New York State of Mind: Discover Iconic Locations from TV Shows

New York City has been the backdrop for many hit TV shows throughout the decades. Start your NYC adventures with the Sex and the City Hotspots Tour. Hop on a coach bus with an experienced guide and visit over 40 filming locations, including the Meatpacking District and the West Village – home to Carrie’s brownstone apartment. Looking for the inside scoop on some of the best filming spots in the city? Jump on a bus with the New York TV and Movie Tour hosted by talented local actors. Visit the West Village at Bedford Street, a popular filming location for “Friends.” Make sure to have your camera ready as the bus makes stops at the iconic Barney’s featured in episodes of “Seinfeld” and Washington Square Park, where “Glee” filmed episodes of its fourth and fifth seasons.

Don’t miss out on the cool and chic filming spots for the CW series, “Gossip Girl.” The Gossip Girl Sites Tour is a fun, guided affair that includes behind-the-scenes trivia. Stops include Blair Waldorf’s apartment (Upper East Side), the St. Jude School for Boys (Synod of Bishops Russian Orthodox Church) and the Van der Woodsen family hotel (Lotte New York Palace Hotel).

Visitors can also explore New York City on their own. Popular filming locations not to be missed include Tom’s Restaurant from “Seinfeld,” Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner (a “Glee” favorite), McGee’s Pub from “How I Met Your Mother,” as well as the Solow Building and The Plaza Hotel frequently featured on “Friends.”

Take a detour from the hustle and bustle of the city to Long Island, New York, only 90 kilometers east of the Big Apple for even more filming locations. Travel to Montauk in the Hamptons to see popular destinations from Showtime’s “The Affair” including the Lobster Roll restaurant. Make sure to order the mouthwatering favorite and namesake hot lobster roll.

The adventures continue in Southampton, where Coopers Beach and Southampton Village were featured in several episodes of “Sex and the City.” While there, dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean, or enjoy some retail therapy in chic boutiques. End your day at the Long Island Aquarium. Netflix’s “Jessica Jones” filmed scenes here, and it’s the perfect way to spend the afternoon with the whole family. Don’t miss out on seeing sand sharks and striped bass in the expansive lagoon.

While New York City tends to take the spotlight, there are other cities throughout the state with filming locations from popular shows. Discover backdrops for Netflix’s “The Punisher” and HBO’s “Succession” in Downtown Albany, 240 kilometers north of New York City. The 19-block historic district is home to the Albany Firefighters Museum, New York State Capitol, New York State Museum and Empire State Plaza.

To the southwest, the breathtaking Hudson Valley provides the backdrop for scenes featured in the CBS hit “Madam Secretary.” Despite taking place in Washington, D.C., the Westchester Country Airport has filled in for a variety of airports during the show’s six-season run. For fans of the “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” head to the town of Deposit, New York, in the Catskill Mountains. Visit Scott’s Family Resort, where scenes were filmed for the show’s second season. Visitors can enjoy its vintage charm and 1940s aesthetic, while relaxing in a lakeside cottage or watching a spectacular sunset over Oquaga Lake.

To reach New York from international destinations, fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens. Exploring New York City by taxi, subway and foot is ideal. Rent a car to venture out into New York State.