Marble arch at Washington Square Park in autumn afternoon light, fallen leaves and distant strollers

New York TV And Movie Location Tours

A guide to touring Manhattan's most famous TV and film locations by bus, on foot, or with a private guide.

The Short Answer

New York TV and movie tours visit over 60 Manhattan filming locations tied to Friends, Seinfeld, Ghostbusters, Sex and the City and more. The main operator, On Location Tours, runs a 2.5-hour guided bus tour from 1650 Broadway, with adult tickets from $65 USD. Advance booking is recommended, and bookings are non-refundable.

New York City may be the most filmed place on earth. Friends, Seinfeld, Ghostbusters, Sex and the City, Home Alone 2, Succession, Law & Order and When Harry Met Sally all used its streets, diners and parks as backdrops, and a small industry has grown up around showing visitors exactly where those scenes happened.

The best-known operator is On Location Tours, founded in 1999 by Georgette Blau. Its flagship NYC TV & Movie Tour covers more than 60 locations across Times Square, Greenwich Village and Tribeca on a climate-controlled bus, with guides who are local actors and actresses that have worked on New York film and TV sets. The company serves over 100,000 customers annually and has won a Concierge Choice Award.

Compare The Tours

The tours below cover different slices of New York screen history. Some follow the classic multi-show bus formula, others zero in on a single series such as Friends or Gossip Girl, and a few take a private-guide or even running format. Prices, durations and group sizes vary considerably, so match the format to your energy level and favourite productions.

Coach Bus Tour, 60+ Locations

NYC TV & Movie Locations Bus Tour: Friends, Seinfeld & More

The established bus itinerary covering Friends, Seinfeld and more, rated 4.5 from 1,293 reviews.

4.5 out of 5 · 1,293 reviewsNew York City

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Small-Group Walking Tour, $69

NYC: Movie and TV Show Walking Tour

A 4.8-rated walking format at $69 that gets you out of the bus and onto the sidewalks.

4.8 out of 5 · 69 reviews

3-Hour Private TV Tour

3-Hour Private NYC TV and Movie Tour

Three private hours covering a broad mix of TV and movie locations at your own pace.

4.6 out of 5 · 57 reviews

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Classic Films Private Tour

New York Classic Films 3-Hour Private Guided Tour

A private three-hour tour of classic-film locations for golden-age Hollywood devotees.

4.6 out of 5 · 57 reviews

Private Sex And The City Tour

Private Sex and The City Tour in New York with Movie Scenes from famous TV show

A dedicated Sex and the City itinerary with a private guide, rated 3.8 from 25 reviews.

3.8 out of 5 · 25 reviewsNew York City

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Friends-Only Locations Tour

Friends Locations Tour

A perfect 5-star pick focused entirely on Friends locations across the city.

5.0 out of 5 · 9 reviewsNew York City

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Gossip Girl Sites Tour, $160

Gossip girl Tour

A $160 Gossip Girl-focused outing through the show's Manhattan haunts.

3.7 out of 5 · 3 reviewsNew York City

Running Tour, $40

NYC Movie & TV Location Running Tour: Jog Iconic Filming Spots

A $40 running tour that combines sightseeing with exercise past famous filming spots.

5.0 out of 5 · 2 reviews

Private Godfather Locations Tour

Godfather Movie Locations New York Tour with Private Guide

A private guided visit to Godfather filming sites for fans of classic crime cinema.

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

Private Wolf Of Wall Street Tour

Wolf Of Wall Street Movie Locations in NYC with Private Guide

A private guided visit to Wolf of Wall Street filming sites for finance-film fans.

PriceLive on listingCheck availability

What You Will See

Friends Apartment Building

The exterior of Monica and Rachel's apartment in Greenwich Village is a street-view-only photo stop and one of the most popular sites on any TV tour. Expect crowds of fans taking pictures.

Ghostbusters Firehouse

The firehouse that served as the Ghostbusters headquarters exterior can be viewed from the public street. There is no interior access for tours, but the facade alone draws fans year-round.

Washington Square Park Arch

The marble arch appears in countless productions and anchors one of the most recognizable stretches of Greenwich Village. Tours typically pass through or stop nearby for photos.

FAO Schwarz

The famous toy store featured in Home Alone 2 remains a favourite stop, especially for travellers visiting with children. It sits near other Midtown filming spots on the route.

Tiffany & Co.

The jeweller's flagship connects directly to Breakfast at Tiffany's lore and sits within walking distance of other Midtown landmarks covered on the bus route.

Original Soupman

The shop that inspired Seinfeld's Soup Nazi episode is a regular feature on comedy-focused itineraries, and a fun stop for fans of the show.

Pierre Hotel

This upscale hotel exterior appears in multiple films and adds a touch of old New York glamour to the itinerary as the bus moves between neighborhoods.

Planning Your Visit

Getting There

The main tour meeting point is Ellen's Stardust Diner at 1650 Broadway, at the corner of 51st Street. The closest subway stations are 50th Street and Times Square-42nd Street, both a short walk away and served by multiple lines. Arriving a few minutes early is wise, since buses depart on schedule and space is limited.

Tickets, Hours And Timing

Official adult tickets for the NYC TV & Movie Tour start at $65 USD, with child tickets for ages 6 to 9 at $50 USD and premium seating options available. The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours on a climate-controlled bus with occasional photo stops. Opening hours vary by date, so check the official schedule when booking. Guided tour options listed below range from walking and running tours to private guides, with prices starting around $40 USD.

Booking Tips

  • Bookings are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, so confirm your travel dates before purchasing.
  • Advance purchase is recommended, as space on each bus is limited.
  • All ages are welcome, making the tour suitable for families.
  • Private tours are available for groups wanting a custom itinerary.

On The Map

4 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Is The Tour?

The main NYC TV & Movie Tour runs approximately 2.5 hours on a climate-controlled bus with occasional stops for photos. Walking and private options vary, including a 3-hour private tour and a longer classic-films itinerary, so check the duration listed for each specific product.

Where Does The Tour Start?

Tours depart from Ellen's Stardust Diner at 1650 Broadway, at the corner of 51st Street. The closest subway stations are 50th Street and Times Square-42nd Street. Arrive early, as buses leave on schedule and seats are limited.

How Much Do Tickets Cost?

Official adult tickets start at $65 USD, children aged 6 to 9 pay $50 USD, and premium seating costs more. Third-party guided tours start around $40 USD for a running tour and $69 USD for a walking tour, with private options priced higher.

Can Tickets Be Refunded?

No. Bookings for the main bus tour are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, so confirm your dates carefully before buying. Advance purchase is recommended because space is limited and tours regularly sell out.

Which Shows And Movies Are Covered?

The flagship tour spans over 60 locations tied to Friends, Seinfeld, Ghostbusters, Sex and the City, Home Alone 2, Succession, Law & Order, When Harry Met Sally, Glee and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt across Times Square, Greenwich Village and Tribeca.

Can I Visit The Locations Myself?

Many sites, such as the Friends apartment building and the Ghostbusters firehouse, are viewable from public streets at no cost. The Central Park TV & Movie Sites Tour, run by the same company, is a separate ticketed walking tour covering park locations from Serendipity, Enchanted and Gossip Girl.

A screen-location tour is one of the more entertaining ways to organize a day in Manhattan, since it stitches together neighborhoods you would likely visit anyway while adding stories you would never hear otherwise. Decide first whether a general bus itinerary or a single-show deep dive suits your group, then book ahead: with non-refundable tickets and limited seats, planning early is the difference between a smooth outing and a missed departure.

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