I did a Sex and the City tour of New York – I felt like Carrie but there’s a major downside to getting married at NYPL
AS the new season of And Just Like That premieres, I celebrated by strutting the streets of New York like Carrie Bradshaw — only I wasn’t in Manolos.
I visited the character’s go-to spots, from her West Village apartment to a brunch staple — and while I’d be happy to live on her street, a downside put me off getting married at the New York Public Library.
Sex and the City debuted in 1998 and ran for six seasons.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s portrayal of style icon and sex writer Carrie Bradshaw left women fawning over the character for years after the final episode aired.
Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon reunited for Sex and the City: The Movie in 2008, and again two years later for the sequel.
The franchise is now celebrating 25 years with season two of the Max reboot And Just Like That — and this time, news leaked that Cattrall is returning as Samantha for one scene after opting out of season one.
In preparation for the new season episode, I walked the city to visit some of the film locations featured in the original and reboot.
Even though I wasn’t dripping in designer wear as Carrie usually is, I have never felt as glamorous in Manhattan — and I live here.
However, I did emulate her trend-setting style with a black satin A-line skirt and cut-off denim top.
My slicked-back hair was a nod to Carrie’s new go-to beauty aesthetic introduced in the reboot (as opposed to her loose curls in the original series).
I started the day as the main character always would — at her West Village apartment on Perry Street.
Tucked under a canopy of greenery, the brownstone was everything I’d always dreamed of in a home.
As a writer, I can understand why Carrie would want her desk to overlook the street: It’s perfect for people watching, and seeing couples below would get a relationship columnist’ creative juices flowing.
The serene location instantly lifted my spirits, and I could picture myself being content there, no matter the dating drama in my life.
While I would’ve loved to pick up my skirt and skip down the steps as I’d seen Carrie do many times, the property was blocked off.
However, I reenacted Carrie’s famous “street crossing” routine before leaving — looking for incoming cars in the middle of the road.
On the corner of Bleecker and West 11th Street, the first-ever Magnolia Bakery still draws a morning crowd with a line around the corner.
Luckily, I beat the Saturday rush in May and got to peek in through the window.
Carrie’s season three romance with furniture designer Aidan Shaw, played by John Corbett, was my favorite.
In one scene, she and Miranda sat outside Magnolia Bakery, licking the pink frosting from their cupcakes while Carrie talked about her crush and Miranda mulled over her comfortable relationship with Steve.
The Manhattan hotspot, which set off an international cupcake craze after being featured on the show, was located just four minutes away from Carrie’s apartment.
As someone who prefers fruit over sweet treats, I didn’t actually try any of the baked goods.
But the sugary vanilla scent that flew out every time the front door swung open was enticing.
If the bench Carrie and Miranda sat on was still there, I would’ve parked myself outside the bakery for hours.
Next, I wandered up to Chelsea and stopped at the gang’s Sunday brunch spot: Cafeteria.
The four women sat around the same steel table at least once in every episode of the original series.
Whether Carrie needed to complain about Big or Samantha had to spill about last night’s sexy escapade, first, they’d meet at this treasured post.
From the outside, you’d never know the space was a restaurant.
Thick vines wrapped around the outdoor seating area, traveling to the front door.
I walked by the 7th Avenue food hub and nearly missed it.
The see-through front door wasn’t in the middle of the restaurant, as seen on the show.
Instead, it was on the corner of the venue.
When I looked inside, I half expected to see a blonde, a brunette, a curly-haired woman, and a redhead grouped at one table.
Sadly, the beloved friend group was not there — but maybe I’d carry on the tradition of making that a weekend morning meeting place.
All the way on the Upper East Side, I paid a visit to Carrie’s other big love: Manolo Blahnik.
The Sex and the City character may have gone through her handful of men, but the relationship that always stuck was with her $400 shoes.
Carrie was — and still is — the poster girl for Manolo Blahnik footwear, frequently accessorizing with the designer pumps and a Fendi Baguette bag.
While she would window shop for men with Charlotte, I did the same with these high-end shoes.
In my opinion, the most beautiful pair Carrie wore was the $1,195 Hangisi 70mm pump to her courthouse wedding with Big.
These royal blue heels feature one of the brand’s notable accents: a buckle on top.
I felt like I should drain my bank account for one pair just from peering at the display up front.
And “shopping” on Madison Avenue sent me into a false reality of being on an episode of Sex and the City.
My friend snapped me out of it with a kind reminder I couldn’t afford anything within miles.
Finally, I found myself downtown on the steps of the Fifth Avenue New York Public Library.
The beautiful midtown landmark sits on the edge of Bryant Park: one of the busiest stretches of greenery in the city.
When Carrie brought her books to the library in the first movie, she stumbled upon a wedding inside the grand building.
The writer was engaged to Big, the love of her life, played by Chris Noth, and she instantly knew she wanted to be married there.
Mr. Big got cold feet and abandoned her before the ceremony on their wedding day.
The two were married at City Hall at the end of the film.
Don’t get me wrong — the library has to be one of the most beautiful structures on the island, but I had to push through people on the sidewalk to get to the steps.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to be married in such a congested area.
However, I wouldn’t mind sitting and reading love letters from great writers over the centuries inside.
And just like that, my day as Carrie in the city was over.
I wasn’t ready to put my Sex and the City-obsessed mind to bed, so I rushed back to my apartment and restarted the series.