It’s finally time to share my favourite instagrammable spots in New York City. I already received lots of questions about where to find these places, so I’ve added a map to make things easy. Enjoy!
PS: Are you planning a romantic getaway to New York City with your loved one? Check out these unforgettable things to do in New York City, especially for couples.
Map of most instagrammable places in New York City
Times Square
Times Square is with no doubt one of the most iconic places in New York City. It is full of life day and night, which makes it a bit difficult to avoid the crowds.
The picture with the crowds was made at 12:20 pm. The quieter pictures were made just before sunrise, between 7 am and 7:30 am.
One World Trade Center
The area around One World Trade Center is very impressive because of its history and the impact it had on New York as a city. I think most of us will still remember where they were and what they were doing when they first heard of the 9/11 tragedy.
The World Trade Center memorial and museum are definitely worth a visit but please be respectful during your visit. If you want to take instagrammable pictures, visit these places outside the One World Trade Center instead:
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All the pictures above were made with a wide-angle lens camera, and we used a tripod for our couple pictures. You won’t be able to capture the skyscrapers like this without a wide-angle camera. These pictures were taken at One World Trade Center and Liberty Park.
Other instagrammable places around the One World Trade Center areΒ Brookfield PlaceΒ (the shopping center with cubes and palm trees) andΒ Pumphouse parkΒ (next to the river):
All these pictures were made after our visit to the One World Observatory, which I wrote a separate blog post about:
Hudson Yards
The Hudson Yards is a new and vibrant neighbourhood in New York City. It’s most instagrammable feature is called “The Vessel“, which was only opened to the public in March 2019.
You can get free tickets to climb The Vessel, but it’s best to reserve a time slot online in advance. Free same-day tickets are available at the kiosks on a first-come-first-serve basis. We visited in the afternoon, and it was so crowded that we couldn’t be bothered to climb The Vessel. Both pictures are made with a wide-angle lens camera.
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The High Line
The High Line is within walking distance from the Vessel. It’s a footpath on what used to be a railway above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. Now it feels more like an art exhibition to walk on the High Line:
Travel Photography for Couples
Learn more about taking your own travel pictures as a couple in my book:
As a travel couple, do you ever wish to travel back to a place, just to take better pictures together? I sure know I do! Thatβs why in this book, I am sharing everything we wish we knew about taking pictures together when we first started travelling as a couple. Read more…
Dumbo & Brooklyn
Dumbo and Brooklyn are full of instagrammable places, but one that is not so well known is theΒ Main Street Park in Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo are both very famous instagram spots. I have written a separate blog post on how and when to get the best pictures at these places:
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is another New York icon that can’t be missed on your instagram gallery:
As we almost got scammed when we wanted to visit the Statue of Liberty, I have dedicated a separate blog post on how to get here:Β
Wall Street
There are so many movies about Wall Street, that this iconic building deserves a spot on your instagram gallery. Wall Street also has a charging bull, but the 24/7 crowds surrounding the bull make it impossible to take a good picture with it.
Rockefeller Center
There are plenty of things to do around the Rockefeller Center, especially around Christmas time. But the building itself is also instagrammable enough:
You need to be very quick to use your tripod here, as we received a warning from a security guy to put our tripod away. At least we didn’t get fined.
Herald Square
Just outside Macy’s department store you’ll find Herald Square. With all its colourful picnic chairs and tables, it will definitely brighten up your instagram gallery:
To get the tall buildings in the background of your pictures, you’ll have to use a wide-angle lens. We didn’t get any problems for using our tripod here.
New York Public Library
Another place in New York City that features in lots of movies is the New York Public Library:
This picture was taken at 9:30 am, so not ridiculously early. Also, if you happen to visit New York at Christmas time, you should visit the markets and ice rink at Bryant Park.
Central Park
Central Park is full of instagrammable spots, but if you’re short on time you’ll have to visit theΒ Belvedere Castle at least. When you enter Central Park from the American Museum of Natural History, you’ll also crossΒ theΒ Balcony Bridge:
