The One Where You Visit Central Perk
Are you a fan of the show Friends? Did you ever want to hang out at Central Perk? Now you can! Visit The Friends Experience.
“Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat. What are they feeding you?” - Phoebe
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Growing up in the 90’s meant that Friends was one of my favorite tv shows. It had a lot of comedy and scenarios to which many people can still relate to today. The show was incredibly popular. There were 10 seasons that ran from 1994 until 2004. The set of Friends is iconic and something that many people wished they could see for themselves. Well now you can see a lot of set recreations, costumes and more at The Friends Experience!
What is The Friends Experience?
The FRIENDS™ Experience is a way that you can experience being on the set of Friends. There are a variety of different rooms packed with props and sets from the show. It is a great place to visit with your friends and take lots of pictures. If you love the tv show then going to this is a must. Currently tickets are being sold for locations in New York City, Sydney, Paris, London, São Paulo and Madrid.
What ages is it for?
The Friends Experience is for all ages. Kids three and under are free. Kids under twelve need to be accompanied by an adult.
My Experience at The One near Philadelphia
Friends has always been a comfort show of mine since it is humorous and the characters really feel like your friends after you have watched it for awhile. When I heard about the Friends Experience being nearby I knew I had to see what was there. I went to the Friends Experience when it was inside the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania. I went with my friend that was also a fan of the show. I expected it to be a place that was mostly for Instagram photo ops but I was curious to see what it was like. While there were plenty of great photo opportunities this experience was so much more than that. It really felt like we were inside the show.
We first walked in and were immediately greeted by the well-known orange couch the characters sit on in the introduction of the show. We walked through rooms with props and costumes from the show. If you were ever curious what Rachel wrote in her letter to Ross it was actually blown up and on the walls! You could even see Science Boy. There were script pages, costume idea sketches and a sketch of the set from the studio lot.
There were some places where you could take some funny photos such as inside of all the clothes Joey is wearing from the episode “The One Where No One’s Ready.” You could also pretend your head is stuck inside of a turkey with sunglasses such as Monica in “The One With All the Thanksgivings” episode. The Pat the Dog statue, seen in many episodes as well as in the show Family Matters, could be posed with as well. It was humorous how they even included the cheesecake on the floor outside their apartment from “The One With all the Cheesecakes.” Our favorite part was how they had the staircase with the couch recreated in “The One With the Cop” episode. This made for some funny pictures where you could pretend to pivot while moving a couch.
“Pi-vot!” - Ross
After this we went into the kitchen and dining area portion of Monica and Rachel’s apartment complete with mismatched chairs. You could even see the iconic purple door with the yellow picture frame! I loved that they also had included some hanging copper pots and the Pickles utensil holder.
“Well, the meat is only every third layer. Maybe you could scrape?” - Monica
My favorite part was going inside Joey and Chandler’s apartment from the show. The recreated set even had the entertainment center with the hockey stick locking the front. This was similar to when Joey gets locked inside during the episode “The One with the Cat.” We saw a Hugsy such as the one in “The One with the Memorial Service.” There was great attention to detail including the door with the Etch a Sketch, framed Laurel and Hardy poster and Three Stooges statues. We even sat in La-Z-Boys like the ones they got in the episode “The One Where Ross and Rachel…You Know.” You could even play foosball!
Watch the show again to find where each of these are in the different episodes.
Towards the end we saw the outside of Central Perk with Phoebe’s guitar. Afterwards you could even sit on couches inside Central Perk! The only thing missing was Gunther. Once we had finished walking through everything we could also walk into the retail store. We ended up purchasing some photos that turned out really well. Photographers were at certain locations and at the end you could purchase digital or physical pictures.
The only downside was that I wished that I could have had longer at each location and actually been able to purchase coffee at Central Perk. Although the location near Philadelphia has since closed there are many other locations listed below. Since the time of my visit it seems like many of these other locations of the Friends Experience have even more props and set locations to offer. The New York location also has coffee and pastries available for purchase in its Central Perk.
What should I wear?
Wear outfits that are relevant to the show such as one of these ideas listed below. These will make for some great pictures.
Here are some options:
This pleated skirt is similar to the one Rachel wears in Season 10 Episode 15.
Rachel wears overalls similar to these in Season 1 episode 2. She also wears this outfit in Season 1 Episode 19 when she is trying to find Marcel.
