Where was Gossip Girl filmed? Shooting locations of the American drama flick, revisited 

Gossip Girl (Image Via: Apple TV+)
Gossip Girl (Image Via: Apple TV+)

Gossip Girl here. And if you’ve been wondering where Gossip Girl was filmed, consider this your VIP invite. Gossip Girl made New York City the star of the show. The high fashion, the gossip, and the skyline all felt real because they were real.

Our favorite American drama flick wasn’t shot on soundstages. It was lived in New York City’s most iconic spots. Yes, every catty exchange, every kiss, and every dramatic walk-away was filmed in actual Manhattan hotspots (and a few Brooklyn corners too).

The Upper East Side, where the sidewalks are filled with secrets and every location has a scandal glued into its stones. You think Gossip Girl was just a TV show? Think again, darling. Those Met steps, that Palace Hotel, even the Brooklyn loft that tried so hard to matter, and they weren’t just locations. They were the silent witnesses to every betrayal, hookup, takedown, and piece of gossip.

And lucky you, I’m about to spill exactly where it all went down. So grab your headbands and black cards. This is one tour money can’t buy, but my gossip will give it to you for free.

Come with me as I revisit the Gossip Girl locations. I know you've been dying for the tea. And lucky for you, I never spill halfway.

You know you’ll thank me later.

XOXO, Gossip Girl.


Where was Gossip Girl filmed? Shooting locations of the American drama flick, revisited

Constance Billard and St. Jude’s:

Spotted: Teenage royalty holding court. Ah, the halls where Blair's headbands ruled and Serena's entrances were jaw-dropping. While Constance and St. Jude's may have been fictional, the location was oh-so-real.

The Museum of the City of New York acted as Constance Billard’s front steps, and trust me, those stairs saw more coronations than Buckingham Palace. The grand entrance? Those are actually the steps of the Museum of the City of New York.

Remember Blair and her minions holding court like royalty? That's where it all went down. Blair may have ruled those steps, but let’s be honest, half her minions couldn’t spell ‘hierarchy’ if it wasn’t embroidered on their headbands.

However, the interiors of Gossip Girl weren't filmed here, and those belonged to the elite Nightingale-Bamford School, giving us the perfect mix of classroom chic and catty drama. Without this setting, could we have had the feuds, the scheming, and the rise of a queen bee? Doubtful.


The Palace Hotel:

Let’s be honest. Only Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl could make a five-star hotel feel like a college dorm. Every fairytale princess needs a palace, and Serena van der Woodsen had hers. The Palace Hotel, located on Madison Avenue, wasn't just her home. It was a stage for secrets, champagne-filled nights, and confrontations that could tip over dynasties.

From the marble lobby to the ballrooms, the hotel dripped with the kind of old-money glamour most of you only dream about. For fans, standing outside feels like stepping into Serena's shoes, if only for a second. And tell me, could there be a better symbol of the Upper East Side's glittering facade than this hotel of whispered sins?


The Met Steps:

Spotted again: the true throne of the Upper East Side, i.e., the steps of the Met. If Manhattan were to be a kingdom, the Met steps would literally be the throne, and Blair would sit at the top, with her loyal minions lined all down below, and heaven forbid anyone try to eat lunch out of order.

This wasn't just about art but also hierarchy, fashion, and power. Serena's dramatic entries, Blair's silent judgments, and those fashion spreads that looked like they could be in Vogue? All staged here.

Fans of Gossip Girl still flock to those steps, hoping to channel their inner Waldorf, even if the only thing they're holding is a latte instead of Dior. Rule number one: Never sit above Blair.


Central Park:

Nothing hides in Central Park. Think again, because not even your feelings. Love triangles, heartbreak, reconciliations. Central Park is one place that saw it all. Well, Central Park and me. From romantic walks to secret meetings, it was Gossip Girl's open-air diary. Remember Bethesda Terrace?

That's where Serena and Blair patched things up after one of their many battles. And yes, the Bethesda Fountain? That's where Blair and Chuck tied the knot in the finale, proving the park wasn't just a background but a character itself.

The park's beauty softened the edges of the Upper East Side in Gossip Girl, showing us that even scandal needs a little green space.


The Plaza Hotel:

When a Gossip Girl scene needed high drama with extra sparkle, we had The Plaza Hotel. Located on Fifth Avenue, its Oak Room was the stage for Blair's emotional talks with Chuck and her struggle with Prince Louis.

