Television Landmarks to Visit in New York City

You've seen the shots of Rachel and Monica's apartment building a thousand times in between scenes of Friends. Or even that blaring neon sign of the restaurant where Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer had numerous meals and cups of coffee. Though these shows were never taped in New York, the exterior shots you've seen time and time again are real and in New York, and if you were ever curious about seeing where your favorite television shows are supposed to have taken place, here is a list of some places you might want to take in on your next visit to the Big Apple.

1. Friends apartment building - "Friends." Although the show taped in Los Angeles, the apartment building of our favorite "Friends" is still standing in the heart of New York City. Located at the corner of Grove and Bedford Streets in New York's west Greenwich Village, once you see the building, you will be immediately taken back to the hilarious antics of your favorite "Friends." To get there, you can take the 1 or 2 subway to the Christopher Street stop and walk west two blocks on Grove Street or Christopher Street until you hit Bedford St.

2. Monk's Diner - "Seinfeld." The diner where the crazy friends from Seinfeld often gathered to talk, the restaurant in New York City is known in real life as Tom's Restaurant. The neon sign on the show cuts off the "Tom's" part of the sign, but you will still instantly recognize the sign as soon as you see it. Located at 2880 Broadway at the corner of 112^th Street and Broadway, you can get there by taking the 1 subway to 110^th Street and walking two blocks up Broadway. (If you also like to see churches and stained glass, after visiting the restaurant, walk over one block to Amsterdam Avenue to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of New York.)

3. 30 Rockefeller Center - "30 Rock, Today show, Saturday Night Live." One of the buildings surrounding Rockefeller Center (home of the giant Christmas tree and ice skating rink), 30 Rockefeller Center is the GE building and home of the Today show, Saturday Night Live, and the theoretical workplace of the crazy antics on 30 Rock. You can take a tour of the NBC studios in the building, including Studio 8H where Saturday Night Live is taped, and if you go early enough, maybe you'll get a chance to be in the studio audience of the Today show and have your friends and family see you on TV or wave hi to mom. Or, if you can't make it to the Empire State Building to get your fix of the panoramic views of New York City, go to the Top of the Rock and see the skyscrapers from the top of the building. To get there, you can take the B, D, F, or V subways to the Rockefeller Center stop or the E and V subways to the 5^th Ave and 53^rd Street stop and walk down 5^th Avenue 3 blocks until you reach Rockefeller Center.

4. Parson's School of Design / Mood Fabrics - "Project Runway." For all you reality TV fans, to see where the aspiring designers work on their creations for Bravo's "Project Runway," you can see the Parson's New School of Design located in the heart of the Garment District at 40^th St. and 7^th Avenue in New York City. Although you can't go in, you can go to nearby Mood Fabrics at 225 West 37^th Street on the 3^rd floor and buy fabric to make "fierce" creations of your own. To get there, take the 1, 2, 3 or N, R, Q, W trains to Times Square and walk down 7^th Avenue to 40^th St. Mood Fabrics is on 37^th Street between 7^th and 8^th Avenues.

5. Times Square / CBS Plaza - "Good Morning America" and "The Early Show." Well, I told you the location of the Today show so it's only fair to tell you the locations of the other major morning shows located in New York. Good Morning America tapes at their studios in Times Square at the corner of 44^th Street and Broadway. To get there, take the 1, 2, 3 or N, R, Q, W trains to Times Square and walk up to 44^th Street. (Bonus: One street away, you can also see the Nasdaq Board and check to see how your stocks are doing if the market's open.) If your channel is turned to CBS in the mornings, The Early Show tapes at The Early Show Plaza at 59^th St. and 5^th Avenue, just a stone's throw from New York's famous Central Park.

So next time you're in New York, consider stopping by any or all of these locations so that when you see them again on your television set, you can say "I've been there!"