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Finding The Best New York City Instagram Spots

Looking for the best New York photo spots? There are tons of amazing Instagrammable places in New York City. Get ready to capture the excitement, beauty, and uniqueness of the city with a little help from my guide to the best spots to take pictures in NYC. From Brooklyn Bridge Park to the Ghost Busters Firehouse in Tribecca, these Instagrammable places will have people slapping a like on them. From great views to New York City hot spots, this is the best of Instagrammable NYC.

Times Square

When it comes to Instagram spots in NYC it doesn’t get more iconic than Times Square. Yes, it’s a bit of a tourist trap, but it holds a ton of great photo opportunities both day and night. The many lights, Broadway Marquiis, bustling crowds, and, of course, the Naked Cowboy are hallmarks of the city. If you travel to NYC you simply must experience Times Square.

You’ll notice my dog, Maddie, features prominently in my Instagram photos. She even has her own Instagram account, @Madelyn_Pew_The_Frenchie. She’s incredibly well-traveled and a very eager photo subject. She was the perfect helper when looking for cute places in NYC. Plus, how photogenic is she?!

Address: Intersection of Broadway and 42nd Street New York City, NY 10036

2. Central Park

One of the most Instagrammable places in New York is the world-famous Central Park. The park offers a ton of stunning backdrops and great photo ops. Choose from Strawberry Fields, the Carousel, Bethesda Fountain, Belvedere Castle, The Pond, Bow Bridge, and more. You could easily spend a day wandering between all the Instagrammable spots.

I decided to climb the rocks and capture a great view of the Manhattan skyline. Of course, I needed my trusty cane to do so.

You’ll notice my second helper for capturing the best NYC photo spots, my fiance, Jim. Just look at the joyous smile, pure Instagram gold!

Address: From North 110th Street to Central Park South (59th Street), and from Central Park West (8th Avenue) to 5th Ave.

3. The Flatiron Building

Another one of the most Instagrammable places NYC has to offer is the Flatiron Building. The Flatiron Building was the first skyscraper in NYC and is instantly recognizable, To capture a great photo you need only stand across the street. Hopefully, you’ll have better weather during your visit.

Address: 175 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

4. Grand Central Terminal

If you’re passing through Grand Central Terminal take a moment to appreciate the stunning architecture and frenetic energy. This rail station is one of my favorite New York Instagram spots because of its stunning beauty and fast-paced energy. Its Beaux-Arts design incorporates numerous works of art.

It’s much more than a train station, Grand Central Terminal is one of the world's ten most-visited tourist attractions. You’ll find numerous restaurants, a library, an event hall, a tennis club, a control center and offices for the railroad, and a sub-basement power station. All of this action makes it one of the most Instagrammable places New York has to offer.

Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

5. The DUMBO Walls

For some incredible street art, head over to Brooklyn and check out the DUMBO Walls. The DUMBO area of Brooklyn is a short train ride from Manhattan and it’s teaming with art. You’ll find a ton of great backdrops for making amazing Instagram posts.

Not interested in trekking out to Brooklyn? Check out my best NYC street art post for murals in Manhattan.

Address: York Street &, Pearl Street, Brooklyn, NY

6. Brooklyn Bridge Park

No list of New York best photo spots would be complete without Brooklyn Bridge Park. Snap a photo of yourself standing in front of the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge and take a stroll around this gorgeous park.

Opened in 2010, the 85-acre park sits on the Brooklyn side of the East River. Designed by landscape architecture firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the park is located on a 1.3-mile plot of land from Atlantic Avenue in the south, under the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and past the Brooklyn Bridge, to Jay Street north of the Manhattan Bridge.

Address: 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

7. Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park contains two major landmarks, the Washington Square Arch and the Tisch Fountain. It also contains many flower beds and trees, children's play areas, paths to stroll on, a chess and scrabble playing area, park benches, picnic tables, commemorative statuary, and two dog runs. This is all to say there are a ton of backdrops in which to capture your amazing Instagram photos.

Every Thanksgiving we take a family photo in front of one the most Instagammable places in NYC, the Washington Square Arch.

Address: 5th Avenue, Waverly Place, West 4th Street, and MacDougal Street in New York City, NY 10012

8. The Ghostbusters Firehouse

If you’re looking for somewhat secret Instagram spots, NYC has those as well. While thus far my list has been populated by iconic landmarks, the Firehouse from Ghost Busters is one of the best lesser-known Instagramable spots in the city.

