White Collar: The walking tour
So, I FINALLY got my files recovered for my dead comp!! That means, I can finally post pictures from my October Esat Coast visit.
So, I'll start things off by posting one of my favorite things that I did: I took a White Collar locations walking tour.
I knew as I was going to be in NYC, and since White Collar is full of Big AppleSauce, I quickly decided I needed to stalk Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay see all the locations in my favorite show.
So, armed with information from White Collar Wiki and Google Maps, I was off!! However, as it turns out, I kind of didn't plan it out as well as I'd like. Haha. So what I'm presenting here is an "ideal" walking tour, with as little back and forth as possible. This is limited to Manhattan (because there's a few things that are out in Jersey or Long Island). I din't do this in a day, but theoretically, it can be done, especially taking the subways.
LEXIE'S WHITE COLLAR WALKING TOUR 2010
START: CENTRAL PARK
STOP 1: Bethesda Fountain
Featured on: Episode 1x02: "Threads", as a meeting place for the FBI and Ghovat to exchange a dress for a hostage.
This is a pretty easy place to find smack in the middle of Central Park.
Highlights:
-it's right near the famous boat house.
-you can rent a row boat (if you're feeling brave)
-if you walk in through the West side @ 72nd, you can visit the Dakota (site of John Lennon's murder) and follow the path through to the fountain.
-Bethesda fountain is also a staple location in the movie Enchanted.
STOP 2: Club Macanudo
Featured on: Episode 2x04: "By the Book", as Sal's, a cigar bar in which Neal and Mozzie are lead to by Gina's clues
I didn't go inside, because I had no reason to be. They sell cigars. And I felt WAY underdressed.
STOP 3: Grand Army Plaza
Featured on: Episode 2x03: "Copycat Caffrey", as a meeting spot between Mozzie and Alexandra Hunter, with Neal showing up (crew was spotted filming on May 10, 2010)
(it was dark when I got there, so this is a googled photo)
Highlights:
-this is @ the end of Central Park, AND on 5th Ave, where the big fashion houses are
-across the street is FAO Swartz
STOP 4: 620 Loft and Garden
Featured on: Episode 1x02: "Threads", as the setting for an outdoor party used to lure Ghovat
I couldn't get up there (private party), but you can schedule your wedding here should you so desire it.
STOP 5: Pershing Square
Featured on: Episode 1x05 "The Portrait". Neal sees a secret message from Kate and calls her from a payphone.
oh, and here's me, finally:
Highlights:
-this is a busy busy place, because it's JUST outside Central Station
-the architecture here is GORGEOUS.
-if you're hungry (which, let's face it, you are at this point) eat right there under the bridge. It's really good and it's the best food for three blocks. :)
STOP 6: Tudor Towers
Featured: Episode 1x01: "Pilot", as the terrace above June's home.
So, there was a little bit of confusion here. Wiki sites this as Windsor Tower, but it's actually Tudor Tower. This is the top of a large apartment building (not June's house which is across town).
I was not allowed to up to top, but here's the website photo:
Highlights:
-this is VERY private neighborhood, so keep it on the DL, people.
-most of the buildings here are private access only, and the doormen are pretty strict about it. However, Tudor Towers does have a public access roof until sundown (I got there late, so they wouldn't let me up).
-this is right across from the United Nations building. NOTE: for this reason, if UN is in session, they won't let you onto the roof.
STOP 7: Gramercy Park
Featured on: Season 2: the area around Gramercy park (21st between Lexington and Park Ave) used as a filming location on May 5, 2010
I spent like, 2 seconds here, but it's a nice place to just sit and chill out. Lots of people w/ their dogs around. Again, this is a nice neighborhood (dude, Park Ave is RIGHT there), and I wouldn't be surprised to spot famous people around if you stick around long enough.
STOP 8: Manhattan Heliport
Featured in: Episode 1x12: "Bottlenecked", as the getaway/meeting point between Keller and Sergey. & various Season 2 eps.
DISCLAIMER: I didn't go here. Mostly because I didn't have time to do it. But note that because it's a helicopter pad, I don't know how much there is to see, considering that it might be hard to just be there for no real reason...
