My SATC Inspired New York Trip
As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost. and, when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, woulda, shoulda, buckle up, and just keep going..
Carrie Bradshaw
Ohhhhhhh how I loved Carrie Bradshaw and the girls. Sex and the City (or SATC as its known) was the show I binged watched on a regular basis for years! I was obsessed with the fashion, the life, the City. Like most SATC fans, I wanted the girls to be my best friends and totally felt that I was Carrie Bradshaw in a previous life. Even now, it is still the show I put on if I need a little distraction, a little lose myself time. It was watching Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha date their way around Manhattan, that made me fall in love with the City of New York from afar. I longed to walk the streets they walked, temporarily feeling like a New Yorker, drinking cosmopolitans in the bars and shopping for shoes in Manalo Blahnik. So, it was only natural that when I finally got to go for the first time 8 years ago, that it was a SATC inspired New York trip.
Since it was SATC that put a visit to New York firmly on my list, I knew I HAD to do the Sex and the City Coach tour when I visited. Now, Im coming straight off to bat with this bold declaration……
If you are a Sex and The City fan, love a good ole girls day out, then you will LOVE this tour.
It is a must do for anyone that enjoys the show, so try to squeeze it into your itinerary. But, do not be fooled into thinking its just a boozy day out, it isn’t, but it is a lot of fun. Of course you get to see lots of the main spots that the film was filmed in, but it also showed us a lot of Manhattan. There were areas which would have taken us a while to get round under our own steam, as the tour takes you around the West Village, SoHo and Greenwich Village. One of my favourite moments was seeing the brownstone apartment that Carrie Bradshaw lived in! It was so weird to see those famous steps! Oh, and I did have a slight mishap mid tour, involving polka dot knickers and a runaway bus, but I will tell you more about that shortly….
The SATC Inspired New York Trip
Although I did the official tour 8 years ago, I have looked into the companies that offer them and they still run a very similar route. I found these two that were most similar to mine, you can see details here and here. The main areas that we visited are still on the tours, so it does not look like too much has changed. The Sex and The City bus tour starts and finishes in Times Square, and ours was a full day excursion, which finished around 4 o clock, but I saw that there is also a half day available. Depends how much time you have in New York. I imagine that the longer tour gives you a little more time in each area. I personally would recommend that as places like Greenwich Village, (think leafy lanes and 19th Century town houses) are gorgeous, and we really loved wandering around there.
The way the tour operated meant that it was brilliant even for those not as familiar with the show. I had taken my Mum to New York with me, and she had not watched much of SATC. This did not matter. The tour guide, (who was informative and hilarious) played the scene of the show that was filmed in the location that we were heading to, on the busses wide screen tv. It meant that you had context when you came to the stop off. A great idea and even for me, a die hard fan, it refreshed my memory.
There are around 40 stops and points on interest on most of the Sex and the City tours. Some of them are just pointed out to you, and some of them you stop at for a while. For example, the fire hydrant that Carrie leant on to take her shoes off when she was getting mugged in the ally, was just pointed out. It was good to see though as again, the scene was played on the TV so you had that Ohhh moment of recognition.
As I said earlier, my love of New York was ignited by the show. This meant that when I was planning my first trip to the City, I did my research and there were certain places, along with the usual tourist must see’s like the Rockafella, 911 Memorial and Empire State Building that I longed to get to. I wanted to eat cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery. I wanted to go to Manolo Blahnik on West and 54th Street and try on shoes and then take the Staten Island Ferry past Lady Liberty. I wanted to see all the things I had watched for years in the show. This visit was a SATC inspired New York trip so I had to make the most of it!
The tour crossed a lot of those places off my list. The gorgeous New York public library (the Carrie and Big wedding that nearly was) and the bar owned by Steve and Aidan called Scout, (Onieals in real life), where we had the best Cosmopolitan cocktail. You even got taken to Pleasure Chest, the shop where THAT episode was filmed… if you know, you know… The tour also took us to Buddaken, the gorgeous restaurant where Carrie and Big had their engagement dinner. I had longed to have one of our evening meals here, its very Asian inspired and zen, so it was ideal that we were going here on the tour. If you visit, I fully recommend a meal here.
Now, mentioning Buddaken restaurant leads me to my little mishap….. Walking into Buddaken was for me, like walking onto the set of the show. I recognised it instantly and it was actually, even more gorgeous in real life. We wandered around the restaurant, eyeing up the menu, mentally choosing our table for our Carrie moment. On a whim, we decided that we would try to book the restaurant for our last night. We were over the moon when they could accommodate our desired time, so I said I would go back to the coach to grab my credit card to secure the booking.
