Five-Star Friends Walk
Friends Locations Tour
Perfect five-star rating across nine reviews makes this the strongest-reviewed Friends walking option.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
The Short Answer
It is the apartment building at 90 Bedford Street in Greenwich Village, used for exterior establishing shots of Monica, Rachel, Joey, and Chandler's home. The street is public and free to visit anytime. The interiors were filmed on sets in Burbank, so fans wanting sets can book The Friends Experience at 130 E 23rd St separately.
Almost every episode of Friends opens on the same red brick facade at the corner of Bedford and Grove Streets in Greenwich Village. The real building still stands, with The Little Owl restaurant on the ground floor, and it draws fans daily despite the fact that no interior scenes were shot there. Those were filmed on soundstages at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.
A visit works on several levels. You can simply walk to the building for free, add nearby spots such as Phoebe's apartment exterior at 5 Morton Street and Washington Square Park, or join a guided tour that covers up to 18 locations around the city. For recreated sets, including Central Perk and both apartments, The Friends Experience in Gramercy is a separate ticketed attraction.
Compare The Tours
The bookable options below split into two broad types: walking tours focused on the Friends locations themselves, and private car tours that cover the TV sites at a faster pace, some including entry tickets to The Friends Experience. Ratings and review counts vary, so read the hooks carefully before choosing.
Small Group Friends Tour
New York City: Friends Tour
Also rated five stars, this guided tour hits the core Friends stops around Manhattan with a guide.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Fountain And Film Locations
New York City Friends Fountain & Top NYC Filming Locations
Adds the famous fountain plus other top NYC filming locations, though reviews are mixed at 1.5 stars.
From$80Check availability
Private Car, From $432
New York City: TV Show 'Friends' Private Car Tour & Tickets
Fully private car tour from 432 USD, including tickets, for fans who want exclusivity.
From$432Check availability
Private Car Tour, Tickets Included
FRIENDS in New York City Private Car Tour with Tickets
Private car format with tickets bundled in, covering the locations at your own pace.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
What You Will See
The Friends Apartment Building
The facade at 90 Bedford Street, at the corner of Grove Street, appeared in establishing shots in nearly every episode across all ten seasons. It is a private residential building on a public street, so viewing is from the sidewalk. Expect a steady crowd of fans taking photos at most hours.
The Little Owl
The ground floor of the famous building is occupied by The Little Owl, a restaurant housed in the space where the show placed Central Perk. It is a working restaurant rather than a themed attraction, but many visitors photograph the storefront as part of the pilgrimage.
Phoebe's Apartment Building
The exterior at 5 Morton Street was used for shots of Phoebe's apartment throughout all ten seasons. It sits a few minutes' walk from the main building in the West Village and is equally free to view from the street, making it an easy add-on.
Washington Square Park
The park appears among the nearby Greenwich Village exteriors connected to the show and the neighborhood's general atmosphere. It is a short walk from both apartment buildings and a natural stop on any self-guided route through the Village.
The Friends Experience
At 130 E 23rd St in Gramercy, this ticketed attraction offers recreated sets including Monica and Rachel's apartment, Joey and Chandler's apartment, and the Central Perk cafe with props and costumes. It is open most days from 10am to 7pm, closed Tuesdays, with tickets from about 45 USD.
Up To 18 Tour Locations
Guided Friends tours in New York visit up to 18 locations, including the apartment building, the area that inspired Central Perk, and other Village spots. A tour is the most efficient way to see scattered sites without plotting your own route across Manhattan.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
The main building sits at 90 Bedford Street on the corner of Grove Street in Greenwich Village. By subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F, or M trains to West 4th Street station, or the 1 train to Christopher Street station. Both are a short walk away. The area is easily covered on foot, and Phoebe's building at 5 Morton Street is only a few minutes from the main facade.
Tickets, Hours And Timing
The filming locations themselves are on public streets, so there is no ticket, no official opening time, and no entry to the buildings themselves. Most visitors spend a short while at the main facade and Phoebe's block combined, longer with Washington Square Park added. The Friends Experience is separate: tickets start around 45 USD, it runs most days from 10am to 7pm with last entry at 7pm, and it closes on Tuesdays. Guided tours are booked in advance through operators such as On Location Tours and Free Tours by Foot.
Booking Tips
- The street locations are free and need no booking; visit any time of day.
- Book The Friends Experience separately if you want recreated sets and props.
- Guided tours cover up to 18 locations and save you the route planning.
- The Friends Experience welcomes all ages, with adult supervision required for under 12s.
- Go early morning for thinner crowds at the Bedford Street facade.
On The Map
3 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Go Inside The Friends Apartment Building?
No. It is a private residential building, and only the exterior facade was ever used for the show. All interior scenes were filmed on sets at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. Visitors view the building from the sidewalk, which is public and free at any time.
Is Central Perk A Real Cafe?
The Central Perk seen on screen was a studio set in California. The ground floor of 90 Bedford Street now houses The Little Owl restaurant, which some fans photograph in its place. For a walk-in Central Perk recreation with props and costumes, The Friends Experience at 130 E 23rd St is the ticketed option.
Where Is Phoebe's Apartment Building?
Phoebe's apartment exterior is at 5 Morton Street in the West Village, a few minutes' walk from the main Friends building at Bedford and Grove. The exterior was used throughout all ten seasons. Like the main building, it is viewable from the public street at no cost.
How Much Does The Friends Experience Cost?
Tickets start at around 45 USD. The attraction at 130 E 23rd Street is open most days from 10am to 7pm, with last entry at 7pm, and it is closed on Tuesdays. All ages are welcome, though children under 12 need adult supervision. Some private car tours bundle tickets in.
How Many Locations Do Guided Tours Visit?
Guided Friends tours in New York visit up to 18 locations, including the apartment building, the area that inspired Central Perk, and other Greenwich Village spots. Walking versions focus on the Village, while private car tours cover more ground across Manhattan in less time.
When Is The Best Time To Visit The Apartment Building?
The facade is accessible at all hours since it sits on a public street, but it draws a constant stream of fans. Early mornings tend to be quieter for photographs. Weekend afternoons are the busiest, and tour groups often cluster around midday.
For most visitors, the winning formula combines a free morning walk past 90 Bedford Street, Phoebe's block on Morton Street, and Washington Square Park, followed by either a guided tour that connects up to 18 locations or a timed ticket to The Friends Experience for the recreated sets. The building is quick to see on your own, so the real decision is how much of the wider Friends map of Manhattan you want to cover, and by foot or by car.
