These Sex and the City filming locations in NYC helped to establish New York City as the show’s fifth character. One of the things that makes Sex and the City so iconic is that it was filmed in real places throughout the city and not just in a studio. It made the show feel real, and it turned some businesses into household names. These are the Sex and the City filming locations to visit when you are in NYC.
Sex and the City Filming Locations in NYC:
I’ve divided this list of 35+ Sex and the City filming locations into landmarks, bars and restaurants, shopping, and more. I included locations from the television series and both films.
NYC Landmarks
The Brooklyn Bridge
Steve and Miranda come together on this bridge that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn when they decide to reconcile in the first movie.
Central Park
The city’s largest park is featured on many episodes of the series. It’s where Charlotte conquered her fear of riding horses and where Carrie and Big went on a carriage ride before he moved to Napa. There are also several scenes where the characters are walking and talking in the park.
Carrie’s Apartment, #66 Perry Street
The exterior of Carrie’s apartment is one of the most iconic Sex and the City filming locations. Carrie says her address is 245 East 73rd Street, which is in the Upper East Side. But, the show filmed the exterior shots in Greenwich Village at 66 Perry Street. It is a private home, so don’t climb on the stairs to take photos. Many of the brownstones in Greenwich Village look very similar so you may not even feel the need to seek out the exact address.
Meatpacking District
Samantha moves to 300 Gansevoort Street midway through the series. At the time, the Meatpacking District had recently become trendy, and now the area is cleaned up and filled with chic restaurants, high-end shopping, and the High Line. There are a few times in the series where Samantha expresses sadness over how the neighborhood has changed.
The Plaza, 768 5th Avenue
This is where Big and Natasha had their engagement party and where Carrie said one of her many goodbyes to Big.
Jefferson Market Garden, Greenwich Ave & 6th
You will remember this little garden from Miranda’s Wedding. And yes, you can book the garden for weddings.
NY Public Library, 476 Fifth Avenue
The main branch of the NY Public Library was prominently featured in the first SATC movie. This is where Big and Carrie were supposed to get married. The library is worth visiting, the Rose Reading Room is architecturally incredible, and the stuffed animals that inspired Winnie the Pooh are in the children’s Library.
Columbus Circle Fountain, 59th Street and Central Park West
Carrie and Aiden break up at this fountain. Was anyone else on Team Aiden? Carrie’s dress in that scene was stunning, and she should have flown to Vegas in the dress and married Aiden as he suggested.
St. Marks Chuch-in-the-Bowery, 131 East 10th Street
After party girl Lexi Featherson said, “I’m so bored I could die”, and then fell out of a window and died, her funeral service was held at this church.
Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
Remember when Petrovsky bought Carrie a gorgeous pink Oscar de la Renta dress and took her to the opera? But before they could actually make it to the opera Carrie fainted because it was all just too romantic? That scene took place at Lincoln Center. They skipped the opera and went to McDonald’s. The specific McD’s that they filmed at has since closed, but once you have been to one McD’s, haven’t you been to them all?
Bars and Restaurants featured on Sex and the City
Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleeker Street
Sex and the City made cupcakes a giant trend. There are still cupcakes shops all over the city and Magnolia Bakery has several locations in NYC now. The bakery was featured on the series in 1998 when Carrie and Miranda sat on a bench outside eating cupcakes while talking about Aiden and Steve.
The Modern, 9 W 53rd Street (in the Museum of Modern Art)
One of the most memorable restaurant scenes takes place in the first Sex and The City film. Carrie is having lunch with Charlotte and Miranda at this Michelin-starred restaurant when she reveals that she and Big are getting married. Charlotte screams with excitement and then announces the happy news to the entire restaurant.
Da Marino, 220 West 49th Street
Apparently, Chris Noth likes to dine at this restaurant in Times Square that is known for its classic Italian cuisine. On the show, Carrie and Big go on a date here and he calls her his girlfriend for the first time. Then Big sings Carrie a song!
Eleven Madison Park, 11 Madison Avenue
The fine-dining restaurant is considered one of the city’s best, and it was where Carrie and Big had lunch after they decided to be just friends. They drank too much and Big tells Carrie that he is engaged to Natasha. It did not go well.
Balthazar, 80 Spring Street
One of my favorite places to eat in Soho, Balthazar is a glamorous French restaurant where Carrie and Samantha have dinner together.
