10 Best New York TV and Movies Tours

New York is a city with great global prominence, including in films and series. Are you up for a tour of the neighbourhoods that were once the settings for the most famous series and films?

Alejandra Savoia

Alejandra Savoia

10 min read

10 Best New York TV and Movies Tours

Time Square, New York | © Luca Bravo

If you're visiting this city, it's essential to decide what to do in New York because the variety can overwhelm you. How about starting with the best tours about series and films that will make you feel like a movie star? This theme is present in a wide range of tours, and you'll be able to choose the one you like best.

New York City is a huge and varied backdrop for films and series. Producers and directors have made the most of every corner of the city, from neighbourhoods, bridges, famous shops, monuments, museums, art galleries, universities, harbours, parks, restaurants and many other places.

1. Bus tour of the places that were the setting for series and films

New York Sightseeing Bus Tour| ©CarDun78
New York Sightseeing Bus Tour| ©CarDun78

A guided tour lasting approximately 3 hours takes you to a wide variety of New York City sites that have become iconic in the entertainment world as the backdrop for several famous series and movies. The tour is conducted by bus.

The guides are actors who are very knowledgeable about the artistic medium and know how to convey the information to make the tour fun and informative.

They are in charge of taking groups to each of the destinations including the Daily Bugle offices (Spiderman), the sets of Friends, the flats, cafes and restaurants of the series Girl and the Broadway of the second season of Glee, among others.

Interesting details

  • Price: from €50.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: the tour takes place by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: an organised way to visit several of the best New York art scenes.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you may want to do another New York film and series set tour to visit more places of interest.

Book a New York City Film and Series Tour

2. The Sopranos real-life set tour

Visiting Holsten's Diner| ©ses7
Visiting Holsten's Diner| ©ses7

Such is the relevance of The Sopranos series even today that customised tours are organised to take in those New York sites that became authentic settings for the family at the centre of the story and all the other characters in the series.

The Sopranos tours are conducted by bus with a guide who is a professional actor or actress in the cast. The tour includes at least 40 sites that were part of the series, including the restaurant that serves as the set design for the final scene of the last episode.

The Sopranos series generated a profound change in the way series were created and developed in the United States. It was arguably the first series to make audiences want to know more about the lives of the characters and become interested in an anti-hero.

Details of interest

  • Price: from €64.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: The tour takes place by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: The best tour to remember the family that changed the history of the series.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Perhaps if you are not a fan of the series, the tour may seem a little long. Still, it can be a good idea to see New York with an eye on The Sopranos.

Book a tour of The Sopranos sets in New York City

3. No Boredom Tour: Classic Cinema in New York City

Empire State Building from the streets of New York| ©Hellotickets
Empire State Building from the streets of New York| ©Hellotickets

There are tours in New York City that take in various sites that were the backdrop for films that are now classed ascinema classics.

These tours, now called TCM tours (Turner Classic Movies tours), offer you to see the sites in New York that were the setting of films (e.g. Rosemary's Baby and Superman in all its versions).

Several of these sites are tourist attractions such as the Empire State Building, the West Side, underground stations that were part of movies (including the underground grate made famous by Marylin Monroe), the Plaza Hotel and Rockefeller Center, among others.

The guide will be a professional actor who will share the most interesting details of each stop of the tour.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 30 €.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: The tour takes place by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: A tour with an excellent choice of sites of interest to the world of show business.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Does not usually include drinks or food.

4. Film Tour of Central Park's magnificent scenery.

The Lake at Central Pak| ©Jeannie
The Lake at Central Pak| ©Jeannie

Numerous movies have been filmed in New York. However, some have remained in the memory of moviegoers forever.

Those are the ones that are never missing from specialised tours, especially those with Central Park as a backdrop, so guided walking tours through numerous sites related to the art of film and series can be a lot of fun.

On film and series tours in Central Park, around 30 sites (Wollman Skating Rink, the Bow Bridge, etc.) in the park are visited that were the perfect backdrop for the films.) in the park that provided the perfect backdrop for scenes from films such as If I Were 30, Serendipity, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Bride Wars, Home Alone, When Harry Met Sally and series such as Gossip Girl and The Avengers, among many others.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 30 €.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: bus lines, underground (it is important to have a guide for this means of transport) and train to get to the meeting point.
  • Advantages of this option: A very fun and motivating tour to remember your favourite series and films and get to know Central Park.
  • Disadvantages of this option: A long walk, so it is necessary to wear comfortable shoes.

Cinema in Central Park

Did you know that Central Park hosts open-air movies during the summer season? Before the film, you can have a picnic on the field (the gates open at 5.30 pm and the screening starts around 8 pm).

If you want to check the schedule of upcoming movies you can see in the park if you visit New York this summer, just visit Central Park's official website and look for the corresponding section.

5. Sex and the City tour

Carrie's building in Sex and the City| ©Angie C
Carrie's building in Sex and the City| ©Angie C

Some series and movies have aroused great admiration and enthusiasm that has been maintained no matter how much time has passed. The following is a tour focused on a series that continues to be very popular and with several films already shot.

The customised Sex and the City tour focuses on visiting between 30 and 40 locations that were the setting for some of the memorable scenes and even entire episodes of the series.

Always included in the tours are Carrie's building, the bars that have been the setting for a variety of situations, Bigand Carrie' s favourite restaurants and some of the shops most visited by the characters.

