because THE Vera makes a guest appearance!
#13
St. James church
St. James Church
865 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
S05 E13
St. James is a fantastic gothic cathedral that has all the pomp and circumstance of a NY royal wedding. Love or hate the Blair/Louis relationship, this wedding was fit for a princess. And in case you didn’t know, Blair’s wedding to Louis marks the 100th Gossip Girl episode! I can assure you that when the episodes were airing, this was a BIG deal!
#14
columbia university
columbia university
630 W. 168th St. New York, NY 10032
S03 - S04
After Serena’s gap year and Blair’s year at NYU, in Season 4 they both end up at Columbia University with Nate. Most of the shots on campus are just of the gang walking around the quad, but a couple of locations are really easy to pick out. Specifically when they walk in front of the campus library.
Columbia University's large quad and old buildings lends itself to Hollywood. It has been featured in much more movies then you probably realize like Ghostbusters (1984), New York Minute (2004), Hitch (2005), Spider-Man (2002) and West Side Story (1961).
#15
Hamilton house
Hamilton house
337 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 10025
S04 E03
In the first week of Columbia, Serena and Blair join a secret organization called the Hamilton House, they get Tiffany & Co. key necklaces to commemorate said secret organization, and have an affair with a professor. You know, a completely normal university experience.
Although the cast has been spotted all over the Columbia campus, the Hamilton House specifically was such a big part of season 4. All that Juliette drama!
#16
Bethesda Terrace
Bethesda Terrace
72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021
S06 E10
*Spoilers* 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).
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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.
2. Tiffany & Co.: Bloomberg
3. Laudrée: York Avenue
4. Bergdorf Goodman: Who What Wear
5. The Empire Hotel: The Empire Hotel
6. Sarabeth’s: YouVisit, Sarabeth’s Twitter
10. Penthouse: CityReality
14. Columbia: Columbia Law
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