Friends Filming Locations in New York City: The Apartment Building, Central Perk & More

Where is the Friends apartment building in NYC?

It’s at 90 Bedford Street, right at the corner of Grove Street in the West Village. This is the building whose exterior was used as the facade of Monica and Rachel’s (and later Joey and Chandler’s) apartment throughout all ten seasons. The actual interiors were filmed on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, but this corner is the real New York landmark.

The building is a six-story walkup. It’s a private residential building, so you cannot go inside. But the exterior is instantly recognizable, and the corner is one of the most photographed spots in Greenwich Village.

Tips for visiting: - Go early in the morning (before 9 a.m.) or on a weekday to avoid crowds. On weekends, especially in summer, there’s almost always a line of people posing for photos. - The Little Owl restaurant occupies the ground floor of the building. It’s a solid brunch spot. Reservations recommended. - Be respectful of residents. Keep noise down, especially at night.

Was Central Perk a real coffee shop?

No. Central Perk was a set built on a soundstage in California. There is no permanent Central Perk cafe in New York City. However, pop-up experiences have appeared over the years, and the Friends Experience (more on that below) includes a Central Perk replica where you can sit on the famous orange couch.

If you want coffee near the apartment building, try Stumptown Coffee Roasters on West 8th Street or Joe Coffee on Waverly Place, both a short walk away and both very Village.

What is the Friends Experience in NYC?

The Friends Experience is an interactive, ticketed attraction that has operated in various Manhattan locations (it has moved venues, so check the current address before visiting). It features recreated sets from the show, including Monica’s kitchen, the Central Perk couch, Joey and Chandler’s apartment, and the fountain from the opening credits.

• Tickets: Typically $35 to $55 per person depending on the package
• Duration: Plan for about 60 to 90 minutes
• Booking: Timed entry; buy tickets online in advance at friendstheexperience.com
• What’s included: Photo ops on recreated sets, props, costumes, and a gift shop stocked with Friends merchandise

This is the closest you’ll get to walking through the show’s interiors in New York.

Can you recommend a movie and TV-focused walking route through Greenwich Village?

Absolutely. Start at the Friends apartment and build out from there. Here’s a self-guided route that covers major film and TV landmarks in under two hours on foot:

1. 90 Bedford St / Grove St (Friends apartment exterior)
2. 66 Perry Street (Carrie Bradshaw’s stoop from Sex and the City, about a 5-minute walk north)
3. Washington Square Park (featured in When Harry Met Sally, I Am Legend, and dozens of other films; 10-minute walk east)
4. Cafe Reggio, 119 MacDougal St (one of the oldest coffeehouses in the Village, seen in Shaft, The Godfather Part II, and others; right off the park)
5. The Stonewall Inn, 51-53 Christopher St (historic landmark, also featured in numerous documentaries and films; 7-minute walk west)
6. Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleecker St (made famous by Sex and the City; grab a cupcake; 5-minute walk from Stonewall)

Total walking distance: roughly 1.5 miles. Flat terrain. Entirely walkable.

For a guided version, On Location Tours runs a dedicated NYC TV and Movie Sites bus tour and a separate Sex and the City walking tour that covers some of the same ground with expert commentary. Tickets run $30 to $60 depending on the tour.

What other Friends-related spots exist around the city?

• The fountain from the opening credits was filmed at the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, not in New York. However, the Pulitzer Fountain in front of The Plaza Hotel at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue is sometimes mistakenly associated with the show. It’s gorgeous regardless.
• Bloomingdale’s (1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street) is where Rachel Green worked in the show. The real store is worth a visit on its own.
• Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th Street) is where Ross Geller worked as a paleontologist. The museum is one of the best in the city, Friends connection or not. General admission is pay-what-you-wish for New York residents; standard adult tickets are $28.

Are there specific Gossip Girl filming locations we can visit around the Upper East Side and Central Park?

Yes, and they pair well with a Friends day if you want to make it a full TV-location itinerary. Key Gossip Girl spots include:

• The Met Steps (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue) where Blair and Serena held court
• The Palace Hotel (now the Lotte New York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue), used as the exterior of the van der Woodsen residence
• Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, featured in multiple episodes
• St. James’ Church, 865 Madison Avenue, used as the Constance Billard / St. Jude’s exterior

You can hit the Village Friends spots in the morning and take the 1 train uptown to 79th Street for an Upper East Side Gossip Girl loop in the afternoon.

How do we visit the Ghostbusters firehouse and the Sex and the City steps in one day?

Easy. The Ghostbusters firehouse (Hook & Ladder 8) is at 14 North Moore Street in Tribeca. The Sex and the City stoop is at 66 Perry Street in the West Village. They’re about a 20-minute walk apart, or one quick cab ride.

Start at the firehouse in Tribeca, walk north through the West Village to the SATC stoop on Perry Street, then continue to the Friends building at 90 Bedford Street (a 3-minute walk from Perry). Three iconic TV/film locations in under an hour of walking.

Where are the best thrift stores and vintage shops in Chelsea and Greenwich Village?

Since you’re already in the neighborhood for Friends locations, hit these while you’re there:

• Beacon’s Closet (10 W 13th Street) for curated secondhand clothing at fair prices
• Housing Works Thrift Shop (143 W 17th Street in Chelsea) for designer donations supporting a good cause
• L Train Vintage (multiple locations, including one on West 8th Street) for affordable vintage denim and leather
• Stella Dallas Living (218 Thompson Street) for vintage home goods and clothing with a 1970s vibe
• Buffalo Exchange (114 W 26th Street in Chelsea) for buy-sell-trade contemporary and vintage pieces

All of these are within a 15-minute walk of the Friends apartment building.