Explore the real-world places that appear in In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Central Park, Dannie's Law Office, The Carlyle Hotel, Columbia University, Upper West Side Apartment and 9 more.
Mid-Park between 59th and 110th Streets — The heart of the novel
Central Park is where Dannie Kohan has her devastating vision of the future—the flash-forward that sets the entire narrative in motion. She sees herself, five years hence, standing in the park in a wedding dress, marrying someone she doesn't yet know. The vision haunts her, drives her choices, and becomes the emotional anchor of the novel. Dannie and Alex later share intimate moments in the park, deepening their connection.
Central Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and opened in 1858. It became one of the world's most famous urban parks, providing respite and romance to millions of New Yorkers across generations.
Central Park remains one of New York City's most visited attractions, open year-round for walking, picnicking, and contemplation. Visitors can explore its meadows, lakes, and iconic landmarks.
Visit: Central Park (park)
Midtown Manhattan — Where Dannie works as a corporate lawyer
Dannie works as a corporate lawyer at a prestigious law firm in Midtown, where she channels her ambition and drive into her career. Her job becomes a refuge after her vision, a place where she can control outcomes and focus on intellectual challenges. The office represents Dannie's ordered, pre-vision life before Alex changes everything.
Midtown Manhattan has been the center of New York's financial and corporate world since the early 20th century, home to countless law firms, investment banks, and corporate headquarters in iconic skyscrapers.
Midtown Manhattan remains the heart of New York's business district, with hundreds of law firms and corporate offices in the area's gleaming towers.
Madison Avenue at 76th Street — Where Dannie and Alex connect
The Carlyle Hotel is an elegant Upper East Side establishment where pivotal romantic moments between Dannie and Alex unfold. The hotel represents luxury and romance, serving as a backdrop for their deepening connection as they begin to understand their destined relationship.
The Carlyle Hotel opened in 1930 and quickly became a favorite of New York's elite, celebrities, and international dignitaries. It has maintained its reputation as one of Manhattan's most prestigious luxury hotels.
The Carlyle Hotel continues to operate as a five-star luxury hotel on Madison Avenue, featuring fine dining, a celebrated bar, and elegant suites. It remains a destination for distinguished guests.
Visit: The Carlyle Hotel (restaurant)
Upper West Side at 116th Street — Alex's academic home
Columbia University is where Alex works as a philosophy professor, a position that reflects his intellectual depth and passion for ideas. Dannie meets Alex in a context connected to Columbia, where his thoughtful nature and academic pursuits are evident. The university represents Alex's grounded, meaningful life.
Columbia University was founded in 1754 and is one of America's oldest and most prestigious institutions. Its Upper West Side campus, with its classical buildings and intellectual legacy, has been a center of learning for centuries.
Columbia University continues as an Ivy League institution open for campus visits and tours. Visitors can explore its historic quad and grounds during designated visiting hours.
Visit: Columbia University (landmark)
Between Amsterdam & Columbus Avenues — Dannie's home
Dannie's Upper West Side apartment is her sanctuary and where much of her internal struggle takes place. It's in this intimate space that she processes her vision, grapples with her feelings for Alex, and confronts the reality of their destined future. The apartment represents her private life and emotional journey.
The Upper West Side became a desirable residential neighborhood in the late 19th century and has long been home to New York's intellectual and artistic elite.
The Upper West Side remains a prestigious residential neighborhood with historic brownstones and pre-war buildings. The area is filled with cafes, restaurants, and cultural institutions.
Fifth Avenue at 101st Street — Hospital for medical crises
Mount Sinai Hospital becomes a place of profound grief and loss in the novel. After a tragic event that fundamentally changes Dannie's life, she finds herself navigating the sterile corridors and waiting rooms of this institution. The hospital represents the fragility of life and forces Dannie to confront the gap between her vision and reality.
Mount Sinai Hospital was founded in 1852 and is one of New York's most respected medical institutions, renowned for its patient care and medical research.
Mount Sinai Hospital operates as a major medical center on the Upper East Side, providing comprehensive healthcare services to New York residents. It remains one of the city's leading hospitals.
Visit: Mount Sinai Hospital (historic site)
Fifth Avenue at 59th Street — New York landmark
The Plaza Hotel looms large in the novel's emotional landscape as a symbol of New York elegance and romance. Dannie and Alex share moments of connection here, experiencing the grandeur and prestige of one of Manhattan's most iconic hotels.
