XOXO, Where Was Gossip Girl Filmed? The Ultimate List Of 17 Iconic NYC Locations From The Original And Reboot

You know you love me, and you also love New York City, which is the true star of the iconic series, Gossip Girl. While the drama and fashion were legendary, the show’s success was inextricably linked to its lavish, aspirational setting. From the moment Serena van der Woodsen stepped off the train at Grand Central Terminal in 2007, the show established a visual blueprint for the lives of Manhattan's elite. As of this current date, December 12, 2025, fans are still flocking to the Upper East Side and beyond to relive the scandal, secrets, and high society of both the original series (2007–2012) and the recent reboot (2021–2023).

The question of "where was Gossip Girl filmed" is more than a simple answer; it’s a detailed itinerary through the most exclusive and recognizable spots in New York, contrasting the old-money glamour of the Upper East Side with the new-money chic of Downtown and Brooklyn. This is your definitive guide to the real-life residences, schools, hotels, and hangouts that brought the world of Serena, Blair, Chuck, Nate, and Dan to life.

The Upper East Side: The Original Playground of Manhattan's Elite

The majority of the original Gossip Girl series was shot on location, cementing New York City as a character itself. The Upper East Side served as the primary backdrop, representing the established wealth and tradition of families like the Van Der Woodsens and Archibalds. The show utilized a mix of grand hotels, museums, and private residences to create the world of Constance Billard and St. Jude's students.

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1. The Steps of The Met: The Social Throne

Perhaps the single most iconic location in the entire series is the front steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). This was Blair Waldorf’s unofficial throne, where she and her minions would gather for lunch, gossip, and to establish the day’s social hierarchy. The steps are a public landmark, making it easy for fans to visit and stage their own dramatic lunch scenes.

2. The New York Palace Hotel: The Van Der Woodsen/Bass Residence

The Palace Hotel, now officially known as The Lotte New York Palace, was the opulent home of the Van Der Woodsen family in the early seasons. It later became a key location for Chuck Bass, who eventually bought the hotel in the series. The courtyard and grand lobby were frequently used for exterior and interior shots, showcasing the family’s immense wealth.

3. The Museum of the City of New York: Constance Billard & St. Jude's

While the schools, Constance Billard School for Girls and St. Jude's School for Boys, are fictional, their exterior was the stately Museum of the City of New York. This location provided the perfect backdrop of old-world prestige for the elite private schools. The reboot series also used this building's exterior, maintaining a visual link to the original show’s educational setting.

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4. The Empire Hotel: Chuck Bass’s Real Estate

Later in the series, Chuck Bass invests in and manages The Empire Hotel, making it a central hub for the characters. Located on the Upper West Side, its bar and lobby were frequently featured, offering a slightly more modern, cosmopolitan feel compared to the traditional Palace Hotel.

5. Blair Waldorf’s Fifth Avenue Penthouse

Blair’s family home, the Waldorf residence, was portrayed as a lavish penthouse on Fifth Avenue. While interior scenes were shot on a soundstage, the exterior shots were of a real building on Fifth Avenue, embodying the quintessential Upper East Side luxury apartment.

Downtown & Brooklyn: The Humphrey and Reboot Territories

The world of the Humphreys—Dan and Jenny—introduced a contrast to the UES, bringing the series to the more bohemian, up-and-coming neighborhoods of Brooklyn. The reboot series further embraced the Downtown aesthetic, focusing on a new generation of wealth and influence that is less tied to traditional Manhattan addresses.

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6. The Humphrey Loft in DUMBO/Brooklyn

The iconic loft of the Humphrey family, Dan "Lonely Boy" and Jenny, was located in Brooklyn. The exterior shots were of a building at 455 Water Street, near the Manhattan Bridge, placing them in the DUMBO area (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). This location visually represented their middle-class status compared to their UES counterparts.

7. Grand Central Terminal: Serena's Dramatic Return

The pilot episode’s opening scene, where Serena van der Woodsen arrives back in New York, was filmed at the majestic Grand Central Terminal. This location served as a powerful symbol of her return and the catalyst for the entire series' drama.

8. The Campbell Apartment: Hidden Speakeasy

Located within Grand Central Terminal, The Campbell Apartment (now called The Campbell) was a stunning, historic bar used in the series for clandestine meetings and sophisticated dates. Its hidden, opulent atmosphere perfectly fit the characters' secretive lives.

9. The Russian Tea Room

This legendary Manhattan restaurant, known for its ornate, gilded decor, was used for several formal and dramatic meetings, including the famous scene where Blair confronts her mother. It is a quintessential New York dining experience.

The Reboot's New Generation of Filming Locations

The 2021 Gossip Girl reboot series, while still centered in New York, shifted its focus to reflect a more modern, social media-driven elite. The filming locations expanded beyond the traditional UES to include trendy spots in Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, reflecting a shift in where the "new money" hangs out.

10. Empire Stores: The DUMBO Hangout

The reboot utilized Empire Stores, a revitalized warehouse complex in Brooklyn's DUMBO, which houses various trendy shops and restaurants. This location is often cited as being inspired by Dumbo House, the Brooklyn outpost of the exclusive Soho House club, offering a modern, industrial-chic aesthetic.

11. The Grill and Le CouCou: Modern Fine Dining

Showrunner Joshua Safran highlighted two Manhattan restaurants, The Grill and Le CouCou, as favorite filming locations for the reboot. These establishments represent the new wave of high-end, contemporary dining that the new generation of Upper East Siders would frequent.

12. The Plaza Hotel

While The Palace Hotel was central to the original, the reboot occasionally featured The Plaza Hotel, another iconic New York landmark, continuing the tradition of using grand, luxurious hotels as backdrops.

13. The New York Palace Hotel (Again)

The reboot made a conscious effort to pay homage to the original, and The Palace Hotel was one of the locations revisited, serving as a nod to the Van Der Woodsens and a bridge between the old and new generations of Manhattan's elite.

More Iconic and Frequently Used Locations

To truly capture the topical authority of the series' setting, you must include the numerous other Manhattan locations that provided the backdrop for key moments and LSI keywords.

• Central Park: Used for numerous romantic and dramatic scenes, including the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain.
• St. Patrick's Cathedral: Featured prominently in several wedding and formal event scenes.
• Sotheby's: The famous auction house was used for events and storylines involving high-end art and auctions.
• Columbia University: Where both Serena and Blair attended college in the later seasons.
• Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City: A location often used for the exterior of the Bass/Waldorf residence in later seasons.

Whether you're visiting the hallowed steps of The Met or seeking out the trendy lofts of DUMBO, the real-life filming locations of Gossip Girl offer a unique and luxurious tour of New York City. The series, in both its forms, left an indelible mark on the city's cultural landscape, turning architectural landmarks into character backdrops. So grab your designer handbag and your besties—your self-guided tour of Manhattan's most scandalous spots awaits. XOXO.