Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

How Does The Friends Experience: The One in New York City Work? 

Ticket holders arrive at their designated time slot and see pictures, quotes, and scenes on mounted TVs featuring their six favorite friends. Enjoy a photo op on the couch in front of the fountain and walk through sections of the experience in an orderly fashion. See costumes, set designs, and hairstyles, as well as props from the still-popular show. Visitors especially enjoy walking through rooms where the "friends" spent their time—both apartments and the coffee shop. Sit on recliners, peruse Monica's kitchen, and even play foosball in Chandler and Joey's apartment. 

Along the way, Friends Experience staff members are on hand to make sure the areas stay crowd-free and help guests snap pictures with their phones. To add to the entertainment value, fans can watch famous Friends scenes playing on a loop on TVs mounted on the walls. 

Once visitors have walked through the exhibit, they end their tour in a gift shop. Guests can purchase Central Perk mugs, a variety of T-shirts, and even onesies for the littlest Friends fans. 

If you simply want a taste of the experience without the full walk-through, consider visiting the on-site replica of Central Perk, where no tickets are required, to enjoy the coffee shop's goodies, including Third Rail Coffee and treats from Breads Bakery and BCakeNY. See Central Perk's hours online before visiting.

RELATED: 15 Best Places for Family Playtime in NYC

Make like Ross once and "PIVOT! PIVOT!"

Is The Friends Experience in New York City Fun for Kids? 

Yes, but it depends on a few things. Obviously, the show itself is not exactly appropriate for kids under age 12; but if your tweens and teens have seen it, appreciate the humor, and are familiar with the characters, they will get a kick out of it. A staff member told us that some visitors bring babies in strollers, while others bring young children, ages 3-5, who have been in the room when the show is on because they say things like, "I like Chandler the best!" Most kids may want to scoot past the costumes and set design, but they will enjoy the TVs playing the series and also posing with a headless Joey wearing all of Chandler's clothes. 

RELATED: Step Inside the New Harry Potter Store in the Flatiron District

The Friends Experience: The One in New York City is a trip down memory lane.

Tickets for The Friends Experience and More Info

Make reservations and purchase tickets online. Ticket holders attending with kids can save money and avoid busier times by choosing off-peak hours—non-holiday weekdays before 5pm. For peak days and times, tickets cost $52.50 plus taxes and fees; off-peak tickets cost $45 plus taxes and fees; children 3 and under are FREE. It takes about an hour to walk through the pop-culture exhibit. The experience prides itself on not just being clean, but "Monica clean." Masks are required, and beginning Tuesday, September 7, visitors must be fully vaccinated or show proof of a recent negative COVID test per its updated policy in accordance with NYC regulations.

Photos by the author