Looking for beautiful places to take pictures in NYC but can’t choose? NYC has so many spots to take gorgeous photos. I’ve prepared the list of Top 25 New York photography spots in one of the most photogenic cities in the world.
Top 25 Best Places to Take Photos in NYC
If you plan a trip to the Big Apple but still don’t know what New York photography spots to visit for taking mazing Instagram snaps, check out my overview of the best places to photograph in NYC.
1. Brooklyn Bridge
Address: New York, NY 10038
If you are in New York, visit the Brooklyn Bridge. It is one of the most recognizable places to photograph in NYC. Mind that it is also very popular among tourists so it’s better to come here early in the morning (if you want to have pics without strangers’ faces). Use a wide-angle lens to get great shots.
2. Flatiron Building
Address: 175 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
If you are interested in architectural and portrait photography, visit Flatiron Building. Because of its originality and greatness, this place attracts tourists from all over the world. Improve your photo skills and enjoy sightseeing.
3. Times Square
Address: Manhattan, NY 10036
Speaking about the best places to take photos in NYC, I should necessarily mention Times Square. Perhaps, it is the most visited place in New York. It’s better to come here in the evening when the lights are on and life is in full swing. You may take really cool photographs and see extraordinary street performers.
4. Manhattan Bridge
Address: New York, NY 11201
If you like taking pics of bridges, come to New York! Manhattan Bridge is also one of the main attractions that may offer you great shots. Come here early in the morning before the sunrise or after the sunset and you will get amazing images.
Together with the red brick buildings, the bridge looks particularly beautiful. It is definitely one of the best photography spots in NYC.
5. Rockefeller Center
Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
This place is one of the best photo spots in NYC for those, who are interested in architectural photography. Rockefeller Center is a great architectural masterpiece with a sculpture of the Atlas and the Sitting Ballerina so you will find plenty of things to photograph.
6. Empire State Building
Address: 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001
The Empire State Building is a visiting card of the city. It is a great spot to take urban cityscape images or just shoot it from the street. It is also possible to take pics of the Empire State Building from the Rockefeller Center.
- Read more about how to take night photography professionally.
7. Statue of Liberty
Address: New York, NY 10004
If one thinks of New York, he/she immediately imagines the Statue of Liberty. Undoubtedly, it is a perfect place to take iconic New York photos. So, if you decide to capture this great monument, you will be able to do it using several options.
You may get to Staten Island by ferry and take a distant picture, or you may take a snap from the Island of Freedom. If you decide to photograph from Port Jersey Boulevard, you will get the statue on the urban background in the frame.
8. Manhattan Worm’s Eye View
If you are in Manhattan, take several worm’s eye shots. The architecture here is so majestic that you should definitely photograph it. Manhattan skyscrapers look amazing from the street.
- Make use of these urban photography tips while taking pictures in NYC.
9. Vinegar Hill
Address: Brooklyn, NY 11201
If you are interested in urban pics, visit Vinegar Hill in Brooklyn. It is one of the best places to take pictures in Brooklyn. You may walk along the street and enjoy the beauty of the 19th-century houses.
10. Chinatown
Address: New York, Canal Street to Bayard Street, NY10013
Chinatown is an amazing place to visit at night. You may take pictures of bright shop windows, street red neon signs, restaurants. Undoubtedly, the photos will be impressive.
- Look through these neon photography tips to take cool nighttime photos in New York’s Chinatown.
11. 5 Pointz
Address: 45-46 Davis St, Long Island City, NY 11101
Street photography lovers probably know where to take pictures in NYC. Their “must-visit” place is 5 Pointz. These used to be industrial buildings and now it is a “graffiti mecca”.
Since graffiti is legal here, artists from different countries come and show their skills. Street shots from 5 Pointz will be really impressive.
12. The Dakota
Address: 1 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Although the city is full of amazing buildings and it’s difficult to choose the best photo spots in NYC, you should necessarily visit the Dakota apartment building. John Lennon lived and was killed here.
Therefore, if you are a Beatles fan, visit this place and take memorable pics. Moreover, architecture shooters will have a great opportunity to practice their skills here.
13. Top of the Rock
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
The Rockefeller Center is not just a perfect photo spot itself; you may also take awesome images from the top of it. Go to the seventieth floor and the amazing NYC pictures are guaranteed. The city will spread out in front of you.
