Best Places To See Celebrities in New York City USA

New York City is well known for being a hot spot for celebrity sightings. As one of the epicenters of entertainment news, fashion, arts, and culture, many famous faces call NYC home or frequently visit for work and play. While celeb sightings can happen virtually anywhere in the city, there are a few key areas that seem to attract higher instances of spotting the rich and famous going about their daily lives.

Hotels

Some of the top luxury hotels in Manhattan double as celebrity haunts and hot spots. These include:

The Carlyle
Known as the “New York White House,” The Carlyle has hosted every president since Truman. Celebrities known to stay here include George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and many more. The hotel’s Bemelmans Bar is also a piano lounge frequented by Woody Allen and other stars.

The Mark
This 5-star hotel on the Upper East Side attracts well-heeled celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, and David Beckham. Its Frédéric Fekkai Salon is a favorite among the fashionable elite.

The Greenwich
Found in Tribeca, stars gravitate towards this hotel for its understated luxury. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds own an $11 million home nearby and are regular fixtures of the neighborhood. Other celebrity guests include Jennifer Lawrence, Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, and more.

Restaurants & Bars
The NYC dining scene features exclusive eateries beloved by the rich and famous. Top spots to potentially brush elbows with celebrities include:

Polo Bar
Owned by designer Ralph Lauren, the Polo Bar draws in big names like Sylvester Stallone, Katie Holmes, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Zeta-Jones and more. The classic NYC establishment has an old world charm and refined American cuisine.

Carbone
This Michelin-star Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village serves up a taste of Italia with a side of celebrity sightings. Frequented by the likes of Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Kardashians, and Beyoncé. Be prepared to wait or book weeks in advance for a table.

Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Located just outside the city, this farm-to-table restaurant offers an upscale rustic dining experience in a bucolic setting that celebrities love. Gwyneth Paltrow, Barack Obama, David Letterman, and Tom Brady have all dined here before.

Shopping Areas
If retail therapy is on the agenda, these upscale shopping areas offer great hunting for that perfect couture find along with celeb sightings.

Fifth Avenue
The most iconic luxury shopping corridor in the city, Fifth Avenue is home to Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and most every high-fashion boutique you can think of. Spot singers like Mariah Carey or actors such as Anne Hathaway browsing the latest collections.

SoHo
The trendy upscale boutiques, unique galleries, and cafes defining this downtown neighborhood attract stars like Emily Blunt and Justin Theroux, who live nearby. Paparazzi shots often catch models like Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber shopping in SoHo.

West Village
Strolling the quaint, charming streets of the West Village offers scenic beauty and great glimpses of celebs who live in the area’s gorgeous townhouses. Famous residents include Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natasha Lyonne, and more.

Broadway Shows
Spending an evening taking in a Broadway performance often comes with celebrity sightings at the stage doors. Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Plaza Suite with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, and new musical & Juliet with Lea Michele are hot tickets. Post-show is the best chance to spot theater stars signing playbills for fans.

New York Fashion Week
When Fashion Week arrives in February and September, NYC becomes even more of a paparazzi playground. Top models, fashion designers, A-list celebs, and influential tastemakers flock to the city for the seasonal style previews and glitzy events. Outside of runway shows at Spring Studios or Lincoln Center is the prime spot to catch them strutting their stuff.

Top Celebrity Hot Spots in NYC
In addition to hotels and restaurants, celebrities have favorite members-only clubs, entertainment venues, sports arenas that they frequent around Manhattan and the boroughs. Whether enjoying a night out in the city or walking around running daily errands, there’s always a chance for celebrity encounters in NYC. While respecting their privacy is rule number one, it’s hard not to get a little starstruck when you least expect it. With so many attractions, events, and scenes drawing famous names, New York City will continue being a prime place for potential celeb sightings.

Frequently Asked Questions about Seeing Celebs in NYC
What celebrities live in New York City?
Some celebrities who currently reside in NYC include:

-Sarah Jessica Parker
-Justin Theroux
-Neil Patrick Harris
-Matt Damon and wife Luciana Barroso
-Jennifer Lawrence
-Jake Gyllenhaal
-Taylor Swift

What NYC restaurants do celebrities go to?
Some top NYC restaurants beloved by celebrities such as Rihanna, Kanye West, and the Kardashians include:
Carbone
Catch Steak
Polo Bar
Socarras Paella Bar
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Nobu
Where might you see celebrities in Manhattan?
Popular places in Manhattan for celebrity sightings:

-Outside Broadway theatres near Times Square
-High end hotels like The Mark, Carlyle, Four Seasons
-Upscale shopping areas – Fifth Avenue, SoHo
-Trendy Meatpacking District clubs & restaurants
-Exclusive members only clubs & lounges

What is the best place to live in NYC to see celebrities?
For the highest chance of celebrity sightings, ideal NYC neighborhoods to live in or stay at hotels include:
TriBeCa
West Village
Upper East Side
SoHo
Lower Manhattan

What events draw a lot of celebrities in NYC?
Top events bringing lots of famous names to the city:
New York Fashion Week
US Open
NYC Marathon
Major Broadway show premieres
SNL After Parties
The Met Gala
Tribeca Film Festival

So if you’re looking to get your celeb sighting fix, head to New York City! With some strategic planning and a little luck, you may just spot some of the world’s biggest stars wandering the Big Apple.