15 Top Instagrammable Places in NYC
New York City is an Instagrammer’s dream.
Between the skyscrapers, the people, the energy, the architecture, and the endless art and murals often curated specifically for the ‘gram, this city will leave your feed looking like it got an extreme makeover.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite and top instagrammable places in NYC for easy planning and visiting convenience. Plug them into Google Maps and you can be on your way to beautiful photos and content for days.
( Some of the links in this post are probably affiliate links meaning I might make a small percentage of any purchases you make. All opinions remain my own. For my disclosure policy click here. )
The Top Instagrammable Places in NYC Map
Before we get started on our list, here’s a handy map to find and plan your itineraries around these incredible photo spots in New York.
1. Dumbo Washington Street
This cute neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. The quaint cobblestone streets give it character and it boasts quite a backdrop for pictures with the Manhattan skyline directly across the water.
The spot on Washington St. between Plymouth and Front St. is THE spot. The one that we can guarantee you’ve seen on somebody’s Instagram feed. We can also guarantee that anytime you head to this spot, you’ll most likely never be alone.
Pro tip: go early in the morning!
2. Flat Iron Building
You can’t leave New York without first making sure that you’ve seen this building. An endless amount of Instagrammers have this triangular-shaped building as the backdrop of their photos.
The building itself was designed to squeeze into the wedge-shaped property at the intersection of Fifth Ave. and Broadway. Make sure you catch it at the right angle though or you won’t appreciate the uniqueness of the architecture.
Tip: Try to get the top of the building in the frame, almost directly in front of the building on 5th – really captures the shape
3. Grand Central Terminal
Think a train station couldn’t possibly be glamorous enough to throw on Instagram? Think again.
Grand Central terminal is beautiful! The architecture is stunning and extremely elaborate. The celestial ceiling (constellations/stars) mural is surprising but unique and there stands a four-faced iconic clock in the middle of the station that many are fond of.
4. Oculus
Here’s another transportation hub that is extremely popular on Instagram. It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to look like a dove in flight. But personally, we think it feels more like being inside of a whale’s skeleton (not even sure what that’s like but you hopefully get what we’re saying).
There is A TON of natural light, and white makes for a simple but bright and eye catching backdrop.
5. Brooklyn Bridge
Who hasn’t seen a cool shot with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background? The answer is no one.
This bridge that’s open 24/7 is so aesthetically pleasing (seriously) and also a really cool spot to grab a picture with you in the foreground and the bridge and city in the background. One caveat though is that this bridge like many places in New York is always crawling with tourists and commuters alike. You’ll almost never have it to yourself. Going early in the morning might be your only chance to grab a shot with very few people around.
It’s about 1.3 miles across which will set you back about 25 minutes to walk quickly across or 45 to 60 if you’re stopping to take pictures and catch the view.
6. Pier 25 (Near City Vineyard)
You might not be as familiar with this spot as some of the more popular places, but this Pier is the longest in Hudson River Park. It’s located in the cute but ritzy neighborhood of TriBeca.
Not only do you have great views in front of the Hudson River but you’ll also turn slightly to your left and find a great backdrop of downtown Manhattan and the Financial District.
It’s a very under-rated spot but you can definitely get some great pictures here.
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7. Top of the Rock
This is one of our favorites. There’s a reason that so many people take pictures here at Rockefeller’s Top of the Rock over its neighbor the Empire State Building. The obvious advantage? It has the Empire State Building in the picture of course!
You can catch the entire skyline from this spot. Because, as we said above, what’s New York without the Empire State Building in the shot? It’s still New York’s most iconic building. You can also see the Freedom Tower in case you were wondering.
You’ll have unobstructed views of Central Park, Midtown, the Empire State building, and even Downtown Manhattan. There are three levels at the top of the observation deck and you can choose which strikes your fancy the most.
The main entrance is located at 50th Street between 5th & 6th Avenue.
8. Washington Square Park
If you’ve ever been to Paris, you’ve probably fallen in love with the Arc de Triomphe. In the heart of Manhattan, Washington Square Park has your equivalent of the Arc in the middle of the park.
This Arch is modeled after the one in Paris and it was originally built to celebrate the inauguration of George Washington. Talk about a throw back. You’ll find this gem in the cozy and lively neighborhood of Greenwich Village (“The Village”).
You can take pictures around the fountain, shoot the Arch in the background or even, if you get the angle just right, have the Empire State Building nestled in the middle of the background of the Arch. It makes for an awesome Instagram.
9. Chinatown Doyers Street
This short street that’s actually only 200 feet looks long and winding if you capture a shot right at the front of the street. You have to make sure to snap your shot at the beginning of the street to have this desired effect.
You’ll find this street in the middle of bustling Chinatown. It used to be nicknamed “Murder Alley” awhile back due to its violent history, but now the only people who seek it out and frequent it are tourists (and maybe Instagrammers like yourself). The street is almost never empty but patience is the key to getting a great shot here without many people in the background.
Doyers Street is lined with shops all along the side and it’s often painted with very colorful murals on the road itself which makes for an even more compelling and artsy Instagram picture.