This dress is a shorter version of a similar one that Phoebe wears in Season 2 Episode 12 over a white turtleneck.
Dress like Chandler does with a button-down sweater vest.
Display your love for the New York Rangers with this shirt like Joey does in Season 1 Episode 4 with his jersey. Joey also wore a lot of turtlenecks in the show such as this Men’s Black Turtleneck.
Ross wears multiple red crewneck sweaters over white t-shirts in the show similar to this one.
This Frankie Say Relax shirt from episode 19 in the third season is another surefire hit since it was worn by Ross and Rachel.
Don’t want to dress like a character? Wear a t-shirt with some classic Friends quotes from Joey such as these: “Joey Doesn’t Share Food” (Season 10 Episode 9), “Moo Point” (Season 7 Episode 8) and “How You Doin’?
Still stumped? Why not have you and two friends reuse some wedding dresses? You could recreate the scene in “The One With all the Wedding Dresses.”
“I’m gonna go get one of those job things.” - Rachel
Which episodes should I watch beforehand?
Each Friends Experience may have slightly different sets and props that are there. These are my recommendations based off of my visit to The Friends Experience near Philadelphia.
“The One with the Dozen Lasagnas” - Season 1 Episode 12 (foosball table)
“The One where Ross and Rachel…You Know” - Season 2 Episode 15 (La-Z-Boys)
“The One where Eddie Moves In” - Season 2 Episode 17 (Pat the dog statue)
“The One with the Cop” - Season 5 Episode 16 (moving the couch)
“The One with all the Cheesecakes” - Season 7 Episode 11 (cheesecake on the floor)
“The One with the Memorial Service - Season 9 Episode 17 (Hugsy)
If you live in the United States all the seasons of Friends are available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can register for a free trial here: Amazon Prime Video Free Trial.
Where is The Friends Experience located?
The Friends Experience is in multiple different cities. Locations can change over time so be sure to get your tickets soon! See more information below.
The One in New York City
Location: 130 E 23rd Street New York City, NY (on the corner of 23rd Street and Lexington Avenue)
Currently open on Wednesday through Monday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm with thirty minute entry slots. Tickets are available online until the end of July.
Get your tickets here ahead of time to make sure your spot is reserved and to save some money.
Special features at this location: Friends Experience is located over two floors! There are beverages and baked goods available for purchase.
More information about the New York City location can be found here.
The One in Sydney
Location: Fullerton Hotel 1 Martin Place Sydney, Australia
Opening on February 13, 2025. It will stay open until March 2, 2025. See website for days and times for tickets since these vary.
Special features at this location: Pose on the orange couch and kick back on Chandler and Joey’s Barcaloungers. There are also anytime passes available for certain dates.
The One in London
Location: Immerse LDN, Excel Waterfront E16 1XL (by public transport) and E16 IFR (by car) There are also free cycle racks at the West Entrance. Go here for more information on public transport and parking.
Currently open! Get tickets ahead of time here.
See website for more information. It is generally open from 10:00 am to 7:15 pm.
The Retail Store is open to the public without a ticket.
Special features at this location: See Phoebe’s taxi, Hugsy and the set for Ross and Emily’s wedding ceremony in London. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase at Friends Station.
The One in Paris
Location: Les Galeries Montparnasse 22 Rue du Départ (Paris 15), 75014
Tickets are available here for February 14, 2025 until March 2, 2025.
Special features at this location: See foosball in Joey and Chandler’s apartment. See Joey’s ceramic dog statue.
The One in São Paulo
Location: Shopping Cidade São Paulo 4th floor (in front of the movie theater) - Av. Paulista, 1230 - Bela Vista, São Paulo – SP
Tickets are available here on February 13, 2025 until March 9, 2025.
Special features at this location: See Phoebe’s taxi cab and costumes from the show.
The One in Madrid
Location: IFEMA MADRID, Pabellón 14.1 Av. del Partenón, 5, Barajas, 28042, 28042
The Friends Experience will be arriving in Madrid soon.
Tickets are available on their website for March 17, 2025 until June 29, 2025.
Special features at this location: See Hugsy and the Christmas Armadillo.
The One in Vegas
Currently no details. More details will be added once there is more information on the opening date.
If you are still debating whether to get tickets for this do not debate any longer. Get them now so that you can also have the experience of being on Friends.