Celebrity Watching in NYC
 

I will be in NYC next Tuesday. Where is the best place to spot celebrities?

In my experience the best place to see celebrities is the neighborhood they live in - that's where I have run into the most (ie supermarket, shopping at tower or B&N etc) unless you're looking for someone currently in a particular show - then obviously its the stage door.

Its relatively rare to see them in night spots -since they're usually in the private rooms regular folks don;t get into - even if they can get into the club at all.

If you have some specfic celebrities in mind provide names and perhaps someone can let you know a good spot.

I agree with NYTraveler that you often see them in the neighborhood they live in. I have occasionally spotted celebrities in the middle of a weekday shopping along Madison Ave. Other than that, there are some Broadway after-show haunts where celebrities congregate -- Joe Allen, MacIndoe's, etc. You can always try Elaine's uptown, if you fancy the writer's crowd.

My friend found Central Park to be a great spot last week - and she wasn't even looking. In the space of a half hour she saw John Boy Walton (can't remember his real name), Will Smith and Kevin James together on the steps of the Met filming something and then Joan Rivers up a few blocks.

I'd really like to see Kelly Rippa. Which neighborhood does she live in?

I thought Kelly Rippa lived in the suburbs.
I ran into celebs all the time, never where one would expect. Walking down any street at any time, you can run into someone.
Soho is a good place to start .. but where we lived on the East side, I saw someone interesting all the time.
Have fun!

*ps*
I was walking down E 60th street and "John Boy" was walking toward me. I smiled because he looked familiar, I thought he was one of my husbands clients. He gave me a big grin back and kept on walking, it wasn't until after that I realized who he was :)

I agree with Central Park, particularly in the early afternoon on a weekday, when the park is least crowded - I think celebrities feel "safer" then. I have seen more than I can remember while running in the park, but among them in the last year or so: Jerry Seinfeld (and family), Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas (and kids), Madonna and Guy Ritchie and their son (but not daughter), Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols, Bette Midler, Woody Allen, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, Robert DeNiro, and TONS of soap opera/Broadway stars (people that I don't necessarily recognize at first but then see as I'm flipping through the channels/at a show and I say "Oh yeah, s/he lives in my neighborhood..."). But there is no real "hangout," at least not ones that us mere mortals could get in to.

Oh, and I see Kelly Ripa all the time on Columbus Ave - the ABC studios are on 67th and Columbus.

I was going to suggest hanging near the ABC studio but why not try for tickets to the show??

Kelly Ripa lives downtown in a loft in Soho...I believe on Spring St. close to Broadway.

Cool! so does Sting :)

Is it considered rude to discreetly photograph a celebrity if you see one, or do most just expect this?

I think it would be taken as rude. No one wants someone to just take their photo, and a celeb especially .. You must ask first, that means you have to interrupt them while they are doing something else..it is difficult to not be rude in such situations.
I had a friend who was an actor and he was unfailingly kind to children who would ask for autographs but I remember how tired he got of never being able to finish a sentence without someone coming up to him while he was eating or talking and asking him for autographs or to take a photo with him.
I would just look and be happy that I saw this person.

Walk around the streets in the West Village, Charles St., Perry St., W. 11th St., all between W.4th St. and Bleecker and you're going to see celebs.
I know because I'm there 2-3 days a week. I own a plumbing and heating company and my clients in that area include Liv Tyler, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah-Jessica Parker/Matthew Broderick and others.

Among New Yorkers the unwritten rule is that you can glance at celebrities but not obviously stare. You do not approach them, ask for autogrphs or take pictures. They have a right to lives just like anyone else - unless you see them in an "official" situation. You may approach/ask for autographs if you catch them leaving their place of work - theater or sports arena etc - or if you see them at another offical event - film opening for example - which they are attending as a celebrity rather than just as a person.

So - offical event yes - but if you run into someone at the market or Tower records - NO!

Best place to see Kelly Ripa will be right outside the ABC studios at 67th and Columbus. She goes in the side door on 67th. Hang out there about 2 hours or so before show.

Does anybody know the exact address of Kelly Ripa? I think it's either 56 or 66 Crosby Street. As far as I know she lives in the same building as Nicole Kidman.

Hey Tpog,
Please tell us where you live. I'm sure you'd feel safe knowing that complete strangers have your address and that your children can be on exhibit for everyone to see.

Anyone who becomes a celebrity should recognize that they lose some of their freedom. But, does that loss of freedom include in your mind the right to show up outside their home?

I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Chris Noth (aka Mr. Big)at the Cutting Room, his jazz club in Chelsea. Unfortunately he did not see me or I'm sure he would have run off with me! :)