But let's not forget that chaotic fashion shoot outside by the Pulitzer Fountain, featuring Serena and Blair in their natural state: stylish and everything and mayhem and more.

The Plaza has long been a symbol of luxury, and on Gossip Girl, it was the perfect dramatic set. Who knew heartbreak could look so chic and iconic?


Grand Central Terminal:

"Spotted: Serena van der Woodsen at Grand Central." With that one single iconic line being said 18 years ago, an era of Gossip Girl began. The very first episode opened with the iconic Serena Vanderwoodsen returning to the city in full mystery mode, striding through the splendor of the Grand Central Terminal.

The chandeliers, the arches, and the movement of the crowd all added to the drama in the best way they could. This wasn't just a train station; it was the city saying, "She's back."

Even today, fans of Gossip Girl can't walk through Grand Central without imagining that scene, hearing my voice, and feeling that first rush of intrigue.


Serena Vanderwoodsen's home at the Palace:

Gossip Girl knows you love gossip, and I've got just the right tea for you. Serena's bedroom wasn't just set dressing, but it was inside The New York Palace Hotel. With St. Patrick's Cathedral practically in her backyard, Serena lived like Manhattan royalty.

Remember when Dan nervously picked her up for their first date in the courtyard? The scene was so simple, yet the location was what made it look like a fairy tale. For seasons one and two, this was the VanderWoodsen home, and let's be honest, no dorm room and no home could ever even dream of competing.


Blair Waldorf’s Penthouse:

Every queen bee needs a castle. And Blair’s? A penthouse at 1136 Fifth Avenue. Her family home at 1136 Fifth Avenue was the true castle of Manhattan royalty. If you visit the actual place, the real building is a private residence, but the outside alone screams wealth and old-world prestige.

Every heart-to-heart with Eleanor, every spat with Serena, and every late-night confession with Dorota all felt bigger against the location of that apartment. Even from the street, you can almost hear the noises of Blair's perfectly timed schemes.


The Empire Hotel:

Ah, Chuck Bass. Only he would take a risky investment and turn it into an empire. No, I mean that. Literally.

The Empire Hotel wasn't just his purchase. It became his identity. His home, his office, and his playground, the hotel saw as many business deals as it did romantic breakdowns.

Located on the Upper West Side, it gave Chuck a space to grow. Plus, it made for some steamy Bass/Waldorf moments. Admit it, you loved every second.


Columbia University:

Here's a Gossip Girl secret worth spilling: Every time you thought you were watching Yale, you were actually seeing Columbia University. Dodge Hall, Hamilton Hall, and Schermerhorn became the backdrop for Serena and Blair's constant sparring. It was academic chic at its finest.

Columbia's stately architecture gave the show its Ivy League sparkle, even if the storylines were anything but scholarly. Only Gossip Girl could turn study halls into battlegrounds for love and betrayal.


The Archibald Townhouse:

Hidden near Central Park and Madison Avenue, Nate Archibald's townhouse stood tall with understated elegance. Unlike the flashier Palace or Blair's ornate penthouse, the Archibald home reflected Nate's quiet charm.

But don't be fooled. Inside those walls lived some of the juiciest family drama on the show. From scandalous financial troubles to Nate's own love life, the townhouse carried just as much weight as any gossip blast. Understated, but never boring.


The Humphrey Loft:

And last, but not least...and my favorite. Lonely Boy lived far from Fifth Avenue, but his Brooklyn loft had its own magic. Perched at 455 Water Street, the Humphrey home had exposed brick, wide windows, and a view of the Manhattan Bridge.

It was gritty, artsy, and the perfect counterbalance to Upper East Side excess. This was where Dan wrote, Jenny designed, and Rufus parented in his rockstar way. Every time a character crossed that bridge, you knew the vibe was about to change.


From palatial hotels to Brooklyn lofts, Gossip Girl turned New York into more than a filming location; it became a character of its own. Every scandal, secret, and stolen kiss felt bigger because of the city's glory.

These filming locations aren't just places; they're memories etched into TV history. Next time you pass the Met steps or wander Central Park, remember: The Upper East Side never really sleeps. And like me, the city never forgot. And neither do I.

But don’t worry, Upper East Siders. This isn’t goodbye. I’ll always be watching. After all… you know you love me.

XOXO, Gossip Girl.


Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more updates.

Edited by Debanjana