Brasserie 8 1/2, 9 West 57th Street
This French restaurant in Midtown is where Carrie has dinner with Stanford and is approached by a woman who recruits her to be in a fashion show. She wears Dolce and Gabbana and falls on the runway.
Il Cantinori, 32 East 10th Street
Carrie celebrates her 35th birthday at this Italian restaurant. The only problem is that none of her friends show up.
Pastis, 52 Gansevoort Street
This very popular Meatpacking District restaurant was featured on the show twice. The girls brunched here, and Carrie and Petrovsky had dinner here. The ladies brunched outside while Samatha complains about how the neighborhood has been cleaned up too much. Miranda complains about the burger costing $20. The iconic eatery closed in 2014, but it has reopened at 52 Gansevoort Street.
Loeb Boathouse, East 72nd Street and Park Drive North
One of the most memorable Sex and the City filming locations, Carrie and Big met here for lunch and end up falling into the water.
Tasti d-Lite
There aren’t many Tasti d-Lite’s around anymore but Charlotte loved this frozen yogurt chain and went there with Harry.
Pete’s Tavern, 129 East 18th Street
Miranda casually proposed to Steve at one of the city’s oldest bars. The spot is known for having their own farmhouse ale.
Onieals, 174 Grand Street
This Lower East Side bar was where they shot scenes for Scout, the bar that Steve opened with Aiden, and named after his dog.
Russian Samovar, 256 West 52nd Street
Michael Baryshnikov, who played Petrovsky, is part owner of this restaurant where Carrie and Petrovsky dined at 1:04 am. They had potatoes, herring, beet salad, and aspic.
SEA, 114 6th Street in Brooklyn
This is where Samantha meets Smith, who was a waiter at the restaurant before she turned him into a Hollywood star.
Shopping
Bloomingdales
According to the second film, Carrie was working in the dress department at Bloomingdales in 1989 when she met Miranda.
Manolo Blahnik, 31 West 54th Street
This shoe designer receives many mentions throughout the series, and their shoes were prominently featured in the first movie too! When Carrie couldn’t understand why she was broke and didn’t have a downpayment for an apartment, Miranda did the math and came to the realization that Carrie had spent about $40,000 on shoes.
Chanel, 737 Madison Avenue
Remember when Charlotte and Anthony go shopping at Chanel together and he says, “Chanel-lo!” as they enter the store? I wonder how many people still do that today.
Barneys, 660 Madison Avenue
Carrie and Charlotte go to Barneys together so that Charlotte can wear a blindfold and experience being blind in order to become a guide to the blind. Of course, Carrie gets distracted and ends up buying shoes from a salesman played by Andy Cohen. In 2003, one of the retailer’s Christmas windows was dedicated to the series.
Bergdorf Goodman, 754 5th Avenue
The second movie opens with the fab four going to Bergdorfs to shop for a wedding gift for Stanford and Anthony’s wedding. The show’s costume designer, Patricia Field, created windows for the store to coincide with the release of Sex and the City 2.
Dolce and Gabbana
Carrie is wearing Dolce and Gabbana when she dramatically tumbles to the floor in a fashion show.
ABC Home, 888 Broadway
Remember Trey’s mother, Bunny? She went along with Charlotte as she shopped for a new bed. I love this massive store, it’s just really fun to browse.
Hermès, 690 Madison Avenue
Samantha wanted a Birkin bag so badly that she lied and said it was for her client, Lucy Liu.
St. Mark’s Comics, 11 St. Mark’s Place
Remember when Carrie went from dating Big to dating a stoner who worked at a comic shop and lived with his parents? This little comic shop is where Carrie met Wade.
More Sex and the City Filming Locations in NYC:
The Museum of Modern Art, 9 W 53rd Street
Charlotte leads tours at the museum in later seasons.
Trapeze School New York
In season six Carrie took a trapeze class at this school’s Pier 40 location.
Yankee Stadium
Remember when Carrie and Big split and Carrie goes on a date with the new Yankee? The stadium has been completely rebuilt since the show filmed there, but I am certain they still have beer and hotdogs.
Louis K. Meisel Gallery, 141 Prince Street
This Soho gallery is where Charlotte worked before she married Trey.
Staten Island Ferry
This scenic ferry ride is definitely worth experiencing. It was featured on the show when the ladies went to the FDNY’s fireman competition. A highlight of the ferry ride is an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty.
Did I include all of your favorite Sex and the City filming locations in this guide? Share your favorite in the comments!