New York, the city that never sleeps, is a photographer’s dream come true. New York City is stuffed with renowned picture sites just begging to be shot, from its beautiful skyline to its street photography. We can fairly claim that after spending many years in this great metropolis, it is our favorite city in the world, and it is the place that helped me fall in love with photography, with endless weekends spent traveling the city in quest of new and interesting photographic sites.
We’ve compiled a list of the greatest photo places in New York City: it’s our guide to taking the best photos in the city. Before you start, plan a map of the best photography locations from our list and take a full day visiting them, to take fantastic images and unique takes of the first photo or the best shot.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge, which connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, is a symbol of New York. From downtown to mid-town, the pedestrian promenade on the bridge provides panoramic views of the city. From One World Trade in the financial sector to the Chrysler Building and the Empire State in Midtown, all of New York’s main structures are visible.
The symmetrical cables in the center of the bridge make for a striking picture in our favorite shot of the bridge. Prepare to wake up very early for views of the bridge with no one on it — we braved a sub-zero January daybreak to acquire this photograph and had the bridge almost entirely to ourselves. You can also visit Brooklyn Park or enjoy Grand Army Plaza on a boat tour to get the full NYC Instagram experience.
Times Square
Times Square is one of our favorite sites in New York City, despite the cliché. This neighborhood, which is always bustling with visitors and residents, is ideal for street photography and offers spectacular vistas.
We recommend the R Club at the Renaissance Times Square hotel for the finest view of Times Square — the lounge overlooks Times Square and the views are spectacular.
Non-residents are welcome to visit the bar for a drink, and if you’re a paying customer, the staff usually doesn’t mind if you take photographs of the breathtaking view. When we visit NYC, we normally stay here for a few nights.
Flatiron Building
The triangular Flatiron Building, which was called by its similarity to a cast-iron clothes iron, is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. On the corner of 5th Avenue and Broadway, there are several locations from which to shoot the Flatiron skyscraper.
This shot was taken in the mirror of a plant pot in Madison Square Park. Honorable mentions include the high line photo spots of Washington street and Soho.
Coney Island
Looking for some culturally relevant Instagram locations in NYC? Coney Island has its own distinct take on beach culture, and it’s all-inclusive with plenty of opportunities to people-watch! Coney Island is a South Brooklyn neighborhood with a lengthy boardwalk, amusement park rides, and a variety of beachfront activities. In the summer, this is a popular site for both visitors and residents.
Come for some vintage photos with fair cuisine, sparkly lights, and bright backgrounds. Make sure to verify the opening dates before planning your trip to Coney Island. We failed to do so, and when we arrived, all of the rides and attractions were closed.
However, we made the best of it and enjoyed capturing the park’s ‘abandoned’ air — particularly in scary October! Pro tip: Visit Coney Island during a special event for even more fun and excitement.
Statue Of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France, and it was unveiled in New York City in 1886. For everyone who enters the United States, it is a national emblem of freedom and opportunity. We recommend capturing this instagrammable site in New York City from afar to capture its splendor.
Yes, you may visit the island (tickets are cheap, but reservations are required! ), but you risk capturing a shot that is too near to the monument! Photographing it with a zoom lens (say a 100-400mm) from Battery Park or on a beautiful flight over NYC are two options!
Free Tip: The Staton Island Ferry is completely free and runs directly by the Statue of Liberty! If you want a closer view of Lady Liberty, forgo the Ellis Island tour and take a free ride past it and back!
The Edge
The Edge is one of the newest and most stunning viewing platforms in New York City. The vistas from the Edge, which is 100 stories above Manhattan, make it one of the city’s top picture spots. The views from this vantage point are breathtaking, and the observation deck itself provides the impression of being on the very edge of Manhattan.
You’ll need a ticket to access The Edge, which is situated at 30 Hudson Yards. Also, top tips for the best Instagram spots include radio city and union square or wall street, which is one of the tourist classics. A great spot and a popular place for photogenic areas, where you can enjoy a full day of amazing photos.
Empire State Building
Then there’s the star of the show, New York City’s poster kid. New York City’s aristocracy and fast expansion are symbolized by the Empire State Building. You may take a street picture of the Empire State Building’s facade immediately outside Macy’s department store, or try the different junctions between Madison and 6th avenues along 33rd and 34th streets.
After that, enter the building. If you’re interested in the history and building of a landmark, set aside some time to see the Empire State Building’s displays. Look out anyway from the top and you’ll see nothing but a huge concrete jungle. That is precisely what makes it so unique up here. The concrete density of the buildings is less striking, yet 33rd and 34th streets run precisely parallel to the Hudson River in the middle.
The Hudson River makes a leading line halfway up the frame, and those two roadways light up with traffic. You can alternatively go to downtown Brooklyn or Greenwich village, where you can enjoy the best views and take pictures in natural light.
Also, you can enjoy it through the NYC Itinerary or NYC Helicopter tour, where you can take shutter speed pictures of the tallest building with the telephoto lens.
One World Trade Center
One World Trade, the primary building of the restored World Trade Centre, is the highest building in the Western Hemisphere, rising over the New York City skyline, unlike any other structure.
The view from the 102nd story observatory of One World Trade provides an unbroken picture of the whole city and harbor. From this vantage point, even the Brooklyn Bridge seems to be a toy!
Bryant Park
On a frigid Winter’s day, Bryant Park boasts fantastic views of the Empire State Building and lots of hot chocolate sellers. Bryant Park is a 9.6-acre (39,000-m2) public park in the Manhattan borough of New York City. It is privately operated and is situated in Midtown Manhattan between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue) and between 40th and 42nd Streets.
The town was named after an abolitionist. The park became a public square when the Crystal Palace burnt down in 1858, and it was the scene of violent racial riots during the Civil War. The park was renamed in honor of William Cullen Bryant, a longstanding New York Evening Post editor, and strong abolitionist, in the 1880s.
New York Public Library
The New York Library is unmistakably one of the most iconic structures along Fifth Avenue. The New York Public Library (NYPL) is one of the world’s major libraries and the country’s biggest municipal public library.
It was founded in 1895 when the privately funded Lenox and Astor libraries were combined with the $2,000,000 Tilden Foundation trust. Also, you can take some cool pictures at Washington Square Park or some subway stations which offer awesome Instagram picture spots, like the unique perspective of Penn station.
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