As soon as my girlfriends and I booked flights to New York City for a weekend getaway, the next big question was “what do we want to do?” Aside from the obvious sights like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park, it was unanimous—a Sex and the City tour!
This prospect was not only exciting to me as a huge SATC fan, but also because it was something I knew my hubby would NEVER go for were I visiting NYC with him. So, win win! The tour is hosted by On Location Tours, which also does Gossip Girls, Sopranos and TMZ jaunts that entertainment fanatics will appreciate. The Sex and the City tour is without question one of their most popular trips, thanks to the incredible success of the show despite it going off the air in 2004 (where does the time go?).
Our large, comfortable bus was equipped with a washroom, air-conditioning and TVs, and was full by the time we set off. To the surprise of no one, our group was mostly made up of women, but there were a few brave gentlemen who got dragged along by their girlfriends—what champs!
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The tour started off near the famous Plaza Hotel which was featured in the show a few times, most famously as the site of Mr. Big’s engagement brunch when he was marrying Natasha—aka the “idiot stick figure with no soul.” We then wound through downtown Manhattan as our chipper guide pointed out other landmarks from the series, such as ABC Carpet and Home where Charlotte fought about bed skirts with her mother-in-law.
One of the first stops was in Greenwich Village, which is home to the Pleasure Chest where Charlotte bought her ‘rabbit.’ You’re welcome to browse in the store for about 15 minutes—or do what I did and head to the AMAZING pizza place just down the street. Two Boots was featured in the scene where Carrie and Miranda grab pizza after a torturous raw food dinner at the restaurant Smith Jared worked at, and just so happens to have some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. I highly recommend it!
Next up was Buddakan, the stunning restaurant featured in the first SATC movie as the site of Carrie and Big’s rehearsal dinner. Who doesn’t remember that incredible shot of the chandeliers? Anyway, you’ll get a chance to take some photos, and are invited to come back when it’s open for a free drink with an appy purchase. Not a shabby deal!
Of course being a Sex and the City tour, a little bit of shopping needs to be worked in. So we headed over to gorgeous Bleecker Street which is not only home to some charming boutiques, but is also a stunning neighbourhood. We only got about 20 minutes to poke our heads into some shops, but foodies may want to make time to stop at the famous Magnolia Bakery. Mmm, cupcakes!
We continued our jaunt around the city scoping out spots like the Meatpacking District where Samantha lived and the alley where Carrie got mugged for her Manolos, before ending up in SoHo at Aidan’s bar. Fun fact: it’s totally not called Scout in real life. It’s actually O’Nieals, but the bartenders were more than happy to whip up dozens of Cosmos for $9 a pop.
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Fittingly, the tour wrapped up just a couple of blocks from the site of one of the most poignant scenes in SATC history: the New York Public Library. Yes, the place where Mr. Big left Carrie at the altar.
The only things I wish were done differently was that we could have seen Ms. Bradshaw’s apartment (maybe it was just a set?) and that we got more opportunities to walk around the sites instead of just drive-by. All in all, the tour was a neat way to see the city, and I would definitely recommend it be one of the first things you do in New York City since you’ll get a glimpse of the hip neighbourhoods you’ll want to return to. The tour is a good way to make the most of a rainy day, since you’ll be on the bus most of the time.
My final tip? Binge watch Sex and the City episodes before you go!
PRACTICALITIES:
Cost: $49 per person, or free if using a New York Explorer Pass.
Tour times: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. most days. Tours are about three and a half hours long.
Need to know: Just like the show, this tour is R-rated. To be honest there wasn’t anything too crazy, but basically anyone not old enough to watch the show is also not old enough to go on the tour!
That Two Boots pizza looks amazing. Glad you had fun!
Thanks Helen! I’d say that after Italy, NYC definitely has the best pizza I’ve ever had 🙂
Now that sounds really good to me! Next time in NYC, I’m there. Thanks!
Totally! It was a great way to get a bit of an insider’s view of NYC- and brush up on our SATC trivia 😉
That looks really cool . I love to go to nyc
Thanks Anne, it’s really an incredible city!
Nice idea and competition. Also good to see a range of tours available.
Whilst I don’t watch SATC (although Charlotte is cute) I did enjoy my visit to NYC a few years ago. Any excuse to go back 😉
Haha Guy, believe me when I say I never pegged you as a SATC fan 😉 Maybe the Sopranos tour is more up your alley!
The scenes in the interior of Carrie’s apartment were actually filmed at SilverCup studios in Queens. The exterior is a brownstone on Perry Street (just around the corner from Magnolia bakery) The tour used to stop there but the tenants of the brownstone complained. I don’t blame them- I don’t think I’d want people at my door day and night taking photos. So glad you had fun! I want a cupcake and a cosmo so badly now!
Thanks for the info Gigi! Darn, I was right around the corner from the exterior, that would have been the ultimate shot 🙁 Definitely on my list for next time. Cupcakes and cosmos are always a good idea 🙂
I would definitely want to try the Soprano one! 😀
Interested.
Hi there Tamara,
Loved this post – I’m a huge sex and the city fan. Although didn’t like the second movie quite so much! This would be a great rainy day tour for sure. I for one would love it. The character Carrie Bradshaw in a way inspired me to write so it would be enjoyable to immerse myself in that world for just a little bit. 🙂
Hi Janice,
I totally agree- the second movie was NO WHERE as great as the first. That wouldn’t keep me from going to see a third movie though, were they to come up with one 🙂
Wow, I’m a big fan of the series and I’d love to go on the tour! Mind sharing where one true Sex and the City lover should stay in NYC, maybe some kind of a special hotel that was part of the set? I’m not sure if I can afford it though, the best would be something cheap for me.
Hi there, glad you enjoyed the post! Unfortunately most of the hotels featured on the series were pricey (in line with Carrie’s spending habits 😉 ), and NYC isn’t kind to those on a budget. However, when we went we stayed at Sohotel and loved it- total boutique hotel in a great location, for a reasonable price by New York standards.
You made a great guide there! Thanks for sharing your experience. You must have felt like Carrie Bradshaw there!
Regards,
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