10. The Bushwick Collective
A fan favorite, murals are a great backdrop for your Instagram photos. Lucky for you, you’re in one of the most diverse and artistic cities filled with talent that extends even to the streets themselves. If you’re a big fan of street art, this spot in Brooklyn might be for you. It’s home to the Bushwick Collective which is a collection of murals within an area of Brooklyn and is made up of several streets.
Stay up to date with what murals are currently featured in the Bushwick Collective as they are changing often. Stay up to date by following their Instagram here. You can also just show up and walk around the area to find any murals that you love if you have your camera ready. There are almost 100 blocks of art in and around the area though so beware there’s a lot to see!
The Bushwick Collective is located in Brooklyn off of Flushing Avenue and Troutman and St. Nicholas area have the most famous of murals if you’re looking for a specific spot to visit.
PS. Check out The Bagel Store nearby for the famous rainbow bagel.
11. Pebble Beach – Dumbo
They say the best view of Manhattan is from Brooklyn. While we agree and disagree here, it does offer a really great view and also serves as an amazing backdrop for any photo you take. If you like water and bridges and buildings all in one shot, you need to check this spot out.
This Instagram spot is near the water’s edge and is along the Manhattan bridge Pedestrian path. It has amazing Manhattan skyline views both day and night and you’ll also capture a great angle of the bridges nearby as well. A famous landmark nearby is Jane’s Carousel which makes for such a unique spot for a picture and you can even capture the views in the background if you’re lucky.
Jane’s Carousel could make a great shot for Instagram both during the day but also at night. In my opinion, it is a killer spot for a picture at night since you’ll have the twinkling lights of this 1920’s carousel to play with in your photo.
Year round, this spot on Pebble Beach in Brooklyn is a big hit for both engagements and wedding photos due to jaw-dropping backdrop. Don’t be surprised if you run into a photo shoot while you’re there.
12. Nomo Soho
The entrance to Nomo Kitchen is a truly magical spot and probably one of the most beautiful hotel entrances we’ve ever seen. It is a tunnel of vine greenery and intertwined lights.
Definitely grab a picture in front of the entrance and it’ll feel like you just snapped a shot in front of an Enchanted Forest or something out of a fairy tale. Don’t be shy about taking a picture as you most definitely won’t be the first to do so.
This spot is located in the SoHo neighborhood.
13. Times Square
While Times Square is a resident’s nightmare, it’s also a spot that you can’t miss out on if you’re visiting New York City for the first time (or even the 100th time!). You can’t have New York without times square.
This section of Midtown is alive and vibrant, and a photo here just makes sense to capture that vibrancy of the city. Think Broadway billboards, retail stores, advertisements, people, and lots and lots of lights. This place is a madhouse. Try to come really early in the morning if you’re looking to beat the crowd.
If you stand on top of the TKTS stairs or below the stairs facing downtown (between Broadway and 7th and below 47th street) you can capture a great shot with the buildings and chaos behind you. If you go early in the morning and there aren’t many cars coming you can also snap a picture here in the middle of a crosswalk (beware: this will make residents and drivers angry so use your best judgment and just be aware). You really can’t go wrong with where to grab a picture since the background here will be exciting either way.
View this post on InstagramSiempre había querido venir a este lugar, lo veía un sueño imposible pero finalmente se logró!????
14. Pietro NoLita
This might be the pinkest restaurant we’ve ever seen. The pinkness of this place makes it unique and also a great backdrop for your Instagram feed.
You’ll find this spot in the heart of Nolita on 174 Elizabeth Street. It’s an Italian Restaurant that is very tiny and often very busy.
There are several spots where you can capture a great shot. Try grabbing a picture of you sitting on the bench out front of the restaurant. You can also grab a picture of you inside at the bar featuring the cute bar chairs that are, you guessed it, also pink. Another great spot is in front of the windows that are covered in hearts.
It’s all very Instagram friendly so you won’t be disappointed.
15. The Standard, High Line
What better way to spend a day than to be relaxing on elevated public park that was transformed from an abandoned railway on Manhattan’s West Side? The High Line is 1.45 miles long and you can walk from the Meat Packing District all the way to Hudson Yards.
You’ll find a variety of plants and greenery along the way, artwork, food vendors, and unique views of both the Hudson River and the city.
While you can find several places along this walkway to take great photos, the most popular places to snap pictures are: overlooking 14th street, 17th street in the 10th Avenue Box (such a cool spot, very artsy), and the areas along the walkway that overlook the Empire State Building in the distance.
Wrapping Up: Top Instagrammable Places in NYC
So now you’re probably trying to figure out how you’ll even pick a spot for a picture in New York not where anymore. There are far too many to even count and the city continues to grow and change each year which brings even more unique and beautiful spots to snap a picture at.
You can’t go wrong with any of these top instagrammable places in NYC or even any random photo spots that you pass while you’re strolling through neighborhoods.
Happy ‘gramming!
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Did you use any of these spots in a picture? Link ’em up here or comment your favorite spot to take pictures at in New York.
