NYC: Gossip Girl Pedicab Tour Central Park & Fifth Ave

4.84

(186 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the sound — wheels humming over the pavement, taxis honking somewhere behind us, and our guide (his name was Sam) calling out, “This is where Chuck said it!” as we rolled up to the Plaza Hotel. I’d seen it in photos but standing there, with street vendors grilling nuts nearby and the wind tossing my hair around, it felt oddly familiar. Even if you’re not a die-hard Gossip Girl fan (I’m more of a casual watcher), seeing these spots in Manhattan — Fifth Avenue all glitzy and loud — just hits different from a pedicab seat.

Sam knew every shortcut through Central Park. He pointed out Bethesda Terrace (“That’s where Blair and Chuck got married — season finale!”), and I swear I could almost hear echoes of their lines bouncing off the tiles. We hopped off for pictures; some other tourists were posing too, but Sam waited until the crowd thinned so we could get a clear shot. The air smelled like wet leaves and something sweet from a cart nearby. At one point he tried to teach me how to say “Ladurée” properly — I definitely messed it up, but he laughed and said even New Yorkers get it wrong.

I didn’t expect to care about Nate’s townhouse or the Met steps, but there’s something about seeing them in real life that makes you want to rewatch the show (or at least text your friends about it). The Upper East Side has this hush to it — even with all the traffic. We zipped past designer shops I’ll never afford and ended up at the Empire Hotel, which honestly looks less dramatic without all the TV lighting. Still cool though. It’s only 90 minutes but you see so much, especially with someone who actually knows all the stories behind each spot.