Well, it was a good job I did! I walked outside of the restaurant just in time to see the coach pulling away from the kerb. Our handbags, coats, money, all being on the coach! I ran back across the road to Buddaken, screamed to Mum to follow, and took off running up the road after the coach. Now, as if that was not bad enough, my jeans, that were a little loose, slowly began to fall down as I ran. I could feel them sliding down, but knew that if the coach turned at the top of the street, it would be able to speed up and we would be stuffed. No money. No coats. No phones…..
So run I did. I ran like my life depended on it and yep, my jeans worked their way down with every frantic footstep. By the time I caught the coach up, I was flashing my polka dot knickers to every cab driver in that particular area of New York……Reaching the doors, I bent over, grabbed my jeans by the now-at-my-ankles waistband, and casually pulled them back into place. Flicking my hair back over my shoulder, I climbed the stairs back onto the bus, with a cheery “hi girls”. You have to at least try to style these things out right???
We did catch the coach though…..sadly did not get our dinner reservation….I could not show my face, (or any other cheeks) in that area of New York again…
I have been back to New York a few times since, and managed to keep my dignity in tact on those trips… Every time I go back I love it a little more. In my dreams, I too own one of those brownstone apartments, and sit in the window typing my memoirs. I will always be grateful to SATC for introducing me to New York, it was all I hoped it would be. I am also so glad I did the tour that first visit as it crossed so much off my list.
So, tell me, have you ever visited anywhere that was inspired by a TV show or film?? I would love to hear all about it. Or, is there somewhere that you long to visit because of a show, book or film?
Its great to have a good ole girls day out right? This tour is for all ages, (although you can see what I think about being age appropriate in this post, Age Appropriate? I’l pass thanks) so don’t be put off thinking it will be full of teenagers! Its amazing.
Kerry, that sounded like a hilarious ‘Carrie’ moment as you were running after the bus with your trousers mid-table! I’ve been to NY quite a few times but have never managed the SATC tour and so will definitely have to check that out one day!
Ohhh it was so cringe worthy, but also hilarious. My Mum could not stop laughing. The tour is honestly so much fun, you really should check it out next time you are there. I would do it again in a heart beat!
I just love SATC ! I have watched episodes over and over and never tire of it. If I ever get to New York I’ll definitely be doing the tour! You had me giggling over my granola with your polka dot knickers tale. You must have stopped the traffic. It’s a scene that could have come straight out of the show. I reckon it would have been a Samantha moment!
I wanted to go to Vienna after watching The Third Man, one of my favourite films. Of course the Vienna in the film is mostly in ruins and littered with bomb sites but that didn’t put me off. They do Third Man tours but I’ve only been in winter when they don’t run. A good excuse to go back! xx
I am the exact same! I love the show so much. Film one also! The knicker flashing moment was a story that me and my Mum often giggle about, even now. It was so embarrassing, but what can you do! You MUST do the tour if you get to New York. I promise you would love it. I have not yet got to Vienna, but very much intend to go! I also want to visit Norway after watching Vikings! Such an ever growing list!
I’m having visions of you wearing a Viking helmet and hair in plaits! You must go to Norway now so we get to see Kerry the Viking warrior shots!! 😂😂🇳🇴🇳🇴
Hahaha! I will get there one day. I will plait my hair and be a shield maiden for a day
Haha you crack me up Kerry! Hi girls! Love it!
I’m soo jealous! I would love to do the SATC tour I was obsessed with the show too. After a night out I’d always put it on while my friends were like oh my god not satc again haha… I love New York and if we get to go again I’m gonna have to drag Mark on the tour even if I can pursued him to do the half day lol! xx Heather (www.suncreamandsparkles.com)
Ohhh you must do it then Heather! There was a man on ou tour with his wife, he actually really enjoyed it. Its just a fun day out. I hope you get to do it!
I was never a SATC fan but this sure is a great NYC tour! I’ve visited some movie/tv show locations in the past that I’ve really enjoyed like seeing the Desperate Housewives set at Universal Studios 🙂
Thank you for reading x I think these tours are a great way to see more of the City too, even if you are not the biggest fan. I would love to do the Gossip Girl one if I go back to NYC soon. I think that could be fun too.
