Growing up in the noughties, I along with everyone I knew was a major fan of Friends. This iconic TV show featuring 6 friends navigating life in New York is one of my favorite shows of all time!
And so visiting the Friends apartment in New York was a must for me during my time in the city. Having watched the series countless times, it was very nostalgic for me to see the exterior of Monica, Rachel, Joey & Chandler’s apartment in real life. Of course, I took lots of photos. But, guess what – my phone was robbed (with all the photos) not long after my visit to New York.
Where is the apartment from Friends?
The Friends apartment in New York is located at 90 Bedford Street on the corner of Grove Street in Greenwich Village. This 6-story corner residential building housed both Monica and Rachel’s and Chandler and Joey’s apartments. However, I think all of the characters had a stint living here at one stage. Even though the interior shots were filmed in Warner Bros Studio in California the exterior shots were all taken here.
As you can imagine, 90 Bedford Street has become a major tourist destination for fans of the TV show – some days there can be hundreds of tourists queuing to snap photos of the building.
The closest subway station can be found at Christopher Street and West 4th Street.
I will add that the Central Perk Cafe is not located on the ground level of this apartment building – instead, you will find a great restaurant called The Little Owl, which has excellent reviews.
Related Read: If you’re a Sex and the City fan you may also be interested in checking out Carrie’s apartment in West Village!
Can you visit the Friends apartment in NYC?
Unfortunately, you cannot view the inside of the Friends apartment in New York as it’s privately owned.
The building at 90 Bedford Street in Greenwich Village consists of 22 one-bedroom apartments and rent for around $6,000 USD per month.
I will add to please be mindful when taking photos outside the building as people do live inside. Lucky them!
Can you visit the Friends coffee shop in New York?
Although the Central Perk Cafe is not located at 90 Bedford Street (in its place you’ll find a restaurant called The Little Owl). But if you’re keen to get the Central Perk experience you can head to The Friends Experience on 130 E 23rd St, which is a fully functioning replica of the famous Cafe. You can grab a coffee or pastry here and sit on the iconic orange couch.
You’ll also be able to experience other Friends set recreations such as Joey & Chandler’s apartment and Monica’s living room!
A standard ticket costs from $59.75.
Related Read: You may also be interested in visiting the Mrs Doubtfire House in San Francisco!
Can you get public transport to the Friends apartment?
Yes, you can catch public transport to the Friends apartment at 90 Bedford Street from downtown NYC! The easiest way to reach the Friends apartment is by walking from Times Square. This is what I did and it took me around 40 minutes (I’m a fast walker, though!)
- From Times Square – Walk to the Times Square 42nd Street Station, grab the 1 line towards South Ferry. Get off at the Christopher St-Stonewall station and walk 280 meters to 90 Bedford Street.
- From the Empire State Building – Walk to the station at 34th Street-Herald Square, hop on the B line to Brighton Beach. Get off at W 4th Street-Washington Square and walk around 10 minutes to the Friends apartment.
- From Central Park – Head to the 59 Street-Columbus Circle station, and hop on the 1 line to South Ferry. Get off at Christopher St-Stonewall station and walk 2 minutes to 90 Bedford Street.
Can you walk to the Friends apartment from downtown NYC?
Yes, you can walk to the Friends apartment from most parts of the city. However, keep in mind it will be around an hour’s walk from most of the major attractions in downtown. For example, from Times Square it’s a 45-minute walk via 7th Avenue. And from Central Park it’s around an hour’s walk via W 59th Street and 7th Avenue.
Tour recommendation:
This 3-hour tour is a must-do if you’re a movie buff like me! It provides transport via private coach to some of the most famous filming locations in NYC, like the Friends apartment and the Ghostbusters Firehouse. And a knowledgeable local guide to tell you fascinating tidbits about each location. It’s a great option if you want to cover a lot of ground in a short space of time and not have to worry about walking or navigating public transport.
How much would the Friends apartment cost in NYC?
As I said, the average cost to rent an apartment in the Friends building on 90 Bedford Street is around $6,000 per month. A lot more than what Monica was paying (she paid around $200 per month according to the show!)
Best Hotels in NYC
Hotel Chelsea – Located just 800 meters from the Flatiron Building, the 4-star Hotel Chelsea is excellently rated (it scores 9.3/10 on booking.com). The rooms here are stylish, comfortable and surprisingly spacious. And the hotel has a bar, restaurant, fitness center, free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk. A double room here averages around $400 USD per night.
Artezen Hotel – This is another well-rated 4-star hotel in NYC. Located over a kilometer from One World Trade Center, this property is stylish, clean and offers guests a fitness center, free WiFi and, a lovely terrace. A room here is very reasonable at around $200 USD per night.
Luma Hotel – Set in the hustle and bustle of vibrant Times Square – this is the hotel to stay if you’re wanting to be in the center of the action. This is a 4-star property with a guest satisfaction rating of 9/10 and boasts clean, spacious rooms, a well-rated restaurant and on-site bar. A room here will set you back around $250 USD per night.
Hotel Scherman – This boutique hotel in midtown Manhattan is very popular with couples. That’s thanks to the cozy, modern rooms – many with lovely views of the surrounding cityscape. The hotel boasts a gorgeous terrace, free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk. A room here costs around $300 USD per night.
My favorite things to do in New York
- The Statue of Liberty is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think of NYC. And it’s hard-to-miss at a whopping 93 meters tall. And the only way to see it is by boat. This well-rated Statue of Liberty Cruise is 50 minutes long and costs only $29 USD. It departs from South Street Seaport.
- The Empire State Building – The top of this popular building gives a 360-degree view of the entire city with Central Park and Times Square easily visible on a clear day. In fact, the Empire State was recently awarded the number one spot on the list of Top Attractions in the World in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best! A ticket to the 80th floor of the Empire State starts from $47 USD, it’s extra to get to the 102nd floor.
- Central Park – Central Park is HUGE, it’s an impressive 3.4 square kilometers. Some popular (and very photogenic) spots to check out here include Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, Belvedere Castle, and Gapstow Bridge.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art – A must-visit for true art lovers. It has everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to masterpieces by European giants like Van Gogh and Monet. At the Met, there’s something for every art or history-loving student. Would you believe over 2 million pieces of art are housed here? If you love the TV series Gossip Girl then you may recognize the entrance steps to The Met!
Thanks for Reading!
Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by snaphappytravel