You will see one of the most impressive cityscapes in the world. Moreover, you may also take some full-size portraits on the top of the roof. Undoubtedly, the background here can’t be compared to any other.
14. 520 Madison Ave
Address: 393 South End Ave, New York, NY 10280
This place is one of the favorite New York photography spots among street shooters. Here, you can see a piece of the Berlin Wall. It used to separate East and West Germany. It is situated near the Museum of Modern Art which you may also visit.
15. Staten Island Boat Graveyard
Address: Staten Island, NY 10309
If you are looking for some spooky places to take extraordinary shots, New York has a lot to offer. For example, Staten Island Boat Graveyard. You can plunge into the atmosphere of the past and take unusual dramatic pics.
16. Bethesda Terrace in Central Park
Address: 72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021
Bethesda Terrace in Central Park is one of the best places to photograph in NYC. The arch here is a perfect photo subject. You may use it to frame the fountain. In general, it is a nice place to practice architectural photography.
17. The Imagine Memorial in Central Park
Address: Imagine, Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10023
If you plan to have a walk in Central Park, make your route through the Imagine Memorial. It is located in the strawberry fields and will be particularly interesting to John Lennon's fans. Take a few shots to remember this place.
18. Bow Bridge in Central Park
Address: Bow Bridge, New York, NY 10024
No matter when you visit New York, you should definitely go to the Bow Bridge in Central Park. It is a Victorian-style bridge beautiful at any time of the year. It is one of the most romantic spots NYC.
Here, you can take atmospheric photos. But remember that you are in the city that never sleeps and, as a rule, the Bow Bridge is crowded. So, pay attention to the time of your visit since strange people in the frame may spoil fantastic shots.
19. Central Park Lake
Address: New York, NY 10024
As you see, Central Park is full of cool places to photograph. One of them is the lake. You may take images from the shore or rent a boat and also take impressive shots.
20. Washington Square Park
Address: New York, NY 10012
The Washington Square Arch is certainly a perfect place to take the best NYC pictures. Moreover, there is a fountain that will improve the composition. Take several pics here and you will not regret it.
21. Coney Island
Address: Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Coney Island is an ideal place to have fun and take several memorable shots. The images will be bright and colorful. Visit this place and make your childhood dream come true.
22. Grand Central Station
Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
If you’ve already visited all the possible photography spots and don’t know where to take pictures in NYC, go to one of the oldest places in the city ‒ the Grand Central Station. You may take wide-format photos of the station.
23. Chelsea Market
Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Visiting Manhattan, don’t forget about the Chelsea Market. It is one of the most unusual indoor photoshoot locations nyc. You can take street, food and architecture shots there.
24. Morgan Library
Address: 225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
The Morgan Library belongs to the best places to take pictures in New York because it has a priceless collection of historical artifacts and manuscripts. Moreover, the building itself is a majestic architectural landmark. So, if you visit this place and take several shots, the results will be eye-catching.
25. Pod39
Address: 145 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016
If you are looking for some cool places to take pictures in NYC, go to Hotel Pod 39. It is a bar on the roof. Visit it in the evening when the city is full of lights and the atmosphere there is really magic.
Freebies for NYC Photography Editing
NYC photos will look even more mesmerizing and breathtaking once you apply these freebies to them.
HDR Warm
It is a free action for colorful images that make them more dynamic and expressive. This HDR tool highlights the details, adds volume and makes the picture soft and light. The image acquires a pink tint.
Color Pink
Having applied this color overlay, you can make your images vivid and bright. It will greatly enhance dark and dull pics. Moreover, pink shades will add a romantic touch to your shots.
Overlay Moon
It is a perfect tool for nighttime shots especially when there is lots of sky in the frame. Moreover, you may add the moon to the shot.
Matte Touch
This preset will make your image more dramatic and warm. It perfectly works with cityscapes when the sky occupies much of the frame. However, you may experiment and apply this urban color tool to any photo type. Undoubtedly, each picture will benefit from a “sunset” effect.
HDR City View
This HDR effect is suitable for street and landscape photos. The colors will become brighter and more saturated. Having used it, you will get amazing shots in several seconds.
Tata Rossi
Hi there, I'm Tata Rossi - a professional blogger, read more