We did this tour at around the same time!!! Although it looks like you went in the winter and I went in May – how funny is that! I went for my 30th birthday 8 years ago. It was a surprise trip and Dan, my husband, had booked the tour for the actual day of my 30th as he knew how much I loved the show. Bless him going on that when he had zero interest in the show! Thankfully, I managed to keep my trousers up in the street hehe, but did come back from NYC with a little baby girl growing in my belly! Such fun memories thanks for sharing xx
Ohhh how weird is that! Yes we went in January, it was freezing but so beautiful. It was a fantastic tour wasnt it, so much fun. I loved all the areas it showed us round. Ohhh I want to go back!
Beautiful photos! I visited New York a couple months ago and already want to go back x
https://www.emmalisa.co.uk
I am the same. Whenever I go I still feel like I have unfinished business with it. Ohhhh I need to go back soon!
Fab read Kerry! I did this your many years ago but have since visited NYC and always gone back to Carries apartment as I’m such a SATC alike you! I want a pair of Manalo Blahniks! So classy and I’m sure I won’t be able to walk in them at all! Love NYC and every post about it makes me reminisce! xxx
Oh isnt it a fantastic tour! I loved every second of it. Is it at this stage that I should probably declare that I did buy a pair of Manalo’s…….I had to. I am the same with NY posts, they always spark joy for me x
I’ve only ever been once Kerry – for my 40th and I loved it! In fact, I want to go back and take the kids one day – either New York or Las Vegas – or actually, I’d do both. The city is so different to anywhere I’ve experienced before. My favourite activities were cycling in Central Park and going on a food tour (the dessert tour was awesome!) I never watched SATC so maybe I missed out there! xx
Ahhhh you need to watch a couple of episodes, but you must start at the beginning. It is such a “girls” show. Sooo good! We went to Vegas for Nik’s 40th. Funnily enough, that was inspired by his desire to stay in the Belagio after seeing Ocean’s Eleven film. Maybe I need to stop watching tv shows haha I am determined to get back to NYC one day
this is definitely what my bff and I would do in NYC, follow the SATC route:) #travellinkup
Ahhh you must, I loved every moment of it. Thank you for popping across and reading my travel tale haha
Oh no! I’m a bit gutted that you didn’t get to have dinner there though! xx
rhymeandribbons.com
Hahaha! I was gutted on that particular trip, but I did manage to get there for dinner on a return visit. It was beautiful and exactly how I imagined x
What a brilliant and fun introduction to the Big Apple! My Carrie moment came when I had fabulous dinner at Buddakan a few years ago – the restaurant where she had her engagement party.
Ahhh thank you, it was certainly fun! Yes Buddakan was the restaurant I spoke about in this post. It was trying to book a table there that led to us running up the road after the bus xx
What a brilliant way to see New York. I used to watch SATC. I would like to do the tour with my friends. #travellinkup
It was certainly a fun introduction to New York Usha. I would recommend it fully. Thank you so much for reading xx
Yes, of course and I loved the photo you had posted as well. Sorry for my rush typing before. 😉 absolutely loved the knickers hullaballoo – anything goes in the Big Apple and that is definitely a funny memory. All the best!
Haha! No worries at all! I really hope none of the poor cab drivers were traumatised for life hahah!
Oh Kerry. You’re talking to the hugest fan here! As you know I hate flying but I think I told you if I had to choose a long haul flight it would be for this tour. I’m very envious! I too reach for my box sets (I have all the books too) or books to cheer me up. I even made Dee watch every episode! It takes nearly three months to watch if you view one episode a day. See, I’m a big fan.
But can I just say your entrance to New York sounds like a cross between Bridget Jones and Sex And The City. Haha! I wished I’d have been there to see that! Dotty Knickers! xx
I think you need to go for hypnosis to get over your fear. You would LOVE this tour. If I get back to New York, I will be doing it again. Funnily enough, a couple of years ago I did exactly the same. I watched an episode after work every night, starting at season one all the way through. I may even do it again soon! Writing this post has given me the bug again!
I adore this – and the fact that the fire hydrant is a point on the tour!
I know! There were loads of little scenes that were pointed out. It was such a good tour. Writing this post has made me want to go again!
Loved SATC and tried to see a few of the spots when I visited NYC too. I had breakfast a couple of times in one of their brunch spots – I can’t remember the name of it now though! #travellinkup
It has to be done in NY if your a SATC fan. So good to see some of the places. I would do the tour again for sure x