Have you heard of The FRIENDS Experience in New York? It might not come as a surprise given the extreme ongoing popularity of the sitcom. There was something sort of indefinably special about Friends that people connected to right away. Ever since it debuted on NBC on September 22, 1994, it was instantly beloved. Sure, it had a great cast, stellar writing, and fun stories, but so did many other hit shows of the time. With Friends, it was more than that. Created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, this sitcom had heart and a way of connecting to its audience that made them fans for life.
The Central Perk exterior is part of the attraction.
(The FRIENDS Experience)
That legacy lives on every day in reruns and streamed episodes. Also, fans who visit New York City can celebrate the show in a tangible way. The FRIENDS Experience: The One in New York City is the biggest permanent experience celebrating the show, and it is the only one where you can see authentic costumes and props that were used during filming.
Located at 23rd and Lexington, The FRIENDS Experience provides nostalgia overload in the best possible way. It’s pretty much a sensory experience as you are transported into the world of the six friends you have known and loved for so long.
I chatted with Stacy Moscatelli, CEO of OGX Production, and Caitlin Maloney, VP of Creative, about how this fun experience started, what visitors can expect, what might surprise them, and which cast members have visited the experience. Here’s why you shouldn’t miss this nostalgic haven for Friends fans.
How The ‘Friends’ Experience All Started
So what inspired such an elaborate celebration of the iconic show? Stacy Moscatelli told me, “It started with a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Friends in 2019. Our company OGX is known for working with iconic brands to create memorable, in-real-life experiences, so Warner Bros. asked us to do a FRIENDS pop up. It was such a huge hit, we had lines around the block, and we knew we had to keep it going and take it all around the world.”
“We built the flagship FRIENDS Experience in New York City, since New York is really the seventh character in the show. We’ve found there is a constant stream of interest as people of all ages and from all over the world continue to fall in love with the show and want to experience it. We opened ‘The One In New York City’ in 2020,” Moscatelli added.
Monica’s kitchen and living room is meticulously recreated at The FRIENDS Experience.
(The FRIENDS Experience)Hidden Things In The Friends Experience For Fans
What are some hidden things that fans might look for when visiting The FRIENDS Experience? Caitlin Maloney shared, “There are so many authentic props and costumes, and fans are always surprised by the level of detail. Each character had a wallet with a personal license, credit cards – nothing was overlooked, and so much of it is on display. The 18-page letter that Rachel wrote to Ross is there in its entirety, and it really is 18 pages – front and back! My personal favorite is the original Holiday Armadillo costume.”
What Surprises Visitors The Most
“Some guests are surprised to learn how much the show has permeated popular culture. Even if they don’t consider themselves a huge fan, they realize they are familiar with the characters, sets, catch-phrases (like ‘Pivot!’) and end up enjoying themselves more than expected. It’s so deeply ingrained in culture, and not just in the US – we get tons of international visitors who are huge fans, and many who even learned English from watching the show,” Moscatelli said.
Costumes worn by the cast of “Friends” are on display.
(The FRIENDS Experience)
“Fans are also surprised to learn about the costume design and how much thought and attention went into building the characters through their style. There is a video interview with Costume Designer Debra McGuire, and she details everything from the color palettes to how she developed each character’s signature style. Having to dress the six main actors and all the guest stars is a much more in-depth job than most people realize, and being able to see some of those actual articles at the experience makes it even more impressive.”
Joey and Chandler’s apartment is also recreated for The FRIENDS Experience.
(The FRIENDS Experience)Cast Members Who Have Visited
“There is a fun new game show on Max called ‘Fast Friends,’ hosted by Whitney Cummings, that was filmed at the experience and tested contestants’ Friends knowledge. The legendary Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, made a surprise appearance during one episode. She also came to the 2019 pop up, as did James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther. Sadly, James Michael Tyler passed away in 2021,” shared Moscatelli.
Fun Fact About The FRIENDS Experience
Maloney told me that they’ve had almost 200 wedding proposals at The FRIENDS Experience: The One in New York City. She said, “Sometimes people reach out in advance, but often they are surprises that are fun for the couple and anyone else that happens to be there.”
Planning Your Visit
Come photo-ready! Special memories are captured with photo opps throughout the experience. Both print and digital photo packages are available to buy as the ultimate souvenir. You and friends can take pictures by the opening credits fountain, the Las Vegas wedding chapel, and the Pivot! couch, among other scenes. You can take your own photos, too. That’s encouraged.
The Holiday Armadillo is sure to bring back laughs as visitors recall the famous holiday “Friends” episode.
(The FRIENDS Experience)
So how long should you plan to stay at the experience? Moscatelli said that it depends on how much time you want to spend looking at everything and diving into this surreal Friends universe. She said, “On average it’s around 45 minutes to an hour. Some people spend longer and really get into the show, recreating scenes and taking tons of photos.”
The experience ends in the “Central Perk” cafe, a replica of the iconic coffee shop from the show. It’s fully functional, so you can order a coffee and sweet treat, then enjoy the ambiance of what might be the world’s most famous coffee shop.
There’s also an onsite retail store that offers fun, exclusive merch of the show and specifically The FRIENDS Experience.
Located at 23rd and Lexington, The FRIENDS Experience address is 130 E. 23rd Street in Manhattan. All ages are welcome to come, but guests under 12 years of age need to be accompanied by an adult. You can purchase tickets in advance through ShowClix.