STOP 9: Trinity Church
Featured on: Episode 1x03: "Book of Hours", as the Church from which the Bible was stolen.
(my picture was crappy, so here's a googled one)
Highlights:
-this is just a block from the NY Stock Exchange.
STOP 10: Roach Motel
Featured on: Episoe 1x01: "Pilot" where Neal is set up to live by Peter for $600/month.
Highlights:
-This is smack in the middle of the Village, right at the end of Christopher Street. Lots of funky shops, but if you have underage kids....be aware that there are random risqué shops just sort of...there. Haha.
STOP 11: The New Yorker Hotel
Featured on: Episode 2x06: "In the Red", as the entry to Abramov's gaming room.
This was a sort of "meh" location for me.
STOP 12: Fordham University
Featured on: Episode 2x03: "Copycat Caffrey", as East Side University (fliming occurred around May 8, 2010)
This place is big and it's easy to get a little lost. Find the student center and get a map. Wouldn't go after dark because...well, you shouldn't be on campus and you lose all the mystique (like I did).
ETA: Ok, so as it turns out this wasn't the exact place they filmed because that was over in the Bronx campus. See HERE.
(googled)
STOP 13: June's House
So this is a place you'll really have to walk to and the epitome of how different a neighborhood can be from one block to the next. This is higher uptown than others and SO not within a 2 mile radius of the hotel. But it's NICE.
me again! (it's hard to take photos of yourself by yourself w/ a large Nikon)
Highlights:
-not far from Columbia U or Tom's Restaurant (for you Seinfeld fans)
-This is a private residence, so be careful when lurking.
STOP 14: JFK Airport
Featured in: Episode 1x01: "Pilot" ...in several occasions
This is the arrivals terminal of JFK Airport: Terminal 4. You can get here from the departures area as well, as long as you go downstairs from the mall area BEFORE going through security.
If you live in the city, you can take the subway all the way to airport if you felt like it. But, because it's an airport security is a little tight and people can be jumpy about people who don't have airport business there.
*whew*
So, I'll start things off by posting one of my favorite things that I did: I took a White Collar locations walking tour.
I knew as I was going to be in NYC, and since White Collar is full of Big AppleSauce, I quickly decided I needed to stalk Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay see all the locations in my favorite show.
So, armed with information from White Collar Wiki and Google Maps, I was off!! However, as it turns out, I kind of didn't plan it out as well as I'd like. Haha. So what I'm presenting here is an "ideal" walking tour, with as little back and forth as possible. This is limited to Manhattan (because there's a few things that are out in Jersey or Long Island). I din't do this in a day, but theoretically, it can be done, especially taking the subways.
LEXIE'S WHITE COLLAR WALKING TOUR 2010
START: CENTRAL PARK
STOP 1: Bethesda Fountain
Featured on: Episode 1x02: "Threads", as a meeting place for the FBI and Ghovat to exchange a dress for a hostage.
This is a pretty easy place to find smack in the middle of Central Park.
Highlights:
-it's right near the famous boat house.
-you can rent a row boat (if you're feeling brave)
-if you walk in through the West side @ 72nd, you can visit the Dakota (site of John Lennon's murder) and follow the path through to the fountain.
-Bethesda fountain is also a staple location in the movie Enchanted.
STOP 2: Club Macanudo
Featured on: Episode 2x04: "By the Book", as Sal's, a cigar bar in which Neal and Mozzie are lead to by Gina's clues
I didn't go inside, because I had no reason to be. They sell cigars. And I felt WAY underdressed.
STOP 3: Grand Army Plaza
Featured on: Episode 2x03: "Copycat Caffrey", as a meeting spot between Mozzie and Alexandra Hunter, with Neal showing up (crew was spotted filming on May 10, 2010)
(it was dark when I got there, so this is a googled photo)
Highlights:
-this is @ the end of Central Park, AND on 5th Ave, where the big fashion houses are
-across the street is FAO Swartz
STOP 4: 620 Loft and Garden
Featured on: Episode 1x02: "Threads", as the setting for an outdoor party used to lure Ghovat
I couldn't get up there (private party), but you can schedule your wedding here should you so desire it.
