Spotting Celebrities in NYC

Where to find celebrities in NYC or which celebrities are living in NYC today are common questions by all, but celebrity sightings in NYC are way easier than you may think and happen all the time. You will, of course, see them on the subway, in Central Park, at the gym, in restaurants, at all the current hotspots, at shows and more. If you are ready to go stargazing in NYC, here are some unique ways to see celebrities all over the city.

Celebrity Book Signings

Anyone who writes a book goes on a press tour and they ALL stop in NYC. It’s quite common for them to hit Strand Bookstore and Barnes and Noble, both in Union Square, for talks and autograph sessions promoting their books. Since just about everyone in Hollywood and Politics has written a book (or, at least had someone write it for them), you are guaranteed to see celebrities signing books in NYC.

Broadway Talk Backs

Most Broadway and Off Broadway shows offer a series of talk backs, where you sit after a show and ask questions of the cast and crew. It’s usually a very intimate setting designed to dive further into the show – it is not meant as an autograph session. If you purchase group tickets, you can often even request your own special Talk Back just for your group.

Celebrities on Broadway

• Redwood – Idina Menzel (Jan 24, 2025 – August 17, 2025)
• Glengarry Glen Ross – Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk & Michael McKean (March 10-May 31, 2025)
• Good Night, and Good Luck – George Clooney (March 12 – June 8)
• Othello – Denzel Washington & Jake Gyllenhaal (Feb 25-June 8, 2025)
• Just in Time – Jonathan Groff (March 31+)
• Call Me Izzy – Jean Smart (May 24-Aug 17, 2025)
• Gypsy – Audra McDonald (Nov 21, 2024+)
• Sunset Boulevard – Nicole Scherzinger (Sept 28, 2024 – Jul 13, 2025)
• Waiting for Godot – Keanu Reeves & Alex Winter – (aka, Bill & Ted:) (Fall 2025)

See More: List of Broadway Shows and How to See Celebrities in NYC

92nd Street Y

The 92nd Street Y often hosts intimate celebrity appearances, which are usually set up as interviews. The one-on-ones, use NYC’s top interviewers (Today Show Hosts, Night Show Hosts, Newspaper Journalists) to interview celebrities and are attended by 1,000 audience members in the cultural center’s Kaufmann Concert Hall. Head to www.92y.org to see which of your favorites might be appearing while you’re in town!

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Times Talks A-List Live Interviews

One of the BEST ways to experience celebrities and A-Listers like only a New Yorker can. Times Talks are a diverse series of interviews, in a fairly intimate setting, with world-famous authors, actors, politicians and celebrities (I mean SUPER A-LIST), each facilitated by a New York Times reporter (Master of Ceremonies).

Here’s of an example of what a typical month looks like: Kate Winslet, Danny Boyle and Aaron Sorkin discussing the new “Steve Jobs” movie, while Jennifer Hudson and Alice Waters share their new Broadway musical, The Color Purple, with conversation and performances and Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford discuss their new film “Truth.” There are always plenty of celebrity chefs, such as Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali and more, celebrating the Food and Wine Festival.

More Info: www.timestalks.com

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Pace University: Inside the Actors Studio

The incomparable James Lipton can never be replaced, so Ovation and The Actors Studio have curated an impressive roster of multiple hosts to engage with the guests and the students of The Actors Studio MFA program at Pace University. Inside the Actors Studio is taped in front of a live audience, but events are closed to the public and there are no tickets for sale or donation.

However, there is a general public standby line, which forms outside the Loreto Theater at the Sheen Center – 18 Bleecker Street, beginning one hour prior to taping. Those arriving earlier will be asked to return when the line is available.

Examples of recent tapings include:

Hosted by ALEC BALDWIN
with Special Guest HENRY WINKLER

and
 
Hosted by JANE LYNCH
With Special Guest DAVID OYELOWO

The Loreto Theater at The Sheen Center 
18 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

Movie & TV Tours

Every once in a while, a celebrity will say hello on or co-host a tour that includes some of their work. It’s not likely, but it is possible. See More: Movie and Television Tours

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More Things to do in New York City

Fun Things to do in New York in Winter

• Fun Things to do in New York in Winter
• Ice Skating in New York City
• Things to do in NYC in December
• Things to do in NYC in January
• Things to do in NYC in February
• Holiday Markets in NYC
• Christmas in New York City
• Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
• Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
• New York City Museums
• NYC Helicopter Tours
• Free Things to Do in New York City

Newest NYC Experiences - Be The First!

