A Look At Some New York Haunts That Inspired 'How I Met Your Mother'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- After nine years, "How I Met Your Mother" fans saw the end of the story Monday night as the series finale aired.
In advance of the finale, CBS 2's Emily Smith checked out the New York City haunts that made the show a hit.
GALLERY: 'How I Met Your Mother' Through The Years
The show documented the trials and tribulations that a group of friends endured both personally and professionally as they made their way into full-fledged adulthood.
While most of the show was filmed in Hollywood, its co-creators designed it around Ted Mosby – played by Josh Radnor – telling his children a long and complex story of how he met their mother.
Much of the show took place in a cozy booth at a bar called MacLaren's. MacLaren's Pub is not a real place, but it is based on a real bar called McGee's, at 240 W. 55th St., where co-creators Craig Thomas and Carter Bays went out for drinks while working as writers for "The Late Show with David Letterman."
Apropos of the series finale this week, the lead actors – Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, and Alyson Hannigan -- recently met with "CBS This Morning" at the pub.
CBS 2 also stopped by McGee's to find crazed fans of the show getting their seats for the big finale. Fans of the show got their seats for the finale ahead of time.
Some showed up before noon.
"We actually reached out to find out what time they'd be open to make sure we were here as soon as it opened," one woman said.
About 300 people had been expected to say goodbye to the CBS hit show.
"It's three floors fully booked. They've been booked for over a month already; a waiting list out the door," said McGee's hostess Keriann Regan.
Smith's personal favorite episode was when the gang searched high and low for the best burner in New York. It turned out to be at the Corner Bistro, at 331 W. 4th St. in the West Village.
When the episode aired, the Corner Bistro had the number-one Zagat-rated burger in New York.
The show also highlighted Gray's Papaya, at 2090 Broadway at 72nd Street on the Upper West Side. There were two other Gray's Papaya locations at one time, but the Upper West Side location is now the only one left.
In the first season, the "How I Met Your Mother" gang made a pit stop at the New York City fixture while party-hopping on New Year's Eve. To this day, the manager of the restaurant is thankful for the mention.
"We're flattered they chose us – free publicity," said manager Romy Villanueva.
The end of the series marked an emotional goodbye for the cast of the show, and fans, who could only hope for a speedy reunion.
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