Where was The King of Queens filmed?

The pilot episode sets the stage for the series' unique dynamics. The episode features Doug and Carrie in pure bliss. Doug is ecstatic about his newly finished basement, which boasts a large TV and a foosball table. Unfortunately, their joy abruptly ends when Carrie's father, Arthur Spooner, unintentionally starts a fire in his house while using a supposedly "lucky" hot plate. As a result, Arthur and Carrie's sister, Sara (Lisa Rieffel), find themselves in a predicament that necessitates them moving and living with Doug and Carrie. This eventually leads to Doug reluctantly giving up his cherished basement to Arthur.

While the series takes place in Queens, New York, most scenes were filmed in California, specifically at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. However, the exterior of the Heffernans’ house, which can be seen in several episodes, is situated at 519 Longview Ave, Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Notably, just a few blocks away lies another iconic filming location, the house featured in the Tom Hanks movie Big. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that this is a private residence and not accessible to the public. While fans may feel tempted to visit, respecting the residents' privacy and avoiding causing any disturbance is crucial.

To reach this destination, from New York City, you can traverse the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey and continue along Palisade Avenue until you arrive at Cliffside Park. The residence is on Longview Avenue, a tranquil residential street within the town.

Season three episode "Deacon Blues" features an amusing standoff between Arthur and Doug. Doug is attempting to check his home messages remotely, but Arthur picks up the phone each time he calls. Despite Doug's increasingly frustrated pleas for Arthur not to answer, the older man continues to pick up, leading to an escalating comedic situation. This scene perfectly encapsulates Arthur's eccentric character and his knack for unintentionally aggravating Doug, offering viewers a classic dose of the show's humor.

As stated before, much of the series was filmed on the other side of the country at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Los Angeles. This historic studio, founded in 1912, has been home to many film divisions, including Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, and Screen Gems. It served as the original studio of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1924 to 1986. For fans wishing to visit, Sony Pictures Studios offers guided tours that take visitors behind the scenes of the iconic studio where The King of Queens was filmed.

Located at 10202 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California, the studio can be reached by car or public transit if you're in the Los Angeles area. The journey will take approximately 25 minutes by car from downtown LA. However, remember that tour tickets must be purchased in advance through the Sony Pictures Studios' official website.

Season 7's episode "Silent Mite" presents a hilarious situation in a shopping mall. Doug and Carrie are out Christmas shopping when Doug loses his wallet. He is convinced that it was stolen by a little person who happened to be flirting with Carrie at the store. However, Carrie dismisses Doug's accusations, thinking he's simply jealous because the little person was hitting on her.

The shopping escapade of the Heffernans takes place at Queens Center, where these scenes were filmed. Situated in Elmhurst, New York, Queens Center stands as a bustling shopping haven, housing an array of esteemed retailers for the urban explorer. As the largest mall in Queens, it offers a wide range of shopping options.

Fans of the show can still visit Queens Center today. You can take the train to the Woodhaven Boulevard station, or take Exit 19 off the Long Island Expressway if you're driving.

One hilarious scene sees Joyce (Concetta Tomei) invite Spence (Patton Oswalt) to a luxurious section of Shea Stadium. During this episode, Doug, accompanied by Deacon (Victor Williams), accidentally bumps into Joyce in the refreshment section near their box seats. As a result, he spills mayo from his hot dog onto her business suit. This leads to a heated argument between the two, with Joyce expressing her indignation to Carrie later, exclaiming, "Who puts mayo on a hot dog!?" and "I could've killed that fat nut!".

Some scenes from this episode were shot at Shea Stadium, now called Citi Field. Citi Field opened in 2009, and serves as the home ballpark for the New York Mets, one of the most legendary teams in Major League Baseball. This stadium replaced Shea Stadium, where the Mets had played since its opening in 1964. Citi Field stands out for its unique architectural design, featuring an overarching bridge motif.

To get to Citi Field, if you're in New York City, it’s a 15-mile journey via FDR Drive.

In The King of Queens, Cooper's is a bar in Queens frequented by Doug and his fellow IPS drivers. Owned by a former Jets player, this spot serves as their regular hangout where they unwind and indulge in hearty meals. Fans might recall the episode "Sandwiched Out," where Deacon earns a sandwich named after him at Cooper's due to his popular food combination. However, Doug realizes that he is the actual creator of the sandwich, leading to comedic tension.

Interestingly, the real-life location for Cooper's has transformed since the show ended. As of 2013, the bar, located on 88th Street near the intersection with Cooper Ave in Glendale, Queens, is now called Yerman's Irish Pub. While it may not look the same as on the show, you can still spot the telephone lines and chimney in the same places as seen in the series. Although fans won't find the exact decor from the show, they can still experience the spirit of the iconic Cooper's at this location.

You can get to this location by car or public transport, and it's about a 10-mile drive from the heart of NYC.