The tour is guided by a professional actor or actress who will tell you stories you haven't seen or read anywhere else. Definitely a glamorous and fun tour.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 60 €.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: The tour takes place by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: A tour with an excellent choice of sights from the Sex and the City series.
  • Disadvantages of this option: One of the most popular tours of this type. It is essential to book your ticket well in advance.

6. Tour for die-hard Gossip Girl fans

Seeing Gossip Girl locations| ©anfin
Seeing Gossip Girl locations| ©anfin

Are you one of those enthusiasts and fans of the Gossip Girl series and were waiting for its revival? Can't find comfort that the first series ended in 2012?

No worries. Today, there are fun tours of the real locations that were the setting for the series.

The Gossip Girl tour also takes place by bus with a specialised guide who will not only tell you facts and anecdotes about the series, but will also reveal some of the behind-the-scenes happenings.

Places that are almost obligatory on all Gossip Girl tours include Blair's house, Fifth Avenue (New York's renowned shopping street), and the residence of the van der Woodsen and Blass families (which in reality is a hotel), among other places.

Gossip Girl is a series that was a hit with young people from 2007 to 2012. Despite its end, it remains famous and inspirational for its fans. Therefore, tour agencies owed a debt to the series and finally the series has its own tour.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 60 €.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: The tour takes place by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: Relive the best moments of the series on the sets of New York.
  • Disadvantages of this option: No food or drink included.

7. A tour full of heroes and superpowers!

Grand Central Terminal| ©Angie C
Grand Central Terminal| ©Angie C

No doubt you'll remember that several superhero stories take place in New York, so you can't miss a tour on this theme, which can be one of the most fun you'll choose.

One of the most entertaining superhero tour formats is the walking tour. Tours usually last around 2 hours and usually start at 42nd Street.

Some of the places visited include the Green Goblin apartment building, Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building and the Daily News Building (where Christopher Reeve's Superman worked).

Tours include a walk through the sites where various scenes from Gotham, Spider-Man andThe Avengers Mansion on Fifth Avenue were filmed.

Not to be left out of the behind the scenes, the tour also includes a visit to restaurants and bars where the artists and the rest of the crew often gather to eat and relax.

There is no doubt that New York is described in numerous ways and here it is possible to add that it is a city where superheroes with superpowers are easily found.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 30 €.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: bus, train and underground to get to the meeting point.
  • Advantages of this option: experience the fantasy of superhero stories in New York.
  • Disadvantages of this option: You will want the tour to be longer.

8. Exclusive Mafia Movie Tour

Vito Corleone's Stone House| ©boaski
Vito Corleone's Stone House| ©boaski

When it comes to mafia movie tours, The Godfather tours have to be at the top of the list. These Corleone family tours can include bus tours and even a ferry ride to Staten Island to see the stone house of Vito Corleone, the family patriarch.

It is a trilogy of unforgettable films that began with The Godfather, whose original screenplay was written by Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo, and continues to be chosen by millions today.

There are also guided tours that focus only on specific locations such as the Queens Cemetery, the restaurant in the Bronx and Little Italy. On the other hand, there are also tours that include filming locations of other New York mob movies such as Cotton Club, American Gangster, the French Connection, etc.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 150 €.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: bus and ferry.
  • Advantages of this option: to learn the most chilling stories about the Mafia in New York as reflected in the films and the anecdotes of each filming.
  • Disadvantages of this option: an interesting but intense tour. It is important to be prepared for a lot of information.

9. A wonderful tour about the incredible Mrs. Maisel

The Gaslight Café| ©Ann Oro
The Gaslight Café| ©Ann Oro

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has been running for 4 seasons and has caused quite a stir in the world of series that are broadcast in many countries. It's a different story and its main character has an overwhelming personality. Do you know Mrs. Maisel? Now you can through an exclusive tour of the series in New York.

The tour dedicated to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel takes place in a vintage car from the decade in which the series takes place (e.g. a 1957 Chevy). Some of the stops include the Café Reggio for a coffee or cappuccino, the City Spoon Diner and the famous The Gaslight Café.

The series is set in the late 1950s and there is a great deal of production in terms of costumes, make-up and sets. However, one thing that is constantly highlighted in the series is New York City.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 400 €.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: a 1950s rental car.
  • Advantages of this option: feel like you are in Mrs. Maisel's world.
  • Disadvantages of this option: You may need to bring your own period costume for an even more enjoyable experience.

10. Friends Set Decoration Tour

The famous Friends flat| ©Hellotickets
The famous Friends flat| ©Hellotickets

There is no doubt that friends are the family we choose for ourselves and are always with us in good times and bad.

So it's no wonder that Friends still inspires so much love and loyalty in millions of people around the world. Would you like to take a tour of the series and the New York sets that were used to film its episodes?

You're probably right. Today, a professionally guided tour of the exhibits that include all the sets that are part of this story of great friends is offered.

These exhibits were created in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the series. It is important to note that although the series is set in New York, it was filmed in Los Angeles.

This experience consists of exhibits specially prepared with the typical set design of the series such as the orange armchair, the Central Perk café, Joey and Chandler's flat and Rachel and Monica's kitchen so you can take pictures and feel like one more friend in the series.

Interesting details

  • Price: from €50.
  • Duration: approximately 1 hour.
  • Means of transport: bus, metro and train to the exhibition.
  • Advantages of this option: experience the story of Friends as if you were a friend of the group.
  • Disadvantages of this option: they are not real scenes from the series, they are only representative.