Where is the famous Gossip Girl staircase?

The Met steps (the grand staircase of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street) are the iconic Gossip Girl meeting spot in every opening sequence.

Where is Gossip Girl filmed in NYC?

Mostly on the Upper East Side (Met steps, brownstones on East 70s), plus Grand Central Terminal, the Palace Hotel (now the Lotte New York Palace) and Columbia University for the later seasons.

Can you visit the Gossip Girl school?

The Constance Billard school exterior was filmed at a private building; the interiors were Columbia University (Havemeyer Hall). Both are viewable from the street, and campus grounds are publicly walkable.

Gossip Girl Filming Locations in NYC — You Know You Love Them

"XOXO, Gossip Girl." For six seasons, the Upper East Side was the show's fifth character. The Met steps, the brownstones, the coffee carts and Grand Central's grand hall — here's where Gossip Girl was actually filmed in New York, and how to visit every iconic spot.

1. The Met steps — the famous Gossip Girl staircase

The opening shot of every episode: Serena, Blair and the crew sitting on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street). It's free to visit, always open, and the steps are still the city's most famous TV meeting spot. Go early for photos without crowds.

2. Grand Central Terminal — Blair's empire

Grand Central's Main Concourse and the famous clock were Blair Waldorf's power center — she's shot there more than once, plotting and scheming under the celestial ceiling. It's also the final stop of our NYC smart-glasses movie & TV walking tour, where you'll see it with AR overlays of the Avengers battle and classic films. The tour starts at 19 West 50th Street, New York.

3. The brownstones — Serena & Dan's homes

Serena van der Woodsen's penthouse and Dan Humphrey's Brooklyn loft were filmed at a mix of real Upper East Side brownstones and a studio set. The exteriors you'll recognize cluster along East 70th–80th Streets between Fifth and Madison Avenues.

4. The Palace Hotel — where Blair lived (and schemed)

The Lotte New York Palace (455 Madison Avenue) doubled as the Waldorf-Astoria in the series. The lobby and courtyard are open to the public — walk in and feel like Upper East Side royalty for a minute.

5. Columbia University — the Constance Billard interiors

For the school scenes, the show used Columbia's Havemeyer Hall (116th Street and Broadway). The campus is publicly walkable — a favorite spot for fans who want to see where Blair and Serena actually "attended class."

Build your own Gossip Girl tour day

A perfect day: start at the Met steps at 9am (photo-ready, no crowds), walk down Fifth Avenue to the Palace Hotel, then grab the 4/5/6 to Grand Central for our smart-glasses movie tour at 10am or 2pm — the same concourse where Blair ruled.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Gossip Girl staircase free?

Yes, the Met steps are public. Entering the Met itself has a suggested admission, but the steps are always free.

Are the Gossip Girl houses open to visitors?

No — they're private residences. You can photograph them from the sidewalk, exactly like the paparazzi in the show.

How long does a Gossip Girl self-guided tour take?

About 3–4 hours on foot with stops, or half a day if you add the Met and the Palace lobby. All the key spots are on the Upper East Side and Midtown.