And just like that Carrie Bradshaw and her beloved gal pals, Miranda and Charlotte, have returned to TV screens in the recently-premiered new series, 'And Just Like That.' If there was ever the most effective advert for New York, it'd arguably be the 'Sex and The City' franchise, from its original series to its two theatrical films. They all centered on how the sex columnist-turned-author Carrie (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) and her friends navigated through life, love, sex, and shopping in the Big Apple. The show became such a hit that every place they went to in the city became a popular hotspot. Here are a few that you can still visit today!
Manolo Blahnik
If there's one other name that fans will always associate with Carrie Bradshaw, it's not Mr. Big but rather, Manolo Blahnik! The Spanish-born shoe designer rose to prominence in the late 90s and early 2000s thanks to one notorious sex columnist who ran around New York City in his chicest pairs. From silver strappy stilettos to memorable bejeweled pairs, Carrie bought more Manolos than meals that she even once feared she'd end up as the 'old woman who lived in her shoes.' And while it's not necessarily a house made of shoes, the designer's flagship store on Madison Avenue has since been a pilgrimage site for Carrie's devoted style followers.
Source: Manolo Blahnik Facebook Page/ @twilliamsphoto
Magnolia Bakery
Up for a treat at two o'clock in the afternoon? Head on over to the famous Magnolia Bakery on Bleeker Street at Greenwich Village, one of the more stylish
neighborhoods in New York. It's here where Carrie and Miranda would buy their delicious cupcakes which they'd enjoy as they ranted to each other about their boyfriends and career problems. At first glance, the store itself doesn't seem anything special. But when you take a bite out of their mane delectable treats, you'll understand why someone like Carrie, who'd often buy Vogue magazine instead of dinner, would still find the time to get a few cupcakes from this bakery.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ joe goldberg
The Loeb Boathouse
Who could ever forget that iconic scene from the third season of 'Sex and The City' where Carrie, who looked incredible in her flouncy ruffled cocktail dress, reunited with Mr. Big well after their first break up. Though their reunion started with smiles and pleasantries, they both probably didn't expect they'd end up falling down the green-hued lake in
Central Park. Perhaps it probably wasn't a good idea that they'd meet their exes at the pier of The Loeb Boathouse, but still, the scene made comedy gold. As for the lakeside restaurant, it's become one of the go-to places to eat for many SATC fans.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Ajay Suresh
Onieal's Restaurant & Bar
Remember the bar that Aiden and Steve ran in the show's fourth season called Scout? Well, though their bar never existed, the setting of it was actually real. Onieal's Restaurant & Bar still stands as a nightlife hotspot in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. And as you might expect, it's the perfect kind of trendy, chill, and casual hangout that Carrier and the gang would go to on a lively Friday night. Though you don't have to wear designer clothing to enter, you can expect you'll have a good time here with your own friends and lovers.
Source: Onieal's Restaurant & Bar
Louis K. Meisel Gallery
Before she became the Park Avenue housewife she always wanted to be, Charlotte York—later Charlotte York Goldenblatt—worked as an art dealer for the Louis K. Meisel Gallery. Though her character seemed like it was only filled with potential husbands in business suits and baby names, she was actually pretty good at her job, having made amazing purchases for the gallery. And speaking of the gallery, even without the SATC hype, the Louis K. Meisel Gallery is still a great place to visit. You can get your fix of vintage pinup art, photo surrealism, and contemporary works in this museum.
Source: Meisel Gallery
The Paris Theatre
Carrie may have been a full-fledged New York but a part of her heart was always in Paris. It was more than appropriate for the hit HBO series to end its six-season run in the 'City of Lights.' But as far as living in New York was concerned, Carrie had her own little slice of
Paris in the famous Paris Theatre. Located right across the world-famous Plaza Hotel, this single-screen movie theater is the hub for foreign (namely French) films and independent features. As for what Carrie thought of it, she said, '
One of the most amazing things about living in a city like New York, is that any night of the week you can go to Paris.'
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Ajay Suresh
Jefferson Market Garden
'Sex and The City' was truly a groundbreaking series that tore down all the stereotypes and preconceived notions of love, sex, and relationships. Beyond their taboo conversations of who they slept with and what kind of men they were seeing, they also went with unorthodox ways of doing things. Take, for instance, Miranda Hobbes, the hard-working lawyer who reveled in her independence and sexual freedom. Getting married in a burgundy velvet dress in New York's Jefferson Market Garden was far from the fairytale spectacle that most girls (i.e. Charlotte) would dream for. But it was also signature Miranda all the way. Visit the garden yourself and see what was so beautiful about it that Miranda herself chose it as her wedding venue.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Kelly Robinson
Columbus Circle
As far as memorable landmarks in New York are concerned, Columbus Circle is far from the top of the list. However, if you're a huge SATC fan, you'll know what significance this traffic circle has. It was on this beautiful fountain area where Carrie and Aidan called off their engagement and split up permanently. A setting with gorgeous fountains and luscious greeneries would normally be perfect for a final confession in an ordinary
rom-com, but trust 'Sex and The City' to turn this sort of concept on its head and go for a break-up scene instead.
Source: Flickr.com/ Wally Gobetz
New York City Public Library
Finally, there's the famous New York City Public Library. In the first 'Sex and The City' movie, Carrie poetically called it the “
the classic New York landmark that housed all the great love stories” and even chose it as the venue for her highly-anticipated nuptials with Mr. Big. But those who've watched the film know that her fairytale New York wedding didn't exactly go as planned. And who could ever forget the scene of Carrie having a panic attack inside the library in her gorgeous
Vivienne Westwood wedding gown? The library itself was already a famous attraction but those scenes made it even more of a must-visit for SATC fans.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Whether's it's shopping for shoes or dating at the hottest restaurant, there's no better connoisseur of New York than the iconic Carrie Bradshaw. The success of 'Sex and The City' gave birth to many incredible hotspots throughout the Big Apple.
Oh, if only you can get a
New York home that is just as fabulous as Carrie's iconic apartment back in the day!
