NYC: 3-Hour Gossip Girl Sites Bus Tour (On Location Tours)

For avid fans of the popular TV series "Gossip Girl," the 3-hour bus tour offered by On Location Tours provides an immersive experience exploring the iconic filming locations across Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Led by a local actress, the small-group tour promises an insider’s look into the glamorous lifestyles of the show’s elite characters, with stops at the Empire Hotel, Constance Billard, and the Met Steps. With a stellar rating, this tour offers a unique opportunity to step into the world of "Gossip Girl" and uncover the behind-the-scenes stories that brought the series to life.

This experience made our article of 16 Must-Try 3 Hour Tours In New York City.

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Key Points

This 3-hour bus tour takes visitors to over 40 filming locations featured in the hit TV series Gossip Girl.
Key sites include the Empire Hotel, Constance Billard and St. Jude’s prep schools, and the Met Steps.
The tour is led by a local actress, providing an engaging and immersive experience for Gossip Girl fans.
Highlights include the Vera Wang boutique where Blair tried on her wedding gown.
The tour offers insights into the themes and character dynamics portrayed in the show’s depiction of Upper East Side lifestyle.

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Tour Overview

The NYC Gossip Girl Sites Bus Tour is a 3-hour excursion that takes visitors through the iconic locations featured in the hit TV series.

Priced from $78.00 per person, the tour provides a small-group experience with a guided exploration of over 40 Manhattan filming sites.

Participants can expect to visit key spots like the Empire Hotel, Constance Billard and St. Jude’s, and the Met Steps, while learning about the elite Upper East Side lifestyle depicted in the show.

Free cancellation is available up to 2 days in advance, making it a flexible option for travelers.

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Tour Highlights

Key locations from the hit TV series Gossip Girl feature prominently on this 3-hour bus tour.

Visitors can explore over 40 filming sites, including:

The Empire Hotel, Chuck Bass’ home and business
Constance Billard and St. Jude’s, the elite Manhattan prep schools
Vera Wang boutique, where Blair tried on her wedding gown
The Met Steps, a famous photo opportunity

This tour provides an insider’s glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of socialite teenagers, touching on themes of sex, drugs, jealousy, and academic pressures that defined the show.

Guided by a local actress, the tour delivers an engaging, immersive experience for Gossip Girl fans.

Tour Experience

Guided by a local actress, the tour delivers an engaging, immersive experience for Gossip Girl fans.

Exploring over 40 filming locations, the tour provides insight into the elite Upper East Side lifestyle depicted in the series. From the coziness of the bus during colder weather to the glimpse into the lives of socialite teenagers, the tour offers a comprehensive and enjoyable experience.

Focusing on themes of sex, drugs, jealousy, and academic pressures, the tour provides an insider’s perspective on the lives of the characters.

Customer Feedback

Customers overwhelmingly praise the Gossip Girl bus tour, with an impressive overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 407 reviews.

Customers overwhelmingly praise the Gossip Girl bus tour, with an impressive overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 407 reviews.

Guests highlight the knowledgeable and friendly guides, ample sightseeing, and enjoyable experiences. Many appreciate the:

Insightful commentary on the elite Upper East Side lifestyle depicted in the series
Cozy bus experience during colder weather
Opportunities to explore over 40 Manhattan filming locations
Photo ops at iconic sites like the Met Steps

The transportation and value for money also receive high marks, with ratings of 4.6 and 4.2 respectively.

The tour delivers on its promise of immersing fans in the world of Gossip Girl.

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Important Information

The meeting point for the Gossip Girl bus tour is in front of the Palace Hotel gates on Madison and 51st Street. Participants are encouraged to arrive 15-20 minutes early to secure preferred group seating. The bus will not wait for late arrivals, as there are no assigned seats – it’s first-come, first-serve. The vehicle type varies depending on group size, ranging from a coach bus to a sedan or SUV. The tour is an immersive experience, so guests should plan accordingly.

| Arrival Time | Seating | Vehicle |

|————–|———|———|

| 15-20 min early | First-come, first-serve | Coach bus, minibus, Sedan, SUV, or sprinter |

| Late arrivals | Bus will not wait | N/A |

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Visiting the Empire Hotel

After starting the tour at the Palace Hotel, the bus will make its way to the iconic Empire Hotel, which served as the home and business of the show’s infamous character, Chuck Bass.

As guests disembark, they’ll be greeted by the hotel’s grand, neo-Baroque exterior, instantly recognizable to any Gossip Girl fan.

Key highlights include:

Posing for photos in front of the hotel’s grand entrance
Exploring the lavish lobby, channeling Chuck’s sophisticated, yet mischievous style
Hearing stories about the character’s scandalous exploits and business dealings
Gaining insights into the behind-the-scenes filming process at this iconic location.

Exploring Constance Billard and St. Jude’s

After exploring the opulent Empire Hotel, the tour then takes visitors to the esteemed Constance Billard School for Girls and the neighboring St. Jude’s School for Boys.

These two prestigious academic institutions played a significant role in the lives of the Gossip Girl characters. Participants will get a chance to see the exterior of the buildings and learn about the academic pressures and social dynamics that shaped the storylines.

The guide will provide insider insights into the significance of these locations and their connection to the show’s themes of wealth, power, and teenage drama.

Stopping at the Met Steps

Next, the tour stops at one of the most iconic locations from the Gossip Girl series – the Met Steps.

The steps in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art serve as a gathering place for the show’s elite social circle.

Tour-goers have the opportunity to:

Recreate classic Gossip Girl scenes on the steps
Imagine themselves as part of the scandalous Upper East Side world
Snap photos to commemorate their visit to this legendary setting
Feel the energy and exclusivity that defined the characters’ lives

This stop allows fans to truly immerse themselves in the Gossip Girl experience and capture the essence of the show’s backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Photos Inside the Tour Bus?

Yes, guests can take photos inside the tour bus. The tour operator encourages guests to capture memories of their experience and provide feedback to improve future tours.

Are There Any Snack or Drink Breaks During the Tour?

The tour does not appear to include any designated snack or drink breaks. Guests can bring their own refreshments to enjoy on the bus during the 3-hour experience, though no food or drinks are provided by the tour operator.

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. The tour provider offers vehicles that can accommodate passengers in wheelchairs, and the guides work to ensure all guests can fully participate in the sightseeing experience.

Can I Customize the Tour Itinerary?

No, the tour itinerary cannot be customized. It’s a pre-set 3-hour tour that visits over 40 filming locations from the Gossip Girl TV series. The tour guide leads the group through the sights without allowing deviations from the established route.

How Much Time Is Spent at Each Filming Location?

The tour spends approximately 10-15 minutes at each filming location, allowing guests to take photos and hear anecdotes from the guide about the scenes filmed there. The pace keeps the tour moving efficiently through the many iconic sites featured in the series.

The Sum Up

The Gossip Girl Sites Bus Tour offers an immersive experience for fans, allowing them to explore the iconic filming locations from the beloved series. With a knowledgeable local actress as a guide, the tour provides insights into the glamorous Upper East Side lifestyle. At $78 per person, it’s a must-do activity for Gossip Girl enthusiasts visiting New York City.