Tickets were “sold out/reserved” as early as September (especially because it was free!). And to think the exhibit only started October 21!

But it was a dark and drizzly day, so I thought I’d take my chance and see if I could get a ticket even without a reservation! My new found friend Rizalene actually had a ticket for November 7, courtesy of her dad, which she generously gave to me, but I had an article due for the Philippine Star (watch out for it next Sunday!) so I needed to go to the exhibit at the earliest possible time!

Turned out to be my lucky day! I went to the stand-by line, and in less than a minute, got a ticket for the 4 PM slot! Woohoo!

Never has a directional signage inspire much excitement as this one…

This is where Nate and his dad go for their father and son runs. It really is a popular spot for joggers and the the reservoir is a calming and serene sight in a city full of buildings and concrete pavements.

The Constance Billard and St. Jude’s School for Boys is actually a Russian Orthodox Synod of Bishops, located at 75 E 93rd St., NY, NY 10128. This is how it looks in real life. But get a couple of school kids dressed in GG uniforms, and the Synod becomes the place we are all familiar with, right?

This is where Chuck ordered a truffled grilled cheese sandwich for Serena while they exchanged barbs in the kitchen. And to capitalize on the publicity, Gilt did eventually concoct a version for any GG fan to order - at a princely sum of $50!

Gilt is inside The New York Palace, 455 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10022

This upscale specialty store on Fifth Avenue was the backdrop in the first episode of Gossip Girl where Jenny tries on a dress for the Kiss on the Lips party, and she bumps into Eric and Serena…

Bendel’s was also mentioned when Jenny’s mom buys her a pair of used shoes and Little J tells her people from her school get their shoes at Saks and Bendel’s.

Henri Bendel is located at 712 5th Ave, NY, NY 10019

I’ve written about this before. This hotel is actually owned by Brunei Royalty and not Chuck Bass’s dad! Heehee!

But, well, it makes a likely home for Lily, Eric and Serena. After all, it’s a stone’s throw away from Saks and Barneys (ok a far stone’s throw for this one), and all the luxury boutiques, especially when they are in dire need of retail therapy!

Address: 55 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022

The scene of Serena and Nate’s “indiscretion”, to put it politely…

When we got there, the place was still closed.

It opens at 3 pm and closes at 1 am Monday to Saturday, 11 pm on Sundays. So yeah, with the right connections (which these rich kids of course have), they can easily have that space between 1:01 am to 2:59 pm to do the dirty deed!

Tsk! What alcohol and raging teenage hormones can do!

Address: 15 Vanderbilt Ave, NY, NY 10017 (right outside Grand Central!)

Ah yes, where S was first “spotted getting off the train at Grand Central” in the pilot episode of Gossip Girl! In that scene, she had just arrived from boarding school, to the delight of Dan and to the consternation of Blair and her posse…

In real life, Grand Central station is a busy transport hub that brings in commuters from Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties in New York State, and Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut.

So yeah, realistically speaking, this could definitely be a homecoming queen bee’s first stop from her New England prep school. But, why didn’t the family driver just pick her up from school? That’s one secret I’ll never tell! (Well, really because I don’t know why! Ha!)

Address: 87 E 42nd Street, NY, NY 10017

My fellow Gossip Girl groupie, Grace of Divasoria, had a brilliant plan of going around New York City to pay homage (haha) to the sites of many a Gossip Girl drama. It was actually research for an article she was writing about for On The Radar, in the Philippine Star.

Since I was back-up camera crew and project coordinator (well ok, I printed out our itinerary, marked all the cross streets and planned out our subway stops) I would like to share with you dear readers in the next couple of posts, some of the must visit spots when you go on your own Gossip Girl excursion!