Experience New York City as seen in 'Friends'

Any true Friends enthusiast knows the show was shot in Los Angeles, but several unforgettable exterior scenes were filmed in New York.

More than 22 years since the final episode aired, fans—both old and new, thanks to streaming services—still flock to capture memories at these famous filming spots. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, here are our top picks.

1. The iconic opening credits

The renowned fountain featured in the show's opening credits is located on a Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank, California, inspired by a Boston design. However, that hasn't stopped fans from hunting for similar fountains in New York City. Central Park's Cherry Hill Fountain is often confused with the one on screen, while Pulitzer Fountain at Grand Army Plaza is frequently mentioned as the inspiration for those memorable scenes.

2. The apartment

The West Village building that stood in for Monica, Rachel, Chandler, and Joey's classic walk-up is well-known—it even has its own Google Maps tag. Situated at 90 Bedford St, at the corner of Grove, the so-called Friends Apartment looks nearly identical to how it appeared during the show's peak, complete with its fire escape. However, you won't find Central Perk below; instead, there's a charming local spot called Little Owl, serving delicious meatball sliders instead of macchiatos from breakfast through dinner, seven days a week.

3. Ross's residences

Throughout the series, Ross lived in three different apartments, but only two were shown on screen. Before marrying Emily and moving out in season five, he resided at Washington Square Village, which Village Preservation describes as a 'modernist superblock of apartments built by Robert Moses in the late 1950s just south of Washington Square Park.' After his divorce, he moved around a bit before settling into Ugly Naked Guy's apartment. On the show, it's depicted as being across the courtyard from Monica and Rachel; in reality, it’s just across the street at 17 Grove.

4. Phoebe's residence

In the season seven episode 'The One With Joey's New Brain,' Phoebe discovered a cell phone at Central Perk. When the owner called to claim it, she provided her address: 5 Morton St, a charming brick building on a serene, tree-lined street, just a short walk from where the rest of the group lives on Bedford.

5. Rachel's initial fashion career

After a rough start as a waitress at Central Perk and before landing a coveted job at Ralph Lauren, Rachel managed to get a position at Bloomingdale's as an assistant buyer—until her department was shut down, leading to her demotion to personal shopper. While you can’t literally step into her shoes at the Third Avenue flagship, you can certainly shop for plenty of designer clothes, bags, jewelry, and perfume, all packed in those signature brown bags.

6. Joey's beloved theater

Over the years, Joey amassed an impressive array of acting credits, spanning films, plays, soaps, and indie projects. (He even starred in print ads highlighting the dangers of venereal disease—more on that later.) Some of his standout performances, like the musical Freud!, took place at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, a renowned Off-Broadway venue on Christopher St celebrated for its exciting productions and star-studded past. Whether you catch a show, enjoy a reading, or just visit to see the Playwrights' Sidewalk—a permanent tribute to the city’s Off-Broadway playwrights—you'll find something special.

7. Chandler's workplace

While no one quite understood what Chandler did for a living, everyone knew his workplace: the Solow Building, an iconic black-and-white skyscraper soaring 49 stories above 57th St, with a gently sloped facade resembling a ski jump. Completed in 1974, it encompasses 1.4 million sq ft and rises to 672 ft, offering a stunning backdrop for photos.

8. Ross's places of employment

The '50s-themed diner where Monica donned a blonde wig and took orders on roller skates was a beloved SoHo landmark for years. Unfortunately, it's no longer in operation, but her brother's workplaces still exist, especially if you look closely. In the early seasons, Ross worked as a paleontologist at the ironically named Museum of Prehistoric History—essentially a stand-in for the Upper West Side's American Museum of Natural History, where you can find a 94-ft model of a blue whale and, of course, plenty of dinosaur fossils.

Later on, he landed a job as a professor at New York University, even though the real NYU doesn’t have a paleontology department. The area surrounding the school is still worth exploring, especially Washington Square Park, a vibrant hub in the heart of the village. Just be mindful of the chess hustlers if you want to keep your wallet intact.

9. Phoebe's busking location and Joey's STI poster

While she and her guitar were regulars at Central Perk, in the show's pilot episode, Phoebe attempted to earn some extra cash in a much less inviting setting: the Bleecker St subway station. Located just north of Houston, this 6 train stop is also where Joey's potential date left him after seeing his modeling gig—promoting sexually transmitted infections on a huge poster.

10. Madison Square Garden

For both athletes and musicians, few venues are as iconic as Madison Square Garden, the storied home of the New York Rangers and New York Knicks. While the Knicks may often disappoint their fans, that didn’t stop the main six from attending games, using extra seats to set up dates, and leveraging the allure of season tickets in that notorious apartment bet. The Rangers also made their mark early in the first season when the guys attended a hockey game, resulting in Ross getting hit by a puck.

11. The Pierre

As Monica and Chandler prepared for their wedding, they truly went all out. Their chosen venue was the Pierre, a lavish landmark on Fifth Avenue established in the 1920s. The couple invited a large guest list, arranged a delectable feast, and even booked a swing band for the reception. While you probably won’t witness a similar celebration if you visit, the hotel's art deco bar in the lobby welcomes the public for afternoon tea or evening cocktails, provided you’re dressed appropriately (smart-casual attire is a must—no Friends costumes required).