10 New York Places Friends Fans Still Love Visiting

You already know the lines, now come walk the city that framed them.

New York, New York State keeps serving familiar corners where the show’s rhythms still echo through everyday life.

These places are real, easy to visit, and full of small details that make the fictional world feel close enough to touch.

Bring curiosity, a smartphone, and a gentle respect for the neighborhoods that welcome you in.

1. Friends Apartment Building, Greenwich Village

The building at 90 Bedford Street sits where Bedford Street meets Grove Street, a familiar corner that pulls you in with its brick facade and classic fire escapes.

You recognize the lines of the windows and the trim, a visual that matches the show’s establishing shots without pretending to be the real apartments.

Stand across Grove Street for the clean angle that most fans photograph, then pivot to admire the calm, residential rhythm of Greenwich Village in New York State.

The streets are narrow, the trees cast gentle shade, and the stoops nearby remind you that this neighborhood is lived in, not staged.

Please keep voices low, move along if residents come and go, and treat the corner like the home it is to New Yorkers.

You will find the Little Owl at the base, which anchors the scene with a warm storefront glow and casual outdoor seating.

The cross streets let you frame the corner cleanly, and a short walk reveals more brownstones that echo the show’s vibe.

Look for the Bedford Street sign to orient your shot, then capture the junction where the facade meets the skyline.

Sunlight shifts quickly between buildings, so visit in late afternoon for soft color and minimal glare.

Address: 90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014.

2. Little Owl, Greenwich Village

At the ground floor of the corner building, Little Owl adds neighborhood charm that fans instantly recognize from the backdrop of the show’s famous facade.

The blue awnings and intimate windows give the corner a cozy look, with seats lining the sidewalk that feel very Village.

Even without a studio set, the gentle buzz around this corner creates a memory that feels close to the show’s rhythms in New York State.

Photograph the exterior from across Grove Street to capture the storefront and fire escapes in a single frame.

The light bounces off red brick and tree leaves, softening the scene for a clean, timeless snap.

Step back toward Bedford Street for a wider angle that includes the quiet curve of the block.

Be mindful that this is an active restaurant and a residential building above, so keep doorways clear and give guests space.

The elegance of the facade pairs well with the Village’s low scale, making the corner feel cinematic without feeling staged.

Come early in the day for fewer crowds, then wander nearby blocks to find similar stoops and cornices.

Address: 90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014.

3. Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park anchors the Village with an arch that frames Fifth Avenue and a plaza that invites lingering between music and conversation.

The fountain center draws steady movement, which makes the park feel like a living establishing shot from your own trip.

Benches ring the paths, and the backdrop of the arch gives any photo a clean, unmistakable New York State signature.

Enter from the south to see the arch reveal the avenue, then swing left for views of the lawn and chess tables.

The park’s scale suits quick strolls, and light changes across the stonework through the day.

Street performers often occupy the wide circles, adding rhythm without crowding the space.

The neighborhood’s academic energy filters through quietly, with students crossing at a steady pace.

You can imagine the characters passing through, grabbing a seat, and texting a plan that sends them uphill into Midtown.

Photograph the arch from a few steps back to keep vertical lines straight, or shoot low to feature the sky.

Address: Washington Square Park, New York, NY 10012.

4. Empire State Building

The Empire State Building rises above Midtown with clean Art Deco lines that still make hearts jump when the skyline opens between blocks.

Fans fold it into their trip because the building feels like a steady reference point, a north star in city stories.

Stand across Fifth Avenue for a dramatic angle that keeps the spire centered against bright sky in New York State.

The base has classic limestone details that reward a closer look, especially where light cuts across the corners.

Photograph upward from the curb to remove visual clutter and emphasize the vertical stretch.

Walk a block or two to frame the tower between older cornices and modern glass.

The lobby interior, with its restored finishes, gives a quick architectural pause if you step inside during public hours.

Lines can build around peak times, so plan a window that fits your pace, not the rush.

The building reads beautifully in late afternoon when shadows lengthen and the facade glows warm.

Address: 20 W 34th Street, New York, NY 10001.

5. SoHo Streets

SoHo’s cast iron facades and cobblestone blocks deliver the texture that television loves, with lines and ladders that play perfectly in photos.

Walk Mercer Street, Greene Street, and Wooster Street for repeating patterns of columns and fire escapes.

Angles shift quickly at intersections, letting you grab crisp frames without stepping far in New York State.

Early hours bring quiet sidewalks and even light that shows the metalwork without harsh contrast.

Storefronts open slowly, so the street scenes keep a calm pace that suits photographers.

Later in the day, the neighborhood hums with shoppers and gallery visitors moving between corners.

Look for side streets where cobbles are intact, which add a grounded feel underfoot and under lens.

The facades carry soft tones that mix nicely with muted clothing and neutral bags in your shots.

Keep doorways clear, stay off loading zones, and treat stoops like private thresholds.

Address: SoHo, roughly bounded by Canal Street, West Broadway, Lafayette Street, and Houston Street, New York, NY.

6. Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden stands over Penn Station with a circular profile that signals big city moments before you even check the sign.