STOP 5: Pershing Square
Featured on: Episode 1x05 "The Portrait". Neal sees a secret message from Kate and calls her from a payphone.
oh, and here's me, finally:
Highlights:
-this is a busy busy place, because it's JUST outside Central Station
-the architecture here is GORGEOUS.
-if you're hungry (which, let's face it, you are at this point) eat right there under the bridge. It's really good and it's the best food for three blocks. :)
STOP 6: Tudor Towers
Featured: Episode 1x01: "Pilot", as the terrace above June's home.
So, there was a little bit of confusion here. Wiki sites this as Windsor Tower, but it's actually Tudor Tower. This is the top of a large apartment building (not June's house which is across town).
I was not allowed to up to top, but here's the website photo:
Highlights:
-this is VERY private neighborhood, so keep it on the DL, people.
-most of the buildings here are private access only, and the doormen are pretty strict about it. However, Tudor Towers does have a public access roof until sundown (I got there late, so they wouldn't let me up).
-this is right across from the United Nations building. NOTE: for this reason, if UN is in session, they won't let you onto the roof.
STOP 7: Gramercy Park
Featured on: Season 2: the area around Gramercy park (21st between Lexington and Park Ave) used as a filming location on May 5, 2010
I spent like, 2 seconds here, but it's a nice place to just sit and chill out. Lots of people w/ their dogs around. Again, this is a nice neighborhood (dude, Park Ave is RIGHT there), and I wouldn't be surprised to spot famous people around if you stick around long enough.
STOP 8: Manhattan Heliport
Featured in: Episode 1x12: "Bottlenecked", as the getaway/meeting point between Keller and Sergey. & various Season 2 eps.
DISCLAIMER: I didn't go here. Mostly because I didn't have time to do it. But note that because it's a helicopter pad, I don't know how much there is to see, considering that it might be hard to just be there for no real reason...
STOP 9: Trinity Church
Featured on: Episode 1x03: "Book of Hours", as the Church from which the Bible was stolen.
(my picture was crappy, so here's a googled one)
Highlights:
-this is just a block from the NY Stock Exchange.
STOP 10: Roach Motel
Featured on: Episoe 1x01: "Pilot" where Neal is set up to live by Peter for $600/month.
Highlights:
-This is smack in the middle of the Village, right at the end of Christopher Street. Lots of funky shops, but if you have underage kids....be aware that there are random risqué shops just sort of...there. Haha.
STOP 11: The New Yorker Hotel
Featured on: Episode 2x06: "In the Red", as the entry to Abramov's gaming room.
This was a sort of "meh" location for me.
STOP 12: Fordham University
Featured on: Episode 2x03: "Copycat Caffrey", as East Side University (fliming occurred around May 8, 2010)
This place is big and it's easy to get a little lost. Find the student center and get a map. Wouldn't go after dark because...well, you shouldn't be on campus and you lose all the mystique (like I did).
ETA: Ok, so as it turns out this wasn't the exact place they filmed because that was over in the Bronx campus. See HERE.
(googled)
STOP 13: June's House
So this is a place you'll really have to walk to and the epitome of how different a neighborhood can be from one block to the next. This is higher uptown than others and SO not within a 2 mile radius of the hotel. But it's NICE.
me again! (it's hard to take photos of yourself by yourself w/ a large Nikon)
Highlights:
-not far from Columbia U or Tom's Restaurant (for you Seinfeld fans)
-This is a private residence, so be careful when lurking.
STOP 14: JFK Airport
Featured in: Episode 1x01: "Pilot" ...in several occasions
This is the arrivals terminal of JFK Airport: Terminal 4. You can get here from the departures area as well, as long as you go downstairs from the mall area BEFORE going through security.
If you live in the city, you can take the subway all the way to airport if you felt like it. But, because it's an airport security is a little tight and people can be jumpy about people who don't have airport business there.
*whew*