The firehouse was built in 1903 and designed as the first of a series of Beaux-Arts style firehouses by the city superintendent of buildings, Alexander H. Stevens.

The firefighters of Hook & Ladder No. 8 were among the first responders to the September 11, 2001, attacks. In 2011, the firehouse was threatened with closure after the city administration planned to close 20 fire companies to save money. But after a public campaign to save it, supported by the later Mayor Bill de Blasio and actor Steve Buscemi, the firehouse remains in service.

Address: 14 N Moore St, New York, NY 10013

9. One World Trade Center

If you’re looking for incredible New York City views, you can’t do better than the highest observation deck in the city. One World Trade Center has an observation deck on floors 100–102. Its height is 1,268 feet, making it the highest vantage point in New York City.

The admission fee is $32 per person, but admission discounts are available for children and seniors, and the deck is free for 9/11 responders and families of 9/11 victims.

Visitors can view the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, city skyscrapers, and more from the breathtaking 360° views inside the comfort of an indoor climate-controlled space.

Address: 285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007

10. Hudson Yards

Sadly, today Hudson Yards is mostly known for an upscale mall with a now-shuttered sculpture, The Vessel.

You can still view the Vessel, pictured above, but due to multiple people dying from jumping off the sculpture since its opening in 2019, it has since been closed. It still makes for a great Instagram backdrop, provided you visit on a day when it isn’t pouring rain. Unfortunately, I wasn’t so lucky.

Address: 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

11. Little Italy

I love Little Italy. The neighborhood is one of the most charming in the city and provides plenty of amazing photo opportunities.

Bordered on the west by Tribeca and Soho, on the south by Chinatown, on the east by the Bowery and Lower East Side, and on the north, by Nolita, this neighborhood is known for its once-large Italian population. Today, Little Italy is made up of 50 or so Italian restaurants and cafes, and an ethnically diverse population of residents. Fun fact, it’s also home to Alleva Dairy on Grand Street, the oldest cheese shop in the United States. Opened in 1892, it’s still in operation today.

While today the area may be more nostalgic than an actual hub of Italian Americans, it still has some of the best food in the city and you can’t throw a rock without hitting a great chicken parm. If you’d like some recommendations, I highly recommend Emilio’s Ballato, Peasant, and America’s first pizzeria, Lombardi’s.

Address: Mulberry Street, between Canal Street and Houston Street

12. Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall is perhaps most famous for the Rockettes and their annual holiday performance, but it also offers year-round performances and is nicknamed “The Showplace of the Nation.” The building was designed by Edward Durell Stone and Donald Deskey in the Art Deco Style. It was originally intended to be a Metropolitan Opera House, though plans for that were canceled in 1929 and it was instead constructed to be a theater. When it was originally opened the four-tiered auditorium was the largest of its kind in the world. Radio City was designated a New York City Landmark in 1978.

Snag a picture at night to capture the glorious lights outside this historic music hall.

Address: 1260 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10020

13. Empire State Building

Named the Number 1 attraction in the United States by the 2022 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards, this National Historic Landmark should be on everyone’s must-see list. Built in a record-breaking 1 year and 45 days, this 102-story building is one of the most iconic in not only NYC but the entire US.

Set in the heart of midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building offers two observation decks with panoramic views of New York City that stretch across six states. From here you can see the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and my home state of New Jersey. Okay, that last one may not be as exciting. But on a clear day, you can see an impressive 80 miles away through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the 102nd floor. Live out your Sleepless in Seattle fantasy by visiting the 86th-floor observatory, or immerse yourself in the exhibits showcasing the building’s history located on the 2nd and 8th floors.

If you want to photograph the Empire State Building itself, try the views from the nearby observation deck, Top Of The Rock.

Address: 20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001

Final Thoughts On The Most Instagrammable Places In New York City

Of course there are tons of Instagrammable places in New York City, but these are 13 of my favorites. Whether you’re looking for colorful murals, iconic buildings, quirky locations or great views of the Manhattan skyline, this list has a little something for everyone.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my photos and my frenchie, Maddie. If you have a suggestion for more Instagrammable spots in NYC please leave them in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

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