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Step Into the World of Runway: Iconic Devil Wears Prada Filming Locations

As a movie fan for more than 50 years with IMBd credits and as the author of a New York City travel guide, I know when a movie location is more than a backdrop, it's a character. Here's how NYC travelers and fashion-forward fans can step from an On Location Tours bus directly into the world of The Devil Wears Prada and its sequel released in 2026.

As a refresher, the first film features these characters: Andy (Ann Hathaway), Miranda (Meryl Streep), Emily (Emily Blunt), Nigel (Stanley Tucci) and Christian (Simon Baker).It’s streaming on Disney+, Hulu and Max.

Highlights

  • Expert curation: Visiting key filming locations from The Devil Wears Prada films including exact Manhattan sites tied to major scenes
  • Behind the film scenes context: How these real NYC locations were used in the movies.
  • Insider's travel tips: Tips for turning the tour into a stylish NYC experience with nearby photo-worthy destinations.

Editor's Note: the writer was hosted.

Stop at Runway Magazine's Home in the Heart of Manhattan

 This Manhattan landmark building is known for its International style of architecture. Photo credit: R.C. Staab
This Manhattan landmark building is known for its International style of architecture. Photo credit: R.C. Staab

This sleek Midtown tower at 1221 Avenue of the Americas at W. 49th St. stands in for the offices of Runway Magazine, where Andy's work-life spirals into high-fashion chaos. Andy frequently enters and exits through the building's revolving doors. In the final, full-circle moment of the film, Andy looks across the street to glimpse Miranda getting into a waiting car.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Explore the shops and eateries in the concourse below or turn around to see the iconic Radio City Music Hall.

Visit This Chic Hotel to See Where Andy Snags the Latest Harry PotterBook

 The Beaux-Art St. Regis New York is a 5-star hotel for upper crust visitors and a New York landmark. Photo credit: R.C. Staab
The Beaux-Art St. Regis New York is a 5-star hotel for upper crust visitors and a New York landmark. Photo credit: R.C. Staab

In the seemingly impossible task of securing an unpublished manuscript of the newest Harry Potter book series, Andy races a few blocks from her office in Midtown to meet Christian at the bar inside the St. Regis New York hotel at Fifth Avenue and E. 55th St. Amidst the quiet elegance of the bar, she rushes in and out. By securing the book for Miranda's twin daughters, Andy manages to keep her job.

SheBuysTravel Tip:After the tour, be sure to grab a Bloody Mary (invented here) at the legendary King Cole Bar featuring a Maxfield Parrish mural, Old King Cole.

Lunch Where Andy Grabbed a Steak for Miranda

 The original Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse with its distinctive green and white interior. Photo credit: R.C. Staab
The original Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse with its distinctive green and white interior. Photo credit: R.C. Staab

Miranda orders Andy to bring her a Smith & Wollensky steak for lunch from Third Avenue and E. 49th St location. With an afternoon full of impossible takes (see Harry Potter above), she runs, grabs a takeout bag with the steak and rushes back to the office.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Walk one block toward Fifth Avenue on 49th Street and visit the refurbished and reopened Waldorf Astoria New York hotel.

Stroll to Central Park for the Site of Nigel's Fashion Shoot

 Rising above a nature sanctuary, the Gapstow Bridge is a must for selfie fans in Central Park. Photo credit: R.C. Staab
Rising above a nature sanctuary, the Gapstow Bridge is a must for selfie fans in Central Park. Photo credit: R.C. Staab

Nigel is off scouting locations in Central Park for a fashion shoot with models in outrageous costumes. At the Gapstow Bridge near the corner of 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, Andy arrives and confesses she is having boyfriend problems. Nigel makes Andy aware that she is now clearly wedded to the fashion industry.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Nearby is the Central Park Zoo. No ticket necessary to see and hear the chimes of the Delacorte Clock with its delightful animal figurines.

Walk by Miranda's Amazing Upper East Side Townhouse

 Miranda would live nowhere else than in a multimillion-dollar townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Photo credit: R.C. Staab
Miranda would live nowhere else than in a multimillion-dollar townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Photo credit: R.C. Staab

Andy delivers "the book" to Miranda's home on the Upper East Side at E. 73rd St. and Lexington Avenue. With so many flower vases and tables, she is challenged to know exactly where to place her delivery. She inadvertently encounters Miranda arguing with her "latest" husband.

SheBuysTravel Tip:This is a private home, so respect residents' privacy and don't sit or linger on the steps.

Window Shop at Hermès

 Hermès Maison Madison is a quintessential luxury goods store on America's chicest thoroughfare, Madison Avenue. Photo credit: R.C. Staab
Hermès Maison Madison is a quintessential luxury goods store on America's chicest thoroughfare, Madison Avenue. Photo credit: R.C. Staab

Late for work, Emily is seen rushing with bags of Hermès scarves. While on the phone to Andy, Emily crosses busy Madison Avenue at E. 63rd St. with its cabs and delivery trucks, and she is struck by a car. The scarves fly up in the air in a quick, colorful scene.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Forget Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue is where you'll find other luxury flagship stores ofDior,Dolce & GabbanaandRalph Lauren.

Climb the Steps for a Gala Selfie

 The exterior of the American Museum of Natural History served as the entrance to the city's major gala. Photo credit: R.C. Staab
The exterior of the American Museum of Natural History served as the entrance to the city's major gala. Photo credit: R.C. Staab

With the principal cast members and hundreds of extras, the exterior of the American Museum of Natural History at Central Park West and 79th Street served as the entrance to the city's major fashion gala in the film. While there is more than a passing nod to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) Gala, the filmmakers were not allowed to film on the steps of that museum.

SheBuysTravel Tip:Look closely at the first film and you'll see a large statue of Theodore Roosevelt that was removed in 2022 after a controversy related to its depiction of African Americans and Native Americans.

What To Know about The Devil Wears Prada Filming Locations Tour

 Guides on the On Location Tours are schooled in movie trivia about the films. Photo credit: R. C. Staab
Guides on the On Location Tours are schooled in movie trivia about the films. Photo credit: R. C. Staab

On Location Tours provides the most NYC movie tours. Priced at $160 per person for a private tour, this is a journey for filmgoers who are rabid fans of The Devil Wears Prada. Public tours at a lower price may be offered. To book a tour, visit onlocationtours.com or call 212-683-2027.

FAQ: What to Know about the Tour

Do I need to book the tour in advance?

Yes. Tours require a minimum number of people.

How long does the tour take?

It's a 2.5 to 3-hour tour, depending on traffic.

Is there an opportunity to get off the bus for photos?

Along the way, the guide allows guests to quickly leave the bus to take photos.

Can I visit these locations on my own?

Yes. With Manhattan traffic, a tour that includes public transit and walking would probably take at least a half a day.

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The post Step Into the World of Runway: Iconic Devil Wears Prada Filming Locations appeared first on She Buys Travel.

She Buys Travel

This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 7:47 PM.

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