The Ultimate Sex and the City Guide to NYC Suzy Guese June 16, 2017 New York 1 Comment It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than 20 years since the pilot of Sex and the City first aired. From Hawaii to LA, and Dallas to New York, millions of fans throughout the country became captivated with the lives and misadventures of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda, as well as the unmissable role the ever-present NYC played in telling their stories. More than a location, the city that never sleeps was truly another character in the show. Ready to discover it? Then strap on your Manolos and head for these classic Sex and the City destinations across the Big Apple! Central Park Scenes throughout the series run of Sex and the City frequently feature Manhattan’s 843-acre green oasis: Central Park. Widely considered a haven to escape the chaos of the city, landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed the park in the 1850s. Central Park was featured countless times on Sex and the City from Charlotte’s stint at horse riding to Miranda’s training for a marathon. Carrie and Big also have a famous scene at the Boathouse in Central Park, when the two fall into the boathouse pond. Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment Fans across the world can probably recognize the intricacies of Carrie’s apartment, presented as a small place at the fictional location of 245 E. 73rd Street. Actually, the brownstone façade with its iconic stoop was located at 64 Perry Street, in the West Village. Set on a block with loads of Italianate-style townhouses, it’s kind of naive to think that the show tried to make us believe that such a grand building only cost $700 a month in rent! After the first 3 seasons, Carrie’s famous spot moved next door to 66 Perry Street. Built in 1866, the classic building was designed by architect Robert Mook. Although tour buses have since been banned from the block, you can always walk up by yourself pretending that you’re Carrie chilling on your way home. Manolo Blahnik In many ways, most of us coveted a pair of Manolo Blahniks after seeing Carrie go crazy for the footwear. The brand, with its iconic flagship store off Fifth Avenue at 31 West 54th Street, was featured in several plot lines — from Aidan’s dog feasting on Carrie’s favorite Manolo sandals to Mr. Big proposing with one of Blahnik’s most popular designs, a cobalt blue pump. Fans can visit the flagship shop where Carrie reportedly spent $40,000 on shoes. New York Public Library As Carrie was a writer, she frequently stopped off at the New York Public Library for some reading material. One of the world’s greatest libraries, the building boasts a Beaux Arts style. First opened to the public in 1911, the library houses one of the best collections in the world. Fans of the Sex and the City film will also recognize the space as it was featured as Carrie’s wedding location to Big that didn’t quite go as planned. Magnolia Bakery If you think the cupcake craze is so 1998, you can thank Sex and the City for partially igniting it. Carrie and her friends were fans of Magnolia Bakery’s signature cupcakes in its original location (401 Bleecker Street). Originally born in 1996 in the West Village, Magnolia Bakery became known for its classic American baked goods. The bakery took center stage in Season 3 when Carrie and Miranda feasted on cupcakes outside the shop front. You may also like: The Ultimate TV Fan’s Guide to Los Angeles Staten Island Ferry Featured in the episode in which the girls come back from a firefighter calendar contest on Staten Island, the under half-hour boat ride aboard the Staten Island Ferry provides stunning (and completely free!) views of Lower Manhattan. Fans of the series can’t forget Charlotte making the proclamation on board that she’s getting married that year. NY Trapeze School So you’re booking, let’s say, a cheap flight from Dallas to New York and have decided that you are not going to be like the rest of visitors who flock the same tourist-ridden spots. Yes, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are a must, but you also want to try something different. Something unexpected, brave, and exhilarating that will definitely make you stand out from the masses. Well, the NY Trapeze School proves that New York, truly, has it all…even a place to learn the noble art of trapeze! Carrie strapped on the harness for the episode “The Catch”, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t test your acrobatic skills too while enjoying wonderful Hudson River views. If you dare, that is! What are your favorite Sex and the City destinations in New York City? Share your picks with us in the comments below.