Best New York City Hotel Rooftops

NYC Hotel Rooftops offer some of the best skyline views in the whole City, along with cocktails and food, views, pools, cabanas, sundecks and retractable roofs. Our top picks for the most surreal views and cocktails include:

• Ink48 Hotel - right next to the Intrepid Museum and my ALL time favorite rooftop!
• The Ready @ Moxy NYC East Village - all-season rooftop with an amazingly eclectic vibe and great skyline views. (photo)
• The Empire Hotel - year-round indoor/outdoor rooftop with seasonal pool and cabana rentals

See More: Best New York City Hotel Rooftops

Museums

Museums and attractions are open, some with reduced capacity, safety protocols, reservations and vaccination proof. Check out the new Museum of Ice Cream (SoHo), Guggenheim, MoMA, Whitney and so many more NYC Museums from which to choose.

Attractions & Sightseeing

NYC attractions are open, some with reservations required. Whether you want to sightsee from the sky or selfie with celebs @ Madame Tussauds, you can be safe and explore.

Go HIGH or Go Home

Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or the new SUMMIT? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.

• Empire State Building - (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
• Top of the Rock - (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
• One World Observatory - (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
• Edge - (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
• Summit One Vanderbilt - (91-93 floors) Opened Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building. One of the hottest tickets in town

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See All: Top New York City Tourist Attractions

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New York City Night Cruises

See our beautiful Skyline from all angles - in any weather!

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Take in ALL the Tours, Landmarks and Attractions and SAVE

NY Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, NY Explorer Pass, CityPASS Compared

See All: New York City Pass Comparison Chart

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Secret NYC Insider Tours

Explore our subways secrets with a local guide, go behind-the-scenes at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, uncover surprising gems and historical tales of Grand Central Station, cocktail your way through Manhattan’s best and most secretive speakeasies and much more!

Things to do in New York with Kids

One of the best parts of NYC is that what is fun for kids is usually just as much fun for adults. If you are joining us in NYC for a family vacation, then please read all about our local kid's favorites, along with special tips just for visitors.

See All: Visiting New York with Kids.

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FREE Things to do in New York City

There are tons of free things to do in New York all day, every day! Tours, attractions, museums, events, shows, sports, movie and more. Kids, adults, outdoors, indoors, active, lazy...you name it!

See All: Free Things to Do in NYC - weekly calendar of all free walking tours, free museum admissions, free things to do by season and more

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New York City Shopping Guides

New York City Nightlife

How do you make the most of your time in the city that never sleeps?? Some of the best 'only in NYC' nightlife experiences include skyline views, dinner cruises, Museums and attractions open late til 2am, rooftops, night tours, comedy clubs and more. Some of our top NYC Nightlife picks:

See all our Top Picks: New York City Nightlife

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Save HUGE $$$$ in NYC

Romantic Things to Do in NYC

There are tons of things to do on your romantic New York City vacation. Attractions open late with skyline views, Central Park Tours, VIP Experiences, a helicopter ride. Some of the most popular romantic ways to see NYC include:

See more romantic things to do at: Romantic New York City Vacation and Valentine's Day in NYC

Explore and Indulge Like a Real NYC Foodie

There is no shortage of pizza, bagels, street vendors, cupcakes, craft beer and cocktails, rooftops and mini food parks to explore and so many more food choices in the five boroughs, along with wonderful guides who can't wait to show you them all!!!!

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Spot Celebrities in NYC

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Get Out of Town for a Day

NYC is within 3 hours of so many other cities and areas you can visit for just one day. Easily head to Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, the Hamptons, Woodbury Common Shopping Outlets and more. Whether you live in NY or are visiting, and no matter how much you love NYC, escaping for a day is a treat for everyone. Top choices for 1-day Out of Town:

See All: Day Trips Out of New York City

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More Things To Do in New York City

• Free Things to Do in New York City
• Things to do in New York City

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