I went on a 'Sex and the City' tour in NYC. It's wild to see how the TV show still boosts tourism 20 years later.
Emily Carmichael
Emily Carmichael outside the apartment of Carrie Bradshaw, the main character of "Sex and the City," as part of an On Location tour in New York.Emily Carmichael/Insider
- "Sex and the City" has been a major boost for tourism in New York City over the last 20 years.
- Emily Carmichael recently went on an On Location tour that covers filming spots from the HBO show.
People visit New York City for many reasons, and Carrie Bradshaw is one of them.
Sarah Jessica Parker, who played Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City," on a poster in her shoe store in New York City. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Carrie Bradshaw is the main character of the HBO show that followed four women in their 30's and 40's through the trials of dating in Manhattan.
The cast of "Sex And The City." Paramount Pictures/Getty Images
It won over millions of fans for its bold fashion and reinvention of single women on screen. It's credited with putting HBO on the network television map.
The cast of "Sex and the City," which aired from 1998 to 2004. YouTube/Newsloop Entertainment
Source: The New Yorker
The show was filmed in New York City and contributed to the city's glossy image — one that attracted 33 million visitors in 2021 and generated billions of dollars in tourism spending.
The character Carrie Bradshaw walking on the streets of New York in an episode of "Sex and the City." HBO
Source: NY1
On Location Tours, a tour company founded in 1999, is one of many companies recreating the New York viewers see on screen. Recently, I attended its "Sex and the City" tour.
A tour guide for On Location's "Sex and the City" tour. Emily Carmichael/Insider
We met at the Pulitzer Fountain outside the Plaza Hotel, where Carrie told her love interest Mr. Big, "Your girl is lovely, Hubble," in the final scene of season two.
The Pulitzer Fountain outside the Plaza Hotel. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Then we boarded the tour bus and rolled down Fifth Avenue's famous shopping corridor. It was a rainy day.
The author on the bus during the "Sex and the City" tour. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Like all of On Location's tour guides, Julie Ray is an actress and comedian. On the bus, she said the crowd is largely international, with people from Australia, Spain, England, and Germany.
Julie Ray, a tour guide, actress, and comedian. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Fifth Avenue is full of "Sex and the City" iconography. We drove by the department store Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany & Co.
Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury retailer on Fifth Avenue in New York. Emily Carmichael/Insider
We also saw St. Patrick's Cathedral, The New York Public Library, and the dog park in Madison Square Park where Charlotte's dog, Elizabeth Taylor, scandalized her owner.
St. Patrick's Cathedral. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Ray said that almost all of "Sex and The City" was filmed in New York City. Only the apartment interiors and the characters' favorite diner were filmed on sets.
The streets of New York, which served as the main set for "Sex and the City." Emily Carmichael/Insider
Out of every pricey locale in Manhattan, The New York Public Library was the most expensive filming location, Ray said.
The New York Public Library. New York Public Library
The tour had four stops where we got off the bus. Our first stop was the Pleasure Chest, the sex shop where Charlotte purchased The Rabbit vibrator.
The Pleasure Chest is where Charlotte bought a vibrator she couldn't stop using. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Sales associate Nani Storm said the "Sex and The City" tour benefits the shop's business and has increased the store's national brand recognition.
Nani Storm, an employee of the Pleasure Chest. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Besides the vibrator, "Sex and the City" by Candace Bunshell, which inspired the show, is another popular purchase, Storm said.
A display of "Sex and the City" books. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Each member of the tour got 10% off at the shop.
Insider the Pleasure Chest. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Whether or not they bought something, everyone got a free paddle.
A free paddle for tour members. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Next, we visited Buddakan, the restaurant where Carrie and Mr. Big had their rehearsal dinner in "Sex and the City: The Movie."
Outside Buddakan. Emily Carmichael/Insider
This stop was the quickest, only about 10 minutes, but members of the group could return for a free glass of prosecco or a cosmopolitan with any order of dim sum if they showed a waiter their tour pamphlet.
The interior of Buddakan, which was a part of the "Sex and the City" movie. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Third on the list was Carrie's apartment and the surrounding neighborhood.
The neighborhood where Carrie lived in "Sex and the City." Emily Carmichael/Insider
Carrie lived on Perry Street, right off Bleecker Street, in the West Village. In 2000, the show featured the then unknown Magnolia Bakery, turning it into an international obsession.
The original location of Magnolia Bakery. Emily Carmichael/Insider
According to The New York Times, Magnolia Bakery's rise to fame piqued the interest of the Marc Jacobs brand, which decided to open a store across the street. Many high-fashion brands followed.
Bookmarc, a shop by the Marc Jacobs brand. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Source: The New York Times
LoveShackFancy was also featured on "Sex and the City." It's still a favorite of Bushnell's.
LoveShackFancy is a favorite of the author of "Sex and the City." Emily Carmichael/Insider
A private-property sign hangs across the staircase of Carrie's apartment to keep fans from getting too close, as people live in the brownstone. Ray said some residents use the high profile of the building to raise money for charity or promote political causes, like support of Ukraine.
Outside Carrie's apartment in "Sex and the City." Emily Carmichael/Insider
On Location Tours bought us all Magnolia Bakery red-velvet cupcakes to snack on while we rode to our final location.
A cupcake from Magnolia. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Lastly, the tour took us to Onieal's, a speakeasy used as the set for Scout, a bar owned by two love interests on the show, Steve and Aiden.
Onieal's served as the location for Scout. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Ray said the show picked Onieal's location for its intricate woodwork, which they thought complimented Aiden's career as a furniture designer.
The inside of Onieal's Emily Carmichael/Insider
Everyone had the opportunity to order cosmopolitans, a favorite drink on "Sex and the City."
Cosmopolitans made at Onieal's. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Whether as part of tour groups or as independent visitors, Onieal's beverage director Tony Michele said at least a few "Sex and the City" fans come in and order a cosmo every day.
A bartender making cosmopolitans at Onieal's. Emily Carmichael/Insider
The tour ended at the SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker popup store in Midtown.
A display of heels at SJP. Heels were a staple of Sarah Jessica Parker's character. Emily Carmichael/Insider
Though staff said she doesn't frequent this location, Parker is known to show up at her retail stores. A few of the On Location tour guides have met her, Ray said.
SJP shoes. Emily Carmichael/Insider
On Location's "Sex and The City" tour was a fun way to see a large swath of Manhattan in a short amount of time. While it may not be the best choice for casual viewers, it's perfect for those who want to live like Carrie for a day.
The author outside Carrie's apartment. Emily Carmichael
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