The Plaza Hotel opened in 1907 and became an instant legend, serving as a backdrop to countless New York stories and a gathering place for society, celebrities, and luminaries.
The Plaza Hotel operates as a luxury hotel and is open to the public for dining, visiting its shops, and staying overnight. Its iconic Palm Court and other public spaces are accessible to visitors.
Visit: The Plaza Hotel (restaurant)
West Side between 72nd and 96th Streets — Peaceful riverside walk
Riverside Park offers moments of peace and reflection for Dannie as she processes the weight of her vision and her feelings for Alex. The park's quiet beauty provides respite from the chaos of the city and her internal turmoil, becoming a place where she can think and heal.
Riverside Park was developed in the 1870s as part of a grand plan to line the Hudson River with green space. It became a beloved neighborhood refuge for Upper West Siders.
Riverside Park is an active, well-maintained public park offering walking paths, playgrounds, and scenic views of the Hudson River and New Jersey Palisades.
Visit: Riverside Park (park)
Central Park at 72nd Street — Romantic architectural space
The Bethesda Terrace, with its underground passage and dramatic staircase, becomes a meaningful location where Dannie and Alex experience moments of connection and revelation. The terrace's architectural beauty mirrors the elegant precision of their destined relationship.
The Bethesda Terrace was designed by Jacob Wrey Mould and completed in 1873. It's the only part of Central Park built entirely underground, featuring ornate Victorian tiles and arched passageways.
The Bethesda Terrace is one of Central Park's most beloved and visited areas, featuring the famous Angel of the Waters fountain and serving as a gathering place for locals and tourists.
Visit: Central Park - Bethesda Terrace (landmark)
Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street — Museum of culture and beauty
The Metropolitan Museum of Art appears as a place where Dannie and her circle find beauty and intellectual nourishment amidst the novel's emotional turbulence. The museum represents the possibility of meaning and transcendence through art and culture.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1870 and is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive art museums, containing nearly two million works of art.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is open to the public year-round, offering free-will admission and featuring extensive collections spanning from ancient Egypt to contemporary art.
Visit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (museum)
Madison Avenue at 76th Street — Intimate bar setting
The sophisticated bar at the Carlyle Hotel becomes a venue where Dannie and Alex experience moments of vulnerability and connection. Over drinks in this elegant setting, they begin to understand the nature of their bond and the truth of the vision.
The Carlyle's bar has long been one of Manhattan's most distinguished watering holes, favored by writers, musicians, and Manhattan's sophisticated set.
Bar Pleiades at the Carlyle operates as an upscale bar featuring live jazz and cocktails. It remains a destination for cocktail enthusiasts and evening entertainment.
Visit: Bar Pleiades at the Carlyle (restaurant)
Spanning East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn — Journey and perspective
The Brooklyn Bridge represents transitions and new perspectives in Dannie's journey. Walking across it provides moments of contemplation as she processes the weight of her vision and what it means for her future with Alex.
The Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883 and was the world's longest suspension bridge at the time. It became an iconic symbol of New York and engineering achievement.
The Brooklyn Bridge is open to pedestrians and remains one of New York's most popular walking destinations, offering stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and East River.
Visit: Brooklyn Bridge (landmark)
Manhattan — Where Dannie seeks professional help
Dannie's therapist's office becomes a crucial space where she processes the overwhelming reality of her vision and grapples with the emotional aftermath of trauma. These sessions represent her journey toward healing and acceptance.
Manhattan has been home to thousands of mental health professionals and therapy practices for decades, reflecting the city's emphasis on psychological wellness.
Manhattan continues to host countless mental health practitioners and therapy offices throughout the city.
Spring Street in SoHo — Intimate dinner scenes
Balthazar serves as the backdrop for significant moments between Dannie and Alex, where they share meals and intimate conversations. The restaurant's romantic ambiance enhances their connection as they navigate the complexity of their destined relationship.
Balthazar opened in 1997 and was designed to evoke a classic French brasserie. It quickly became one of New York's most sought-after restaurants, beloved for its timeless elegance.
Balthazar operates as a fine dining French brasserie in SoHo, continuing to be one of New York's most celebrated and popular restaurants for special occasions and intimate dinners.
Visit: Balthazar (restaurant)
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