The Friends Experience: The One in Boston
Visit Newbury Street's version of Central Perk
The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Boston
This fun, multi-media exhibit offers fans of the popular television show, FRIENDS, an interactive experience featuring several nostalgia-packed rooms, activations and re-created sets including Monica’s kitchen and the iconic FRIENDS™ fountain.
Fans of the iconic television show will have the opportunity to explore the show’s history, re-create favorite moments and learn behind-the-scenes information.
THE EXHIBIT
The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Boston exhibit includes actual clothing and props from favorite episodes, along with video footage, great pho-ops and large scale photo murals of the characters along with interesting backstories and commentary.
The FRIENDS: Ross Geller (David Schwimmer), Monica Geller (Courtney Cox), Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Chandler Bing (the late Matthew Perry), Joey Tribiani (Matt LeBlanc) and Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow).
It's hard not to smile as you remember so many of the episodes of this era-defining series.
You'll be greeted by a short video that features nostalgic clips and anecdotes from the show, narrated by "Janice" (Maggie Wheeler) - and then you are free to roam about the exhibit. There are 3 floors to explore so take your time and enjoy!
PHOTO OPS
The exhibit include a number of photo op stops that include the sets of Monica & Rachel's apartment kitchen, Chandler & Joey's apartment, the Hallway between, the PIVOT stairwell, Central Perk and the Fountain from the opening credit scene.
Visitors are welcome to take their own photos, and there are also professional photo takers who take photos that can be purchased at the end of your visit. The staff will happily assist you in taking photos with your phone as well.
EXHIBIT OVERVIEW
Your first photo op stop is the "Couch in front of the Fountain" from the opening credits scene. Feel free to be as silly or serious as you want for your photos. The staff will scan your QR card to keep track of your tour photos, and they will also happily take photos of you and your group with your phone.
Next stop is the costume area - where mannequins are on display wearing actual clothing worn by the characters, along a wall of famous catchphrases by each one.
Here you'll also learn about the set design process and how a script like this comes together utilizing the many talented behind the scenes professionals.
There is a great video interview with Debra McGuire, who was the costume designer for the sitcom Friends. She worked closely with production designer John Shaffner and set decorator Greg Grande to develop the show's unique aesthetic.
You'll discover lots of cool props from the show, including "The Letter" which was handwritten by Jennifer Aniston and resulted in Ross's famous catchphrase "WE WERE ON A BREAK!".
Head upstairs to visit the set of Chandler and Joey's apartment. Yes, you can sit the the comfy chairs, and play a game of foosball. the big ugly dog statue is there for gaudy photos, as well as the a wall featuring their many message boards.
Continue on to visit Monica's kitchen, where you can sit at the table and gab with your own friends, or just enjoy all of the set details of this famous kitchen. Don't you just feel like any one of the characters could walk through that purple door at any moment?
Along the way you'll get to see famous props, like the giant turkey that Joey wore on his head, or the cheesecake that Rachel and Chandler at off of the floor in the hallway between the two apartments.
There is also a pretty cool diagram of each character's dating timeline. This will certainly bring back memories of many of the sub characters and guest spots that were featured in the show over the course of 10 seasons.
One of the funnier photo ops is the famous "PIVOT" couch in the stairwell. Anyone who has tried to move furniture in real live understands that this drama is real. With something like 38 colleges in the Greater Boston area, lots of parents will be enjoying this in real life this September.
Continue on to the third floor to enjoy a set replica of the Central Perk coffee house. Get back behind the bar where Gunther worked, wear a Central Perk Apron, or sit on the couch that the friends always sat in for your last official photo op of your tour.
*Please note, that this is just a set replica, it is not an active coffee shop. Why they don't is beyond me - I bet if it was it would sell a lot of coffee! Alas it is not. We Bostonians will have to rely on our own favorite coffee shops outside of this exhibit.
There really is a lot to explore here. I'd allow for at least an hour to get through the entire exhibit. Have fun with the photos ops and enjoy the trip down memory lane. They do a nice job of staggering guests so that each group has plenty of time to pose for photos and experience the spaces on their own time.
SOUVENIRS
An onsite FRIENDS™ retail store featuring exclusive products is located in the lobby and open to both ticketed and non-ticketed guests.
The small gift shop offers a few t-shirts, plush, reusable bags, magnets, green Central Perk aprons and coffee mugs.
At the end of your tour, simply scan the QR code that you were given at entry to view your photos. If they are amazing, you can purchase them in either digital only or a combo of printed and digital.
LOCATION
The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in Boston is conveniently located in Boston’s Back Bay at 343 Newbury Street. The nearest T stop is Hines Convention Center (green line) just around the corner. Open now through October 6, 2024.
HOURS
Monday & Tuesday – CLOSED
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday – 10 AM – 4 PM (last entry)
Friday and Saturday – 10 AM – 7 PM (last entry)
We enjoyed our visit during one of the eleven scheduled Open Newbury Street Sundays which made for an extra enjoyable experience.
GETTING THERE
Subway (T):
Green Line (B,C,D): Hynes Convention Center Station. 5-minute walk.
Bus: Routes 1, CT1, or 55.
Parking:
On-Street: Metered parking on Newbury Street.
Garages: Hynes Auditorium Garage (50 Dalton St), Prudential Center Garage (800 Boylston St), Pilgrim Parking (50 Dalton St).
By Bike:
Bluebikes: Nearby stations at Newbury St / Hereford St and Boylston St / Massachusetts Ave.
Looking for more fun things to do in Boston? You can find lots of family-friendly Boston events each week on the BostonCentral events calendar; and sign up for our popular things to do this week newsletter, which is loaded with all sorts of free things to do in Boston as well.
And if the weather isn't cooperating with your plans, never fear! Check out our Boston Rainy Day guide for lots of great ideas to keep you entertained.
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Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for well over 20 years. She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area; and share them with you.
We hope you enjoy the Friends Experience: The One in Boston. It's fun to recreate the photo op scenes with a group of your own friends; plus, you probably all know most of the episodes, so the iconic quotes will surely be flowing.