The arena’s presence in storylines feels natural, because it anchors sports and concerts within easy reach of Midtown.

From Seventh Avenue, the facade curves under bright panels that photograph cleanly against dusk in New York State.

Capture a wide shot that includes the neighboring towers, which gives scale without losing the arena’s lines.

The plaza areas around the entrances are usually busy, so step back for a calmer frame.

Interior concourses show clean finishes and clear signage, which help you navigate quickly.

When schedules change, the digital boards update fast, making it easy to adjust plans.

For an exterior only visit, the best angles sit at the corners where the curve meets straight avenues.

Look up for reflections of the arena in nearby glass, a subtle way to double the shape in photos.

Address: 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001.

7. Bloomingdale’s, Midtown Manhattan

Bloomingdale’s on Lexington Avenue ties directly to a key career arc, so stepping here feels like leafing through a fashion chapter in motion.

The flagship’s dark awnings and polished windows frame the entrance with a crisp Midtown energy.

Shoppers stream past regularly, which keeps the sidewalks active without ruining clean photos in New York State.

Aim for a three quarter angle from the corner to include signage, windows, and the length of the facade.

The interior floors are airy and well signed, so wayfinding stays simple even during busier stretches.

Security and staff are helpful about directing you to information desks and services.

If you only want exterior shots, step across Lexington Avenue and keep the frame tight on the architecture.

Light tends to reflect off neighboring buildings, giving a soft fill that flatters the facade.

After a quick visit, you can walk to nearby landmarks within minutes, keeping your day flexible.

Address: 1000 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, main entrance at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue.

8. Central Perk Inspiration Spots, Greenwich Village

Central Perk lived on a soundstage, yet the Village still offers coffee shop interiors that match the warm seating, brick hints, and friendly rhythm.

Look for rooms with vintage couches, mismatched chairs, and low lamps that make conversation feel central.

Windows that face the street give that classic people watching angle so many fans remember in New York State.

Several cafes near MacDougal Street and Bleecker Street keep lighting soft and music low, which reads well in photos.

Focus on corners where couches meet bookshelves, since those compositions feel instantly familiar.

Ask staff before shooting interiors, and avoid pointing at guests to keep privacy intact.

From the sidewalk, frame the storefronts with their signs and warm glow, a simple way to capture the mood.

Morning hours are best if you want open seats and quiet backgrounds.

Afternoons bring more laptops and study sessions that add a lived in hum without overpowering the space.

Address: Greenwich Village, around MacDougal Street and Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012.

9. Museum of Modern Art Area

The Museum of Modern Art sits on a block that layers glass, stone, and open zones, making the area feel like a crisp Midtown pause.

Even if you rush, the lobby’s clean lines and terraces read immediately as contemporary city design.

Fans add this stop because cultural curiosity threads through the show’s conversations in New York State.

Stand across West 53rd Street to capture the facade and sculpture garden walls without heavy distortion.

The reflections shift with passing clouds, adding gentle movement to still photos.

Security manages entry smoothly, and wayfinding signs keep navigation clear.

Street seating spots nearby let you rest while planning your next walk.

From here, you are close to Fifth Avenue and a set of small side streets with calmer traffic.

The museum’s exterior lights glow softly near dusk, a good time for images with balanced tones.

The building’s proportions read clearly from multiple angles, which helps maintain straight lines in exterior shots.

Glass surfaces mirror surrounding towers, creating layered compositions without visual clutter.

Pedestrian flow around the block stays steady but rarely chaotic.

The sculpture garden walls introduce texture that contrasts with the smooth facade.

Seasonal light changes alter how the materials register on camera.

Morning hours tend to feel quieter along this stretch of the street.

The setting balances cultural weight with everyday Midtown movement.

Address: 11 W 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019.

10. The High Line

The High Line lifts you above the streets on a green ribbon that threads through Chelsea with plantings, benches, and steel rails.

Even though it did not appear in the original era, fans love it as a modern link that keeps the city story evolving.

The walkway delivers long views, layered textures, and clean lines that suit photographs in New York State.

Enter near Gansevoort Street for the southern start, then stroll toward the art installations and overlooks.

The seating nooks offer quiet pauses without losing the hum of the avenues below.

Buildings flank the path so light changes every few steps, creating fresh compositions quickly.

Look for spur sections and lookouts where the park widens and frames cross streets.

Benches in wood and concrete provide simple geometry that anchors wide shots.

Morning brings softer light and fewer passersby, while late day adds warmth to metal and stone.

Public art appears throughout the park, rotating over time and giving repeat visits a different visual rhythm.

Seasonal plantings shift the palette across the year, adding subtle color changes to the linear landscape.

The elevation creates a sense of separation from traffic while still keeping the city fully in view.

Street sounds filter up in a muted way, reinforcing the contrast between motion below and calm above.

Short staircases and elevators connect the path to surrounding neighborhoods at regular intervals.

The narrow proportions encourage forward movement while still allowing moments of rest.

The park functions as both a passage and a destination, depending on how slowly you choose to move.

Address: The High Line, main access at Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014, with multiple entrances north.