Best places to get starstruck

Manhattan is a celebrity playground — they completely infiltrate our lives, showing up at our favorite coffee shops, walking casually past us in SoHo and snapping up West Village real estate like candy. But sometimes a Manhattanite can go weeks without seeing a star anywhere except in the pages of Star Magazine. So when you've grown tired of waiting week after week at Starbucks for James Franco to arrive, try these celeb-frequented hotspots.

Apple Store SoHo, 103 Prince St.

Located four blocks from Bobst Library and a little to the east, you'd be crazy not to take advantage of the Apple Store's free celebrity events. Past guests include Regina Spektor, Sonic Youth, Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum. Events usually consist of a short interview about the project the celebrity is promoting, followed by an audience Q&A. Don't miss your chance to tell your music icon or favorite actress what you really think about them. To see which stars will be dropping in next, check out the events page at apple.com/retail/soho.

Madison Square Garden, Seventh Ave. between 31st and 33rd streets

Everyone has heard of this gargantuan and world famous arena. The easiest (and priciest) way to spot a star here is to purchase a $50 ticket to attend a major concert. But why destroy your wallet? Instead, I recommend checking out one of the Knicks games. NYU Ticket Central sells tickets for as low as $12. While the seats may not be the best, if you scan the crowd closely enough, chances are you'll spot a celeb sitting front row. Just a few weeks ago I spied Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz canoodling courtside — and I didn't have to pay a convenience fee.

ABC Studios, Times Square

Wake up early and start your morning right with a visit to ABC's famed morning show, "Good Morning America." Not only do you get to see the celebrity guests up close, but you also have the chance to get 1.5 seconds of fame and wave to your mother watching back at home. This can be difficult to swing during the week when you have classes, but they film a Saturday segment too. It's an especially sweet stalking spot to hit up once it gets warm outside again.

NBC Studios, Rockefeller Center

NBC has a morning show too, but why not try for a chance to sit in the audience of "Saturday Night Live"? Free standby tickets become available at 7 a.m. on Saturday. Naturally, there tends to be a long line to get them, but you have a pretty good chance if you arrive late Friday night. The warmer the weather and the bigger the celebrity name, the earlier you have to show up.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Bryant Park (Lincoln Center beginning fall 2010)

This biannual event is what cements New York City as the chic fashion capital of the world. Continuing through this Thursday, Feb. 18, celebs, models, designers, bloggers and socialites will be flocking to the tents in Bryant Park dressed to the nines. Not everyone can get into the shows and the fabulous after-parties, but everyone can stand outside on the sidewalk and gawk at all the beauty and outrageous fashion around them. Bring your camera for some awesome street style photos and maybe you'll even snag a paparazzi-style shot of an Olsen twin.

Julie Osmanski is a staff writer.